Arlia Hoffman invites her co-host Mark Elberfeld to share his experience of recently achieving a long-time goal of his: to write 50,000 words during the month of November through the online platform National Novel Writing Month, affectionally known as NaNoWriMo. Mark shares what he learned during the process, especially how to leverage the current circumstances of his life to help make this happen. This conversation is part of an ongoing one Arlia and Mark have regarding the creative process. They will offer a series on creativity in 2021.

Topics include the following:

The role of motivation and competition
Using circumstances such as time, energy, and space to work
How the stress of 2020 helped create spaciousness for creativity in many people
Breaking down the goal into manageable increments (15-minute bursts)
Having the support of others
The concept of Flow by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi; flow is a useful state in which to create
Allowing for forgiveness
Not focusing on content
Letting the inner critic and editor sit over there in the corner
Unlearning the age-old process of editing as I go
No more perfect first draft; using Anne Lamott’s concept of the Shitty First Draft
Brené Brown uses SFD in processing our relationships with others
Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic also helpful
Identifying as a writer: “this is what writers do; they sit down and write.”

Useful links:

Bird by Bird

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (we discuss this book in Episode 5)

The Pomodoro Technique

NaNoWriMo

Rising Strong by Brené Brown

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Mark's Handmade Pottery Mug from Vermont

Photo by Arlia Hoffman

Spiral Leadership Radio is sponsored by Spiral Leadership Group. Founders Mark Elberfeld and Arlia Hoffman are the show hosts.
Spiral Leadership Group facilitates growth in depth leadership, emotional intelligence, and diversity. Through a custom curriculum, retreats, experiential workshops, and coaching, Spiral empowers leaders to be innovative, responsive, and effective.
Learn more at spiralleadershipgroup.com.