Don’t you love it when you learn that there’s a term for something you’re already familiar with? (I’m looking at you, “petrichor.”) Recently I discovered that a phenomenon I know and love in my daily life has a name: soft fascination. No, this is not the pleasure of gently squeezing a soft pug, though I know and love that phenomenon as well.
Soft fascination refers to the experience of letting your mind wander while doing mindless tasks, a practice which allows for the generation of new ideas. I’ve noticed over the years that I often get my best writing ideas when I’m doing other things: driving familiar routes, showering, doing the dishes, walking my dog, or—my favorite—attempting to fall asleep. New story ideas and characters will pop into my head, or, from nowhere, I’ll realize how I can plug a plot hole in my current manuscript, or invent a line of dialogue for a scene I wrote two weeks ago. The idea for my first novel arrived while I was sitting in Los Angeles traffic on my commute.
I’ve heard many other writers describe the same experience. Ideas come to them while doing other tasks, specifically rote tasks that require minimal concentration. The Marginalian has an article that details how nature, in particular, offers the ideal level of unfocused stimulation to allow for thought generation.
Soft fascination is a naturally-occurring phenomenon—you can’t force it. But here are a few things that writers can do to encourage an appearance from the idea fairy.
1. Write as often as possible. Finding time to write every day is a common struggle, but even a few minutes spent with your project will keep your mind engaged with your ideas. Then ideas related to your work in progress will be more likely to occur even when you’re not in front of your computer. Regular contact keeps your writing embedded in your subconscious.
2. Ensure you always have a way to make note of your ideas—and then do it. The unfortunate thing about soft fascination is that inspiration often shows up when your hands are covered in soapy dishwater or holding a steering wheel. I keep a small notebook in the bathroom for those shower ideas and in my purse for on-the-go. Record audio notes on your phone if you can’t write or type. Unless you are blessed with a better memory than mine, don’t trust yourself to remember that clever fragment hours later. Just because an idea is good doesn’t mean it’s going to wait around.
3. Make time for activities that promote soft fascination. Many such activities are built into daily life, like household chores. This is a good excuse to get other things done—painting the powder room can be part of your writing process! But if you’re struggling to find quiet time, go out for a walk. Do yoga. Getting outside and getting moving are great ways to energize your brain.
4. Choose your content consumption consciously. Read books and watch movies and TV that will inspire, educate, and uplift you, things that excite your intellect and reorganize your thoughts. Do logic puzzles or memory exercises. Converse with people who challenge you. Prime your brain to be nimble and receptive. You’ll be more ready to make those creative connections when the environment offers them up.
5. But… don’t consume content all the time. Soft fascination works in the negative space when you allow your mind to wander. We have a tendency these days to multitask, listening to an audiobook or podcast or watching TV while cooking or cleaning or driving. (I do hope you’re not watching TV while driving.) I love a good audiobook, but if you’re always directing your attention somewhere specific, you sacrifice space for your own thoughts. Embrace the quiet. Allow yourself, sometimes, to just think.
6. Don’t stress if your writing is stalled. You can’t make ideas come, and you can’t put inspiration on a clock, but you can create the ideal circumstances for creativity. If a scene you’re attempting to write is giving you heartburn, put it away. Write something else instead, or go weed your garden or wash your car. Or travel, join a club, learn a new language or hobby. Ideas are wildflowers, not hothouse plants. You can’t cultivate them by force. Sometimes you have to go out and discover them where they sprout. Seek a rich life with room for both stimulation and contemplation. You’ll come back to your desk a wiser writer.
4 thoughts on “Soft fascination: How doing less can help your writing”
Well said Sarah… My favorite soft fascination moment comes in the brief period after meditation… When my mind is squishy and ready to allow ideas “in” to bounce around. 😄 Wonderful advice!
I love that squishy mind phase!
Amen to soft fascination! Years ago, while working on my book, I did my best (I think) writing in the shower. Tubs were for having a research journal nearby and priming the writing pump. But the ideas seemed to take form and coalesce best in the soft waterfall of the shower.
It is a naturally meditative environment!