Going With the Flow: A Writer's Journey Through Resistance

Embracing the Unplanned Creative Process

I was going to write a post inspired by something I read this past week on Substack, especially the comment I left as a response. But I realized that I wasn't ready for it yet. I was still processing the thoughts that the post prompted in me. As I wrote last week, the post is not abandoned; it's just stewing away.

Every week is largely unplanned, flying by the seat of my pants, if you will. The funny thing is that the first book I started writing in 2017 was written without any plan or outline and only the vaguest idea of where the story was headed. Even more odd was that I thought of it, and still do, as the first of a series. But again, I only had the sketchiest ideas of where the series would take me.

Pantser or Plotter, and does it matter?

The Value of Creative Connections

I also had several short chats online this past week, including one with Jack Harmer, the author of the Substack, The Wrinkly Writer. It's always nice to chat with a fellow oldster, although Jack has quite a few years on me. He only posted for several months in 2023 and is apparently content to be a reader these days, preferring to focus on his fiction writing rather than posting on Substack. Fair enough.

If you are wondering about the relevance of the subtitle, it was inspired by the chat with Jack. Making meaningful connections with other creatives is why I do what I do. I suppose I've always been creative, only in a more formal way. First, as an engineer, and later, as a software developer, which is an exceptionally creative profession, or at least it was in my day. Due to severe technology limitations, developers had to be creative to solve problems and meet clients' requirements.

In comparison, writing on Substack is pure pleasure and not in the least bit daunting or difficult. Every week, I'll have something to say, perhaps inspired by another writer, such as the 'on hold' post mentioned earlier, or some thoughts or ideas that bubble to the surface of my mind. See last week's post as an example.

Balancing Multiple Creative Projects

None of us has time to accomplish everything we want to, not when still holding down a day job. Priorities have to be given and stood by. For me, this newsletter is my main writing outlet at the moment. Yes, I also want to work on my fiction, but I only have so much creative energy to give. Over the first months of 2025, I've finally stopped beating myself up about the lack of progress.

I tell myself, justifiably, that I am writing and I do have a small audience. The fiction projects will have their days in the sun, but only when I'm good and ready.

I mentioned my passion project several times in the newsletter; it was and remains my passion project, and I was reluctant to get back to it until I'd finished at least one unrelated fiction book so I could learn the craft better and reduce the chances of screwing it up, which is why I picked another idea to work on. But it's not going well, yet.

Having said that, it doesn't bother me anywhere near as much as it used to. In fact, I have the in-progress outline and the character sketches in front of me as I write this on Easter Sunday. It's been a busy weekend so far, with several family events to attend, with pleasure. But I have another two days until I'm back at the day job. You never know; I might finally be able to get somewhere with it.

Finding What Works For You

Yes, you read correctly, I am trying to figure out an outline for this book, maybe it will work for me, or perhaps it won't. I think that in this particular case, an outline would be helpful. Whereas, for the passion project, it would likely be detrimental to the story. There is no right or wrong way to write (apart from basic grammar and structure, of course.) Some writers are dyed-in-the-wool plotters and cannot function in any other way. While others are discovery writers, a much better term than 'pantser’.

Time will tell what works best for me, although I believe the best approach is to be open-minded about any new project. A writer might be able to plow through tens of thousands of words of the first draft in just a few weeks. The same writer may be stumped entirely with the next project and struggle to get going without some outline worked out. It always depends on the project itself.

Setting Reasonable Goals

One of the things I said to Jack Harmer in our chat this week was that I was determined to finish at least the first draft before the year is out. Now, while it wasn't a promise, as such, I would be disappointed if I didn't make it. Of course, the first draft is supposed to be easy, but it will be several rounds of editing and subsequent drafts before I finish it. I'm hoping, however, that once I get some steam up, I'll be able to keep pushing through to the end.

My main incentive is that I desperately want to return to the passion project, but I'm determined not to go anywhere near it again until I've learned a few more of the ropes.

Final Thoughts

The creative journey is never straightforward. It's filled with resistance, incubation periods, and moments of flow. What's important is to recognize that these aren't obstacles but natural parts of the process.

I've learned to be kinder to myself about the pace of progress, especially while balancing a day job and other life commitments. This newsletter serves as both a creative outlet and a reminder of why I write: to connect with others, to process my thoughts, and to enjoy the act of creation.

Whether I'm outlining meticulously or flying by the seat of my pants, the key is to keep showing up, to keep writing, and to trust that the words will come when they're ready. After all, some ideas need time to stew before they're ready to be served.