Why Writing Rituals Matter

When I was a little girl, I remember reading about rituals that sports people and creative professionals followed. I often wondered if superstition or practices that didn’t present scientific proof…had a place in their profession. But as I grew older, I realized that whatever centers you and nourishes your focus (and doesn’t hurt someone else in the process) is A-okay. Writing rituals or the ones in sports or any other sphere of life, help us gain control over our mind and situation.

Did you know that Rita Dove, the former U.S. Poet Laureate, wrote by hand, standing up at a lectern with a candlestick on it? She wrote at the end of the day. She lit the candle and as the burning tallow began to flicker on the page, she began to compose. Isn’t that fascinating?

I have a new book, “A Piece of Peace,” coming out on September 21, 2021. A Piece of Peace is an autobiographical account of one woman’s unique struggle with a near-fatal disease. It has essays and stories on coping with the pandemic, mindfulness, Ayurveda, meditation, resilience, productivity, and more. Amongst other things, there are tips, tricks, wisdom all packed neatly with compassion to help you navigate life no matter what’s thrown at you. It teaches you how your wellness plays a huge role in your productivity.

I typically take a break from everything and go away for a few days to a quiet place (where home, job, colleagues, and clients aren’t something I deal with) to figure out the book journey. But with the Delta Variant, I have no idea how things will pan out in a month’s time. I am following my yoga principles off the mat to stay grounded: Show up daily to the book, do your due diligence, but don’t be attached to it.

Prior to the pandemic, I had a designated space to write. That was my most monumental writing ritual. I wrote in the NYC subways and this special place. My brain, like Pavlov’s dog, would secrete creative juices the minute I would get to my writing space. It was a sacred relationship where words and I never failed one another. Phone on airplane mode. Earl Grey tea in hand and my fingertips bent over the keyboard, typing away. I wasn’t anyone’s colleague, wife, friend, healer, or coach in that period. Just me, the writer. My writing ritual would help me summon the muse and foster my creativity.

But then the Covid-19 pandemic happened, and it has altered the usual working spots for many writers. My friends who wrote in local coffee shops didn’t have access to these for a very long time. Writing retreats and writing residencies became a thing of the past. Despite the double dose of the vaccine and CDC confirming that one didn’t need to wear masks outside, we are all navigating the pandemic in our own ways. It feels like a lot of pressure on the muse if you are unsure of where it is safe and what is okay.

It’s not been easy (for a large majority) to keep nourishing their creativity while juggling life during the coronavirus days. Boundaries are being tested daily and intrusions (both personal and professional) seem unavoidable. Days merge into nights. Help with childcare or eldercare isn’t always around the corner. Unless you are diligent about separating time for your creativity from your day-to-day, it’s difficult to get much done. But it seems that those who have had some sort of a writing ritual in place…have managed to get writing done despite all the mess.

I asked three women authors, in three different parts of the country, about their writing rituals, and here is what they had to say:

Joyce Yarrow is the author of several books. Sandstorm is her latest novel. The name of her writing ritual is Cato and Coffee. She says, “Just like lacing up your sneakers firms up a commitment to exercise, a writer needs some ritualistic behaviors to reinforce her intention to put more words on the page. Whatever ritual we use to get started—it can be as simple as brewing a cup of coffee and inviting your cat to settle down on the Pilates mat in your office—this familiar action imbues us with a sense of confidence as we proceed.”

Monica Bhide’s upcoming novel is called The Soul Catcher, and it comes out in September 2021. Monica’s writing ritual includes visiting her characters once a day and writing a small paragraph about that. She says, “Writing rituals matter because they dissolve fear. If we don’t consistently do something, the task starts to look very monumental and difficult. But small steps everyday towards a goal make it achievable and less overwhelming (and less menacing!)”

Anisha Bhatia wrote The Rules of Arrangement, which was released in 2021. Anisha likes to aimlessly type for about 15 minutes, sometimes 30, before she hits the ground. On other occasions, there’s a cup of tea and ten minutes of silence. She says, “Writing rituals matter if you want them to matter. Some people can write anyplace that inspiration strikes, and on some days I’m one of them. But on other days, we all need that push, and rituals like a cup of coffee or ten minutes of staring at the grass or five minutes of journaling do get you into the ‘zone.’ Think of it as a meditation that centers you, gets the wiggles out (read: all things Internet) and reaches a mindful state of creating a story.”

For me, writing rituals have been like meditation during the pandemic. They can make all the difference between a productive day or one that ends in despair. They get me into a creative frame of mind. These daily rituals, like my asana practice, prevent writerly stagnation. I fear if I don’t write then anxiety around unproductivity or writer’s block might set in. Writing rituals keep me on track and help me feel something is under control, even during these challenging times.

In her slim but rich and meticulously researched book “Odd Type Writers: From Joyce and Dickens to Wharton and Welty: the Obsessive Habits and Quirky Techniques of Great Authors,” Celia Blue Johnson does a remarkably thorough job documenting the rituals, working habits and environments of nearly 200 writers, from Diane Ackerman to W.B. Yeats.

Of course, not everyone believes in rituals. Isaac Asimov, with over 500 published books to his credit, once said, “My only ritual is to sit close enough to the typewriters so that the fingers touch the keys.”

Do you have any writing rituals? Share them with us in the comments below!

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BIO: Sweta Srivastava Vikram is an international speaker, best-selling author of 12 books, and Ayurveda and mindset coach who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. Her upcoming book, “A Piece of Peace,” will be released on September 21, 2021.

As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC and Radio Lifeforce, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, health, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications across nine countries on three continents.

Sweta is a trained yogi and certified Ayurveda health coach, is on the board of Fly Female Founders, and holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. Voted as “One of the Most Influential Asians of Our Times” and winner of the “Voices of the Year” award (past recipients have been Chelsea Clinton), she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients across the globe. She also teaches yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as well incarcerated men and women. Find her on: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Sweta Vikram 

Ayurveda + Mindset Coach | Global Speaker | Best-selling Author

Winner of Voices of the Year Award

www.swetavikram.com | sweta@swetavikram.com

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Category: How To and Tips