The Read Well Podcast: Episode 95 – "Writing a Novel is Hard Work. Here's What I'm Learning"
Hosted by Eddy Hood
Introduction
In Episode 95 of The Read Well Podcast, host Eddy Hood delves into the challenging yet rewarding journey of writing a novel. Drawing from his personal experiences, Hood explores the dynamics of creative energy, the pitfalls of overcommitment, and strategies to replenish one’s creative reserves. This episode is a treasure trove for aspiring writers and creatives seeking to maintain balance and sustain their creative momentum.
The Struggle of Sustaining Creative Energy
Eddy Hood opens the episode by candidly sharing his recent experiences with writing a novel. Transitioning from managing a successful podcast and YouTube channel to embarking on his first novel-writing endeavor, Hood found himself deeply immersed in the creative process. This intense dedication led to a significant depletion of his creative energy.
Eddy Hood [00:00]: “I decided to write a novel. So this is my first attempt at writing a novel. But what I found is that I've been giving myself to that process fully. All of my emotions, all of my... my attention has gone into this book, which has been a really wonderful thing. But a couple days ago, I sort of crashed and burned, and I have gotten out of rhythm with my podcast and my channel, and I had this sort of awakening moment of, oh, my gosh, I am completely creatively drained.”
Hood’s experience underscores the often-overlooked toll that creative projects can take on an individual, especially when juggling multiple commitments.
Understanding the 'Creative Cup' Analogy
To illustrate the fluctuation of creative energy, Hood introduces the metaphor of a coffee cup representing one's creative reserves. Just as a coffee cup has a limited capacity, so does an individual's creative energy.
Eddy Hood [00:XX]: “If this cup is you, there's only so much in you each day. And I have found for myself that when I wake up in the morning, I typically have a refilled cup. And I can spend that creative energy throughout the day. But there are days when that cup is just completely empty right out of the gate.”
This analogy emphasizes the necessity of managing and replenishing creative energy to maintain productivity and well-being.
Drains on Creative Energy
Hood identifies several factors that have been depleting his creative energy:
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Poor Physical Self-Care: Neglecting basic needs like sleep can significantly impact creative output.
Eddy Hood [02:XX]: “It's just that I'm not taking care of myself physically. It's always the case where a few days into perhaps not sleeping well or staying up too late, I'm like, what is going on?”
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Imbalance Between Consumption and Creation: An excessive intake of information without sufficient creation leads to a drain on creative resources.
Eddy Hood [04:XX]: “If all I do is consume information, whether I'm on social and I'm just kind of flipping through... that sort of consumption doesn't help.”
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Guilt from Unapplied Knowledge: Accumulating knowledge without application fosters a sense of guilt, further diminishing creative energy.
Eddy Hood [05:XX]: “Then I start to feel guilty about not doing anything with it. And that guilt sort of... drives me downward.”
Refilling the Creative Cup
To combat these drains, Hood outlines strategies to replenish creative energy:
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Prioritizing Physical Self-Care: Ensuring adequate sleep and maintaining healthy habits are foundational to sustaining creativity.
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Balancing Consumption and Creation: Striking the right balance between acquiring new information and producing creative work is crucial.
Eddy Hood [03:XX]: “You have a requirement of consuming things to fill up your cup. And you have a need to process things or create things, thereby emptying your cup.”
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Valuing the Time Between Creation: Hood emphasizes the importance of the hours between creative sessions, using this time for reflection and personal growth.
Eddy Hood [12:XX]: “One of the things I've learned just by way of writing a novel... the most important part of that novel writing experience is... the 23 hours in between each writing session. Cause I only get to write for about an hour a day.”
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Creating a Conducive Environment: Maintaining an organized and clean workspace enhances focus and creativity.
Eddy Hood [19:XX]: “I have to have a clean desk. I need to have my books put away. I gotta be honest, this place is not clean right now. And I think that's one of the reasons why my energy has just tanked.”
By implementing these strategies, Hood aims to restore his creative energy and maintain a sustainable creative practice.
Book Recommendations
Hood shares his current and recommended readings, offering listeners a glimpse into sources that inspire and support his creative journey.
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"Behave" by Robert Sapolsky:
Hood’s book club is deep into this exploration of human behavior, examining the interplay between biology, culture, and environment in decision-making.
Eddy Hood [22:XX]: “We're looking at how our biology and our culture and our environment, how all of these things sort of interplay and intertwine in the decision-making process. Why do we do what we do?”
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"The Disgrace" by J.M. Coetzee:
Though Hood hasn't read it yet, he discusses the novel's themes of personal failure and redemption, anticipating its impact based on its reputation.
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"Red Rising" Series by Pierce Brown:
Venturing into science fiction, Hood appreciates the series for its entertainment value and the opportunity to engage with a genre outside his usual preferences.
Eddy Hood [25:XX]: “Like, just because I feel books are for, you know, enlightenment and education and for sort of spawning better ideas, we absolutely should be reading for entertainment and pleasure and just pure joy as well.”
Creative Inspiration: Books to Boost Creativity
In addition to his current reads, Hood recommends books that have consistently fueled his creativity:
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Austin Kleon’s Series:
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"Still Like an Artist"
Eddy Hood [28:XX]: “Everything has been done under the sun... your job as an artist is not to feel like you have to always create something new.”
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"Show Your Work"
Eddy Hood [29:XX]: “The art of creation gets better when you share your work with the public. It allows you to get feedback and make new content to address questions.”
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"Keep Going"
Eddy Hood [30:XX]: “Creating things is really hard and it takes a lot of you, but it's also very rewarding. You just have to know that if you're going to be a creative person, you're signing up for the long haul.”
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Seth Godin's "The Practice":
Hood draws parallels between business practices and the creative process, emphasizing the importance of releasing work and iterating based on feedback.
Eddy Hood [32:XX]: “The idea is that as a business, you don't really know what your customers want. And so you have to sort of send it out and get feedback and you have to ship this work.”
These books provide practical advice and philosophical insights that help Hood navigate the complexities of maintaining creativity amidst various challenges.
Conclusion
Eddy Hood culminates the episode by reflecting on the delicate balance required to sustain creative energy. He encourages listeners to actively engage with their creative processes while maintaining self-care and environmental order. By sharing his vulnerabilities and strategies, Hood offers a relatable roadmap for creatives striving to balance passion with practicality.
Eddy Hood [38:XX]: “Remember to read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas.”
Listeners are invited to share their creative journeys and engage with the community, fostering a supportive environment for collective growth and inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Episode 95 of The Read Well Podcast serves as both a personal memoir and a practical guide for creatives navigating the ebb and flow of inspiration and productivity. Eddy Hood’s transparent discussion about his struggles and solutions offers valuable lessons for anyone committed to cultivating their creative endeavors while maintaining overall well-being.
For more insights and resources on building a strong reading habit and enhancing creative practices, visit thereadwellpodcast.com. Join the community to access daily posts, book notes, and tools designed to elevate your reading and creative skills.
Remember: Read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas.