The medical library at Yale sends me really tricky, difficult questions where my job is to do the literature search, and yes, taking a break, waiting until tomorrow, sleeping on it, talking about it with a friend, talking about it with ChatGPT, taking a ride in the car… When you come back to it, you have a different brain. It pretty much always helps.
Eliza, for me it's two different kinds of writing. My memoir and nonfiction books require drilling down. Substack is more stream-of-consciousness, more personal. Each one feeds the other if that makes sense.
The stepping away may be the most important phase, at least in my own research experience. I think of it as marinating or stewing. I put it on a timer for when to come back and stir things up again.
I love when I can learn something while reading really fine writing about it. Have a good break. When you return, I’d love to ask you about how you keep notes.
The medical library at Yale sends me really tricky, difficult questions where my job is to do the literature search, and yes, taking a break, waiting until tomorrow, sleeping on it, talking about it with a friend, talking about it with ChatGPT, taking a ride in the car… When you come back to it, you have a different brain. It pretty much always helps.
Talking about it with ChatGPT. My brain goes numb reading that. I don’t get it in this context and yes, it frightens me
So on the mark. This made me think of my days as an Econ major and “the law of diminishing returns.” I hope you have a good break.
Yes, incubation of what you’re finding is so important. Substack wants posts upon posts. I struggle with the need to incubate vs write
Eliza, for me it's two different kinds of writing. My memoir and nonfiction books require drilling down. Substack is more stream-of-consciousness, more personal. Each one feeds the other if that makes sense.
Yes, you’re using Substack wisely
The stepping away may be the most important phase, at least in my own research experience. I think of it as marinating or stewing. I put it on a timer for when to come back and stir things up again.
Thanks Jill. I have a feeling my break may last for months.
Months may be required before things begin to gel. Stir occasionally.
I think I may take a stab at writing something along the lines of Before The Coffee Gets Cold...
The novel obviously tickled your muse. Go for it! It's such a great premise.
I am also watching the movie version online. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8iidao
Good advice Lisa. Thanks
Francine
I love when I can learn something while reading really fine writing about it. Have a good break. When you return, I’d love to ask you about how you keep notes.
Ahhhh. Relax.