Inner Solitude, Or What You Absolutely Need In Order to Write
“The necessary thing is after all but this: solitude, great inner solitude.” –Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
Making a Note by Garry Knight
Solitude is the state or quality of being solitary, secluded, or remote from others. There is physical solitude–seclusion, or social isolation. And there is inner solitude, which is a state of mind, or an attitude, as well as a practice.
In this noisy world and in our busy lives as writers, it’s challenging to create a situation in which you’re entirely alone, secluded from others, and writing in a quiet, distraction-free zone. While some writers can only create in such a situation, other writers do brilliant work in crowded cafes or plugged-in to their ipods.
Regardless of when, where, or under what circumstances we write, inner solitude is absolutely necessary to writing and to creating.
What is Inner Solitude?
Inner solitude can happen anywhere and at any time. It is an inner stillness. For writers, inner solitude is a state of being present in and focused on one’s writing. It happens inside one’s mind, and our outer circumstances may or may not reflect that inner attitude.
Also, inner solitude is a necessary practice for writers. It is perhaps the most important condition required to create. In my opinion, without inner stillness, presence, and focus, great writing simply cannot happen.
How Inner Solitude Works
I’ll admit that when I write, I prefer to be completely alone and free of noise and outside distractions. But there have been plenty of occasions in which I’ve written some good poems and articles while surrounded by people and noise—in busy airports and cafes or in a park with children laughing and screeching nearby.
And though I have the relatively quiet and secluded space of my study in which to write, the sounds of life in my neighborhood filter-in throughout my day—the ice cream truck in the summer, the snow plow in the winter, the sounds of my neighbors going about their business, the clattering of construction and trash trucks, and the constant rush of traffic from the nearby interstate.
But when I’m practicing inner solitude, these noises aren’t distractions. Rather, they become the background sounds to which I write. And other people and their actions become a kind of backdrop to the scene, often inspiring the images and metaphors that appear in my poetry.
I’m sure I’m not alone in this experience. You too probably find that even quiet seclusion is not completely silent and includes contact with the outside world. And if you’re an experienced writer, you’ve probably practiced inner solitude despite these background sights and sounds.
Benefits and Uses of Inner Solitude
Inner solitude, then, is a necessary attitude and practice for writers.
But why is it so important to our writing?
Even in a noisy and crowded situation, writing requires us to withdraw into our creative minds. This inner solitude, or social withdrawal is precisely the condition through which we can focus on our writing. Deep focus is required for great writing. Without it, our writing suffers. Or we may not write at all.
Also, being able to create inner solitude in any circumstance means that we can write more frequently. By learning to practice inner solitude in any situation, we become more flexible around the circumstances in which we can write, and as a result, we may be able to produce more work.
Finally, inner solitude creates the solitary and mindful presence required to create great writing. When we write, we must feel alone, even when we are not. Aloneness allows us to write freely and unabashedly, which are primary conditions for discovering creative possibilities.
Creating Inner Solitude
So how do we create the attitude and practice of inner solitude?
As I’ve suggested, inner solitude can happen at any time or in any place. So, the outer conditions—where and when you write—are not as important as cultivating a particular mindset. Most important for inner solitude are being present and focusing.
Being present
Even locked away in my study, being present in the moment is sometimes difficult for me to achieve. My mind races ahead to what needs to be done or lags behind, dwelling on what’s already happened. However, being in the present moment is the primary foundation to inner solitude. It’s what keeps us in the moment of writing and engaged with our own creative thoughts.
Focusing
Focus is absolutely necessary to inner solitude. Focus is deep concentration on our writing. With focus, we think only of the writing itself. With focus, we can nurture the best ways to convey our creative thoughts. And with focus, we can hone in on the creative process, rather than what’s happening around us.
When Inner Solitude Eludes You
Creating inner solitude is relatively simple, but it’s not always easy. If you find that when you sit in a café you do more people watching than writing, then you haven’t found your inner solitude. Or if you’re at your desk and constantly checking your email, tweeting, or updating your status on Facebook, instead of writing, then inner solitude is eluding you.
While inner solitude can happen anywhere and at any time, the key, especially in the beginning, is to find the right conditions under which you can focus and be present.
For instance, if the presence of other people hinders you from being present in your writing, then find a private space. If quiet conditions make it hard for you to focus, then listen to music. If you’re tired and disengaged from your creativity in the afternoons, then choose a better time to write. If you can’t stop checking your email, then unplug your computer from the internet.
In other words, strengthen your inner solitude by figuring out the circumstances that work best for you and your creative process.
Forming the Habit of Inner Solitude
With diligence and practice, you’ll eventually be able to tap into inner solitude whenever the impulse to write strikes.
Being able to easily create inner solitude is a handy habit. It means that you’ll write more often and in more situations. Ultimately, with the frequent practice of inner solitude, you’ll be able to focus and be present for your craft. And by doing so, you’ll learn to write better, more brilliant work.
In what circumstances or under what conditions do you write best? How do you find inner solitude?
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Flickr photo courtesy of Garry Knight
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[...] Ami’s blog posts get to the heart and soul of writing, such as on “Why You are Not Your Writing” and “Inner Solitude: Or What You Absolutely Need in Order To Write.” [...]
Another excellent post, Ami.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..A Powerful Pull (Poem) =-.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Thanks, Maureen! You know I always appreciate your support and opinions. Thank your for reading, commenting and sharing!
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Great points Ami.
I am surprised when I get creative ideas during my ‘moving solitude’ – i.e., my walk with the dog. For some reason, just taking a walk seems to generate ideas. My challenge is that I never remember to bring a notebook during these outings!
.-= Ami´s last blog ..A friendly letter to BP – What would YOU do? =-.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Ah, what a great concept, Ami! “Moving Solitude.” In Buddhism, they talk about walking meditation. It’s amazing how walking, creativity, and well-being are all connected. Thanks for your support and for sharing the post. I really appreciate it!
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Great post, Ami! While I am a complete beginner, I have found tai chi movements to be quite useful in stilling myself–very similar to “moving solitude”. It is often called “meditation in movement”.
I completely agree that solitude is a state of mind. In the same way a person can be focused on a conversation in a restaurant, so a person can be in solitude on a bus, a train, a coffee shop or anywhere else.
However, it is a good practice to take a weekend ever once and a while to experience silent solitude in a natural setting (whether you choose to write in that setting or not). I am fortunate to have a wonderful screened in side porch on my house located in a small city. Early in the morning I can sit with the ceiling fan on, a cup of coffee in hand, and listen to the cacophony of birds. The value of such times cannot be overestimated.
As the Hasidic Rabbi, Moshe Leib of Sasov, once said: “A man who will not spend an hour a day by himself, is not human.”
Thank you for a splendid post!
.-= Darryl Willis´s last blog ..Sanctus =-.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 4th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Thank you, Darryl! Your suggestion to spend some time alone is a really good one. I actually spend a lot of alone time, writing. And this time is invaluable to me. And like you, I love the mornings. I usually wake around 4am because I love the darkness and the quiet.
But I know that some writers need the presence of others and sound in order to create. And it’s something of a privilege to have a private space in which to write–”a room of one’s own.”
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and to comment. I appreciate your support!
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Ami, you are quite right about the privilege of having a room of one’s own. It is something that should never be taken for granted. What is rather interesting to me is that most often, even though I have private spaces, I find myself spending hours at a rather spacious coffee shop with my laptop!
You are a 4 o’clocker too? This is too funny!
I really enjoy your posts.
.-= Darryl Willis´s last blog ..Sanctus =-.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 5th, 2010 at 7:27 am
I find it interesting that some people need the presence of others and sound in order to write. As I said in the article, I have experience with writing in social situations, but I really need seclusion in order to consistently create.
I’m interested in knowing why you spend frequent time, writing in the coffee shop, rather than your own private spaces.
And yes I’m an early morning riser. If I wake up at 5am, like I did this morning, I feel that I’ve slept in. Ha! There’s just something about feeling all alone (except for the optimistic birds) that makes it easier to think and to explore my feelings.
Thank you so much for reading, commenting, and letting me know that you’re enjoying my posts. I really appreciate your support!
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Nice post. Sometimes solitude helps generate ideas. Other times, when I’m in the midst of a hectic schedule, a really good idea will preset itself. Then there are times when I am running and I will have an ah-ha moment. They seem to come at any time for me
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 6th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Ralph, your experiences really exemplify how ideas can come to us in many situations. I know from experience that exercise, especially running, creates and requires inner solitude–a lot like writing itself. Thanks for sharing!
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Ami,
To answer you question: Perhaps it is a personality thing. I have taken all of those personality tests which focus on left/right brain, audio-visual-kinetic, etc. and have discovered I’m dead center (good news/bad news: I can appreciate several different perspectives, but I have a very difficult time making up my mind!). I am an outgoing extrovert who enjoys solitude and silence, but I also enjoy sitting in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Of course, I am a coffee freak so I enjoy getting the bottomless cup of coffee–but there is something about the background sound of people that I enjoy.
Don’t get me wrong. I grew up on a 65 acre patch of pine trees. As a teenager I loved going to a small grove with a book and spending hours sitting on a pine needle carpet reading.
So I am not certain I can give a definitive answer as to why I spend frequent time writing in the coffee shop. I’ll have to give that some more thought!
.-= Darryl Willis´s last blog ..Sanctus =-.
[Reply]
Ami Mattison Reply:
June 6th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Thanks, Darryl, for your thoughtful reply. I’m curious because the experience of needing or actually enjoying the sounds and presence of others while writing is dissimilar to my own experience. Being able to tap into inner solitude makes it possible for me to write in a social situation. But as I’ve suggested, I do my best work alone and in a quiet atmosphere–it’s just easier for me. So, I’m curious when it’s easier for other to write in social contexts. Anyway, interesting conversation. Thanks!
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Hey, Ami– this is terrific. I’ve been practicing staying in the moment for numerous reasons which I just divulged wholly and with a sense of huge vulnerability on my blog, but also because for me it is within the moment that I perceive the richness of life, in turn triggering a line, a thought, a surge of feeling. this is a wonderful post.
I just read an older essay on Lauren Davis’s blog on SW that touches on this business of The Writing Life; you might find it interesting. Stop by and read my piece; i’m feeling scared and could use a little encouragement. I set out to write more journal than essay this morning and it isn’t polished. I’ll take a look at your poems today….xxxxj
.-= Andrews´s last blog ..Second Person: An Abbreviate Saga =-.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 6th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Hey, Jenne’! Good to see you here. Thanks for dropping by. It makes me happy that you enjoyed the post. Staying in the moment is such a simple idea, and yet so hard sometimes. Yet, the diligence it requires is so worth it! As you suggest, it helps us to experience the richness of any given moment and can really spur our creativity.
I’ll definitely drop by your blog. I know that feeling of being scared when you take a risk and put a piece of yourself out there. So, good for you for being brave.
Thanks again!
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I found your blog through She Writes and love it! I am an elementary teacher and find that when my life gets too busy my quiet time is in the shower. I’ve had to jump out to quickly run dripping wet to write down a poem that was “showered” upon me.
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Ami Mattison Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Thanks, Laurie. I’m so glad you found my blog. What a wonderful and funny experience you describe. It really shows how inner solitude can be found in many circumstances and that sometimes inspiration can be most inconvenient! Thanks for sharing.
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