8 feb. 2015

''The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism.''


''When I’m in writing mode for a novel, I get up at 4:00 am and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for 10km or swim for 1500m (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at 9:00 pm. I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind. But to hold to such repetition for so long — six months to a year — requires a good amount of mental and physical strength. In that sense, writing a long novel is like survival training. Physical strength is as necessary as artistic sensitivity.'' — Haruki Murakami, The Paris Review, Summer 2004

Talent Is Nothing Without Focus and Endurance: For Murakami, the creative process is a sport

''If I’m asked what the next most important quality is for a novelist, that’s easy too: focus—the ability to concentrate all your limited talents on whatever’s critical at the moment. Without that you can’t accomplish anything of value, while, if you can focus effectively, you’ll be able to compensate for an erratic talent or even a shortage of it.'' 



Related post:
Rutina ca disciplină motivaţională (unde ''disciplină'' are sensul didactic de ''materie'') 
Related coaching technique: NESTworking