Lately, I’ve realized I take a very Buddhist approach to writing—specifically, in not forcing it. That insight struck me while writing two recent articles on transcendent intuition (The Tao of Physics and The Fragile Multiverse) and developing a new book with a University of Chicago professor exploring similar themes.
Early on, I made the mistake of trying to write through creative blocks. I’d sit at the keyboard, determined to push through—and every single time, I deleted everything I wrote. Now, I wait. When the spark comes, the words pour out so fast my fingers can barely keep up. When I get stuck, I don’t force it. I just recognize that I’m stuck, release any attachment to the block, and let my subconscious work the problem in the background. It always comes—when it’s ready.
Case in point: while working on my book on the Catholic Church, I hit a six-week stall. Instead of fighting it, I shifted focus—creating video content from the book for my YouTube channel—and trusted that the solution would surface. Eventually, it did. And when it did, the writing flowed without effort.
So here’s my advice for writers battling block: adopt a Buddhist mindset. Don’t force it. Don’t judge it. Let go, and let the ideas come in their own time. Aum!
And when they do come—ride that wave. Creative flow is rare, and when it hits, it’s electric. You chase the thread as far as it’ll take you, even if it means staying up all night. You don’t know when it’ll return, and sometimes the idea that ties the whole story together is just over the next rise.
That’s my process: write when the energy is right. Trust the flow. And ride the dragon all the way to the edge.
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Hi, Jason Sylvester. I force it sometimes when I get writer's block (like when I'm on a deadline), but waiting/shifting focus to something else works too. Sometimes I shift focus to another project, emails, movies, etc.
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Jason Sylvester, thank you for sharing your process so openly. That Buddhist mindset of releasing control and trusting the timing really resonates. There’s something powerful about allowing space for the subconscious to work, rather than forcing words that aren’t ready to emerge. I love your phrasing: “ride the dragon all the way to the edge.” It captures the intensity and urgency of those rare moments when the words finally rush in.
If you ever feel like sharing more about your collaboration with the UChicago professor or how you’re integrating those transcendent themes into narrative structure, I’d love to help you coordinate publishing a blog post here on Stage 32. If you’re interested, feel free to message me at blog@stage32.com.
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An interesting way of processing your writing, Jason. I don't believe the creative flow is rare. But getting into that flow is what's important and sometimes difficult. Our minds are so busy that shifting into our story world can be difficult. So the Buddhist mindset could be very helpful. For me, thinking about the story when I'm doing something else is helpful, such as going for a walk or a long freeway drive. I dictate notes into my phone. Also brainstorming with other writers can get you through a block.
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Glad my insights might help others; at least those NOT on a deadline! I agree getting into the creative flow is not always that hard. What is rare, for me at least, is hitting that zone, striking that higher octave of creative energy, where I can write effortlessly and nonstop for 24 hours because the ideas just won't stop coming and I have to get it out.