Throwing Yourself Away

Maxwell Perkins said that we have to throw ourselves away when we write. He meant that true creativity emerges not from sticking steadfast to who we are, but rather from diving recklessly, headfirst into what we're not. We have to strip ourselves of all our preconceived notions and frameworks of reference in order to discover. By throwing ourselves away in this manner, our minds are free to explore and draw new connections. We are able to see the world through new lenses and develop new neural pathways. This is the essence of creativity and it's essential in creative writing. The most basic way to tap into this creative center in our brains is to freewrite. This can be done through timed writings in which our hand moves non-stop across the page. It can be done by pairing odd things together and asking our brain to draw a bridge that connects them. It can be done by writing counterintuitively, meaning the opposite of what makes sense. It can be done by writing with the senses only, shutting off any pragmatic analysis. Throwing ourselves away when we write is not easy. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things we ever do as writers; but if done correctly and consistently, it can also be one of the most creatively rewarding things we do. The next time you sit down to write, try throwing yourself away. You may be amazed at what emerges!