Reflections on Writing and Creativity: Insights from the SciLogs Meeting

• May 1, 2016
• Reading time: approximately 4 minutes

Exploring Intentions and Creativity The journey toward fulfilling good intentions can sometimes feel like a path paved with challenges. As I reflect on the resolutions I made during the recent SciLogs meeting in Wiesloch, I am eager to see how these commitments will manifest. One of my primary goals is to write a new blog post each week. Initially, I intended to share insights about the Munich Writing Workshop, which serves as my creative workspace, much like how others might describe their experiences on a construction site or in the cockpit of an aircraft. However, the recent SciLogs conference has inspired me to reconsider the purpose of this blog and its direction. Gratitude for the SciLogs Gathering I want to express my appreciation to the organizers of the SciLogs meeting and the Spektrum Verlag for making this event possible once again. This marks my third attendance, and I have gained invaluable knowledge while enjoying the company of fellow bloggers, as well as the exquisite wine tasting and meals provided. Congratulations to Tanja Gabriele Baudson for being named the SciLogs Blogger of the Year for her exceptional work on her giftedness blog!

Returning to My Roots Returning to the essence of my blog means revisiting themes related to the labyrinth myth, which is how this blog began in 2007. However, my true roots lie in my own writing journey and the more than a thousand writing seminars I have conducted, where I share the joy of writing and provide tools for aspiring authors, particularly those interested in novel writing. The colleagues at SciLogs often write about their work in observatories, excavation campaigns, and other professional endeavors. This has long motivated me to reflect on the process of novel writing within this blog. As I am currently working on a novel, it seems fitting to make this creative journey visible to others. As Goethe wisely noted:

The most personal is the most universal. I am excited to see how this will unfold. I have long considered transforming this blog into a companion logbook for my current novel project. However, I want it to benefit others as well, such as participants in my writing workshops or anyone interested in embarking on their own novel projects. This endeavor reflects a broader interest in writing as a comprehensive creative process, which, in my view, is best represented through the work of crafting a novel.

Proposed Sections for the Blog I envision three main categories to accompany my reflections: ° The first will document Labyrinthine themes, which has been the original focus of this blog since 2007, but I aim to expand beyond mere documentation. ° The second category will feature insightful quotes on the theme of Slowing Down. ° Lastly, I will share tips from my writing process that might be helpful for other authors, presented in a free-flowing manner rather than as a systematic guide.

The labyrinth, or the Yrrinthos, serves as a powerful metaphor for novel writing, while the concept of slowing down represents the ideal pace for this creative endeavor. In my Tips for Authors section, I will explore the critical role of Mistakes in the creative process and the paradox of Planned Chance, which can be facilitated, for example, by using the remarkable OH-Cards. Serendipity continually teaches us about chance as a driving force behind all stories and biographies. I intend to keep these categories manageable, allowing for serendipitous discoveries to emerge naturally. If all goes well, I hope to complete my novel by the end of this year.

Upcoming Articles I have an extensive list of ideas for future posts, and here are some that are currently on my agenda: #299: The Munich Writing Workshop (as previously announced). #300: Novelology or: The Science and Technology of Novel Writing (a fitting topic for the anniversary). #301: Heinz Zwack's Galaxy Challenger and the “Chance as Necessity” in the Multiverse (a review of a science fiction novel that reveals various facets of novel writing). #302: Plagiarism as Common as Sand (in light of recent events). #303: Mysteries of Bookkeeping (this too must be written about!)

Post 298 / JvS #1059 / SciLogs #1469 / Updated: May 1, 2016 / 18:50 / v 1.0

"Two souls reside within my breast." Writing has captivated me since my youth and has become the core of all my endeavors. The other “soul” is my practical psychological work combined with scientific processing. After studying psychology since 1971, I have operated my own practice as a clinical psychologist. Initially, my research focused on substance abuse, culminating in my dissertation in 1976 titled "The Wrong Path to Self: Studies on Drug Careers." Since the 1990s, my research has shifted to the topic of giftedness. My third research interest encompasses labyrinths in all their forms. Through the Theme-Centered Interaction (TCI) method developed by Ruth C. Cohn, I found an effective tool for working with groups, merging writing and (creativity) psychology in a way that resonates with me. Since 1978, I have conducted seminars on self-experience, personal development, and creative writing, alongside my wife Ruth Zenhäusern at the institute we founded, the "Institute for Applied Creativity Psychology" (IAK). The theme of Slowing Down could be considered my “third soul”: it is a fundamental aspect of all writing and navigating through a labyrinth. My published works include "Creative Writing - HyperWriting," "Writing Short Stories," "The Drama of Giftedness," "Timeline of Intelligence, Creativity, and Giftedness Psychology," and "Blues for Bassoon and Sawn Virgin" (a collection of my short stories), with a new edition of "Secrets of Dreams" in preparation.