Reflections on the graceful and natural act of writing
Sparked by a Thomas Mann quote + an invitation to create together this Saturday
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” —Thomas Mann, Tristan
This week, I encountered this quote by Thomas Mann for the first time and it struck me.
There’s something paradoxical and thought-provoking about his observation. We typically imagine writers as people for whom writing comes naturally—those blessed with an innate facility with language and expression. Yet Mann suggests the opposite: that writers actually find writing more challenging than non-writers do.
The more I reflected on this paradox, the more I began to see its subtle truth. In my observations, there appears to be ways that writers make the work more difficult for themselves. Some of us might overthink our word choices, agonize over structure, or hold our work to impossibly high standards—making the process more demanding than it might be for someone who writes without these self-imposed pressures. Perhaps it’s our awareness of language’s possibilities that creates this added difficulty—knowing the gap between what we aspire to create and what actually emerges on the page.
Some of the most famous writers have said somewhat ridiculous quotes about writing being disproportionately difficult. For example, Ernest Hemingway is often credited with saying, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” (Though this quote is actually misattributed; research indicates Hemingway likely never said this. The quote first appeared attributed to him many years after his death, possibly originating from a movie about Hemingway.) Dorothy Parker lamented, “I hate writing, I love having written.” (This quote is widely attributed to Parker, though precise original sourcing is difficult to find.) Red Smith dramatically stated, “Writing is easy. You just open a vein and bleed” (First reported by Walter Winchell in 1949, who quoted Smith saying this when asked if writing a daily column was difficult.) And George Orwell described writing a book as “a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness” (From his 1946 essay “Why I Write”). To be fair, these writers were employing the dramatic, visceral language that makes their writing compelling—perhaps choosing memorable metaphors over literal accuracy, as writers are wont to do.
I find these quotes lacking in perspective and proportion, which is why I appreciate this quote from Thomas Mann. He’s not making a blanket statement about writing being hard, rather he is speaking specifically to the irony that writing is hard for writers—because we place such significance on it. That is refreshingly honest to me.
This contrast in perspective becomes even more apparent when we consider the genuine physical hardships, emotional traumas, and mental anguishes involved in human experience, the comparison of writing to “bleeding” or “illness” feels particularly tone-deaf. Writing is a privilege. The ability to sit safely, with time and space to arrange words on a page, represents an extraordinary luxury. The difficulties of writing are real-ish, but they're difficulties born of creative opportunity, not survival necessity.
I think the writer’s struggle to write would be much improved by an approach of perspective and gratitude. I certainly wake up each day thankful for the privilege of wrestling with words rather than more fundamental struggles. Mann’s quote acknowledges the inherent challenge without the melodrama, and that’s why it resonates with me.
This quote provokes me to ask myself—Are there any ways that I have made my writing more difficult? Or anything else? Am I making anything in my life more complicated than needed, more burdensome than essential, more laborious than warranted, more intricate than required?
I like to simplify and I seek to keep a clear perspective, so, luckily, I avoid falling into the trap of making things more difficult for myself, in general. Simplifying is my M.O. However, there are deeply ingrained habits and other factors at play.
I like to think of writing as an graceful and natural action for me. Over the seventeen years that I have been writing, it has come to feel that way. When I began with writing poetry, my writing was purely occasional. When I would get an emotional or intuitive hit to write poetry, my writing would flow. That is mostly how it occurred in my adolescence, other than my weekly journaling. Creative writing was not a consistent practice for me in the beginning.
Slowly and surely, I built up a practice to encourage free writing on a daily basis, and that makes writing feel much easier.
The Magic of Freewriting
I worked through a writing block this week by free writing through it. I wasn’t blocked entirely, but I was working on my manuscript Tuesday night—looking at my draft, editing sections, and when I came to the part based on my teenage years, I felt a block come up—a strong ‘no.’
So, I moved to free writing. I wrote a letter to that past version of myself. I addressed the issues with her.
I feel lighter now thanks to this catharsis and I know that writing on that topic tonight will feel more in flow thanks to this free writing.
Yes, writing can be difficult sometimes, particularly where and when emotional blocks are involved, but as with all things, I find it is important to be flexible, to pivot to the best next action. Then, returning to the original action becomes easier because you kept momentum and stayed flexible. You followed your heart. You moved in the way that you could. You demonstrated grace with yourself and you built your resilience by not knocking yourself down, not being hard on yourself for ‘failing,’ but allowing yourself to softly pivot.
This concept of flexibility can be applied to anything—are you feeling stuck in any area of your life? How do you pivot softly? How do you embody grace for yourself and for others?
Neuroscience-Based Steps to Navigate Creative Blocks:
Recognize and name the emotion - Research shows that labeling emotions activates the prefrontal cortex and reduces amygdala activity, helping regulate emotional responses (Lieberman et al., 2007, "Putting Feelings Into Words").
Actively choose your desired state - Neuroscience research demonstrates that intentional state-setting activates the anterior cingulate cortex, which helps regulate attention and emotional responses. By consciously selecting the emotional and cognitive state you want to experience, you engage neural pathways associated with that state, making it more accessible (Davidson & Begley, 2012, "The Emotional Life of Your Brain"). Visualization practices specifically activate the same neural networks involved in actual experiences, effectively "priming" your brain for the desired state (Immordino-Yang & Damasio, 2007).
Shift to a different neural network - When blocked, switch to an activity that engages different brain regions. Freewriting activates the default mode network associated with creativity and autobiographical processing (Immordino-Yang et al., 2012). Physical movement is particularly effective—even a brief walk can increase creative ideation by up to 60% (Oppezzo & Schwartz, 2014). Movement increases blood flow to the brain, releases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which supports neural connections, and activates the cerebellum, which has surprising connections to creative functions beyond motor control (Koziol et al., 2014).
Use expressive writing techniques - Writing letters to yourself has been shown to reduce emotional distress and improve working memory by processing difficult emotions (Pennebaker & Beall, 1986; Pennebaker, 1997).
Practice self-compassion - Self-compassion activates the mammalian caregiving system, releasing oxytocin and reducing cortisol levels that inhibit creative thinking (Neff & Germer, 2018).
Allow for incubation periods - Neuroscience research demonstrates that taking breaks from focused work activates subconscious problem-solving networks, leading to insights when you return to the task (Beaty et al., 2014, "The roles of the default network in creativity").
By understanding these neurological processes, we can work with our brain’s natural functioning rather than fighting against it, making writing—and life’s other challenges—more manageable and much easier. 💖
You’re Invited: Live Studio Hour Saturday, May 17th
I hope this letter finds you in a moment of inspiration, love, or gratitude— or all three! 💗
This Saturday, May 17th at 10am EST, I’ll be hosting a Live Studio Hour— a space where we can create together on Substack.
Creating Together
This Saturday’s Studio Hour is an invitation to bring your own creative whims into a shared space. Whether you’re writing, sketching, painting, planning, or simply sitting with your thoughts, I’d love your company.
What to expect:
A casual creative atmosphere
Light background music
Occasional prompts (if you’d like them)
Questions answered (if you have them)
Space to work on whatever calls to you
Can’t make it live this time? No problem! While studio sessions won’t typically be recorded, you're always welcome to join the next gathering whenever your schedule permits. This keeps our creative space spontaneous and present-focused.
Sophia’s Studio: The Vision
You will find all upcoming studio hours at Sophia’s Studio on my site, which was formerly dedicated to SSister SSync.
With this rebranding from Sister Sync to Sophia’s Studio, I’m creating a space where creativity isn’t just practiced—it’s celebrated, nurtured, and shared. Our studio sessions will blend guided moments of inspiration with the quiet comfort of shared creative time, offering both structure and freedom for your artistic journey.
And rest assured, my sweet sister, Sommer, will still certainly take part in this project!
I’m excited to incorporate artist collaborations, occasional interviews with fascinating creators, virtual studio tours, and cross-posts with like-minded creatives. If you are interested in co-hosting a studio hour with me, please feel free to reach out and I will be happy to organize one together. 🌸
Whether we’re discussing curiosity or simply sitting in stillness and appreciation, this studio is an online space for the magic that happens when different creative paths meet.
Details
Date: Saturday, May 17th
Time: 10am EST
Where: Live on Substack.
How to Join:
From Email: You'll receive an email with a “Join Live” button approximately 10 minutes before the session begins. Simply click this button to join.
From Substack App: Open your Substack app, navigate to Sophia's Studio, and look for the live session notification at the top of the page. Tap to join.
From Phone/Browser: Visit my Substack page directly at the scheduled time, and you’ll see a prominent button to join the live session.
No additional downloads or accounts are needed because Substack handles everything! The link will become active shortly before we begin.
Bring a project, a blank page, or just your curiosity. I can’t wait to create alongside you. 🩵
With warmth,
Sophia