Headwinds
A few years ago, after a surgery, I came home with two infections—staph and yeast. Without going into the gory details, the cure was fresh air on the site. Was this gonna knock me out of my working rhythm?
I wound up writing standing up, naked from the waist down, with an electric fan blowing on me.
The amazing part? I did some of the best work I’ve done in years.
You and I as writers and artists are always facing headwinds in our “real” life—caring for aging parents, a divorce, a lost job, illness, troubles with the kids. Not to mention the unrelenting and diabolical opposing gales of RESISTANCE.
But that underground river of creativity keeps flowing. It doesn’t know about our real-life problems. It has a life of its own. It wants to be brought forth into material existence. It’s as if we were pregnant with it, this new life inside us.
We have to serve it. One hour a day if that’s all we can squeeze in.
The payoff is that river saves us. It’s saving me right now in the aftermath of the California wildfires. I would be coming totally unpeeled if I didn’t carve out that one hour or two to DO THE WORK.
P.S. The electric fan did save the day.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
My greatest moves forward were started by a good beating.
A friend divorced. I met in the supermarket and it was if his life had ended. He was a mess. Then I also divorced many years later. It was bad – but not as bad if I didn’t have that ‘thing’ that’s got outta bed everyday. Saved by it.
Nothing more powerful than a purpose full of force, Pete. I wish we all have such, and forever.
Creativity befriends and bestows us to believe in something bigger, to bare it all, be beaten, battered, bruised, befuddled, bathed and be enriched in the beauty of the flow for however long each experience befalls us in our blossoming and at any age with such blessings
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So glad Steven you are safe and have the creative edge to pull you through the fires tragedy.
Hi Steven,
So true. So true. Was just discussing with my wife that no character in the Bible ever achieved a breakthrough without undergoing the “headwinds” of life. It seems a necessary spiritual axiom. At least in the furnace of this life…
Thank you very much dear Steve.
I discovered another book. It’s called Switch, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
In it, the writers give 3 important aspects of the mind on making anything that is difficult:
1. The rider: he is the mind of the system, the logic, the plan, the goals, the purpose. He seems to be lazy because no matter how important goals he has, he still can’t lead the way to them but only analyze them and suggest “weakly”. But he is not lazy, he is overwhelmed actually, as the writers suggest. He is important to give the direction, but he must be precise and give limited directions or else paralysis of alanysis stops the work. And he can’t move the elephant (see next) himself.
2. The elephant: he is the moving force. When the elephant moves, it’s the notion of action. Of great possible action. Resistance is here. The rider can’t possibly lead the elephant to move towards the direction the rider knows is the most appropriate, because the elephant is much larger than him and has completely his own will. Any struggle against him is exhausting. That’s why we want things but we don’t act on them or we act only for a while (my life’s story), when the elephant’s motivation is still awakened by the awe of the new enterprise. The elephant can be easily distracted, and is full of fear. Strangely, positive emotions like self confidence and pride are better motivators to move the elephant according to the writers, not negative emotions, because the negative are like “platform fire”: yes they lead the elephant, but they only lead to a parapodial direction, annihilating creativity and widening of perception. On the other hand, positive emotions are widening in nature, they are creative, but not focusing on getting you sit to the chair. I know the feeling. It is through small conquests BUT which you allow to gift you with self confidence, not just do them mechanically, that can build the great elephant’s momentum! To move the great elephant through internalizing the positive vibes coming from the things we accomplish. I think as kids we did that, a positivity force that was adaptive and avoidant and all-conquering.
3. The path. It can be manipulated accordingly and smartly.
One is the question for me: How to enlist the positive motivator that is large as an elephant. He is there in me, maybe even larger: a dragon. How to tame a dragon? A dragon by definition can’t be tamed. I must inspire him, must give him the energy towards the book that is tingling (the energy) and let him feel the whole Revolution I see behind the work of art. Do you get me? (rhetorical question)
Tolis! For some reason, my writing room is also the home of many Dragons..Rosewood, plastic, stone, about 15 or so. I find them in Thrift shops, some are gifts, they inhabit windowsills, bookshelves, a music stand. I have wondered why I am so attracted to them. I shall have to find THE SWITCH. Sounds intriguing. Thanks for the Tip!
The switch my dear Muriel. The Revolution inside you. Turn it on with me.
My elephant is standing on his tail and does not know how to shift her weight that causes its butt to raise off the platform supporting their weight to obtain the needed release!
Hi Muriel. I make Resin Art and I have a dragon that I could send you. It is purple
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Aging parent care, granny daycare, a second respiratory illness since Christmas, and woke up this morning unable to open my eyes. The squirt shared pink-eye. On my day off, I’ll add doctor visit to my list. But Steve, you taught us well. I’ll take a notebook and scribble while I wait.
That river saves us. No truth was ever truer. Let’s hang in there together this week, think of each other, and do our special kind of good for this world.
Steve, thanks for the inspiration each week. I’m cheering for you and Diana.
Bravo Jackie! You rock the world around you.
Yes, with eyes almost shut. So what?
Let’s go.
Feel better soon, Jackie!
Thanks Tolis and Kate. As my daughter reminds me, first world stuff. Anything can be overcome with a good attitude. Maybe, I’ll write better with my eyes closed?
What a wonderful line from your daughter—so simple yet so powerful! Great reminder.
Thank you!!
I am thinking about your legacy, Steven, about how it was not wiped out by the fires. You are alive and your legacy is alive. What you have compared to what you lost. It’s a lot to think about.
Drying things out works wonders. This is why I avoid wearing shoes as much as possible, and never wear the same shoes 2 days in a row.
Sunlight works wonders too. Fun fact: in the civil war, doctors noticed that wounded soldiers who were laid in the sun healed faster therefore made it common practice.
Lastly, standing while working feels much better.
Dear Steve,
continued prayers for SoCal’s recovery and rebuilding.
It must feel so strange to know certain places attached to life-changing memories are gone. I haven’t experienced fire, but I know grief. It comes in waves out of the blue. Author David Kessler compares his grief to a river—one that can be placid one moment, then Class V rapids stuck in an eddy the next. Tree branches fall down and affect the river’s flow. Droughts dry up the river. Downpour floods the river. No amount of preparation can protect us from all the seemingly random things life throws at us. I think of Odysseus! Take extra care of yourselves Diana & Steve. Surround yourself with good company. I like the comment above about Steve’s legacy. Carving out that extra writing time?! Amen!!
It’s not possible to send enough appreciation for your post. In the middle of this crazy world I can think of you standing naked in front of a fan. I think that should be the title of your next book – NAKED IN FRONT OF THE FAN – .You bring reality and levity to new heights. What can I send you for your new house that you will build or find? How about a jazzy new red toaster? Take me up on this. Linda in Hamilton, NY
“I haven’t experienced fire, but I know grief.”
My Kate, you wrote an epical line. Thank you x
I second that sentiment!
I’m Loving these Wednesday write ups! I need to start reading more of your books asap!
Underground Rivers… I love that image. So much so, after having a series of dreams about underground rivers, I wrote this book of poetry with that as its title. It’s on Amazon, but I’ve also made the PDF available for free to anyone who wishes to go on a voyage down these underground rivers.
https://www.sothismedias.com/uploads/1/2/4/5/124587142/underground_rivers.pdf
https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Rivers-Justin-Patrick-Moore/dp/0692395091?dchild=1&keywords=underground+river+justin+patrick+moore&qid=1599832372&sr=8-1
Wishing you well Steve… sometimes you need a little yeast to brew the beer and bake the bread of creativity.
Wonderful, wonderful and so true. Yet, I will welcome any excuse, large or small, to skip writing. My plan is to relabel writing in my head into something naughty and forbidden to lure myself in. I’ll let you all know how this goes.
thank you for this wonderful post, and all the generous wisdom and reminders you always share with !
Sending good thoughts as you rebuild in California!
Thank you for the reminder of the River of creativity that is always there for us!
Steve ( & Diana) Linda’s query about sending you a toaster, made me wonder. Do you have a temporary address that we could send you guys “Hope Chest things”? Towels, folders for download writing, Post-it Notes? Send out a list of needs and/or desires, maybe someone can help out in that direction as well as the Fund…
Hoping you & Diana find a place to stay while you sort things out. There’s nothing wrong with Thrift Shop for some kitchen supplies. Once through the dishwasher & they’re sanitized! Hope you salvaged the “leaves” on your desk!
Thank you for this REMINDER to demand of myself that hour!
As often happens with your newsletter, this is just the nudge I need to reprioritize. Thanks for leading under fire.
We all need a big fan, and you’ve got that in us!
Thank God you have the writing, and your friends, and those of us who appreciate you and your work. Wishing you the very best in this time of grappling with the unthinkable. This is the first time the effects of the fires have made me cry, because I now feel directly connected to the tragedy through you, Mr. Pressfield, and the loss of your lovely sanctuary. I am so sorry. May God help you through, and bless you, and may you rise like a phoenix.
— Anastacia
Another perfectly-timed post that reached my eyes at the peak moments of relevancy. I had a fantastic writing session today in my hospital bed while undergoing chemotherapy. I reworked a scene that’s now exponentially better. This river will keep flowing, long after the chemo stops.
Jason, congratulations on taking a piece of coal and polishing it into a diamond. All the best wished for you.
Last week I did a forty-hour fast, not because I craved suffering. A Pennsylvania winter in a broken-down RV provides plenty of that. But there was something about choosing to suffer that gave me a much-needed reset.
I remembered that obstacles are the whole point. And for a few days I stopped doing what my daughter calls the “grumble, grumble.” I understood in a brand-new way the poem I say out loud every morning…
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fho8hwwc4w6v01.jpg&rdt=63218
…but had never, until then, internalized.
So sorry about your losses, Steve. But I’m not at all surprised that you’re persevering. You’ve always had the courage and the will to move forward.
Hey, man, Dalton Trumbo used to do his best work soaking in the bathtub, so I get it—Keep on carving out the time, Steve, and slaying the dragon called “Resistance.”
I was just wondering how in the hell all you amazing writers sit there for any amount of time. Thanks for answering my question. It was what I needed to hear.
You continue to be an inspiration, Steve, and what a role model? What excuse could I possibly have to not write every day when you are managing it in the midst of such chaos. I love your books, and all your words of wisdom over the years.
Oh, man! I really , really needed to hear this today. Thank you!
Steve, what an image! Sounds like a good way to write every day no matter what condition you are in! (As I sit here typing in my underwear–ha!)
Nice one, Steve! Glad your art is giving you more fair winds and following seas.
There is a scene in the movie “Whiplash” where the kid has an accident, but makes his gig anyway. That, for me (I’m a musician), was the most real moment. I wasn’t crazy about that film but that bit was 100% true. I have done things for gigs (flown to the middle of nowhere in Russia in a small plane – as a passenger of course – missed the first night of a weekend at the White House, performed with a broken arm – didn’t even feel it!) that I wouldn’t do for anything else, except my family. Your “thing” is your sedative/painkiller.
It’s good to hear “serving” your creativity is getting you through this tough time. I think of your posts showing the new construction at your house, and how frustrating it must be right now.
I like your analogy that the underground river of creativity has a life of its own, and its as if we were pregnant with it. As a guy, I don’t know what its like to be pregnant. But I’ve thought to myself that when I get an idea and begin to work on it, it grows, develops/changes into its own being. And once that process starts, it is like it has a life of its own.
You’re all amazing people. Dear Steven, Prayers for Peace and Strength to keep slaying the dragon. I have been through a house fire when I was a kid. But nothing like what LA has endured. Here’s to new beginnings.
I have been calling this stage of life “Sifting through the Ashes” and I will rise again like a Phoenix. Hence the name Phoenix Moon. I’m just beginning the writing journey. Starting on a Collaboration with a company called Hope Witers Starting on the tenth of February.
Thank you for the encouragement and wisdom. I truly appreciate everyone on here. Blessings to you all from Northern California.
My husband died Jan 10, 2025. For the past 2-1/2 years, before he started chemo, going back to when he was healthy, I’ve been writing about his illness, and the ultimate outcome. Despite what his doctors said, despite what he said, I knew that he had 2 to 3 years. I knew it somewhere inside me when no one else did, and i discovered that in what i was writing. Writing is how i find out what i am feeling, and what dreams, hopes, premonitions I have.
It was scary how accurate i was in predicting his death way back in March 2023: the where, how he would look, what position we would each be. It was not at all what i would have predicted with my logical mind.
The writing keeps me sane, keeps me going.
It keeps me warm.
I wade in the river for a while. sometimes I swim. sometimes I just let the water flow around me.
Have you tried the fps io game? dead shot io
Just find your blog. Nice readings. Wish you the best, Steven!
Your story is a powerful reminder that creativity persists no matter the challenges life throws our way. Just like fresh air and an electric fan helped you heal and keep working, the right fuel keeps us moving forward—whether in art, writing, or even the food we choose. That’s why I always appreciate having a go-to meal that fuels my day, like something from the Chipotle menu—simple, nourishing, and exactly what I need to stay in my rhythm. Inspiration, like good food, keeps us going even in tough times!
Thank you for your support and encouragement! I truly appreciate it and will keep doing my best.
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