book-review – Michèle Griskey

Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout provides sound reasoning for slowing down and diving deeply into our work. I added this book to my reading list because our world needs more guidelines for meaningful focus now. As a writer working to strengthen my craft, I’m on the lookout for alternatives to hacks and get-it-all-done-quickly schemes.

Newport argues for slow productivity, which is achieved through three principles:

Do fewer things.

Work at a natural pace.

Obsess over quality.

What I liked about this book: I enjoyed gaining insight into the practices of people in diverse fields, from mathematicians to musicians, including the writer John McPhee’s deep focus on the craft of writing.

Newport notes that we should be ambitious: “Humans derive great satisfaction from being good at what they do and producing useful things.” He argues we should choose things we are truly passionate about, and those “fewer things” will transform into meaningful work.

Newport considers what it means to follow alternative guidelines to the status quo; productivity does not always come forth consistently. We need breaks, time, reflection, and research to find our paths to inspiration.

I did grow concerned about reading the “Obsess Over Quality” section because the perils of perfectionism can be destructive and impede the value of meaningful work. I know this all too well! Newport offers this sound advice: “Obsession requires you to get lost in your head, convinced you that you can do just a little bit better given some more time. Greatness requires the ability to subsequently pull yourself out of your self-critical reverie before it’s too late.” Obsession with quality should be reasoned, measured–timing matters. I think we can all relate to those moments when we realize we’ve done meaningful work and should step back without ruining what we’ve created.

If I’m going to find fault with this book, it is with the uncomfortable truth that success is not a given. To be clear, Newport correctly doesn’t instill magical thinking; he doesn’t promise dazzling results, yet some of the stories could be tempered with reality. For example, he shares the inspirational story of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the wildly popular YA book series Twilight. She had to balance the needs of her young children with her writing career. Writing at night after her kids went to bed brought success, and she went on to become a best-selling author. Her deep work ethic helped her, but let’s face it, luck also played a part. I’m not trying to be a downer on potential futures, but talent and meaningful work alone cannot guarantee success in creative fields (or any fields, for that matter).

Slow Productivity is worth a read and a reminder that better paths can lead us away from the unsatisfying, overscheduled lives many of us live. Digging deeply into those things that matter to us might, indeed, bring success someday.

Murder, She Writes

Anyone who has wrestled with writing a story has most likely faced that echoing, horrible pit of “Nothing is Working.” I recently found a gaping plot hole in my work in progress and am not sure I fixed it in the best way possible. I wish to fix it in such a way that no one will ever know a hole existed, but sometimes the problem doesn’t have an easy solution. I will be weeding the garden, driving my car, or washing the dishes, and I bet, the answer to the problem will appear.

At least that’s been my experience.

I recently finished reading a mystery novel from a series that wasn’t one of my favorite reads. I’m not going to share the author or title here because you, dear reader, may find the book compelling. The writer’s work is popular, so I cheer her on.

The challenge with the book? The crime didn’t logically make sense. The murderer didn’t need to murder the victim to get what they wanted, and, at least in the story, no motivation was given. As both a writer and a reader I’ve experienced my share of the suspension of disbelief. I am willing to accept or create something that pushes expectations. There’s a kind of magic here worth indulging in.

In this unnamed novel, the murder was planned. It was not a passionate outburst that the antagonist later regretted. The process of figuring out the murder held my interest, but the writer also used a number of unnecessary workplace dramas that seemed unrealistic and petty. The kind of things that would send most of us in search of a better job.

Again, this is my subjective response. I hope the writer has avid readers and sells many books.

With my own work? Well, I’ll keep at it. I do love my characters and hope my readers will as well. That plot hole will be fixed and the story will move forward. Often, when I struggle, a stronger answer emerges.

Write on!