Steven Pressfield and Ritual

- Private group -
Sat, 12/07/2019 - 8:00am

Remember the scene in Shakespeare in Love, when Will tossed salt over his shoulder before he sat down to write? Steven Pressfield in The War of Art, talks about his elaborate and very effective ritual. He argues that if we consciously invoke what he calls “the muse,” through ritual, and respectfully obey her maxim to write, we will be successful. His success proves the truth of this dictum.

Exercise:

Write in your journal, describing the rituals that have informed your life. Whether they are based on your religion, your love of Greek myths, hip-hop, video games or sports, you will discover that you have had many throughout your growth. Now look at your present day life. Which rituals still remain? Now imagine all of these stirring in a pot; reduce the heat and take the essence of all of them to create your own writing ritual. Reread Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art and check out his ritual. It is in the first chapter called “What I Do.” It will inspire you!