Chapter 1: The Creative Process

In May 2023, while finalizing the first draft of my fifth book, Become A Productive Writer, I found myself hastily removing sections I had carefully crafted just days earlier. In the past, I might have struggled with the emotional weight of "killing my darlings," but having authored four books, I now recognize this as an integral part of the writing journey.

Over the years, I've compiled a multitude of productivity techniques, anecdotes, ideas, and recommendations, only to face the task of selecting the most relevant ones. This process is often described as divergence and convergence.

As Austin Kleon wisely notes, "As creators, we constantly balance divergence and convergence." The creation of any work typically begins with a phase of divergence. This involves contemplating numerous possibilities, gathering inspiration, and venturing into new territories. During this phase, we diverge from our original starting point.

Divergence serves as the brainstorming phase: envision a whiteboard filled with sketches, a wastebasket overflowing with discarded drafts, and countless photos strewn across the floor. The goal here is to foster new ideas; it's a spontaneous, chaotic, and messy process. Planning is futile during this stage—it's a time for exploration.

All my books commence with this divergence phase where I jot down every conceivable idea, create mind maps, explore related themes, and compile personal anecdotes and case studies.

However, as crucial as divergence is, it must eventually come to a close. We must transition into convergence, where we sift through our options, make decisions, and identify what truly matters. This narrowing of focus is essential to ensure we can move forward and create something we can be proud of.

Convergence allows our work to evolve, becoming distinct from our initial concept. By the time I completed Become A Productive Writer, it had transformed significantly from my original vision.

During this process, I had to part with many cherished words and ideas—my "darlings." Rather than erasing them completely, I preserved them within my Knowledge Management System, tagging them with appropriate keywords and titles.

These "darlings" found new life in other writings. Some were repurposed for different books, while others became blog posts and articles. This very post is an example of that—drawing from the enlightening concept of divergence and convergence.

P.S.: How do you handle the darlings you have to let go?

Hi, I’m Neera Mahajan, an author of six self-published books available on Amazon. In 2019, I made the bold choice to leave my $175K job to pursue writing full-time. Now, as an authorpreneur, I run a successful business centered around my written works.

I’d like to share four valuable resources with you:

1. A concise guide to help you Write Your Book In One Week.
2. An Eight-Step Guide to transform your writing into a business.
3. My effective strategies to Become a Productive Writer, enabling you to consistently produce high-quality work and maximize your daily output.
4. A newsletter titled Everything Is A Book, where you can receive chapters of my upcoming books directly in your inbox.

P.S. This post may contain affiliate links; should you choose to make a purchase, I might earn a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Chapter 2: Understanding "Kill Your Darlings"

Discovering the balance between creativity and editing is crucial for any writer.

The first video, "Kill Your Darlings," explores the importance of content creation and the challenges of editing.

Chapter 3: The Essence of Resurrecting Ideas

It's essential to recognize that ideas can be repurposed rather than discarded.

The second video, "The Real Meaning of 'Kill Your Darlings'," delves into the deeper significance behind this common writing advice.