Writing Life: Gambling Analogies Fuel My Writing Practice
HIPPOCAMPUS MAGAZINE April 10, 2023
…writing doesn’t require smoking, buckets of cash or polyester
MY MONTH OF ZOOM morning writing classes was magical. The wonderful mix of bonding, support, craft lessons, writing time and critiquing energized me. I wrote daily and submitted weekly. As the month drew to a close, I wondered: How could I continue this pace after my inspiring class ended?
Then I realized part of my motivation came from the power of the variable ratio reinforcement schedule, the same reinforcement plan that draws people to slot machines and lottery ticket lines. Unlike gambling, we’re guaranteed frequent wins if we keep writing. As a side bonus, writing doesn’t require smoking, buckets of cash or polyester.
