My Creative Process Explained Poorly

by Tova Rivers, professional chaos conductor and accidental genius

Let’s be clear: I do not have a process. I have vibes, caffeine, and a rabbit who occasionally judges me from across the room.

People always ask, “How do you come up with your stories?” And the answer is: I don’t. They usually appear at 3 AM when I’m halfway through a cold cup of coffee and questioning my life choices.

Step 1: Panic

Every creative idea begins with panic. I stare at the blank page like it personally offended me. Then I open twelve tabs, scroll TikTok for “inspiration,” and somehow end up watching a video about medieval plumbing. This is research. Don’t question it.

Step 2: Overcomplicate Everything

I could write a simple scene. But no, I decide the moon needs emotional trauma, the wolf needs a prophecy, and the coffee mug needs a backstory. Suddenly, I’m building an entire universe because one sentence felt lonely.

Step 3: Forget What I Was Doing

Halfway through, I remember I was supposed to eat. Or sleep. Or respond to an email from three days ago. I do none of those things. Instead, I open a new document titled “Untitled 27” and start writing something completely different.

Step 4: The Chaos Zone

This is where the magic happens. There are sticky notes everywhere. My desk looks like a crime scene. I’m muttering dialogue out loud like a possessed playwright. Bunz is staring at me like, “You good?” No, Bunz. I am not good. But the chapter is.

Step 5: Pretend It Was Intentional

When people read my work and say, “Wow, the symbolism!” I nod wisely. Yes, of course. The symbolism. Totally planned. Definitely not an accident caused by caffeine and emotional damage.

Step 6: Collapse and Repeat

Once the project is done, I swear I’ll take a break. Then I immediately start another one because apparently I thrive on chaos and deadlines.

Final Thoughts

My creative process is not a process. It’s a survival mechanism wrapped in glitter and coffee stains. But somehow, it works. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.