Do I need another – yet another – writing tool, like FreeWrite? Answer is likely NO. While it is critical to write all the time, for many reasons, this is not dependent on the tools. People have written entire novels on the floor of their prison cell.

But this is more easily supported by a common psychological construct of deflection: when a task is difficult, for any reason, or rather, when a practice, involving not-so-diffiult tasks, is difficult to establish, the human (21st Century Western Human) will tend toward buying something, rather than just doing something with the materials and tools at hand. We see it in everything from yoga to music – buy a yoga mat, a towel, special clothing, etc., instead of just getting on the mat, or the floor, or the grass. All these have been done by great masters.

Deflection is the killer. Will swamp you in a boat in a moat circling with a single oar.

Not to say that equipment – finely tuned, correctly engineered equipment – is the problem. It is not. Once deflection is ruled out, good equipment is essential. In music, great players can play well on shitty equipment. Beginners can play on shitty equipment, but can’t overcome the physical barriers on such equipment, as can the masters. The key here is positive reinforcement, because we are talking about the practice, more than the product. In order to establish the practice, the human needs rewards – even the most advance bodhi, no matter what they tell you. We are all creatures, and will remain so until we are liberated by death. Further, there is no shame in being a creature, no merit in disdain of motivation.

Simply, if the music sounds good, or, if the asana feels good, the mind-body will blossom, and motivation will be achieved. A poor instrument will cause psychological pain; an instrument capable of beautiful sound will inspire the player to hunt down the optimal physical application that produces that sound. But this beauty must be experienced at least once, and acknowledged by the player. Oftentimes, this is just a miracle – a happy accident. Indeed, in life, we don’t summon g*d – we are summoned; or, we stumble upon it. We commit a generous act, and get surprised by the return flow or reward – the sensation of oneness with the Lord.

So yes, by all means, get a wonderful Lamy ink pen; get nice paper; and get the FreeWrite. But be prepared for these tools to just sit there and gather dust; be prepared for the ink to dry up. Because the tool is not the maker. The spark, the holy spirit, the tao – whatever you have felt as the origin of creativity – is the maker. Sadly, the maker can’t be bought, and can’t itself be made. We often call it a gift – which must be given, and received. And no amouunt of money or hard work can make it. It must be found.

So much for equality or equity. Creativity is outside the purview of social order. Can’t be legislated into existence, the same way no law or social injustice can quell it: the more the artist is chained and beaten, fingers broken and tongue cut out, the louder the outpouring of creativity.

So, what to do, Dad? I don’t know. But I say: begin with the tools you have, to create the practice. Struggle with the limitations at the beginning. Find the spark, even in the dark. When the flow ultimately smacks up against a technical wall, afford yourself the next-level tech, and see if that re-opens or re-ups the flow. If it doesn’t, it wasn’t the blocker. Back to square one.