Write Now with Joe Denicholas

Photo courtesy of Joe Denicholas

Who are you?

My name is Joseph DeNicholas, I am a therapist and author residing near Boulder, CO.

What do you write?

I write exclusively about mental health and wellness. I started writing because I noticed I was having the same conversations with clients in my therapy practice. Having those conversations didn't seem like a great use of therapy time, so I started writing the information down and just handing it to people as needed. They loved it and asked for more, and "more" became the book I just published. Though there are hard days, as with almost any job, I do love my work, and I love writing about mental wellbeing. I am very lucky in that I am able to derive meaning and purpose from what I do every day.

Where do you write?

I write where I'm most comfortable - my home office which is full of books, Buddhist statues and artwork, and neon signs from Chicago sports teams. I typically prefer to write on a computer, though I've been known to frequently dictate into my phone when I'm out and about - because that's where some of the best ideas pop up! I use AI to help me phrase things or evaluate a piece in a certain way, but never for original work. I find that AI struggles to produce original and innovative content. I think it's a decent writing assistant, but not much more (for now).

When do you write?

I write in the morning to early afternoon because I find that is the best time for my mind - most clear, present, and creative. I don't pay attention to time limits, word counts, or deadlines, I just write for as long as this brain is able to produce quality content. I know when to stop because I can feel it - a subtle sensation that signals my brain is done for the day. In my former career in electronics, I was subjected to more arbitrary deadlines than is good for anyone, so I'm done with those. The work will get done when it gets done, and not a second sooner.

Why do you write?

I write mainly to help others out of compassion for them, it's one of the ways I try to love the world. We are suffering so much these days and I enjoy showing people how to release themselves from it all. I'm inspired by the people who take my work, run with it, and achieve higher levels of peace, happiness, and relationship success than they ever thought possible. It is a pure privilege to help people move forward from some of their darkest times.

How do you overcome writer's block?

How do you overcome writer’s block? Describe ways or routines that help you get going again.

I hope this doesn't sound arrogant, but I don't really experience it too often. I meditate for a couple hours before I sit down to write and I find that when my mind is calm and in a flow state, it produces content. As a former engineer, I learned that innovation or creativity require getting out of your own way and simply asking the mind to do what you want it to do. If I get jammed up on a particular passage, I will slow down, relax my mind using meditative techniques, and wait for clarity to arrive, which it often does. I think, for me, it's all about the flow state and the ability to generate that volitionally.