Why Do Some Writers Need a Lucky Object to Write?

Some writers won’t start without a specific pen. Or a certain notebook. Or a ring they twist on their finger between sentences. They swear by these objects—not just as tools, but as something more. A charm. A key. A physical tether to creativity itself.

It sounds superstitious, but it’s common. Many writers, from novelists to poets, have relied on personal rituals and lucky objects to get words flowing. But is this just habit? Or does having a talisman—an object infused with personal meaning—actually help unlock creative focus?

And if it does, what happens when the object is lost?

The Psychology of Creative Rituals

Writers tend to be creatures of habit. Many of us develop pre-writing rituals—a specific setup, a sequence of actions that signals to the brain: it’s time to write.

Graham Greene famously kept a special pen just for writing novels.
Maya Angelou rented hotel rooms to write in, bringing along her yellow legal pads and a bottle of sherry.
Isabel Allende starts every new book on January 8, believing it to be an auspicious day.

The reason these rituals work isn’t magic—it’s conditioning. Over time, the brain associates an object or a habit with creativity, making it easier to slip into writing mode.

👉 If your brain links a specific notebook or mug or candle to writing, that object becomes a shortcut into focus.

But some objects go beyond mere habit. Some start to feel like they actually hold creative energy.

The Talisman Effect: When an Object Feels Like It Has Power

Why do certain objects feel like they contain something more? Why does a writer believe they need this pen, this desk, this ring?

There’s a psychological reason for this: objects become charged with meaning through repetition and association.

A pen used to write multiple books starts to feel like it holds part of those stories.
A chair where you’ve done your best writing starts to feel like it contains creative momentum.
A ring, bracelet, or lucky charm worn every writing session feels like a protective force, shielding you from doubt or distraction.

This isn’t just a quirk of writing. Athletes, musicians, and performers do it too—wearing the same socks, following the same pre-show routine, carrying an object they believe carries their best energy.

👉 Whether it’s rational or not, if something makes writing feel easier, it has value.

What Happens When the Object is Lost?

There’s a downside to this attachment. If you convince yourself you need an object to write, losing it can feel like losing your ability to create.

What if your lucky notebook gets filled?
What if your favorite café closes?
What if your ritual is disrupted, and you have to write in a different setting?

The risk of over-reliance on a writing talisman is that it can turn into a crutch. If you start believing you can’t write without it, the object no longer helps—it controls you.

👉 The solution? Rituals should be flexible. Lucky objects should be useful, but not essential.

How to Use Rituals and Objects Without Becoming Dependent

If you find that certain objects or habits help you write, that’s great. The key is making sure they serve the work, not the other way around.

Have multiple “lucky” objects. Don’t limit yourself to just one. If a pen makes writing easier, have a few that feel special. If a space feels inspiring, find others that work too.
Use the object to start—but not to sustain. A candle, a piece of jewelry, a notebook—these can signal the beginning of a writing session, but the words should come from you, not the ritual itself.
If you lose your object, keep writing anyway. If it feels like your creative energy was tied to something external, remind yourself that the real magic was in the writing all along.

Final Thoughts: Do You Need a Lucky Object to Write?

Maybe. Maybe not.

But the fact that so many writers return to objects, spaces, and rituals suggests something deeper—that writing isn’t just about discipline or talent. It’s about feeling connected to the act of creation, about stepping into the right state of mind.

So if a certain pen, or ring, or candle helps with that? Use it.

Just don’t let yourself believe that without it, the words won’t come. Because in the end, the only thing you really need?

Is the willingness to sit down and start.

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