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Flow states are fun but they are about FULL identification with the character. They don't offer an escape as the author can never fully embody the character. The seeking of longer and longer flow states can often be a trap similar to drug addicts seeking high after high.

Full identification with a character without first achieving the author/character distinction can be dangerous. Characters are often imperfect, with suppressed violent thoughts, urges, and desires for power.

To desire a 100% flow state strongly means to fully embody a sociopathic character WITHOUT having the ability to return to the author state. I can fully immerse myself going on on a killing rampage as the god of war as long as I can trust myself to remember that it's a GAME.

If I can "level up" my real life character to have all the right equipment and powers like: charismatically friends w/ everyone, makes lots of easy money, never gets angry, always content, etc... then 100% flow state immersion is great. As the author I throw away the pen.

Yet stories don't work this way. Even if my character achieves these states there has to be *some* sort of story involving these powers overcoming some problem. "Life is suffering" is just saying "Stories need conflict"

Throwing away the pen is the equivalent of dying. It's like how when people commit suicide they first wrap up their life, giving away things, organizing, etc... It's wrapping up the loose ends of the story and preparing to put down the pen.

Becoming the author doesn't give you super powers. You can't suddenly become rich, you can't avoid heart attacks or avoid being unfairly criticized. But it's possible to fake it till you make it through the power of story telling. Especially when we share our stories.

If I feel hopeless in my situation I can read a story about how someone similar in my situation made it out. By writing the story, the author is imbued with aspects of the character b/c modeling the character is part and parcel of writing the story.