The Endurance of Creativity: A Conversation with Mohammad Tolouei

In the latest episode of Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri, we had the privilege of hosting Mohammad Tolouei—one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Iranian literature. A writer, playwright, screenwriter, and poet, Tolouei’s journey is a testament to the interplay of discipline, endurance, and sheer persistence in creative work. His perspective on writing as a craft, rather than a product of sudden inspiration, offers profound lessons not just for aspiring writers but for anyone engaged in a long-term creative pursuit.

Born in Rasht and raised in a culturally rich environment, Tolouei embarked on his artistic path through poetry before transitioning into fiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. He holds a degree in film directing from Sooreh University and a master’s in dramatic literature from the University of Tehran. Over the years, his works have received multiple prestigious awards, including the Golshiri Foundation Award and recognition at international literary festivals.

Yet, despite his accolades, Tolouei remains grounded in the belief that creativity is not about grand epiphanies but rather about the daily act of sitting down and writing. For him, creativity is an endurance sport—one that requires relentless practice, self-discipline, and the willingness to embrace both success and failure.

Creativity as a Long-Distance Ride

One of the most compelling metaphors Tolouei shared during our conversation was his comparison of writing to long-distance cycling. An avid cyclist, he explained how, after covering several kilometers, the mind transitions from a state of conscious effort into an almost unconscious rhythm. This is where the creative flow emerges, where ideas break free from the constraints of structured thinking and roam into new, unexpected territories.

“In those moments,” he said, “the brain loses the boundary between conscious and unconscious states. Unfortunately, since I’m on a bike, I can’t write anything down, but the thoughts I discover in those moments settle deeply within me.”

This metaphor aligns perfectly with his writing process. Every day, he writes 1,000 words, knowing that much of it may be discarded. But it is in this repetition, this seemingly mechanical act, that creativity reveals itself. He likens it to tying knots—words and ideas layering upon one another, accumulating over time, and sometimes unraveling to reveal something profound.

This perspective is a sharp contrast to the popular belief that inspiration strikes like a bolt of lightning. Instead, Tolouei insists that creativity is something one must work toward with consistency. It’s a long-distance journey, not a momentary flash of brilliance.

Rejecting Fleeting Inspiration: The Power of Daily Practice

Tolouei is skeptical of the idea that creativity stems from inspiration alone. “When you’re young, you want to attach yourself to something transcendental, like psychedelics, or clinging to the hem of the muse’s garment, and expect everything to come together in a creative act,” he said. “But for me, creativity has always been the result of working a lot, working for a long time, working thoroughly.”

This philosophy is evident in his commitment to writing every single day. “For me, writing is exactly like cycling. I write a thousand words, and then I realize, oh, it’s started, it’s flowing, it’s found its way. I might even throw away all those first thousand words and only begin from there.”

This daily discipline keeps him engaged in the creative process, even when inspiration is absent. He emphasized that a writer must stay in the ring, endure the repetitive and often tedious nature of the work, and trust that persistence will eventually lead to a breakthrough.

Luck and the Writer’s Journey

While Tolouei firmly believes in discipline and consistency, he also acknowledges the role of luck in a writer’s career. “You get on a path; sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re unlucky,” he admitted.

He recounted an instance where one of his stories, Made in Denmark, was initially rejected by several publishers. But then, when the Trump administration imposed a travel ban on certain countries, The Guardian decided to publish a special issue featuring writers from those affected nations. Suddenly, his rejected piece found a prestigious home—not because he changed anything about his writing, but because of sheer timing and circumstance.

This acceptance of luck, both good and bad, has shaped his perspective on success. He mentioned how, early in his career, he was frustrated that his first novel didn’t win the Golshiri Prize. But in hindsight, he recognizes that his competitor’s book was more deserving at that moment in literary history.

His takeaway? Stay on the path. Keep working. Keep creating. And when luck finally aligns with your discipline, great things can happen.

The Shift from Style to Voice in Contemporary Writing

One of the most thought-provoking discussions in our interview was Tolouei’s view on the evolution of creative writing education. In the 20th century, he explained, writers often learned by imitating the styles of great literary figures. Students were taught how to write like Hemingway, Chekhov, or Carver.

“But now, the focus is on finding your own voice,” he noted. “You don’t come to my class to become like me. You come to learn how to write in a way that is uniquely yours.”

This shift reflects a broader change in the creative world, where individual expression is now prioritized over technical mastery of an established style. With the rise of independent publishing and digital platforms, writers are no longer confined to traditional gatekeepers. They have the freedom to experiment and develop their own unique voices without adhering to rigid literary norms.

However, Tolouei also pointed out the downside of this new landscape. The immediacy of social media and online publishing has shortened the feedback loop between writers and their audiences. “People get reactions quickly and change themselves just as quickly. They don’t even let things settle,” he said. In the past, writers had time to distance themselves from their work before receiving criticism. Now, instant feedback can sometimes hinder deeper artistic growth.

Letting Go of External Control: The Writer’s Independence

Despite his success in multiple creative fields—including screenwriting and journalism—Tolouei ultimately chose to focus on fiction because it gave him the most creative control. He shared an anecdote from his time as a screenwriter, recalling a heated confrontation with an actor who refused to follow the script.

“I worked on this script for three years, and this actor, who hadn’t even read it properly, wanted to change a crucial line,” he said. “That’s when I realized I couldn’t do this. I needed to have full control over my work.”

This realization led him to abandon screenwriting and journalism, despite their financial stability. Fiction, for him, was a space where he could work independently, without the interference of directors, producers, or editors imposing their visions on his creations.

His decision to focus exclusively on literature was not an easy one. “At some point, I stopped doing journalism to make money, and I stopped doing screenwriting to make money. I left both behind, even though they were my livelihood,” he admitted.

This choice speaks to the heart of his artistic philosophy—one that values autonomy over commercial success, discipline over fleeting inspiration, and endurance over momentary bursts of creativity.

Final Thoughts: Creativity as a Lifelong Commitment

Reflecting on our conversation, Tolouei’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that creativity is not a mystical gift bestowed upon a lucky few. It is a discipline, a commitment, and an ongoing process of learning, failing, and persisting.

His approach—treating creativity like long-distance cycling, embracing repetition, and understanding the role of luck—offers valuable lessons for anyone pursuing an artistic path. Whether you are a writer, an artist, or a creator of any kind, his story reinforces the idea that success is not about waiting for inspiration to strike. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting that, over time, the knots you tie in your mind will eventually form something extraordinary.

And perhaps, in the process, you’ll find your own cozy corner—that elusive space where discipline, endurance, and serendipity converge to create something truly magical.