By giving reasons for why you write you invite being asked why you publish. All of the reasons you give apply equally to keeping a diary or a journal.
Many years ago when I was an undergraduate student Margaret Atwood came to my university to give a speech. The title was something like, “Advice to Aspiring Writers,” and Atwood suggested that anyone who wants to write should first visit a library. If you believed you had something useful to add to what was already in the library then you should write. Otherwise, choose another profession. For a young writer like me, who had little confidence in his abilities, Atwood’s speech spooked me for years. I still can’t complete a writing project unless I first convince myself there are readers out there who might appreciate my effort. I envy that you can write solely because you want to for your own sake.
This is beautiful. I find the spontaneity and urge to just get something on the page, being pushed by a feeling, to be the most uplifting kind of writing for the soul.
Reading about your grandfather's studio and work ethic was a joy! I also really felt the joy in you. Like when someone's face lights up when they are talking about something/someone they truly, wholeheartedly, love. I'm married to an artist and that 'because he has to' really resonated. I call it his creative cave, he's super angsty if he's not in it for a couple of days.
Great post, Anna! BUT I mostly want to ask you... how was Inventing Anna/do you recommend it? I haven't had time to watch yet but it's on my (long) list and wondering if it's worth the limited TV time I have!
About one year ago, I sat down to write one hour after waking up. I had just started to read "The artist's way" by Julia Cameron and thought about people who supported me in being creative. Just like you, I wrote about my grandfather, who was a musician and painter. He was funny and a bit chaotic. My grandmother would have never called herself an artist, but she could write! She once wrote in a notebook for me:"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible". I think, this is how I work. Sometimes I get mocked for being so structured. Sometimes I embrace it, but lately I also wished to be a bit less mechanic again.
Thank you for this piece. It made me travel to your grandfather's studio with you.
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna! I often think that because I'm a bit particular about order, rather than care-free and scattered as I assume natural creatives are, it means I'm perhaps not as creative as I'd like to be. I always insist on certain factors to write: being at home on a day off (not say a lunch break), at a certain time of day for a certain amount of time, and be in a particular environment to get the output I want. But in doing so, I stifle the spontaneous creative moments. Ideas that might hit me on the train that I could voice note for later. Or a podcast/book sparking a thought that could be captured roughly in my phone notes if I'm out for a walk. It's certainly made me think about productivity and creativity in completely different lights...
Loved reading about your grandfather's studio :)
By giving reasons for why you write you invite being asked why you publish. All of the reasons you give apply equally to keeping a diary or a journal.
Many years ago when I was an undergraduate student Margaret Atwood came to my university to give a speech. The title was something like, “Advice to Aspiring Writers,” and Atwood suggested that anyone who wants to write should first visit a library. If you believed you had something useful to add to what was already in the library then you should write. Otherwise, choose another profession. For a young writer like me, who had little confidence in his abilities, Atwood’s speech spooked me for years. I still can’t complete a writing project unless I first convince myself there are readers out there who might appreciate my effort. I envy that you can write solely because you want to for your own sake.
This is beautiful. I find the spontaneity and urge to just get something on the page, being pushed by a feeling, to be the most uplifting kind of writing for the soul.
Absolutely loved this - spoke to me on a level I need right now...and it's studio work today just for fun.
Such a great read, thank you!
Exactly what I needed to read this morning x
Jacqueline <3
Your grandfather ❤️❤️❤️ he is goals
Reading about your grandfather's studio and work ethic was a joy! I also really felt the joy in you. Like when someone's face lights up when they are talking about something/someone they truly, wholeheartedly, love. I'm married to an artist and that 'because he has to' really resonated. I call it his creative cave, he's super angsty if he's not in it for a couple of days.
Thanks for the awesome journey. It was pleasure visiting your grandfather's muse.
I think writers can feel the joy when the other one writes her joy. :)
Great post, Anna! BUT I mostly want to ask you... how was Inventing Anna/do you recommend it? I haven't had time to watch yet but it's on my (long) list and wondering if it's worth the limited TV time I have!
About one year ago, I sat down to write one hour after waking up. I had just started to read "The artist's way" by Julia Cameron and thought about people who supported me in being creative. Just like you, I wrote about my grandfather, who was a musician and painter. He was funny and a bit chaotic. My grandmother would have never called herself an artist, but she could write! She once wrote in a notebook for me:"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible". I think, this is how I work. Sometimes I get mocked for being so structured. Sometimes I embrace it, but lately I also wished to be a bit less mechanic again.
Thank you for this piece. It made me travel to your grandfather's studio with you.
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna! I often think that because I'm a bit particular about order, rather than care-free and scattered as I assume natural creatives are, it means I'm perhaps not as creative as I'd like to be. I always insist on certain factors to write: being at home on a day off (not say a lunch break), at a certain time of day for a certain amount of time, and be in a particular environment to get the output I want. But in doing so, I stifle the spontaneous creative moments. Ideas that might hit me on the train that I could voice note for later. Or a podcast/book sparking a thought that could be captured roughly in my phone notes if I'm out for a walk. It's certainly made me think about productivity and creativity in completely different lights...