I think this is spot on. I am in the middle of writing a book and after watching some truly, well-meaning, and somewhat helpful writing advice videos, I now constantly scrutinize every little detail I used to love and not have as a problem before. I have rewritten my first chapter so many times now to do everything "right" that I don't even recognize the true plot line anymore. And let me tell you, it's hard to find it again once you have left the path you made your own in the first place. Once again, you writing has enlightened and educated me. Thanks, Matt. Can't wait to see your next article. Pure and untouched by the well-meaning "Advice Givers". :)
Thanks, D.K.! Seriously. And that's a great anecdote, because I know exactly what you mean. As @JBS Palmer wrote in an earlier comment, "there's an optimal informational distance you need to keep when writing and that distance varies in a very individual way."
I think that's totally true, and I wish you luck in finding yours.
Glad you're looking forward to the next piece. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Friday weeklies are using meandering essays, as you know, but I'm working on a short story that I'm excited to share here when it's done.
Happy writing! And thanks for your thoughtful comment and support.
Hey, Matt, I completely agree. There's an optimal informational distance you need to keep when writing and that distance varies in a very individual way.
It totally does! And, weirdly, this is kind of the first time I'm experimenting with that, and it feels great. Right now, my distance is far, far away. I'm not really reading any "literature." But I'm sure, in time, that will evolve. How? I don't know. But for now, I'm feeling good, so I'm just going to keep this going as long as it feels right.
I remember telling a friend, who practically lived with me for a while, that I wrote a lot for someone who doesn’t read. They quickly responded, “What are you talking about? You read all day long!” We forget that books are not the only reading we do. We read articles all day when we’re perusing, researching or distracted. We also consume/read a lot of news in written form online.
It's so true! I'm constantly reading, technically. But I guess it's the "literary" reading that I'm talking about more so here. It's been nice to remove myself from the voices of other writers as I focus on my own work.
I believe this makes a lot of sense. And think of how much you've read up till now! At some point we have to practice what we've learned. If your intuition is telling you something, you should listen.
Absolutely, Ms. Writer! My intuition is telling me block out the noise and really start building my creative castle/mountain/house with my own two hands.
Yes, Matt, 100% on the money. Your instincts are good. I think anyone who wrestles with an artistic objective knows when they're playing hooky. (Do people even know what playing hooky means anymore??) Sure there's a time for reading the words and ideas of others, trying new methods, escaping in the outdoors or seeing a movie but . . . just keep listening to that voice, the one that can connect you with your inner vision. It can be a misty, ephemeral thing at times but it'll return and reform as you beckon and reimagine the world you're creating.
I know what hooky is! And "hooky" is the perfect word. Like you said, there's a time. But I've had a lot of that time, and I'm sure I'll have it again. You put it perfectly -- in this quiet, I feel better-able to hear and articulate that inner voice. It's nice. There are any number of analogies that seem to apply. For some reason, this one came into my head as I write this: a coach and a player. As a player, at a certain point you just want the coach to shut-up and let you play. This is good to apply what you've learned, but more so it's good to find out what really works when it's gametime.
Absolutely! The quite can be lonely, but more so its peaceful. And it's funny you mention "quiet." I've recently heard that musicians are often seeking perfect silence and quiet in their living spaces and day-to-day. That seems to speak to the same point.
Although! (After 7 mins reflection time lol) I do feel inspired to write when I come across really good pieces of writing... but maybe I’m deluding myself🤷🏾♀️😆
I do too, Tola! I'm just taking a brief hiatus. But I know with certainty that picking up a good story will be great inspiration. The only thing I need to look out for is being so inspired that I begin to -- consciously or unconsciously -- emulate or mimic the inspirational story instead of doing something entirely my own. It's probably a personal problem, and I'm working on it.
I think this is spot on. I am in the middle of writing a book and after watching some truly, well-meaning, and somewhat helpful writing advice videos, I now constantly scrutinize every little detail I used to love and not have as a problem before. I have rewritten my first chapter so many times now to do everything "right" that I don't even recognize the true plot line anymore. And let me tell you, it's hard to find it again once you have left the path you made your own in the first place. Once again, you writing has enlightened and educated me. Thanks, Matt. Can't wait to see your next article. Pure and untouched by the well-meaning "Advice Givers". :)
Thanks, D.K.! Seriously. And that's a great anecdote, because I know exactly what you mean. As @JBS Palmer wrote in an earlier comment, "there's an optimal informational distance you need to keep when writing and that distance varies in a very individual way."
I think that's totally true, and I wish you luck in finding yours.
Glad you're looking forward to the next piece. I hope it doesn't disappoint. Friday weeklies are using meandering essays, as you know, but I'm working on a short story that I'm excited to share here when it's done.
Happy writing! And thanks for your thoughtful comment and support.
Hey, Matt, I completely agree. There's an optimal informational distance you need to keep when writing and that distance varies in a very individual way.
It totally does! And, weirdly, this is kind of the first time I'm experimenting with that, and it feels great. Right now, my distance is far, far away. I'm not really reading any "literature." But I'm sure, in time, that will evolve. How? I don't know. But for now, I'm feeling good, so I'm just going to keep this going as long as it feels right.
I remember telling a friend, who practically lived with me for a while, that I wrote a lot for someone who doesn’t read. They quickly responded, “What are you talking about? You read all day long!” We forget that books are not the only reading we do. We read articles all day when we’re perusing, researching or distracted. We also consume/read a lot of news in written form online.
It's so true! I'm constantly reading, technically. But I guess it's the "literary" reading that I'm talking about more so here. It's been nice to remove myself from the voices of other writers as I focus on my own work.
I believe this makes a lot of sense. And think of how much you've read up till now! At some point we have to practice what we've learned. If your intuition is telling you something, you should listen.
Absolutely, Ms. Writer! My intuition is telling me block out the noise and really start building my creative castle/mountain/house with my own two hands.
Yes, Matt, 100% on the money. Your instincts are good. I think anyone who wrestles with an artistic objective knows when they're playing hooky. (Do people even know what playing hooky means anymore??) Sure there's a time for reading the words and ideas of others, trying new methods, escaping in the outdoors or seeing a movie but . . . just keep listening to that voice, the one that can connect you with your inner vision. It can be a misty, ephemeral thing at times but it'll return and reform as you beckon and reimagine the world you're creating.
I know what hooky is! And "hooky" is the perfect word. Like you said, there's a time. But I've had a lot of that time, and I'm sure I'll have it again. You put it perfectly -- in this quiet, I feel better-able to hear and articulate that inner voice. It's nice. There are any number of analogies that seem to apply. For some reason, this one came into my head as I write this: a coach and a player. As a player, at a certain point you just want the coach to shut-up and let you play. This is good to apply what you've learned, but more so it's good to find out what really works when it's gametime.
yes, that's a good way to look at it I suppose. And the next time I find myself with the coach hat on I'll be sure to talk less. 😂
Agreed. We have “input” all around us, and sometimes what we really need is a quiet pause to really listen to the voice that’s already inside us.
Absolutely! The quite can be lonely, but more so its peaceful. And it's funny you mention "quiet." I've recently heard that musicians are often seeking perfect silence and quiet in their living spaces and day-to-day. That seems to speak to the same point.
Although! (After 7 mins reflection time lol) I do feel inspired to write when I come across really good pieces of writing... but maybe I’m deluding myself🤷🏾♀️😆
I do too, Tola! I'm just taking a brief hiatus. But I know with certainty that picking up a good story will be great inspiration. The only thing I need to look out for is being so inspired that I begin to -- consciously or unconsciously -- emulate or mimic the inspirational story instead of doing something entirely my own. It's probably a personal problem, and I'm working on it.
Agree.
I respect your dedication
Thanks, Wil. Likewise! Always glad to read your stories, despite my claims.