Snippet Sunday

[wayfaringwordhack]

in which there is no snippet.

But I felt like I needed to report in about creativity, even if I have a lack of creation to share.

That is not to say that I've done nothing--I've sketched some--but I have spent more time thinking and being and accepting. A while back, I posted about my frustration with how stories come to me, wishing I could change the way my brain works.  Thanks to everyone who commented on that entry. I fell down a rabbithole and didn't follow up with people. I regret that. It seems silly to go back to it now, but I appreciate that people chimed in.

Anyhow, I haven't had new revelations, per se, but I've decided I need to be more flexible. I need to accept that sometimes the plan must be ditched; I have to roll with what I'm capable of when a hole swallows me whole or Some Big Thing knocks me off track.  I may not have the brain cells to write at certain times, but I can draw. So instead of clinging to some idea that I must write Just Because, I need to quickly (gracefully) switch gears.  It will save me time, guilt, and needless waffly-wallowing.

We are looking at a move, which means lots of packing, running around, planning and executing plans, in addition to vet visits, renewing my passport, attending a plethora of social engagements, and baking for charities. This is not the time to come down hard on myself for not being able to produce some tangible evidence of my creative spirit.

And this is enough of that. G'night, LJ. :P 

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

When I attended the Sirens Conference, one thing all the guests of honor emphasized was that we, as writers, should not feel guilt that we can't produce all the time. I think that's good advice.

Real life is very invasive and makes creativity difficult sometimes.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

That's right! And all the guilt does is keep you from enjoying other pursuits, without really helping the writing.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I'm glad for this mindset for you.

Sometimes people talk about writing or about being writers the way the Puritans talked about being (or not being) members of the Elect--that there were these people whom God had chosen, and nothing you did could change whether you were chosen or not, but your outward life would show signs. "Surely that person must be one of the Elect--look how saintly their behavior is." And similarly with writing. But that's nonsense. It really is.

You have stories in you, and they'll come out when you're in a position to have them come out. But you also have buckets of other creative ways you express yourself. I'm glad for those. And sometimes you're just caught up in the living of your busy life--that sounds completely right to me!

When I very first came on LJ, in 2006, I didn't think of myself as a writer. I did write, but only in a very hobby-ish sort of way, without any goals or expectations. I'd deliberately *not* tried to pursue writing, having grown up with a father who was unhappy with the publishing world. At that point--when I first came on--I actually avoided following writers on LJ, because all they talked about was writing, and I didn't like that single focus. Things changed in the next year, and as I got more involved with writing, I was more interested in writing talk, and I ended up (and am very happy I ended up) with lots of writer friends. But I'm always wanting a sense of a complete person. I think the best stories come from people who are observant in their full lives.

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

Yup yup yup yup yup.

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

It's a good reminder that it's okay to switch gears from one creative activity to another. If I can't write, I'll sketch. If I can't sketch, I'll practice a piano piece. Or I'll read, organize, bake, or clean. I just want to avoid the whole "I'm tired so I'll spend hours mindlessly surfing the Internet" trap.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That is good advice, especially in light of all the "real writers write (all the time)" talk there is out there.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I think the best stories come from people who are observant in their full lives. And this is the best encouragement for LIVING my life...and paying attention to it, even the mundanity.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I thought of you when I typed this up. :)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that whole mindless surfing trap is a thing I so want to avoid. o.O

Oops. Wanted to select my icon and then hit "post" before I finished what I wanted to say.

So: My problem with the surfing is that it is not truly mindless--I look up and read about things that interest me, like writing or unschooling or art techniques--but the insidious slide into being only a taker (of ideas) and not a doer/maker is what I need to guard against.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Guilt (and shame) is useless but certainly not harmless. :(

[sunflower-sky.livejournal.com]

I figured. :)