Wisdom there, Kate. Not just for ‘art’ but ‘art for life’ as well. Thanks for sharing this, especially when there is a precarious aspect to work in progress. Agree with everything. It applies to song writing and production when 30,000 songs are allegedly being uploaded every day.
"In these days of immediate gratification it’s easy to start believing that your work counts for nothing if it isn’t out there being shared or liked or paid for — and that if it’s taking a while, you’re just not as good at it as someone who churns things out with apparent ease. We make it all about the product, when the thing that’s actually valuable to your life — the thing that brings you meaning and purpose and genuine gratification — is the process. The part where you’re making the art is what it’s all about, not the part where you have made it. "
Absolutely!
So those Eureka moments are just the culmination of a thousand edits or starting again. When you hit that sweet spot, it is ‘for you’. Of course, so many creative people say this.
‘Don’t hold too tightly’ – I know and try to apply the principle – hold/let go, hold/let go – hard, hard! and on a daily basis! Huge advantage sharing the writing process for mutual and gentle encouraging, chiding, breaking the news on what isn’t working. Still plenty of opportunity to be your own worst critic…
This is all such valuable insight. As I enter editing my first manuscript, I find your experience super helpful, especially the weeds metaphor. I am also an "emerges as I go" writer, and that time in the weeds can feel mystifying and scary, but am learning the only way "out" of the weeds is writing through them. Thank you for sharing this, and for the shout-out!
Exactly, you can't skirt round the weeds! It's scary though because you don't know when/if you'll find your way out, but you have to trust that you will. Good luck with the editing!
Loved this Kate. Your process sounds a lot like my art making process. I paint intuitively. I have no idea how it will turn out. Sometimes I get too invested in part of a painting but it doesn't gratify the whole and it HAS to go, which can be painful!
Also sharing with people you trust. I am a member of 2 well established art groups. We support, and motivate each other. These are large groups, over thousands of members but the feeling in each is warm and welcoming. I would be lost without these.
Finally, I loved the weeds analogy! I will be keeping this in mind thank you!
Glad you liked it Susan! Yeah being led by your intuition can be so messy and difficult, but to me it seems so necessary to take a circuitous route... Glad you have support groups as it can be a lonely business without one.
Great topic choice!
Thanks 😊
Wisdom there, Kate. Not just for ‘art’ but ‘art for life’ as well. Thanks for sharing this, especially when there is a precarious aspect to work in progress. Agree with everything. It applies to song writing and production when 30,000 songs are allegedly being uploaded every day.
"In these days of immediate gratification it’s easy to start believing that your work counts for nothing if it isn’t out there being shared or liked or paid for — and that if it’s taking a while, you’re just not as good at it as someone who churns things out with apparent ease. We make it all about the product, when the thing that’s actually valuable to your life — the thing that brings you meaning and purpose and genuine gratification — is the process. The part where you’re making the art is what it’s all about, not the part where you have made it. "
Absolutely!
So those Eureka moments are just the culmination of a thousand edits or starting again. When you hit that sweet spot, it is ‘for you’. Of course, so many creative people say this.
‘Don’t hold too tightly’ – I know and try to apply the principle – hold/let go, hold/let go – hard, hard! and on a daily basis! Huge advantage sharing the writing process for mutual and gentle encouraging, chiding, breaking the news on what isn’t working. Still plenty of opportunity to be your own worst critic…
Creative courage received and reciprocated.
Dx
Glad it resonated with you Danny! What a rollercoaster it all is. (And very belated thanks for your pledge!!)
…however, Kate. Are we doing justice to the tears and hysteria of realisation “It’s Alive!”
not the 3rd witch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ca-2FRsTx8
:) Dx
switch!
This is all such valuable insight. As I enter editing my first manuscript, I find your experience super helpful, especially the weeds metaphor. I am also an "emerges as I go" writer, and that time in the weeds can feel mystifying and scary, but am learning the only way "out" of the weeds is writing through them. Thank you for sharing this, and for the shout-out!
Exactly, you can't skirt round the weeds! It's scary though because you don't know when/if you'll find your way out, but you have to trust that you will. Good luck with the editing!
Just what I needed to read right now, as I muck through the tangles of a memoir I didn't expect to write. Thank you for this.
Ah I'm so glad Maia! It can be so difficult to know how hard is TOO hard, I find...
and that other thing, Kate... Gratitude. When that thing comes rolling in...God, Universe, the Angels and Saints... Thank you!
Congrats on the possible breakthrough and at least a motivator to keep on!
Thank you! And yes, definitely - we need these little moments of self-belief even if it all gets difficult again later!
Loved this Kate. Your process sounds a lot like my art making process. I paint intuitively. I have no idea how it will turn out. Sometimes I get too invested in part of a painting but it doesn't gratify the whole and it HAS to go, which can be painful!
Also sharing with people you trust. I am a member of 2 well established art groups. We support, and motivate each other. These are large groups, over thousands of members but the feeling in each is warm and welcoming. I would be lost without these.
Finally, I loved the weeds analogy! I will be keeping this in mind thank you!
Glad you liked it Susan! Yeah being led by your intuition can be so messy and difficult, but to me it seems so necessary to take a circuitous route... Glad you have support groups as it can be a lonely business without one.
Hi Kate yes I totally agree. The end result is then totally you and that's the whole point isn't it.
The groups are brilliant and I wouldn't be without them.
Have a great week.