For a long time I have been intrigued by this idea of patience, which might also be called 'not doing.' Not trying so hard to fit into the mold, usually an imagined mold. Not trying so hard to please others, even editors, though they are the gate keepers to a land most of us wish to enter. I try to tune in more and more to something like…
For a long time I have been intrigued by this idea of patience, which might also be called 'not doing.' Not trying so hard to fit into the mold, usually an imagined mold. Not trying so hard to please others, even editors, though they are the gate keepers to a land most of us wish to enter. I try to tune in more and more to something like 'knowing.' I realize this sounds a little too much like pop mysticism, but I find as I get older, if I'm listening, deeply, accurately, the answers really do come into focus. So, how does this help the writer and questioner? I guess it could be helpful if it helps them shift to listening to their heart/muse/intuition more and seeking approval from outside less. Who knows if the readers group was accurate? Who knows if that's even possible. Accurate for what audience, other than a group that was likely already drawn together by a certain sameness. And who knows if ourselves today would agree with ourselves tomorrow. So I guess my advice, if it's worthy of being called that, is to pause and let the story sit awhile, which is the Story Club credo, but also to listen inside yourself. If this thing wants to be let loose, then do it. Don't be afraid of releasing it before it's perfect because there is no perfect. Let the thing fly and then see where it goes. You might be pleasantly surprised. Plus the world needs more carefully considered writing let loose into it. There is too much bad writing (and bad everything) being released by people who either don't care or can't even tell.
Well worth getting to know the nature / character of your heart / muse / intuition, too. I find that the things by other writers (and other artists in all fields) that 'resonate' with me most seem to do so because they chime with exactly the same parts of me that my own best writing 'resonates' with.
I'd sooner engage with the work of and read about the approaches of a relatively unknown sculptor (say) whose work really resonates with me, than with the work and approaches of a successful writer whose work doesn't resonate as much.
It definitely feels like it's an embodied thing to me.
It also feels to me like the part that 'resonates' is already there, dormant until the first time I encounter the external stimulus that wakes it up. A bit like the immune system in reverse - totally specific to the trigger, but welcomes and embraces the trigger rather than fighting it off.
For a long time I have been intrigued by this idea of patience, which might also be called 'not doing.' Not trying so hard to fit into the mold, usually an imagined mold. Not trying so hard to please others, even editors, though they are the gate keepers to a land most of us wish to enter. I try to tune in more and more to something like 'knowing.' I realize this sounds a little too much like pop mysticism, but I find as I get older, if I'm listening, deeply, accurately, the answers really do come into focus. So, how does this help the writer and questioner? I guess it could be helpful if it helps them shift to listening to their heart/muse/intuition more and seeking approval from outside less. Who knows if the readers group was accurate? Who knows if that's even possible. Accurate for what audience, other than a group that was likely already drawn together by a certain sameness. And who knows if ourselves today would agree with ourselves tomorrow. So I guess my advice, if it's worthy of being called that, is to pause and let the story sit awhile, which is the Story Club credo, but also to listen inside yourself. If this thing wants to be let loose, then do it. Don't be afraid of releasing it before it's perfect because there is no perfect. Let the thing fly and then see where it goes. You might be pleasantly surprised. Plus the world needs more carefully considered writing let loose into it. There is too much bad writing (and bad everything) being released by people who either don't care or can't even tell.
Well worth getting to know the nature / character of your heart / muse / intuition, too. I find that the things by other writers (and other artists in all fields) that 'resonate' with me most seem to do so because they chime with exactly the same parts of me that my own best writing 'resonates' with.
I'd sooner engage with the work of and read about the approaches of a relatively unknown sculptor (say) whose work really resonates with me, than with the work and approaches of a successful writer whose work doesn't resonate as much.
Nicely put Edward. I like that term ‘resonate.’ It’s a kind of gut centered knowledge, I think.
It definitely feels like it's an embodied thing to me.
It also feels to me like the part that 'resonates' is already there, dormant until the first time I encounter the external stimulus that wakes it up. A bit like the immune system in reverse - totally specific to the trigger, but welcomes and embraces the trigger rather than fighting it off.
Knowing, not knowing. Yin, Yang. Balance.
Thanks Kurt so well said. Your sage advice is everything when thinking about patience.