Welcome to Cosmic Ink, a blog series with bits of fuel for a stellar creative life.
There are times when life goes according to plan, and everything I have scheduled falls into place. But, in recent years, this is steadily becoming a rare event.
I keep waiting for the space-time continuum to open up for me, a future when I can dedicate a solid scheduled block of time to work on the projects in my head, but conditions are not improving. And instead of getting little done, I’m getting absolutely nothing done.
Having a clear vision of what we want to create, why we want to create it, and a plan to accomplish this is the most fundamental part of making the untold stories in our heads a reality in the physical world. However, we must not toss the whole dream aside whenever things get hectic.
Creating is our life blood. It’s what keeps our fires alive. It gives our lives meaning.
It’s not always something that can be slotted in like a dental appointment, and it should not be treated as such. It is far more important than that.
So during those days when you feel you “don’t have the time” or have the perfect conditions, remind yourself that you don’t have time not to.
You can find twenty minutes, I assure you.
Do it. It’s not just for your benefit, but for everyone’s.
(I am writing this pep talk for myself as well as you guys)
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
— Franz Kafka
It’s tempting to go with the tide and try to mimic whatever is trending at the moment, but remember why you started writing.
It wasn’t to imitate others.
It was to make your own voice heard.
Shut out the noise and write about the things that excite you, the thoughts that keep you awake at night, the dreams that obsess your soul.
Continuing our elaboration of Jack Kerouac’s Belief and Technique for Modern Prose.
Blow as deep as you want to blow
Yes, writing is sometimes like standing naked in front of strangers who are poring over you with HD cameras. You sweat as they scrutinize every blemish, scar, and crevice.
But resist the urge to hold back.
Nothing is too wild, too ridiculous, too dark, too lewd, too silly if it tells a truth. Readers don’t want a half-assed, cowardly attempt. That’s a waste of time. They want whole-ass stories.
Writers are exhibitionists. Don’t pretend you didn’t want to expose yourself.
Be bold. Say what you really want to say. Blow as deep as you want to blow.
