You Got This!

“I only write when I’m inspired.  Fortunately I’m inspired at 9 o’clock every morning” (ascribed to William Faulkner).

The point cuts through.  We can not wait around for inspiration to hit.  Inspiration illuminates the simple, daily habits of those committed to their craft.  Within those habits, not without them, we have a vehicle for inspiration to enter.

This does not preclude the possility of impromtu moments of insight (in showers, dreams, etc.).  We just can’t expect them.  Sure, it’s great to be woken up from a deep sleep with a brilliant idea.  It does sometimes happen.  But don’t limit inspiration only to those special, re-directing moments.

Inspiration comes directly through our “meager” attempts to focus, to stay diligent, to work, even when we don’t feel like it.  This may be the biggest difference between being an “aspiring” writer and someone who is actually writing.  A writer is one who writes.  Period.

But that is not all a writer does. Let me illustrate using the craft of songwriting.   

Songwriters write…lyrics.  Poetry!  But they also must set it to music (compose, produce, etc).  They are uniquely a writer/poet + musician.  In most cases, they also have to perform.  Write, produce, record, perform.  Write, produce, record, perform. On and on the cycle goes.

There is a rhythm between the activities.  Each is needed in the development process.  Though unique to songwriters, all art forms have cycles that require different roles from the artist.    

Transitions between these roles (writer, producer, performer) can be tricky.  The skills are totally different.  One is completely internal, fiercely independent of outside inputs.  Others, by nature, are external and dependent on human approval.

Eventually a writer goes on a book tour.  She or he must “externalize” their world to bring attention to their internalized writings (aka, their book or “product”).  She or he must create promotional events and marketing plans, etc.  To garner support requires many tedious transactions.

The artist here must seek approvals, humbling herself from the safe, stoic distance of a “writer” to become someone who who must care what others think.  This process can be humiliating, and feel very foreign to the artist used to isolated writing and creating, where no pandering is required.

But this promotional phase is just as much a reality as any other.  Unless the artist can somehow embrace it, he or she will remain in relative obscurity.  Hobbyist are fine with that.  But we can no longer be.  We must care if we aim to be professionals.

To enter this professional side of a craft requires great attention, work, and creativity (almost as much as creating the art itself).  It is proof we care, proof of our commitment to actualize our intentions into plans.

Planning IS hard work.  Deep reflection can be agonizing.  There are lots of ways to go about things.  We must decide on one, at least to start.  Starting is the critical part.  Otherwise we relagate our deepest passions to a mere hobby.

One last warning: It is very easy to become infatuated with the creating process itself, as an end in itself.

Once the project is done, there is a death, a post-partum sadness about the process being over.  It is a particularly dangerous point.  If we do nothing, the project can go toxic and all our hard work goes for nought.  A whole other work must begin once we have birthed.

The work of a parent.

We need to release our work into the world.  But first we must raise it.  Prepare it for the world to see.  It can be humiliating.  This is not our expertise.  We are new here. It will be awkward.  Sure.  The chances for failure are high.  Yep.  There are no guarantees and great risks.  True.

But this is life!!!  This is the stuff we have dreamed of.  This is why we are here, what we have lived for.  This is the good fight.  There is always a way.  Just keep moving.  Something will open up.  You can do this.

Keep those feet moving! You got this.