I love this so much. I decided to write a short story a week for 6 months this year, not to “produce” or anything. Just to make lots of shitty art. Just to practice.
I am a visual artist and very much taking this to heart. I get so caught up in planning the best way to do a project - or anything creative - "right" that I end up so tight and fraught over it that I hardly start. This is a great piece - thank you!
Love this! Also, I wonder... I know you've mentioned on the Podcast that you're not super enticed/motivated by the idea of publishing your novels, but are more motivated by the process. Do you feel like publishing something weekly on Substack has helped push you towards a mindset of "publishing=good" - as in it's helping you get over a need for perfectionism in order to publish your writing?
I hadn't thought about it that way before but YES, I feel like I'm much closer to actually wanting to publish my novels. Now that you mention it, I've probably taken more steps in the last six months or so than I have in the previous few years. Definitely getting me more in the publishing mindset!
I’ve been thinking lately, how perfectionism might creep into the mind of a child when they start to realize how much effort it takes to make something polished.
In western culture, we like smooth plastic things because if it were made by hand, it would take an enormous amount of effort for the finish to have that look.
It’s not until we’re older that we realize a knife with a beautifully carved wood handle is worth more to us than the same blade with a molded plastic one.
What exacerbates this phenomenon is the fact that the beautiful option just doesn’t exist.
Very much learning this too! I just see how much I self-sabotage through perfectionism, but I like the idea of indeed seeing writing as a daily practiced craft. Want to make it more into a habit!
"I’m training to be the writer I will be in the future." - this is such a powerful and freeing statement! Thank you for reminding me to get my writing reps in.
1-3 reps is so relatable and easy to reach. My form of perfectionism is fear of being misunderstood or hurting someone with my writing… things that are out of my control. But you’re right, if I practice weekly, I’ll get better
Thank you thank you thank you. I feel like I’m in the messy middle in every aspect of life right now. I woke up feeling so much shame about it. After reading this, I feel empowered by the messy middle. Your writing did that. Thanks a million.
I love this so much. I decided to write a short story a week for 6 months this year, not to “produce” or anything. Just to make lots of shitty art. Just to practice.
I love this idea! What a great way to "get reps in" (to use a gym metaphor). I might have to steal this idea.
I am a visual artist and very much taking this to heart. I get so caught up in planning the best way to do a project - or anything creative - "right" that I end up so tight and fraught over it that I hardly start. This is a great piece - thank you!
Love this! Also, I wonder... I know you've mentioned on the Podcast that you're not super enticed/motivated by the idea of publishing your novels, but are more motivated by the process. Do you feel like publishing something weekly on Substack has helped push you towards a mindset of "publishing=good" - as in it's helping you get over a need for perfectionism in order to publish your writing?
I hadn't thought about it that way before but YES, I feel like I'm much closer to actually wanting to publish my novels. Now that you mention it, I've probably taken more steps in the last six months or so than I have in the previous few years. Definitely getting me more in the publishing mindset!
I’ve been thinking lately, how perfectionism might creep into the mind of a child when they start to realize how much effort it takes to make something polished.
In western culture, we like smooth plastic things because if it were made by hand, it would take an enormous amount of effort for the finish to have that look.
It’s not until we’re older that we realize a knife with a beautifully carved wood handle is worth more to us than the same blade with a molded plastic one.
What exacerbates this phenomenon is the fact that the beautiful option just doesn’t exist.
It’s annoying that it’s taken me so long to arrive to this same conclusion but yes…to all of it.
Wholeheartedly agree with all of this!
Very much learning this too! I just see how much I self-sabotage through perfectionism, but I like the idea of indeed seeing writing as a daily practiced craft. Want to make it more into a habit!
"I’m training to be the writer I will be in the future." - this is such a powerful and freeing statement! Thank you for reminding me to get my writing reps in.
Really good one, this actually helped me. Thanks James! Keep it upppp 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
1-3 reps is so relatable and easy to reach. My form of perfectionism is fear of being misunderstood or hurting someone with my writing… things that are out of my control. But you’re right, if I practice weekly, I’ll get better
This was a beautiful permission slip! Thanks James :)
Thank you thank you thank you. I feel like I’m in the messy middle in every aspect of life right now. I woke up feeling so much shame about it. After reading this, I feel empowered by the messy middle. Your writing did that. Thanks a million.