By giving reasons for why you write you invite being asked why you publish. All of the reasons you give apply equally to keeping a diary or a journal.
Many years ago when I was an undergraduate student Margaret Atwood came to my university to give a speech. The title was something like, “Advice to Aspiring Writers,” and Atwood suggested that anyone who wants to write should first visit a library. If you believed you had something useful to add to what was already in the library then you should write. Otherwise, choose another profession. For a young writer like me, who had little confidence in his abilities, Atwood’s speech spooked me for years. I still can’t complete a writing project unless I first convince myself there are readers out there who might appreciate my effort. I envy that you can write solely because you want to for your own sake.
I'm so glad you brought this up, because I very much agree: publishing and writing are two very different things. Why I *publish* is a very different - and much harder - question to answer than why I *write*. It's one I think about lot and want to write about in a future newsletter. I have lot more thought-organising to do, but something I've landed on is that ego plays a big role and it's important to accept that in order to keep it in check. Because what Atwood said in that session is true, you have to think that what you have to say is worth listening to and, while awkward to admit, that takes a lot of self-belief.
I think you nailed it Anna! A writer without an ego is unimaginable (unless one counts those new AI writing programmes as writers), but an ego without anything worth saying is a waste of space. George Orwell explained his motives in an essay titled, “Why I Write,” that might provide ideas for the story you want to do:
This is beautiful. I find the spontaneity and urge to just get something on the page, being pushed by a feeling, to be the most uplifting kind of writing for the soul.
Reading about your grandfather's studio and work ethic was a joy! I also really felt the joy in you. Like when someone's face lights up when they are talking about something/someone they truly, wholeheartedly, love. I'm married to an artist and that 'because he has to' really resonated. I call it his creative cave, he's super angsty if he's not in it for a couple of days.
Great post, Anna! BUT I mostly want to ask you... how was Inventing Anna/do you recommend it? I haven't had time to watch yet but it's on my (long) list and wondering if it's worth the limited TV time I have!
I really enjoyed it! I thought it was well done and measured. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a journalist, but I loved how the central character was actually the reporter rather than Sorokin
About one year ago, I sat down to write one hour after waking up. I had just started to read "The artist's way" by Julia Cameron and thought about people who supported me in being creative. Just like you, I wrote about my grandfather, who was a musician and painter. He was funny and a bit chaotic. My grandmother would have never called herself an artist, but she could write! She once wrote in a notebook for me:"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible". I think, this is how I work. Sometimes I get mocked for being so structured. Sometimes I embrace it, but lately I also wished to be a bit less mechanic again.
Thank you for this piece. It made me travel to your grandfather's studio with you.
"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible" What a line!! Thank you for sharing this story, it was so lovely.
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna! I often think that because I'm a bit particular about order, rather than care-free and scattered as I assume natural creatives are, it means I'm perhaps not as creative as I'd like to be. I always insist on certain factors to write: being at home on a day off (not say a lunch break), at a certain time of day for a certain amount of time, and be in a particular environment to get the output I want. But in doing so, I stifle the spontaneous creative moments. Ideas that might hit me on the train that I could voice note for later. Or a podcast/book sparking a thought that could be captured roughly in my phone notes if I'm out for a walk. It's certainly made me think about productivity and creativity in completely different lights...
It's such a delicate line to tread! I definitely need to routine and structure to be creative, but too much of it has the opposite effect. Goldilocks, much?! And ps I also feel guilty about not being "chaotic enough" in my creativity. I'm weirdly jealous of people who are most creative at night...
I'm so glad it's not just me! I'm always convinced creatives can also burn the candle at both ends and then berate myself because I don't function well that way.
Loved reading about your grandfather's studio :)
Thank you!! <3
By giving reasons for why you write you invite being asked why you publish. All of the reasons you give apply equally to keeping a diary or a journal.
Many years ago when I was an undergraduate student Margaret Atwood came to my university to give a speech. The title was something like, “Advice to Aspiring Writers,” and Atwood suggested that anyone who wants to write should first visit a library. If you believed you had something useful to add to what was already in the library then you should write. Otherwise, choose another profession. For a young writer like me, who had little confidence in his abilities, Atwood’s speech spooked me for years. I still can’t complete a writing project unless I first convince myself there are readers out there who might appreciate my effort. I envy that you can write solely because you want to for your own sake.
I'm so glad you brought this up, because I very much agree: publishing and writing are two very different things. Why I *publish* is a very different - and much harder - question to answer than why I *write*. It's one I think about lot and want to write about in a future newsletter. I have lot more thought-organising to do, but something I've landed on is that ego plays a big role and it's important to accept that in order to keep it in check. Because what Atwood said in that session is true, you have to think that what you have to say is worth listening to and, while awkward to admit, that takes a lot of self-belief.
I think you nailed it Anna! A writer without an ego is unimaginable (unless one counts those new AI writing programmes as writers), but an ego without anything worth saying is a waste of space. George Orwell explained his motives in an essay titled, “Why I Write,” that might provide ideas for the story you want to do:
https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/why-i-write/
This is beautiful. I find the spontaneity and urge to just get something on the page, being pushed by a feeling, to be the most uplifting kind of writing for the soul.
Thank you! I so agree 💯
Absolutely loved this - spoke to me on a level I need right now...and it's studio work today just for fun.
Such a great read, thank you!
:)
Exactly what I needed to read this morning x
Jacqueline <3
If you know, you know!! 😎
Your grandfather ❤️❤️❤️ he is goals
Reading about your grandfather's studio and work ethic was a joy! I also really felt the joy in you. Like when someone's face lights up when they are talking about something/someone they truly, wholeheartedly, love. I'm married to an artist and that 'because he has to' really resonated. I call it his creative cave, he's super angsty if he's not in it for a couple of days.
Thank you, Hannah! So kind
Thanks for the awesome journey. It was pleasure visiting your grandfather's muse.
I think writers can feel the joy when the other one writes her joy. :)
You're most welcome ☺️
Great post, Anna! BUT I mostly want to ask you... how was Inventing Anna/do you recommend it? I haven't had time to watch yet but it's on my (long) list and wondering if it's worth the limited TV time I have!
I really enjoyed it! I thought it was well done and measured. Maybe I'm biased because I'm a journalist, but I loved how the central character was actually the reporter rather than Sorokin
About one year ago, I sat down to write one hour after waking up. I had just started to read "The artist's way" by Julia Cameron and thought about people who supported me in being creative. Just like you, I wrote about my grandfather, who was a musician and painter. He was funny and a bit chaotic. My grandmother would have never called herself an artist, but she could write! She once wrote in a notebook for me:"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible". I think, this is how I work. Sometimes I get mocked for being so structured. Sometimes I embrace it, but lately I also wished to be a bit less mechanic again.
Thank you for this piece. It made me travel to your grandfather's studio with you.
"Do first the necessary, then the possible and finally you will achieve the impossible" What a line!! Thank you for sharing this story, it was so lovely.
This is such a beautiful piece, Anna! I often think that because I'm a bit particular about order, rather than care-free and scattered as I assume natural creatives are, it means I'm perhaps not as creative as I'd like to be. I always insist on certain factors to write: being at home on a day off (not say a lunch break), at a certain time of day for a certain amount of time, and be in a particular environment to get the output I want. But in doing so, I stifle the spontaneous creative moments. Ideas that might hit me on the train that I could voice note for later. Or a podcast/book sparking a thought that could be captured roughly in my phone notes if I'm out for a walk. It's certainly made me think about productivity and creativity in completely different lights...
It's such a delicate line to tread! I definitely need to routine and structure to be creative, but too much of it has the opposite effect. Goldilocks, much?! And ps I also feel guilty about not being "chaotic enough" in my creativity. I'm weirdly jealous of people who are most creative at night...
I'm so glad it's not just me! I'm always convinced creatives can also burn the candle at both ends and then berate myself because I don't function well that way.