by John on May 27, 2008
I love words. I love the way that words can shape mental images and sway opinions. Because of this, I can recognize the bias behind what I’m about to tell you. (But I think I’m right anyway.) Writing is the foundation for creative expression.
It doesn’t matter what medium you choose, good creative expression is an expression of you. Art that is engaging is art that offers the soul of the artist. Writing is a means for each of us to be in touch with our own soul. And that is why it is so hard sometimes. But that is also why it is a discipline worth developing.
Over the past few months, I worked my way through On Writing Well, by William Zinsser. It is one of the classics about the art of writing, filled with practical advice on how to write more gooder. (See what I mean?)
But through all that practical advice, one theme stands out: writing is a personal transaction. The more you are present, the better it is. I’ve already posted one quote that emphasizes this. Here are two more, from early and late in the book:
- “Sell yourself, and your subject will exert its own appeal. Believe in your own identity and your own opinions. Writing is an act of ego, and you might as well admit it. Use its energy to keep yourself going.” (pg. 24)
- “My commodity as a writer, whatever I’m writing about, is me. And your commodity is you. Don’t alter your voice to fit your subject.” (pg. 233)
For some, writing might be limited to a personal exercise in the form of daily pages. Fair enough. But for most of us, the way we craft our words is critical to how we find and offer our voice. As your voice becomes more clear, your ideas and images become more engaging.
Popularity: 49% [?]
by John on March 18, 2008
This is the introduction to an ongoing series called Blinders. I’m going to explore some ways I try to help my oft distracted mind stay focused on what I’m doing.
Last week, I started meandering through A Perfect Mess. I’ve only read about a tenth of it, so I probably shouldn’t comment on it yet. I’m going to anyway.
The premise of the book, or at least the first tenth of it, is that messiness isn’t as bad as we make it out to be. So much time can be spent maintaining organizational systems that it is counterproductive. I wouldn’t argue this…it wasn’t long ago that I said something similar.
But that misses the point of why I find value in having some organization. The main benefit of trying to create order and structure is this — my mind, and my life, are easily distracted. I need to create some space to reflect and be creative. Here are some thoughts out of my daily pages from a few weeks ago that gave birth to this series:
Why the drive to organize my spaces when my brain is such a mess? Ha. It’s not really a mess, but there is more distraction going on there than there ever is on my desk or my comptuer screen. It is my mind that shifts me over to see what is happening on another space. Not the distraction of my screen that takes my mind away. Oops…another one to incubate.
The blessing of a computer is that it can be a great tool for productivity and creativity. Unfortunately, it can also be a portal to, well, everything. It is a distraction machine. It is not uncommon for me to find a window buried on my screen that represents something I was working on half an hour ago, and completely forgot.
In the two or three posts to follow, I will be sharing some of the ways I try to beat my computer into submission. (If you are a computer rights activist, please note the use of metaphor and sarcasm.) I have posts coming on how I am simplifying my documents folders, as well as how I have streamlined what my workspace looks like.
If you have tips on what is helpful for you, you are welcome to share them with the rest of us in the comments.
Popularity: 40% [?]