Your first draft is just the beginning. Don’t be afraid just to get ideas on the page. J.R.R. Tolkein had some rough (ROUGH) drafts of his Lord of the Rings stories before they were finished. Frodo, the main Hobbit in the 3-part series, was originally called Bingo. I know - not so heroic right? He … Continue reading The Fellowship of Bingo, Trotter, And The Rings
Tag: writing
The Books Pile Up
I need books stacked up around me to pick up at random. I figured it was an ADHD thing. But really, it’s just a physical version of other positively stimulative stacks and lists I know I’m happier when I have in my life. The Japanese word for piles of unread books is "tsundoku." It’s like … Continue reading The Books Pile Up
Sunday Music: Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome
You may find this as relatable to your creative process as I do to mine - here’s John Darnielle explaining how the new Mountain Goats album (Bleed Out) was inspired by action movies (via Paste Magazine): “I can’t really watch a movie at home without getting some ideas about the action onscreen or getting inspired … Continue reading Sunday Music: Wage Wars Get Rich Die Handsome
Sunday Music: Drug Church
I would buy a book of Drug Church lyrics. Here’s “Fun’s Over” from their newest album, Hygiene. If you like literary post-hardcore, art rock, give them a spin. I’m really enjoying some of their stuff (h/t NYT Popcast episode, “A Renaissance in American Hardcore Music” - which made me so, so happy this week). In … Continue reading Sunday Music: Drug Church
How To Write A Book In One Day
I am a sucker for hearing about how different people hit their flow state. The state where whatever they are making pours from their brain like water into a glass in front of them. Miles improvising. Biggie freestyling. Kerouac writing on the road. These are people who understood the product they wanted to make, and … Continue reading How To Write A Book In One Day
What I Didn’t Do On Vacation
A little peek behind the curtain today: what I didn’t do on vacation. I didn’t write any posts. In fact, I wrote this post a full week before I went on vacation (and a full three weeks' worth of posts to give me cushion on each side). They say work smarter, not harder. They’ve got … Continue reading What I Didn’t Do On Vacation
The 4 People Every Creator Must Be
Austin Kleon shared a clip from a Susan Sontag journal about how “The Writer Must Be 4 People.” These don’t just apply to writers, they apply to all creators (and forward-looking business people, and humble leaders, and great coaches, and etc.). The writer must be four people: 1) The nut, the obsédé 2) The moron … Continue reading The 4 People Every Creator Must Be
It Has To Be Eye-Catching Enough To Stop A Skimmer
I was scrolling Twitter and somebody had written, “start an epic adventure” but my brain thought it said, “start a pandemic.” I’m glad I misread that. Starting pandemics is a touch on the dark side. I’m also glad for the reminder of how important skimmability is. Whatever we’re writing, make it eye-catching for the skimmers. … Continue reading It Has To Be Eye-Catching Enough To Stop A Skimmer
Judd Apatow’s Secret To Creative Output Is…
Judd Apatow’s secret to creative output: “Down-Up Theory.” Get it DOWN. Fix it UP. That’s it. Two steps but they contain creative multitudes. h/t Apatow’s 3rd appearance on the Working It Out with Mike Birbiglia podcast
Sunday Music: She Is My Everything (NYC Edition)
A friend (h/t Ryan M) sent this in. I’m automatically cautious about John Prine covers, but it’s in very capable hands here with Bill Callahan and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Prine’s songs are always beautiful and interesting because of their imperfections. It takes a special artist to recreate and/or reimagine those imperfections so that they’re not … Continue reading Sunday Music: She Is My Everything (NYC Edition)