003: I don’t believe in writers block
Like a baby, you’re just tired, hungry or 💩
There are times when your story is bigger than your skill set
That’s why books on craft are important
Find an old one from published before there was the internet, or better yet, before there were computers
There are times you have nothing in the tank and need to refill
There are times you need to read or watch the work of a master to feel totally inadequate
There are times you have to watch or read something truly shitty and beneath you to remind yourself that it’s all a continuum that you are part of
The person who wrote that shitty book or made that shitty movie is just like you only they did it … have you?
I don’t like works that complain about the difficulty of the creative life. It chose you for some reason. Shut up and get on with it
I do believe Resistance is a thing that must be beat back at every opportunity lest it kill whatever artistic dreams you have
Like any great monster, Resistance can only be beaten today. Tomorrow’s monster is tomorrow’s problem. Deal with it when and if tomorrow and/or the monster shows up
Believe in a deity, something bigger than yourself, and it’s not your kids… don’t ever put anything you do on your kids … that’s too much of a burden for people younger than you who have a smaller toolbox than you to deal with shit
Believe in a deity … They will help you through
You are part of the continuum … there are those who came before who are no longer here who are still part of the continuum … invoke their intercession on your behalf… they are happy to oblige
Creativity is mystical
There is a cosmic radio station. If you don’t know what that is, read every one of Steve Pressfield’s books on creativity and the creative life until you find it… Read them in order … by the time you get to it, you will finally be able to accept the truth of the cosmic radio station
The War of Art
Do The Work
The Warrior Ethos
Turning Pro
The Authentic Swing
Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t:
The Artist’s Journey
Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be
Govt Cheese a memoir
The Daily Pressfield
Follow Steve Gutenberg on Instagram he’s awesome
Good enough and done is better than striving for perfection, let it go and art is never done
Read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont
Read The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
We’re all getting older it blows
Read it’s never too late to begin again also by Julia Cameron
Was this for you or me?
More in 004: A Question of Confidence coming soon …
