Re clenched fists and gritted teeth...to me this represents forcing something, or closing it off. Would rather write where nothing is blocked or gripped too tightly. Flow experiences can't happen when you're fighting the process.
In Tyndale's case he wrote with an URGENCY. But "urgency" does not necessarily translate to clenched and gritted. I think you are on to something here with the "flow"--an openness, acceptance; not blocked.
So does anger, frustration--all those types pf emotions--have a place in "process"? At what point, if any?
Interesting poll on reasons behind getting paid to write... many big opportunities don’t pay but the exposure is worth considering. Getting back to payment for writing, it can be motivating to receive payment for something I’ve put a lot of time and effort into - as much as (if not more than) my full-time work. Just to be paid for the output (like an artist selling a painting). Although many lit mags don’t charge people to read their online content, so there’s that too (though they may receive support from advertisers). I suppose that’s where grants can fill a gap, although they are very competitive and never guaranteed.
Ha! The sprawl of your comments says it all. Forgive me for saying so, but...
Your words are a portrait of my mind working through the question, surely.
I picked up the book, "Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living." I'm finding I can only read it in small doses; it's tough to put down. Medicinally speaking--not the read!
Agree on all levels. The pay from most of my published pieces is nominal, and I often redirect it toward supporting another writer’s efforts--becoming a paid subscriber, for example. Last year, one of my pieces won a contest and the payment was much more than usual. I decided to donate 2/3 of it back to the lit mag to offer as a scholarship for another writer to enroll in one of their travel writing courses. emerging writer. Triply rewarding.
From one writer to another... thank you for being so mindful of all! This kind of awareness and thought makes a difference.
Long ago, I made the decision not to buy second-hand books unless the writer was truly comfortable financially... or deceased. Choices we make, even little ones, add up.
Wow! What an amazing and beautiful act, Amie. To redirect your pay for writing in the writing community, and then to donate such a significant portion of your reward to the lit mag for an emerging writer's scholarship - my goodness, this is so inspiring! I'm truly in awe of how you've chosen to invest in the writing community. (And congrats on the contest win!!)
Oh I like this burrowing thing! I think it could be fun and helpful! As to the clenched fist, when I read that I thought of it more as being frustrated. I don’t think I do my best with a clenched fist, rather what seems to happen is when I get to that point of frustration it’s very often not until I let go of what I think I’m writing and let some thing else emerge and then I end up with something good. That happened with my post for this week. I had pages of what I thought I wanted to write, and it just wasn’t any good. I finally let go of it, and wrote the story that wanted to be written, but that I didn’t want to write, and I think it turned out a whole lot better.
Ah--maybe the clenched fist is the story itself when it knows it needs to be heard. Which would ask even more openness of us! (Being willing to step aside.)
Thanks for sharing the story of your creating this week. Love the ease with which you say "it just wasn't any good." To know when to recognize. (And what you did post was so good!)
I used to live most of my life with a clenched fist. To me it means pushing, over-efforting, tension. It's not how I do my best work and it's not how I want to live. I have gone from being an ardent striver in most areas of life, to being someone that worships ease and flow. Relaxed effort is much more productive and enjoyable than it's opposite. Thank you!
It sounds as if this was something you chose to work with and at--over time, I'm guessing! You sound deeply familiar with both the "over-efforting"--perfect phrase--and the "relaxed effort"--another phrase that is the right combination.
So: after some feedback (thanks again to everyone who took time, your input was soooooooo helpful!) on my Dizain pieces in the workshop, I realize that writing for me, is like sailing a small boat, solo — a great deal of my youth was spent in a Snark, a super-light boat, fast and easy for one person to manage. I am working on describing that elsewhere, but if you have sailed, you know it runs the gamut: from fist-clenched flying, to becalmed and ‘whistling up the wind’, or at times, sail furled and soaking up the sun - or paddling home, drenched, in a surprise downpour. Fist-clench while sailing, is exhilarating, also a bit scary - I see my life right now as learning to whistle effectively, in order to reach that state…
A Snark--great name! And so much here, analogous to the writing process. Good to have a metaphor for one's personal process--preferably comprehensive, as is yours. Includes the days and dark nights of this work.
Happy New Year, Alison, and wow, congrats, Suzanne! That's a great testament to the power of the Unschool. ❤️
Thank you, Annette. And I heartily agree about the Unschool’s power! :)
Re clenched fists and gritted teeth...to me this represents forcing something, or closing it off. Would rather write where nothing is blocked or gripped too tightly. Flow experiences can't happen when you're fighting the process.
Yes--there's a physicality to this quote.
In Tyndale's case he wrote with an URGENCY. But "urgency" does not necessarily translate to clenched and gritted. I think you are on to something here with the "flow"--an openness, acceptance; not blocked.
So does anger, frustration--all those types pf emotions--have a place in "process"? At what point, if any?
Interesting poll on reasons behind getting paid to write... many big opportunities don’t pay but the exposure is worth considering. Getting back to payment for writing, it can be motivating to receive payment for something I’ve put a lot of time and effort into - as much as (if not more than) my full-time work. Just to be paid for the output (like an artist selling a painting). Although many lit mags don’t charge people to read their online content, so there’s that too (though they may receive support from advertisers). I suppose that’s where grants can fill a gap, although they are very competitive and never guaranteed.
Ha! The sprawl of your comments says it all. Forgive me for saying so, but...
Your words are a portrait of my mind working through the question, surely.
I picked up the book, "Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living." I'm finding I can only read it in small doses; it's tough to put down. Medicinally speaking--not the read!
It sure does! And of my journey...
I’ve had that book in my cart for awhile! Sounds like I need to make the leap to purchase. :)
or snag from the library...
Agree on all levels. The pay from most of my published pieces is nominal, and I often redirect it toward supporting another writer’s efforts--becoming a paid subscriber, for example. Last year, one of my pieces won a contest and the payment was much more than usual. I decided to donate 2/3 of it back to the lit mag to offer as a scholarship for another writer to enroll in one of their travel writing courses. emerging writer. Triply rewarding.
Congrats on the win! And kudos to you for investing the money back into the community - a great idea.
Yes and yes!!
From one writer to another... thank you for being so mindful of all! This kind of awareness and thought makes a difference.
Long ago, I made the decision not to buy second-hand books unless the writer was truly comfortable financially... or deceased. Choices we make, even little ones, add up.
Wow! What an amazing and beautiful act, Amie. To redirect your pay for writing in the writing community, and then to donate such a significant portion of your reward to the lit mag for an emerging writer's scholarship - my goodness, this is so inspiring! I'm truly in awe of how you've chosen to invest in the writing community. (And congrats on the contest win!!)
Oh I like this burrowing thing! I think it could be fun and helpful! As to the clenched fist, when I read that I thought of it more as being frustrated. I don’t think I do my best with a clenched fist, rather what seems to happen is when I get to that point of frustration it’s very often not until I let go of what I think I’m writing and let some thing else emerge and then I end up with something good. That happened with my post for this week. I had pages of what I thought I wanted to write, and it just wasn’t any good. I finally let go of it, and wrote the story that wanted to be written, but that I didn’t want to write, and I think it turned out a whole lot better.
Ah--maybe the clenched fist is the story itself when it knows it needs to be heard. Which would ask even more openness of us! (Being willing to step aside.)
Thanks for sharing the story of your creating this week. Love the ease with which you say "it just wasn't any good." To know when to recognize. (And what you did post was so good!)
I used to live most of my life with a clenched fist. To me it means pushing, over-efforting, tension. It's not how I do my best work and it's not how I want to live. I have gone from being an ardent striver in most areas of life, to being someone that worships ease and flow. Relaxed effort is much more productive and enjoyable than it's opposite. Thank you!
It sounds as if this was something you chose to work with and at--over time, I'm guessing! You sound deeply familiar with both the "over-efforting"--perfect phrase--and the "relaxed effort"--another phrase that is the right combination.
"Relaxed effort" for 2023!
Thank you, Medha.
So: after some feedback (thanks again to everyone who took time, your input was soooooooo helpful!) on my Dizain pieces in the workshop, I realize that writing for me, is like sailing a small boat, solo — a great deal of my youth was spent in a Snark, a super-light boat, fast and easy for one person to manage. I am working on describing that elsewhere, but if you have sailed, you know it runs the gamut: from fist-clenched flying, to becalmed and ‘whistling up the wind’, or at times, sail furled and soaking up the sun - or paddling home, drenched, in a surprise downpour. Fist-clench while sailing, is exhilarating, also a bit scary - I see my life right now as learning to whistle effectively, in order to reach that state…
A Snark--great name! And so much here, analogous to the writing process. Good to have a metaphor for one's personal process--preferably comprehensive, as is yours. Includes the days and dark nights of this work.
"Whistling up the wind"--so good.
Happy New Year! I feel most inspired to write when I'm pissed off! LOL. These days I'm not as anxious as I used to be. <3
And Happy New Year to you and yours, Laura. You are busy these days!