I don't think art convinces evil to turn to goodness, but I very deeply believe that art helps people survive evil times. It helps them understand their history, their desires and fears, their hopes for the future, and versions of selves they can become because with art they can imagine a future--not all this all the time, but some of it sometimes, both witnessing art and creating it. Personally, I care very much about your stories, which is a very teeny something, but something nonetheless.
It’s wild I was having this conversation (to art or not to art - is everything meaningless right now?) in my head when the notification of your newsletter came through. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder 🩷
I'm interested in your transition to fiction. Thank you for writing about it here.
I think I'm warming up to the idea of writing fiction. A novel seems too large at this point, but after spending about seven years writing a million words of (not so good) non-fiction and creative non-fiction, the gloves are coming off.
I'm definitely present for the value of art, all by itself.
I'm at the same stage for my third novel. I've realized through the writing of the two previously-published ones that hurrying doesn't work (or at least it results in tons of revisions) - I'm carrying the book around in my head, writing down the story in free-form from beginning to end, gathering ideas from all kinds of sources (yesterday it was an overheard conversation at my hair dressers that resulted in moving my setting from Napa Valley to Temecula Valley). Experience has shown me the "high" from a book's release is short-lived; the pleasure and fulfillment has to come from the writing itself.
I've been having the same feeling — why am I even bothering to write in these times? But I also feel that now, more than ever, we need to find joy and connection. I get that from writing, and I get that from others' writing, like yours. ❤️
I don't think art convinces evil to turn to goodness, but I very deeply believe that art helps people survive evil times. It helps them understand their history, their desires and fears, their hopes for the future, and versions of selves they can become because with art they can imagine a future--not all this all the time, but some of it sometimes, both witnessing art and creating it. Personally, I care very much about your stories, which is a very teeny something, but something nonetheless.
So well put, I completely agree. And thank you so much.
Yes to all this! Well expressed!
It’s wild I was having this conversation (to art or not to art - is everything meaningless right now?) in my head when the notification of your newsletter came through. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder 🩷
I bet a lot of us are feeling it, but I do think the world always needs art 💜
I'm interested in your transition to fiction. Thank you for writing about it here.
I think I'm warming up to the idea of writing fiction. A novel seems too large at this point, but after spending about seven years writing a million words of (not so good) non-fiction and creative non-fiction, the gloves are coming off.
I'm definitely present for the value of art, all by itself.
Identifying sooo much with this!! Thank you for these words. They’re a huge help today. 🙏🏼✨
I'm at the same stage for my third novel. I've realized through the writing of the two previously-published ones that hurrying doesn't work (or at least it results in tons of revisions) - I'm carrying the book around in my head, writing down the story in free-form from beginning to end, gathering ideas from all kinds of sources (yesterday it was an overheard conversation at my hair dressers that resulted in moving my setting from Napa Valley to Temecula Valley). Experience has shown me the "high" from a book's release is short-lived; the pleasure and fulfillment has to come from the writing itself.
I've been having the same feeling — why am I even bothering to write in these times? But I also feel that now, more than ever, we need to find joy and connection. I get that from writing, and I get that from others' writing, like yours. ❤️