I found myself confused that I was enjoying art more than writing. I shared this with my sister.
"Why do you enjoy art more?" she asked.
"Because I don't feel so much pressure," I said. "I just play and have fun."
"Then just make art." She shrugged.
Pfffffft! I was instantly offended. "No! I'm a writer not an artist."
She cocked her head. "Why?"
Her whys were getting redundant.
"Because I promised myself I would write!" And suddenly I was back in Mrs. Stevenson's classroom making a vow to be the author of a book--a well-known and completely loved book.
(**Tires screeching to a halt**)
A well-known and COMPLETELY LOVED BOOK?
It was immediately clear why I found it so hard to finish my manuscript. I was trying to please everyone with ONE BOOK!
I quickly released myself of that childhood vow and made a new promise:
I will be a writer. Known or not, loved or not, I will write.
(And paint too!)
Yaaaaaayyyyy!!! I am SO glad you are back. Come and be a writer with all of us, Catherine. But that doesn't mean you can't also be an artist. It would be truly criminal for you to stop doing art. :-)
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
Great personal revelation. Taking the pressure off is half the battle.
ReplyDeleteToday we are kindred spirits, Catherine. And I am totally stealing your new vow..... :) I've been feeling that horrible awful pressure too. What say we just ignore it and have fun again? Yeah? I'm in, if you are!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back! Yes, you can be both and just let yourself be an instrument of creativity. There are no boundaries on your unique creativity. I made it through week 12 of The Artist's Way, the whole book is about releasing yourself and having fun with your unique creativity. You may want to embark upon the adventure, great book.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your posts, glad to see you back.
ReplyDeleteShannon, thank you. I'll keep doing both. :)
ReplyDeleteElle, I agree!
Valerie, I'm totally in! (Feel free to steal it)
Jema, thanks. Love those words: "no boundaries on your unique creativity". I'm gonna have to get that book.
Bttrfly, thanks. It's good to be back. :)
This reminds me of a conversation I had with my husband last week
ReplyDeleteMe: *sigh* Why can't this story just be perfect already."
Him: Myrna, it's never going to be perfect, no matter how many drafts you go through. There's always going to be something you'd change. You need to quit obsessing over perfection.
And he might be right, but I hope not. ;)
I'm glad you're back on the wagon.
Yeah, perfectionism is a killer. It's sometimes hard to know the balance though. And thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteMy best writing comes from when I just let myself have fun...no pressure.
ReplyDeleteThat was an excellent promise to yourself. Once I told myself I was going to be a writer every block I had put up fell down and crumbled around me, it was brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWrite on!
This is a very liberating post! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDelete