My job is clear: I must protect the transmission, smuggle it out of the theater, to examine it later in my room, see if it still glows. If it does, I might start to think in sentences about it. If the sentences get bossy enough, I might start to write them down. This much I’ve learned—you put enough in, and eventually, if unpredictably, something will come out.
— Maggie Nelson, Like Love: Essays and Conversations. (Graywolf Press, April 2, 2024)
Notes: Book Review from The Guardian: “Like Love by Maggie Nelson review – music, passion and friendship“
<3
Love this concept (as I interpret it), and have seen it in a different context recently: If you’re trying to create something new (writing, music, painting, etc.) and you don’t have the big picture yet. You just have an idea you want to expand upon. Then break it down into tiny steps and see where it takes you. Don’t constrain yourself by setting a final outcome in advance. Just create the piece that you currently have in mind. Then stop and let your mind go free. Use your imagination. Dream. Just let things sit and see what comes to you next. If something comes, then it might be the next step and you might take it. If nothing comes, then set it aside and sit with it. You may be able to take it further, or you may not be able to, and you will have to let it go. It doesn’t matter. This is one way to be creative. (Baby steps.)
Baby steps. That’s right Paul Thanks.
The scope of your literary interest is intimidating. Thank you for sharing, as it has motivated me to reach into genres I wouldn’t have otherwise entertained.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
That holds true for me as well, and I am grateful for you helping me to expand my interests and knowledge Dave. That’s a huge gift you are giving to all of us. Thanks so much!
Thank you Paul. Appreciate you and your kind words. DK
Appreciate you as well my Internet friend!
I’ve met a few good people online (and a few undesirables who I have blocked). FINALLY, a POSITIVE use for technology… Meeting good people! (A cool dog too! Hi Wally!)
Smiling. Have to say on my blog 99.9% of all exchanges have been very positive. We are blessed her with Good people. Who may disagree but do so civilly (Sawsan being the exception)
The law of attraction…you get back what you put out. It may take a while, but…. (And come to think of it, pal, this may be applied to your regular pas de deux with Sawsan, too. Just sayin’…😂)
Thanks for the “like” you just posted on my attempt to describe a creative process Lori :). Coming from a real artist (you) to a non-artist (me)… It means a lot.
Hope you have a great day!
et tu, Lori! et tu?