My god. I doubt that you remember this, but back when Twitter was okay-ish, I tweeted about writer’s block & feeling bored & you shared that you’d once heard someone say that boredom is fear in disguise. I’ve kept that phrase in front of me while writing ever since. I will now add that final paragraph here, about how something in you thinks it’s protecting you & giving that thing a specific job of keeping you going. So beautiful, so real, so exactly what I needed to read at this moment.
I love the idea of live-blogging your writing. I’m going to try that the next time I’m stuck.
Also: I am also often told that I am prolific, which I truly don’t understand. So I think you’re right in that no one ever feels prolific, despite how it looks from the outside.
Ah. I needed this tonight and so it found me, stepping into the bath after a long day. I almost slipped and dropped my phone because I couldn’t put it down, even though I know stepping into the bath with a phone in your hand and your eyes glued to it is a bad idea. Reading this was a very good idea though, and my phone is safe. Thank you. I’m going to Nancy Drew my way through a few things tomorrow (or maybe tonight if my brain won’t stop) and not worry so much that I haven’t (yet) finished the book that’s waiting for me to write it.
And actually the last bit that everyone else has commented on so far is what really got me, but then I immediately forgot it as I finger pecked my comment because something in me clearly DOES NOT think safety is that way.
Thank you for this Alexander. That last paragraph!! I've suddenly clicked on why I'm so drawn to your articles! You're providing the 'psychological reframing' or psychology of writing. (aside from the fact I like your sci-fi X-Men and Avengers analogies that make complete sense AND the perfect imagery!). Your writing insights also apply to life in general.
So, I'm not only learning about a writer's process —while I debate about writing memoir, but also new psychology tips to reframe life-situations. [Perhaps akin to Angus Fletcher's 'Wonderworks. The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature.'].
All that to say, Thanks for some very cool reframe tips in writing and life!
That last paragraph is a real eye opener. I’m excited to try this new strategy with myself. Thank you, as usual, for finding the words for the conditions.
So many questions about that picture. Is the human gripping the [horse's] horn? Is he... Is he using the [horse's] BALLS as a stepping stone? And.... Why are his eyes so close together??
I love the idea of writing about the wall. Even if it's in your journal, not the essay or whatever you're writing. In fiction, it could be the character struggling with how to remember or convey something. Another writer asked me recently how to write when you hit a wall and I said, I just come back the next day and the next day.
I am reading this great post, and just wanted say, what a beautiful line!: “I do live amid the ruins of many ideas and sometimes it is a garden.”
My god. I doubt that you remember this, but back when Twitter was okay-ish, I tweeted about writer’s block & feeling bored & you shared that you’d once heard someone say that boredom is fear in disguise. I’ve kept that phrase in front of me while writing ever since. I will now add that final paragraph here, about how something in you thinks it’s protecting you & giving that thing a specific job of keeping you going. So beautiful, so real, so exactly what I needed to read at this moment.
I do remember that and I’m so happy to be reminded of it. Cheers Amy, really glad this spoke to you.
“You have to explain that safety is actually in that direction. And then see if you can keep going.”
Love this so much!
I love the idea of live-blogging your writing. I’m going to try that the next time I’m stuck.
Also: I am also often told that I am prolific, which I truly don’t understand. So I think you’re right in that no one ever feels prolific, despite how it looks from the outside.
Ha. Yes, I for example would call you prolific.
Ah. I needed this tonight and so it found me, stepping into the bath after a long day. I almost slipped and dropped my phone because I couldn’t put it down, even though I know stepping into the bath with a phone in your hand and your eyes glued to it is a bad idea. Reading this was a very good idea though, and my phone is safe. Thank you. I’m going to Nancy Drew my way through a few things tomorrow (or maybe tonight if my brain won’t stop) and not worry so much that I haven’t (yet) finished the book that’s waiting for me to write it.
I’m glad it worked out Alana, thank you.
And actually the last bit that everyone else has commented on so far is what really got me, but then I immediately forgot it as I finger pecked my comment because something in me clearly DOES NOT think safety is that way.
This is so helpful, Alex!
Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Mike.
Thank you for this Alexander. That last paragraph!! I've suddenly clicked on why I'm so drawn to your articles! You're providing the 'psychological reframing' or psychology of writing. (aside from the fact I like your sci-fi X-Men and Avengers analogies that make complete sense AND the perfect imagery!). Your writing insights also apply to life in general.
So, I'm not only learning about a writer's process —while I debate about writing memoir, but also new psychology tips to reframe life-situations. [Perhaps akin to Angus Fletcher's 'Wonderworks. The 25 Most Powerful Inventions in the History of Literature.'].
All that to say, Thanks for some very cool reframe tips in writing and life!
Thanks, and that does sound like me.
Did you study psychology? Or perhaps you did via literature—the greek chorus et al!
Literature and therapy
Ahhhhaaaa!
Great piece, I so enjoyed it.
That last paragraph is a real eye opener. I’m excited to try this new strategy with myself. Thank you, as usual, for finding the words for the conditions.
Thank you
So many questions about that picture. Is the human gripping the [horse's] horn? Is he... Is he using the [horse's] BALLS as a stepping stone? And.... Why are his eyes so close together??
Let’s say I was drawn to the awkwardness.
I love the idea of writing about the wall. Even if it's in your journal, not the essay or whatever you're writing. In fiction, it could be the character struggling with how to remember or convey something. Another writer asked me recently how to write when you hit a wall and I said, I just come back the next day and the next day.
This is so helpful, Alex!