start the work

The Spark, The Fire, The Light

Through this month, I have done all I can in this space to remind you of the power you have and can harness to go in the world and create. I hope you do so. -JBHarris

Think if your newest project like a candle. With that image, remember this. For a candle to do all that it must, it must realize that it is a candle: not a door, window or can opener. It is a candle. So, light it. Let me explain how.

The Spark. This is the beginning of the work, this is where you start to write. This is where the ‘new thing’ has taken shape. You have garnered up enough moxie to write. Regardless of genre, regardless of length of story, you are writing, you are beginning. You are beginning! For this, it might seem the most impossible–but the scariest is always right before you begin. The spark–your spark–is the beginning.

The Fire. Oh! This is when you have embarked on the journey to write. And continue writing! This is where the power of time and imagination converge to allow you to create universes, people, theories and anything your mind demands! The beautiful thing about all this? Fire can be channeled! You can push it as hard, as fast, and as deep as you want to! Write while the motivation is there! Write while the iron is hot! Write when you cannot contain the words, so they can spill onto the page! Write to contain the fire! The fire is what you control.

The Light. This is what happens when the work is done. When you have completed your draft, and you can take a deep breath. You now have proof of what you have carried on the inside of your imagination in a physical form. You will be holding the thing which you thought was on only a dream. You can see it. You can print it. You can submit it. And for that, this is a reason to be proud. Light is the evidence a fire is burning.

You, my dearest Oracles, are the possessor of all these elements. You. No one else. As I leave you for this month of April, I remind you of the words of Audre Lorde.

Audre Lorde quote: You cannot use someone else's fire. You can ...

Start A Little Fire

I am fond of saying that every idea is a spark. From that ‘spark’ anything can be added to make a fire. That fire, that heat, that light–this is the what we chase, my Oracles. This fire is what we create and chase and feed! Don’t dismiss that.

I need you to under as a writer to remember one thing: you control the fire! You control what it burns, how hot it burns, how long it burns! You control this! Meaning: what do you need to start? What new thing are you shying away from due to the heat which would follow?

Those things need to be explored. They need to be examined. They need to be found! They need to be written about. Start a fire, my Oracles. Start it, and be warmed by it. From that warmth, set the world ablaze!

Encouragement Pages-08/14/2019-With The Glory

“To the victor go the spoils!”

Concentrate on your process, dear ones. I want to remind you that you are going to have to fight a little bit for your work. You are going to have to adapt a relentlessness about your work.

You will have to be determined from conception to completion.

The story was given to you—and so it must be completed by you.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris