In the age of cornavirus, I want to remind you that alphabets exists. That stories exist. That storytelling is still a thing. Think of this time you are self-quarantined as your writing retreat.
People watch. Research. Look at the news–as scary as that is.
But take all that and conjure it.
Write.
Love & Ink,
JBHarris
What I want you to do today is believe in you. Believe in yourself for just one day.
Believe today–just today–that you can write one paragraph, that you can do one page. That you can do two pages.
Today–just today–start.
Start and see where you finish.
Love & Ink,
JBHarris
The question most often fielded by writers is, “What are you working on?” From that picture, enter the WIP (Work In Progress). There is a pleasure that comes from discussing the new work–its like talking about a crush.
Or a new love, that loves you back–just as much as you do.
All these gorgeous blank pages waiting on the stroke of your hand, the sparks of your imagination. With this steady seduction, I want you to imagine the work you want to create. What you want the reader to see, feel, imagine or experience.
I want you to fall in love with the work first. If you have not fallen in love with what you are creating…no one else will.
Write what you love–love what you write.
Self-rejection is a slow poison.
It is a poison whose apothecary is familiar. Whom is familiar with their victims as well as their enemies.
But what happens when they are one and the same?
Every time you reject a story, a portion of your imagination vanishes. Every time you scrap a story because you’re scared to write it, more of you vanishes.
Rage against the dying of the light.
Poison is for those dying or marked for death.
Writing is a source of life.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Writing is a strange alchemy.
This pulling something out of your head to a seeing world is still mystical. Still a wonder. Never be so cocky to think writing is “easy.”
There are some who wish the gift would come back—only to be greeted with barren imaginations…and tears.
Humility is some times the best coin of the realm.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Be gentle with yourself today.
The work in progress is called this for a reason. The progress in this work can be incremental—but do it. No matter how small or insignificant.
Do the work.
Happy, loud or sad, but do it.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
Shameless plug to remind you to read.
Writers are readers, inquisitive about the world around them so they can create another. If you’re stuck in process of creating an WIP and become discouraged, take a break. Fill up that blank time with a book.
Sometimes the words of others, stir our own.
With Love & Ink,
JBHarris
