
The first draft is raw material.
The final draft is as BEST you can make a work.
Perfect is a moving target for writers!
The work is as best we can make it.
Sometimes—we can revisit it and add!
But is a work perfect?
No.
-JBHarris
The first draft is raw material.
The final draft is as BEST you can make a work.
Perfect is a moving target for writers!
The work is as best we can make it.
Sometimes—we can revisit it and add!
But is a work perfect?
No.
-JBHarris
Last week, I spoke about how freewriting can be a lifesaver–and a tool!
I also said how freewriting will not (not ever) spoil! Now, what do I mean by spoiling?
Writing doesn’t spoil–it ages. Sometimes, depending on the topic and the time frame, it may age badly. But that doesn’t mean it spoils! The glorious thing about writing is it is resistant to spoiling! Just because you write something doesn’t mean you need to write it down immediately. It doesn’t mean that you won’t write it immediately.
The best thing to do is to write it down–don’t try to make it all make sense! The sensible thing is to get it down–being cognizant of what it is you want to write and get back to, or consistently add to.
The scariest part is the beginning, yes.
The frightening part is not having what you need when you need it–you inevitably will.
My cousin has been an artist for over 20 years. Taught art, even! And he is always telling me this:
“Criticism is of the art, not you.”
As hard as that is, you must keep that in perspective!
A criticism of your work must have a perspective.
Constructive criticism helps you build.
Negative criticism reminds you not all you write will be for everyone.
-JBHarris
The beginning is up to you.
What will you do to start?
Don’t think so hard–just start.
Let the rest happen.
With Love & Ink,
Critiques are detailed analyses. It’s how people discuss a work or body of work.
Critiques are always going to be subjective. And these are what make (or break!) writing community–and writers!
All art is subjective. In that subjective space, all matter of conversation, and discussion occurs! Don’t shy from the discussion. Don’t recoil from the discussion!
One of the best parts of criticism is critique! Trading ideas, pulling apart the authors own thought, finding application in your life and the world around you?
Yes.
Engage in critique! Ask questions! Get inspiration. Start group chats and follow your favorite authors on Twitter or Instagram!
Engage to get encouragement.
You got this. Keep going.
-JBHarris
Every writer needs a community!
Community helps to network, offer support, brainstorm, and collaborate.
The most crucial of this is support.
The best way to save a writer is to tell them they can before they tell themselves they can’t.
-JBHarris
Writers have to get used to chatter. We have to get used to people talking about our work without doubt creeping in to say they are speaking ill of your work.
People commenting is just that. Not all conversation is criticism.
-JBHarris
I’m fond of saying ‘work the work.’
And you must–there are things in you which demand that your attention, observation, and need to be in the world.
Why deny yourself the pleasure of that type of creation?
You shouldn’t.
Keep going!
With Love & Ink,
One of the things which push writers to say something meaningful is (frankly) we want it to age well! We want to say something which matters!
In order for it to matter to the world, it has to matter to us first.
-JBHarris
Writing is hard.
Writing is amazing.
Writing is demanding.
And yet…for those of us who embark on this journey?
We accept all of it–all of it; not trading this for the world.
Why? Because we create them.
With Love & Ink,