Not to compare myself to Claus Oldenburg---yikes!---but I did find with my last project that jumping out of the plane with no parachute was completely invigorating and resulted in work I would never have done before. I hope I can continue to not play it safe in whatever comes next.
Yes, totally agree! With my ongoing (neverending) book project, I originally outlined the whole thing in advance, and I think that ended up sucking some of the energy out of it. Now I've scrapped my original outline and I'm proceeding in a looser, who-knows-what's-next fashion, and as you say it's invigorating!
MMM, that sounds good. Have you read Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg? He's all about scrapping the ways we've all been taught to write, which of course includes outlines.
Mason you have found a way to write about art & artists in a way that is utterly fascinating. I remember reading that you started the Daily Rituals book as a way to procrastinate your writing career. Do you ever find yourself wanting to write about something else now that you've discovered this immensely successful niche?
Belatedly, thanks! And, yes, I have often thought about writing something in a different vein. The newsletter has been a nice way for me to build on the subject matter of the books while giving myself more latitude to explore whatever interests me. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this piece. I find whenever I’m stuck writing myself in circles or editing my work into oblivion, stepping away and going to another discipline (for me it’s piano) invariably reminds me of the most productive creative moments, which for me are always related to the sheer joy that comes with creative escapism
Not to compare myself to Claus Oldenburg---yikes!---but I did find with my last project that jumping out of the plane with no parachute was completely invigorating and resulted in work I would never have done before. I hope I can continue to not play it safe in whatever comes next.
Yes, totally agree! With my ongoing (neverending) book project, I originally outlined the whole thing in advance, and I think that ended up sucking some of the energy out of it. Now I've scrapped my original outline and I'm proceeding in a looser, who-knows-what's-next fashion, and as you say it's invigorating!
MMM, that sounds good. Have you read Several Short Sentences About Writing by Verlyn Klinkenborg? He's all about scrapping the ways we've all been taught to write, which of course includes outlines.
No, I have not! I don't know if I have the bandwidth to add any more books to my to-read pile . . . but, well, maybe just one more!
Oh, I know the feeling. My bedside table is piled high and very overwhelming.
"Ugh" to outlines. They quash all the fun and mystery. Thanks for the title--will check out!
Mason you have found a way to write about art & artists in a way that is utterly fascinating. I remember reading that you started the Daily Rituals book as a way to procrastinate your writing career. Do you ever find yourself wanting to write about something else now that you've discovered this immensely successful niche?
Belatedly, thanks! And, yes, I have often thought about writing something in a different vein. The newsletter has been a nice way for me to build on the subject matter of the books while giving myself more latitude to explore whatever interests me. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for this piece. I find whenever I’m stuck writing myself in circles or editing my work into oblivion, stepping away and going to another discipline (for me it’s piano) invariably reminds me of the most productive creative moments, which for me are always related to the sheer joy that comes with creative escapism
This is very good advice, thank you