Mason, thanks for the introduction to Terry Riley and more importantly, his philosophy of creativity and life. I think his is the answer to the question I didn't know I needed to ask. As a subscriber to Sarah Fay's Substack Writers at Work, I stumbled upon you and your work during her live interview with you. What an inspiration that was. I am thinking of joining your pack as a paid subscriber. Onward.
Hi, Sheila — Thanks for your kind note! Very happy I was able to point you toward Terry Riley's music and ideas, and very glad to have you here for more like this. Onward!
Thanks Mason. I'm in Montreal endeavoring to stay loose as I write. I always appreciate being reminded that it's okay if I don't know what the hell I'm doing!
Love the quote in here from Terry Riley about how the best thing you can do in your life is to keep yourself as loose as you can. Reminds me of this one from Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck: "Life likes people to be flexible so it can use them for what it seeks to accomplish."
Thanks Mason – the part where you say "I have always wanted to come up with a plan and then execute my plan" really resonated for me. As you say, it's especially hard to ignore when that approach has worked in the past. Now in my second decade of scraping a living as a writer (!), I'm still trying to learn to let go and allow the ideas in, or in my case just follow the story – even when it deviates from my 'plan' and I can't see where it's going. It feels scary, like I'm wasting time that I don't have, but at the same time it's when the work no longer feels like work. When I manage to trust and let go, I usually come away from a session grateful for what's on the page, because I would never have come up with it had I stuck to the plan! PS. Congrats on surviving the meltdowns and getting the new book done!
Thank you, Dave. I'm curious if the shift from being more of a planner to trying to be more loose is also an age thing. Like, earlier in my writing life, I felt like I very effortfully had to make things happen; now — maybe — I can let them happen a bit more? We'll see...
I imagine age will be a factor, Mason. My energy levels have certainly dropped a bit! After over a decade ‘in the business’ I’ve found my perspective has changed. I have to admit that some of my earlier optimism has been replaced with a more stubborn doggedness to keep going, in spite of the industry. Maybe that helps to relax a bit, stop pushing so hard and let the work guide us a bit more? Dunno … guess we’ll find out.
"Isn’t that so like inspiration to force you to complete some kind of weird trial before you’ve earned its fruits?” Yes. Yes, it is. Jerry Seinfeld has said if the creative process is efficient, you’re doing it wrong. But, man, that short description of how you started your latest book with a plan, etc. made me sweat just reading it. I am excited for you to be looser with your next project, because I want to see how that goes!
Im. Retired cabinetmaker with decades, ouch!” of experience producing what was “down on paper” sometimes of my own design but always of another’s whim. There is a reservoir of ideals resting somewhere in all of that that just won’t flow as much as I’d like. Now I do, or can do, what tickles my fancy and the notion of beginning with no real plan, at least in the design phase, is a refreshing approach. Just let it happen just push the pencil around and see what comes from it. Thanks, I needed that.
Mason, thanks for the introduction to Terry Riley and more importantly, his philosophy of creativity and life. I think his is the answer to the question I didn't know I needed to ask. As a subscriber to Sarah Fay's Substack Writers at Work, I stumbled upon you and your work during her live interview with you. What an inspiration that was. I am thinking of joining your pack as a paid subscriber. Onward.
Hi, Sheila — Thanks for your kind note! Very happy I was able to point you toward Terry Riley's music and ideas, and very glad to have you here for more like this. Onward!
Thanks Mason. I'm in Montreal endeavoring to stay loose as I write. I always appreciate being reminded that it's okay if I don't know what the hell I'm doing!
Thanks. B.A.! Not only is it OK to not know what you're doing, but it's mandatory!! (Or so Terry Riley says.) Enjoy Montreal!
Okay, good. MANDATORY!
I needed to hear this maxim, thank you for sharing.
“Stay loose” really hits.
Love the quote in here from Terry Riley about how the best thing you can do in your life is to keep yourself as loose as you can. Reminds me of this one from Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck: "Life likes people to be flexible so it can use them for what it seeks to accomplish."
Yes, isn't that great? Love your quote here as well — thank you!
Thanks Mason – the part where you say "I have always wanted to come up with a plan and then execute my plan" really resonated for me. As you say, it's especially hard to ignore when that approach has worked in the past. Now in my second decade of scraping a living as a writer (!), I'm still trying to learn to let go and allow the ideas in, or in my case just follow the story – even when it deviates from my 'plan' and I can't see where it's going. It feels scary, like I'm wasting time that I don't have, but at the same time it's when the work no longer feels like work. When I manage to trust and let go, I usually come away from a session grateful for what's on the page, because I would never have come up with it had I stuck to the plan! PS. Congrats on surviving the meltdowns and getting the new book done!
Thank you, Dave. I'm curious if the shift from being more of a planner to trying to be more loose is also an age thing. Like, earlier in my writing life, I felt like I very effortfully had to make things happen; now — maybe — I can let them happen a bit more? We'll see...
I imagine age will be a factor, Mason. My energy levels have certainly dropped a bit! After over a decade ‘in the business’ I’ve found my perspective has changed. I have to admit that some of my earlier optimism has been replaced with a more stubborn doggedness to keep going, in spite of the industry. Maybe that helps to relax a bit, stop pushing so hard and let the work guide us a bit more? Dunno … guess we’ll find out.
"Isn’t that so like inspiration to force you to complete some kind of weird trial before you’ve earned its fruits?” Yes. Yes, it is. Jerry Seinfeld has said if the creative process is efficient, you’re doing it wrong. But, man, that short description of how you started your latest book with a plan, etc. made me sweat just reading it. I am excited for you to be looser with your next project, because I want to see how that goes!
Sorry to make you sweat, Courtney! I'm excited to try to be more loose, too. (Being inefficient I already have covered 😅)
I’ve saved “In C” to Forscore. Maybe I’ll find some folks to play it with.
One of my favorite “minimalist” albums! What a treat!
Wiko definitely watch the replay!
Im. Retired cabinetmaker with decades, ouch!” of experience producing what was “down on paper” sometimes of my own design but always of another’s whim. There is a reservoir of ideals resting somewhere in all of that that just won’t flow as much as I’d like. Now I do, or can do, what tickles my fancy and the notion of beginning with no real plan, at least in the design phase, is a refreshing approach. Just let it happen just push the pencil around and see what comes from it. Thanks, I needed that.