Great piece, love the writing prompts and ideas : )
Your suggestion of taking yourself out or doing something different reminded me of the 'Artists Date' idea from The Artists Way (although I had issues with a lot of the book) but I did like the idea of once a month, or whatever you can manage, taking yourself out of your usual routine to get inspired. It often frees up the brain, I think, and gets me inspired, even if it's something totally unrelated to my own work, (possibly especially if it is).
So good. What a great reminder and I like your idea of once a month -- even if you’re open to other items, you can plan the time in to be a bit unusual. It’s easy for us to get stuck on wanting to do more (in terms of writing) and just push through.
On Sunday I went by myself to a gig to see a band play. Not sure I've ever done that alone, and I haven't been to a gig in about six or seven years! It was great. Weirdly peaceful despite the actual noise. A nice break from the routine of the looming Monday on a Sunday evening.
Totally immersive. I quite enjoyed just propping myself up and watching the crowd before it all began, such a great diverse crowd.
Yeah, UK band doing an Australian tour. Sleep Token. A bit of a mix in terms of very heavy vs melodic. They also dress up to hide their identity (bit dark, haha), but suuuper atmospheric.
Yeah. Great track. Probably sits somewhere in the in between of their style. Something like "Levitate" (on Sundowning album) is on the less heavy (there's gotta be a better phrase, haha) side
I have to admit I have never consumed any of this Auster's work, but with how I am relating to stuff you have been posting, maybe I should!
I'm going to try my hand at this 'challenge/prompt' - not something I normally do and it kind of scares me, but something came to mind and I need the 'exercise'.
Thanks for this practical piece - love the challenges:) I actually wrote my last post as in a 'single draft Dickensian-style freehand' and it worked perfectly with the theme I was exploring (see 'A Digital Detox Pilgrimage https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/a-digital-detox-pilgrimage).
You have me also re-intrigued with Auster, who has his corner on our upstairs bookshelf. I'll have to dip back into his novels. Do you have a favourite you would recommend?
Loved this. Just finished listening in the car and it has made me think about my own writing. Started doing my next substack by hand to see what happens 😁
Re: auster. I need to get back to work, but I’m glad you’ve been posting about him. I spent a few years totally enthralled with him. I burned out or just drifted into other things at some point, but i look forward to digging into your pieces. I’m curious to know if you feel the quality of his work has remained consistent. I may need to get back and read him again.
I hear you. I strayed for a while. I was pulled back in with 4321 which I found both just beautiful narrative and brilliant. Burning Boy would not be my choice of subject matter at all, but the research and prose create a really magical biography, though it's a huge book.
I also find I do this with all authors. I mean, in part because there are so many others out there to discover and maybe a certain kind of writing speaks to me during different parts of my life.
Hope you find him interesting to go back to. If you know more of the early stuff and novels of the 90s/2000s, I would personally go for 4321. It's almost like the other works of fiction were a study for it.
Great piece, love the writing prompts and ideas : )
Your suggestion of taking yourself out or doing something different reminded me of the 'Artists Date' idea from The Artists Way (although I had issues with a lot of the book) but I did like the idea of once a month, or whatever you can manage, taking yourself out of your usual routine to get inspired. It often frees up the brain, I think, and gets me inspired, even if it's something totally unrelated to my own work, (possibly especially if it is).
So good. What a great reminder and I like your idea of once a month -- even if you’re open to other items, you can plan the time in to be a bit unusual. It’s easy for us to get stuck on wanting to do more (in terms of writing) and just push through.
Thank you!
Love it. Inspiring.
On Sunday I went by myself to a gig to see a band play. Not sure I've ever done that alone, and I haven't been to a gig in about six or seven years! It was great. Weirdly peaceful despite the actual noise. A nice break from the routine of the looming Monday on a Sunday evening.
Oh that’s wonderful. Live music can be so uplifting. I’ve also been on my own and find it’s such an immersive experience. Good band?
Totally immersive. I quite enjoyed just propping myself up and watching the crowd before it all began, such a great diverse crowd.
Yeah, UK band doing an Australian tour. Sleep Token. A bit of a mix in terms of very heavy vs melodic. They also dress up to hide their identity (bit dark, haha), but suuuper atmospheric.
Intriguing! Just found this on Spotify. Very cool. https://open.spotify.com/track/0B4YX3OMtZSmPm9KpiZKl2?si=CDwsCv_cQ-qa2uGCMgqxfg
Yeah. Great track. Probably sits somewhere in the in between of their style. Something like "Levitate" (on Sundowning album) is on the less heavy (there's gotta be a better phrase, haha) side
Ha. I’ll check it out, too! Thanks
I have to admit I have never consumed any of this Auster's work, but with how I am relating to stuff you have been posting, maybe I should!
I'm going to try my hand at this 'challenge/prompt' - not something I normally do and it kind of scares me, but something came to mind and I need the 'exercise'.
That’s great to hear! Let me know how it goes. I also like to lean into things that scare me (if they’re more or less safe...). Enjoy!
It was scary to treat this like a prompt, but I think it turned out pretty well!
Awesome.
Thanks!
Thanks for this practical piece - love the challenges:) I actually wrote my last post as in a 'single draft Dickensian-style freehand' and it worked perfectly with the theme I was exploring (see 'A Digital Detox Pilgrimage https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/a-digital-detox-pilgrimage).
You have me also re-intrigued with Auster, who has his corner on our upstairs bookshelf. I'll have to dip back into his novels. Do you have a favourite you would recommend?
Or Oracle Night is another great one of normal novel length
Oh I like the crossover in projects! That’s great.
As for Auster, I really think 4321 is just wonderful, but it’s huge. You could start instead with Moon Palace for example. Have fun :)
Loved this. Just finished listening in the car and it has made me think about my own writing. Started doing my next substack by hand to see what happens 😁
Great, thanks Jon. Hope you enjoy writing by hand!
Re: auster. I need to get back to work, but I’m glad you’ve been posting about him. I spent a few years totally enthralled with him. I burned out or just drifted into other things at some point, but i look forward to digging into your pieces. I’m curious to know if you feel the quality of his work has remained consistent. I may need to get back and read him again.
I hear you. I strayed for a while. I was pulled back in with 4321 which I found both just beautiful narrative and brilliant. Burning Boy would not be my choice of subject matter at all, but the research and prose create a really magical biography, though it's a huge book.
I also find I do this with all authors. I mean, in part because there are so many others out there to discover and maybe a certain kind of writing speaks to me during different parts of my life.
Hope you find him interesting to go back to. If you know more of the early stuff and novels of the 90s/2000s, I would personally go for 4321. It's almost like the other works of fiction were a study for it.
Ok, now I’m interested! And I am a big Crane fan, although I haven’t read a ton of his work. I may have to check out both of these.