Writing is hard. We’ve all heard it, whether saying it ourselves, or hearing someone else say it. As a writer, my job is to somehow translate the constant chatter of an active human brain into something coherent AND then start creating lines that convey meaning where once there was blank space. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you’re writing. This concept is the same when you build a house.
Building a house is hard work. It takes A LOT of energy, and each day you make just a little bit more progress, with the reward of fatigue and exhaustion. Both of these activities are making something out of nothing. Most things we do are making something out of nothing. When we analyze them at a fundamental level, we realize they are the same. Writing takes energy. A lot of energy.
Scientists have said that when we think about something traumatic or stressful, our body undergoes the same stress as if you were actually in that moment at the present. Our imaginations are so powerful, that we can experience something like this so intensely, even though its not truly there. What can this mean for writers and creators then, who immerse themselves so wholly in their craft, in pursuit of the optimal outcome? Are they just miserable people that are stressed out all the time?
Don’t answer that question. Why do we create? Because in those moments where we’re creating, and not trying to impress the world anymore, everything becomes quiet. It’s just you and the process. Only you know what’s at the end of this tunnel, and that gives you the confidence to get there. Even in this moment of quiet, we are gradually chipping away at our reservoir of energy. SO how do we do it? How do we stay so passionate, and express ourselves so readily?
This may be subjective, but in my experience, a vast majority of creatives are naturally drawn towards calming art. Whether it be a masterful painting of a crowded park on a sunny day, or a gentle soothing melody, we’re always looking for a place to rest.
We spend our whole lives running, hurrying from one thing to the next. I have to take care of this, that person needs me to do this, if i don’t get this done such and such will happen. As a creative: I haven’t touched this project in weeks, I told myself i was going to work on this today, I have to do this part of the routine before that part. We get so caught up in all of the requirements. So of course when we find these little expressions of what brought others a peaceful moment, we tend to settle down, give ourselves some space to process where we are.
I am an author, and in storytelling, things get busy fast. They’re supposed to. If something wasn’t constantly happening to my cast of characters, I’d get bored and put down the pen, let alone my readers, who don’t know the whole story yet. The reader is doing their best to immerse themselves into the same headspace, the same energy you had when piecing the story together. If we listen to what the scientists say, that’s going to be quite draining for them.
Therefore, I found it to be my job to weave these little moments throughout my narrative. Even though I know I must constantly keep the reader on their toes, I owe it to them to give them a place to rest as well.
I will conclude by referencing one of my greatest inspirations as a creator, which I’m sure I will speak more on in the future. In the japanese manga series “One piece” the reader follows a crew of motley characters from island to island, uncovering the story of the villain and saving the people, like any good hero should. One of the things i love most about this series, and i know many fellow readers do as well, is these moments between the islands that happen consistently. When our crew is together on the ship, it gives us moments of community, of the little moments of life that they share when we’re not looking. Those tiny pieces of your routine that only those closest to you see, but are integral to our everyday life.
There isn’t really much more to be said about it. It’s those “beautiful moments” where all you can say is “if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” As you go through the rest of the day, try to look for some of these moments yourself. If you were writing a story, what little details of your day would you include?
Leave a comment