I haven't written in several months. Somehow, I got into what I call "making pretty" (not Art, and hardly even Craft) with stickers and then stencils. I've NEVER done anything artsy/crafty. Now I spend hours in complete, satisfying silence, putting together shapes and colors. It's been hugely therapeutic for my mind to occupy itself with nothing more than whether the color of this butterfly goes with the color of that flower, and to feel pleasure when I see them together on the page. I guess it's the simple satisfaction of Making, as you once wrote about with Leo's offering. My time of "making prettty" has me wanting to return to my WIP with that same feeling of low pressure--just Making this story for the pleasure of enjoying what I made.
I understand withdrawing from the world of fiction, as much as the world itself. I had to walk away for ten months. That's when I discovered SUBSTACK and started putting up old stories I had in my files. I had to force myself to start writing again. Personal pain and tragedy are difficult things to deal with, and we all deal with them in whatever way makes sense to us.
Good words Shawn. I too have been on a writing hiatus and I recently have noticed the embers have not completely burned out. Thanks for sharing of your own pause and new beginning.
Oh man, this hit home beautifully. That amazing feeling when the words come and they work. And then that sentence leads smoothly into the next. Love it!
I think every good creator must get to the point where they don't give a damn what anyone else thinks of their work.
Thanks for this great reminder, Shawn!
I haven't written in several months. Somehow, I got into what I call "making pretty" (not Art, and hardly even Craft) with stickers and then stencils. I've NEVER done anything artsy/crafty. Now I spend hours in complete, satisfying silence, putting together shapes and colors. It's been hugely therapeutic for my mind to occupy itself with nothing more than whether the color of this butterfly goes with the color of that flower, and to feel pleasure when I see them together on the page. I guess it's the simple satisfaction of Making, as you once wrote about with Leo's offering. My time of "making prettty" has me wanting to return to my WIP with that same feeling of low pressure--just Making this story for the pleasure of enjoying what I made.
I love this, Robin.
Good stuff, as always, Shawn. Blessings.
Thanks, Brent. The same to you and your family.
I understand withdrawing from the world of fiction, as much as the world itself. I had to walk away for ten months. That's when I discovered SUBSTACK and started putting up old stories I had in my files. I had to force myself to start writing again. Personal pain and tragedy are difficult things to deal with, and we all deal with them in whatever way makes sense to us.
Good words Shawn. I too have been on a writing hiatus and I recently have noticed the embers have not completely burned out. Thanks for sharing of your own pause and new beginning.
Oh man, this hit home beautifully. That amazing feeling when the words come and they work. And then that sentence leads smoothly into the next. Love it!