The Gift of Creativity
“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
The season calls for gift giving and celebration, but from everyone I talk to, these dispiriting political times are engendering despair and a desire to turn inward. My holiday wish for each and every one of you is that you make time for joy wherever you can find it – in music, in nature, in books, in holiday light displays – and particularly in the comfort of others. Coming together is more important than ever.
I’ve had to work a little harder this year to summon holiday spirit as well. Here are a few shots from around town that made me smile (at the bottom of the newsletter you’ll see some of our own “nautically themed” outdoor decorations).
The Writing Life
With the intense activity surrounding my latest book’s launch over a year ago now at an end, 100% of my focus can be on writing. I’m deep into revising a draft of a new book, working on new scenes, honing others, and doing research to fill in the gaps. I took a different approach to writing this novel than to my others, which I will talk with you about here in the coming months. For now, let me share some inspiration that I am gaining from the following book.
Book Recommendation
The Creative Act: A Way of Being, by Rick Rubin
The Creative Act: A Way of Being, by renowed record producer Rick Rubin, is a kind of primer, a meditation, and a book of inspiration. I read a little bit every day. Some of what Rubin has to say really lands for me personally while some is a bit simplistic. He includes an excellent list of the kind of thoughts and habits that inhibit work (like starting out with goals that are too ambitious) and posits the difference between a craftsperson (someone who knows what she wants to create and does it) and an artist: “If you begin with a question and use it to guide an adventure of discovery, that’s the work of the artist.” “An adventure of discovery” - I love that. The pages of my copy of the book flutter with the scraps of paper markers.
Rubin’s belief is that everyone is a creator in some way or other, in the sense that life is far richer when we live with creative purpose. The book is filled with short pithy quotes, the kind to type up and put over your desk. Here are just a few:
“Good habits create good art. The way we do anything is the way we do everything. Treat each choice you make, each action you take, each word you speak with skillful care. The goal is to live your life in the service of art.”
“The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.”
“No matter what tools you use to create, the true instrument is you. And through you, the universe that surrounds us all comes into focus.”
At a minimum, the book is an exercise in observing and being attuned to the moment. For those so inclined, may this book guide you on your own creative path!
How to Buy Books
A few people have asked me where it’s best to purchase my books (and thank you thank you to those of you who have!). While the answer is, “anywhere books are sold,” I love when purchasers choose independent bookstores. For online purchases, I recommend Bookshop.org.
Bookshop supports independent bookstores in a unique way. As the customer, you choose the specific store you would like to get a percentage of any purchases you make. Pretty cool, right?
