I kind of agree (especially when you liken it to incest), but there’s something rather satisfying about reading about a fave author’s writing process or thoughts on the writingprocess. On Writing by Stephen King and The War of Art by Steven Pressfield come to mind. And perhaps now a minimalist scribbler by the name of Joshua Fields-Milburn ;)
Writing About Writing Is Like Kissing Your Beautiful Sister
Posted on February 10th, by Joshua Fields Millburn.
Bluck! I’m not a fan of writing about writing, just as I’m not found of blogs about blogging or books about books. That is, writing about writing seems vapid and circuitous to me, self-referential in a messy, sticky sort of way. But Colin and Ryan asked me to write some words for this blog, so I’ve posted roughly 20 essays here in the last month, which essays include my thoughts, opinions, and a few truisms I’ve learned along the way.
But then again I’m not writing these words for Colin or Ryan; I’m writing them for you. I value greatly the ability to contribute to other people, and thus I’m willing to make-out with my proverbial sister if it’ll add value to your life.
In fact, that’s what I do with my writing students: I show them my recipe and permit them to use whichever ingredients they’d like (N.B. I don’t usually make-out with them though). Then I present them with other ingredients from other writers, and eventually my students have enough to create their own unique, from-scratch recipes.
That’s what we’ll do here, as well. Going forward I’ll use this blog to discuss my writing process, to showcase my writing tools, to share my favorite tips and tricks and techniques, to highlight my preferred writing resources, to share publishing insights, and, most likely, to vent. Colin and Ryan will do the same. We’ll even have some famous (and some not-so-famous) guest authors share their best practices.
Thank you for being here. Together we’ll shape our individual recipes. I’m certain we’ll learn a lot as we prepare our dishes side-by-side.
If you’d like to go deeper, you can get involved in our ever-growing Asymmetrical Community, read the Asymmetrical Blog archive, or attend one of our Asymmetrical Events. Or if you’d prefer a more intimate approach (sans kissing), a few of you can take my writing class (limited seating), although please note that you don’t need me to help you write better; you must simply commit to your craft. If you want a little help, though, then I’m happy to give you that extra push.
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16 thoughts on “Writing About Writing Is Like Kissing Your Beautiful Sister”
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16 thoughts on “Writing About Writing Is Like Kissing Your Beautiful Sister”
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I kind of agree (especially when you liken it to incest), but there’s something rather satisfying about reading about a fave author’s writing process or thoughts on the writingprocess. On Writing by Stephen King and The War of Art by Steven Pressfield come to mind. And perhaps now a minimalist scribbler by the name of Joshua Fields-Milburn ;)
The worst, by far, is internet marketing campaigns about internet marketing. Everyone in that community seems to be teaching people how to make money online by teaching people how to make money online. Apart from the ones that are somehow very convincing or actually selling someone else’s products, no one is really making any money online. It’s like they try to tell you how to do something they’ve never actually done themselves…
However, learning about tools, the process and the art itself is almost always valuable. It can be inspiring as well. It brings your audience to your level, so that they stop feeling inferior and instead start identifying with your character and discover the wells of creativity and skills within themselves.
It takes people from "I could never do that" to "I can and I will do that, and more!"
And that, I believe, is the sign of a good teacher.
Samuel,
Very well said.
And yes, marketing about marketing is the lowest form of marketing—several rungs below infomercials and QVC.
JFM
Joshua Fields Millburn is it too late to get a refund for your upcoming writing class? I’m not cool with kissing my sister. Just kidding (about the sister part), I seriously can’t wait to start.
As for Samuel’s comment: I couldn’t agree more with your disdain for internet marketing; Or the whole passive income scheme. For the most part, both are just pyramid schemes.
Hehe. It’s going to be a good class. I’ve got a few new tricks up my sleeve.
I agree: we’re all voyeurs to a certain extent. We want to see what works (and doesn’t work) for other people—to learn their recipe, as it were.
Few people will say it publicly, but that kind of internet marketing is also known as the ‘blogging circle-jerk.’
Can’t imagine why anyone would find that term for a pyramid scheme offensive :)
Thanks. Novice
Haha, thanks for putting that image in my mind, Colin.
@Novice: Have you read "The Education of Millionaires" by Michael Ellsberg? I received it as a gift recently, and although the title is a bit cheesy–perhaps even off-putting–I found that his approach and advice are resonating quite well with me. He has a much more down-to-earth approach to the whole following-your-passion versus traditional-job dilemma. I think it might be helpful to you.
Also, if you find yourself worrying too much, consider doing some meditation. Just sit down, relax and pay no attention to those worrying thoughts. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes, it’ll do wonders.
And if you’d like, I have some articles on my blog that might help put things in perspective. It’s that little link in my signature…
Novice, when/how often do you attempt to write? I know you’ve mentioned that you’re extremely busy, but I found that once I started to make writing my number one priority: that is, did it first thing in the morning before anything—and I mean anything—did it become easier and easier to focus on the task at hand. My current day-to-day isn’t too demanding, but even so, I couldn’t imagine wanting to write in the evening after work etc.
Look at it this way, would you prefer to go for a run before your day starts, or in the evening, when you’re tired and less ‘fresh.’ Personally, I would prefer to go in the morning. Similarly, it’s easier to put things off later in the day. So by scheduling your writing first thing in the morning, you’re giving yourself less of a chance to put it off.
I would agree with Jordan, the morning is truly ideal for anything creative, before your day starts. That’s when your brain is most alert!
And also, don’t feel you have to force yourself to choke down writing, if you truly aren’t calm enough for it one day, then making yourself write and not enjoying it won’t help much.
Thanks for your support. Last night, I finally calmed down a little and wrote a flash story. But I have to try to write something the first thing in the morning and see if it gets easier.
In the corporate world, when I was working 70–80 hours a week, I gave up an hour of sleep to write (sometimes I slept only 4 hours a night). Each morning I’d set my alarm for 4:44 and I write until 5:45, and then I’d get ready for work. I’m not suggesting you give up YOUR sleep, but it was worth it for me. I’m glad I did.
JFM
JFM,
Thanks. So the next question for you is, what do you write when you wake up in the early morning everyday? This week I did have time to write, but when I actually sat down, my brain was empty. I have tried to find some prompts on the web, but I did not find muse in any of them. The writing prompt method did not work well with me. I would appreciate if you show some lights on "what to write" when you sit down. Novice.
Novice,
I keep a pen and small notebook on me at all times, write down ideas as they come in throughout my days. That way I always have an overflow of ideas when it’s time to fill the page. Honestly, I don’t know a person who’s serious about writing who doesn’t keep a pen and paper with them at all times.
JFM