Exchanging Intimidation for Inspiration
What to do when you're afraid to make art because everyone's creative output seems better than yours.
Reading makes you a better writer, or so goes the old adage, and while that may be true it’s a double-edged sword in that it can be intimidating, which can lead to—block.
I’m subscribed to some brilliant Substacks, whose offerings are much lengthier than mine, more voluptuous in their details and research, and very clearly works of art that the writer spent many hours developing and polishing. (And, there are pictures.)
It makes me wonder if I should be doing more here, or more, less frequently.
Then, I remind myself that what people like about my writing is the immediacy. What you read here is pretty much the way it pours out of my noggin. I start with a nugget of an idea and then see where it wants to go. At the end of the piece, we both know.
When I get in this space of intimidation one way I fight back is to re-watch this 2012 video by the oh-so-brilliant Vi Hart: They Became What They Beheld: Medium, Message, Youtubery.
1:12 — Artists create audiences. Write to amuse and inform yourself. Now write this on a post it and stick it to your monitor.
All for now. xoxoxo hb
P.S. Aforementioned Brilliant Substacks
Scott Monty (Timeless and Timely)
Rishad Tobaccowala (The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past)
Doug Levy (Friend and former medical reporter on Covid-19. Very informative.)
Heather Cox Richardson (Letters from an American)
P.P.S. Current self talk to drown out the self-doubt: “Lalalala they are all so great but I’m doing my own thing lalalala artists create audiences lalalala be inspired not intimidated lalalala you, too lalalala…”