the craft. the mindset of a writer: embracing the magic in the mess.

“As we begin a work, remembering we needn’t know how it’ll turn out or whether it’ll be successful might be comforting. And we can cultivate our ability to work despite confusion.” ― Louise DeSalvo, The Art of Slow Writing: Reflections on Time, Craft, and Creativity

You have a vision in your mind of where you want your creative journey to take you. You might picture your book on a bestseller list or your byline in your favorite publication. You might visualize yourself reading your words in front of a room full of people at a book launch, or supporting yourself full-time as a professional writer.

You have stories to tell and you are overflowing with ideas when you’re driving, showering, or taking care of the rest of your life. But when you sit down to write, doubts creep in and suddenly your ideas and words lose their sparkle. You’re talking yourself out of it. You don’t know how or where to start, or your words aren’t coming out as powerfully as you thought they would. You’re distracted by fears and limiting beliefs. You’re questioning yourself.

Your creative calling is persistent, but so is your inner critic. To keep moving forward through the emotional resistance, we have to change the way we think about the obstacles and embrace the discomfort and uncertainty. So often we don’t start, continue, or finish projects because we are afraid to make messy, unpolished or amateur art. We are afraid that our results will not match our expectations.

As I evolve as a writer, I look back at my first projects and I see the rawness, but I also see the courage. I see the freedom of being a beginner, the pure enthusiasm of finding meaningful work, and it reminds me to be driven by the expression itself and not judgmental of results. I will always be growing in my craft, and I know that progress involves growing out loud. It’s uncomfortable at times, but on the other side of that discomfort is expansion.

With practice, you can change your reaction to discomfort and recognize it as a promising part of the creative process.

Can you give yourself permission to look at your creative life, not as a measure of your gifts or worth, but as a practice in getting more comfortable and unapologetic about who you are?

Our desires are clues to our potential. Our discomfort holds valuable information about our doubts and fears. To what extent are you willing to face the uncertainty of exploring these things? This exploration requires vulnerability and the willingness to be a beginner again and again as you develop and advance.

Beginners don’t know what they don’t know. They may not have experience but they have heart which is what it takes to bring an idea to life. You’re giving birth to something new. Of course it’s messy. Of course it’s magical. Of course it requires faith in something bigger than yourself.

At some point we must accept vulnerability as part of the vision. Before the byline will come lots of what Bird by Bird author, Anne Lamott, calls shitty drafts that make you question if you're making any sense at all. When you sit down to write you will come face-to-face with restlessness, boredom, confusion, and doubt. To move through these obstacles, get curious about them and invite them along for the ride. Open your mind to what they have to teach you by journaling about how they feel. In Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life, Greg Levoy says: "Free expression invites accidental insight.”

He goes on to say, “Art can be a superhighway to rare kinds of emotional maturity. An art practiced over time can become a form of self-study that slowly and steadily builds a matured self-awareness.”

So how does the ‘mess’ become the byline or the book deal or the engaged readership you seek? The following mindsets will lead you to embrace the unknown and lean into the discomfort of experimentation and growth:

Beginner’s Mind — Be coachable and willing to learn. Understand that no matter where you are in your journey, you are a student of the craft, the process has so much to teach, and the experience you seek is in the work.
Growth Mindset — When the learning curve seems intimidating or insurmountable, break it down into small pieces and find ways to make the process itself rewarding.

Artist Identity — Get clear on your why and practice in public to build confidence and develop skills around non-conformity and risk-taking.

Self-Care Mindset — It’s vital to nurture creativity through self-care so you can work with your authentic needs and not against them. Building self-care into your daily life gives you the energy to ride the ups and downs.

Community — Root yourself in creative community so you have safe spaces, helpful feedback, and encouragement.

Writing/Job Opportunites

Brea Cubit is looking for freelance tech reporters who can write about digital trends/innovations transforming industries. $700/article. If interested, email bcubit@insider.com & include pitches if you have any.

The Body is looking for pitches for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop and its role in shaping the narrative around HIV. The due date for pitches is Monday, July 24, email Maria Elena Perez, mperez@thebody.com. ($400).

The Gotham Publish a Book Scholarship is open to people of color who have completed a book manuscript (or nonfiction book proposal) and are ready to go to market with their book. Three scholarships will be offered every year.

Apartment Therapy is hiring an Editor, Style & Design.

The Boston Globe is hiring a Senior Editorial Director for Newsletters.

Injustice Watch is hiring an Editorial Director.

The USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism is hiring a Collaborative Editor.