7 Things @ 7 #022
Discover more from The Art of Paying Attention
7 Things @ 7 #022
National Novel Writing Month, Matthew Perry, and Resistance
Hello — I’m Ryan J. Pelton, a writer, teacher, podcaster, and believe the whole thing runs on grace. Here’s a little explanation (About page) of why my newsletter/blog is called The Art of Paying Attention.
Hello, friends!
Are you alive?
Somebody asked me about that recently. I’m typing these words which suggest my heart is still beating. Or, things just got really weird… you decide.
Well, the good news is I’m alive. And it’s November which is National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org). I’ve taken part twelve times and finished a rough draft of a novel nine times. I’m going for number ten this year.
But I have a little secret. Technically, I am not writing fiction this time, and have a nonfiction work in the hopper. Let me say it has something to do with addictions, AA, faith, some personal stories, and why a spiritual revolution is needed in our day. That’s all I’ll say, as it’s a seedling of an idea.
I am ten days into the project and have about 18,000 words. Not a terrible start.
So in the Spirit of National Novel Writing Month, here are some writerly/creativity inspired things I’m paying attention to this week:
1. Steven Pressfield talks about Resistance in writing, or when creating anything. I’m constantly amazed at how Resistance shows up when you’re trying to do something difficult like write a book, starting a healthier eating habit, launching a business, or whatever the project might be. Keep going when it’s hard because it’s usually a good sign you’re on the right track.
From The War of Art, “The more important a call or action to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”
2. Writing is not for everyone, but everyone should write. I think everyone should at least have a journal to write your thoughts, prayers, pains, or ideas. Henri Nouwen believes writing can heal and is a spiritual practice:
“Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions, to reflect on our experiences, to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories. Writing can also be good for others who might read what we write… Quite often a difficult, painful, or frustrating day can be “redeemed” by writing about it. By writing we can claim what we have lived and thus integrate it more fully into our journeys. Then writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others too.”
3. Is AI good? Will robots take over the world? Time will tell. But when AI is used to bringing the last Beatles song into the world, I see it as a force for good. Here is a film behind the lost Lennon song.
4. National Novel Writing Month (November) was a catalyst for giving me permission to write a novel many years ago. If you’ve ever considered doing something like this, here is a little background. I appreciate this organization for inspiring young and old to share their stories.
5. Reading books on the craft of writing often serve as another excuse to not write anything. But if I were to choose three of my favorites, these would be in the running: 1. The War of Art- how to fight Resistance. 2. On Writing - part memoir, part craft, all Stephen King. 3. Steal Like an Artist- nothing new under the sun, please steal.
6. RIP Matthew Perry. A man who was good at his craft of acting and comedy, and also a complex man of addictions and faith. Here is what he said in his memoir:
“I’ve seen God in my kitchen, of all places, so I know there’s something bigger than me. I know it’s an omnipresent love and acceptance that means that everything’s going to be OK. I know something happens when you die. I know you move on to something wonderful.”
He later said this when almost dying after a coma from a medical complication:
“I started to cry. I mean, I really started to cry -- that shoulder-shaking kind of uncontrollable weeping. I wasn’t crying because I was sad. I was crying because, for the first time in my life, I felt OK. I felt safe and taken care of. Decades of struggling with God, and wrestling with life, and sadness, all was being washed away, like a river of pain gone into oblivion.”
7. Can Maya Angelou say it any better?
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Now go make some great art with your life!
Grace, peace, and more grace…
Ryan