Such a great metaphor, Grant. "The beginning of a story occurs when the skin of a grape is broken, when the sugars of your ideas mix with the yeasty drama of your words on the page."
"...you open, you show up, you live on the edge of various kinds of despairs and doubts, you hope, you endure, you taste, you observe how things are mixing, how things keep changing..."
I so needed this today, and particularly the passage above, as I continue work on a novel I've danced with for years, fallen in and out of love with, that won't let me go.
And yes, yes, yes, more of these! However you get them to us.
Thanks so much, Audrey! I really appreciate your kind words. I think the key words about your novel is that it won't let you go. That's a good sign. Keep breaking the skin of the grape ...
I love the creative meditations idea! It seems like such a generative and feasible way to incorporate a bit of prompt writing into a daily creative practice.
Love this: “Ask yourself how to let your story bubble and foam, what catalysts will ignite your characters, how to find just the right balance of tannins, the proper level of acidity, to draw the reader in to the swirls of your story.”
The gentlest reminder as to the magic, mystery and pleasures of the creative process is often enough to counteract self-doubt and own our creative powers. Keep 'em coming, Grant!
Thanks so much, Belinda! I think that's it: sometimes we just need to pause and ponder all of these magical mysteries within us—and to regain belief in that process.
Please sir, may I have some more, said she, mimicking Oliver Twist.
If your meditations are half as good as The Art of Brevity, it should be a page-turning best seller!
Thanks, Karen!
Wonderful piece!
"Trust that breaking the skin of your grape will lead you to a good glass of wine."
Now you've broken the skin of this beautiful project... the wine holds the promise of a rare delight
I hadn't thought of it like that—that I broke the skin on this project today. Thanks for the reminder!
I love the idea of creative meditations. Please do more sharing of this. Thx!
I love this and hope you will post more of them. And they would make a lovely book, too.
Yes, please share more meditations. I will be one of many who will welcome them and be prodded into writing.
Such a great metaphor, Grant. "The beginning of a story occurs when the skin of a grape is broken, when the sugars of your ideas mix with the yeasty drama of your words on the page."
Thanks, Jennifer! When in doubt with a story, break the skin ...
Yes, please write more of these!
Thanks! I actually just wrote one today on silence: https://grantfaulkner.substack.com/p/silence-as-a-way-to-hear-yourself
Yes I restacked that one! It’s beautiful and helpful.
"...you open, you show up, you live on the edge of various kinds of despairs and doubts, you hope, you endure, you taste, you observe how things are mixing, how things keep changing..."
I so needed this today, and particularly the passage above, as I continue work on a novel I've danced with for years, fallen in and out of love with, that won't let me go.
And yes, yes, yes, more of these! However you get them to us.
Thanks so much, Audrey! I really appreciate your kind words. I think the key words about your novel is that it won't let you go. That's a good sign. Keep breaking the skin of the grape ...
I hate how much i LOVE this!! Brilliantly done! XO
Wow! Thanks so much!
I love the creative meditations idea! It seems like such a generative and feasible way to incorporate a bit of prompt writing into a daily creative practice.
Love reading wisps of wisdom! Will have to upgrade once of these days, which will mean violating a "rule" I made for myself, but sometimes......
I love the idea of "wisps of wisdom." All wisdom should be wispy, perhaps, of the moment, not permanent.
Love this: “Ask yourself how to let your story bubble and foam, what catalysts will ignite your characters, how to find just the right balance of tannins, the proper level of acidity, to draw the reader in to the swirls of your story.”
Thanks, Britta!
Yes, please; I, for one, would be very interested 🤞
WHO wouldn't want a book with this essay in it?
Thanks, Barbara! I'm thinking about reviving the project ...
Inspired. Thank you
The gentlest reminder as to the magic, mystery and pleasures of the creative process is often enough to counteract self-doubt and own our creative powers. Keep 'em coming, Grant!
Thanks so much, Belinda! I think that's it: sometimes we just need to pause and ponder all of these magical mysteries within us—and to regain belief in that process.