When I was a little girl, I woke up with little itchy bites on my hands. My mom said they were spider bites. Years later when I get those “itchy” feelings to create, I attribute it to a spidey-sense from all those years ago. Spiders, after all, are tiny artists!
I just started „art“ as a hobby, whatever that means. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I write, sometimes I cook. But I have had troubles starting and make my art visible to others, because a lot of the things I start feel unfinished or, as you described it, are not even proper ideas yet. Your article exactly describes the state I’m currently stuck in and really hits the spot: I should just surrender to the feeling of inspiration and not focus on knowing where to end! Thanks for your words of encouragement.
It doesn’t sound like you’re stuck at all. Focus on the itch and the making. Not on whether others can understand it. That part will come — or not. It’s secondary.
I usually get the itch around 3 am. Sometimes I have to get up and scratch it, sometimes it just floats around for days until I sit down and play. Thanks for capturing that feeling!
Decades ago, as a writer who itched to be writing novels, I had a chance to interview the great Jane Smiley. I asked her if she ever just wanted to write without knowing WHAT she wanted to write. I was seeking some kind of validation for my own itchy-but-plotless situation, but I didn’t get it that day. She told me she couldn’t imagine why a person would want to write if they didn’t know what they wanted to write about.
But yes -- I wanted to write fiction because I wanted to create the feeling I got from reading good fiction. So thankyou thankyou thankyou for describing this so well. It’s really important for people to honor and bless the itch.
I’m surprised by Jane’s answer. I don’t believe that she became a writer just because she wanted to write specific things. Like all of us, I’m sure she just wanted to sit down and make something. Thats the itch.
I love this! My process is not the same as yours Danny but I'm definitely in the same neighbourhood!
I love when I get these Friday posts as they always relight my inner self after a week of general living. I do get an itch and it tends to be the itchiest when talking to other creative people as my mind fires off all sorts of ideas . Thanks Danny.
When I was a little girl, I woke up with little itchy bites on my hands. My mom said they were spider bites. Years later when I get those “itchy” feelings to create, I attribute it to a spidey-sense from all those years ago. Spiders, after all, are tiny artists!
They are weavers and engineers! Like Charlotte and her web.
I just started „art“ as a hobby, whatever that means. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I write, sometimes I cook. But I have had troubles starting and make my art visible to others, because a lot of the things I start feel unfinished or, as you described it, are not even proper ideas yet. Your article exactly describes the state I’m currently stuck in and really hits the spot: I should just surrender to the feeling of inspiration and not focus on knowing where to end! Thanks for your words of encouragement.
It doesn’t sound like you’re stuck at all. Focus on the itch and the making. Not on whether others can understand it. That part will come — or not. It’s secondary.
Hi. I find that as I work on a piece, I keep on until itl tells me it is finished.
There is always a new sheet of paper.
And it's impossible to make the same thing twice. Each one has a unique voice. Enjoy!
Sound like a perfect collaboration!
I usually get the itch around 3 am. Sometimes I have to get up and scratch it, sometimes it just floats around for days until I sit down and play. Thanks for capturing that feeling!
It is like a itch! Love this essay.
Decades ago, as a writer who itched to be writing novels, I had a chance to interview the great Jane Smiley. I asked her if she ever just wanted to write without knowing WHAT she wanted to write. I was seeking some kind of validation for my own itchy-but-plotless situation, but I didn’t get it that day. She told me she couldn’t imagine why a person would want to write if they didn’t know what they wanted to write about.
But yes -- I wanted to write fiction because I wanted to create the feeling I got from reading good fiction. So thankyou thankyou thankyou for describing this so well. It’s really important for people to honor and bless the itch.
I’m surprised by Jane’s answer. I don’t believe that she became a writer just because she wanted to write specific things. Like all of us, I’m sure she just wanted to sit down and make something. Thats the itch.
I love this! My process is not the same as yours Danny but I'm definitely in the same neighbourhood!
I love when I get these Friday posts as they always relight my inner self after a week of general living. I do get an itch and it tends to be the itchiest when talking to other creative people as my mind fires off all sorts of ideas . Thanks Danny.
I’m so glad!