3) I'm really into this illustration project I'm working on, but I can't figure out what to do with it. Is it a coloring book? Am I going to write poems to match each illustration? Should I color the illustrations or will that ruin it? I can't keep creating things just to shove them under the bed.
4) Time and guilt. Any time I do find to work on it, I feel guilty. I can't concentrate because I keep telling myself I SHOULD be working, I SHOULD be cleaning, I SHOULD be exercising, I SHOULD be... etc. I feel selfish if that's how I'm spending my time.
5) Self esteem when we're always telling ourselves our art is crap. (as all artists do) Maybe some creative prompts to get the juices flowing?
1. Nonfiction writer. I have multiple niches, but my Substack newsletter focuses on mental health coping strategies and how changing our lives can help others change theirs.
2. Favorite writers who have influenced me include Anne Lamott and Brian McLaren (nonfiction) and Andrew M. Greeley (fiction), as well as several top writers on Medium.
3. Hope to create a workbook or other digital product related to self-care to sell on Gumroad soon. Also currently finalizing an article about Christians opposed to Christian nationalism for a Texas media outlet that will probably get
published this week.
4. Self-confidence and questioning if people will
find and be willing to pay for my digital products.
1) Writing mostly - both non-fiction and fiction (crime/legal thrillers); also screenplays, but not consistently
2) Michael Connelly and Grisham for fiction. I'm also a big fan of random and fun trivia books, especially on topics that aren't covered widely. So oddly enough, the Uncle John's Bathroom Readers inspired me to start researching areas that would be of interest to many people, but also be lighter in subject matter
3) Two crime/legal thrillers that I'm having a hard time coming up with a solid ending for, and a semi-autobiography about growing up with my dad. Also, I practice screenplay writing by adapting books into screenplays. I have some ideas for my own stories, but I'm still working on my skills and I use existing works to play around with.
4) Time, motivation, and frustration with either writer's block or coming up with story endings. Your posts have addressed each of these, so I have some strategies to try now, but it's still difficult. Admittedly there's still a lot of self doubt since I don't have an end goal with any of the work I'm doing. Is it just for private satisfaction or is it for attempting to publish? I don't know
5) What happens when you hit the halfway point of a work and look back and think everything you've done up to that point sucks? Also, I'd like to know more about what you do that isn't part of the creative outlet - what kind of job/hobbies do you do that is more routine yet doesn't stifle the creativity streak you have as well? Sometimes I wonder if I've simply taken on too many responsibilities that it makes it hard to justify time for something more artistic and self-serving
1. Mostly trying to write fiction. Really good at starting ideas but filling it in and breathing life into is where I lose steam.
2. I don’t know that I have specific influences that I turn to, but I do find that whatever I’m reading at the time tends to get reflected in my own work (sometimes to my own detriment)
3. Current project is focused on a book dealing with mother-daughter dynamics but also cannibalism, so you know just the usual stuff.
4. Biggest hurdle tends to be the “how do we get there” part of the story. All the lead up and meat that makes you invested so that when shit hits the fan you can’t put the book down. I think I just get excited about the shit-covered fan part.
5. I don’t have any particular topics to offer, but I absolutely love what you’re putting out. Your posts have helped reenergize me, which is more powerful than anything I could have specifically asked for. So just keep doing you!
2) Aaron Sorkin, David Fincher, The Safdie Brothers, Greig Fraser
3) I would like to finish my next short film, which is about a chess game
4) Getting a chess board! I'm hoping it'll be here by this week
5) How to vet the good ideas that you can actually run with. I'm the type of person that comes up with tons of half-baked ideas and my brain is constantly pulled in a million directions. It'd be great to learn about a process for deciding what threads are truly worth following and what's just a crazy thought because I'm in love with a particular movie at the moment. That would also help me when it comes to following through on a project; because I come up with so many ideas, I often lose interest in projects I was initially very passionate about in favor of the newer model.
I never say this aloud but I someday wish to host a show, either audio or video critiquing films and games, and have deep dive essays into a game or series. Sharing stories about the first time we experienced them and knew they would be a part of our lives forever.
Also to host a podcast taking a series episode by episode, specifically star trek, Simpsons, 30 rock, mad men, venture bros , and futurama to name a few.
4) Is there anything preventing you from finishing it?
Starting it for one, fear of failure, imposter syndrome, time, not finding the right people with whom to collaborate.
5) Are there any particular topics you’d like me to cover?
You speak a lot about the pitfalls of not finishing a project, either due to mental blocks, having too many projects and not feeling like you can devote the time they deserve. How did you get to the point where you were able to START something? Despite all my work on myself and mental health I can't get past this little voice telling me that what I want to say has certainly already been said, probably more eloquently and there's no sense trying at this point. I convinced myself it would be arrogant to even think I could add my voice to an overwhelmed chorus. How were you able to share your creative endeavors?
2. Dare I say you and HDYR, as well as other podcasts that I love and haven been so helpful to me over the years.
3. Mainly focused on my day job which is a business that my wife and I co-own and revitalising the energy that we had in the inception of the business and re-engaging the passion that made it successful. Podcast wise, continuing to have passion and energy for the show that we are covering (One Tree Hill).
4. Fatigue.
5. I would be really interested in how you manage past mistakes and not obsessing over them and letting them go. I have a habit with continuously ruminating over past mistakes, even from teenage years and before, and even after working through it, making amends/balance etc, I can struggle to ket things go. Would be great to hear how you manage that, if it effects you ... this is where the 'just look up' comes in for me.
I hope that you're well, thank you for doing these, it means more than you probably know.
1) Acrylic paintings, illustrations, and acting
2) Really depends on the project and my mood.
3) I'm really into this illustration project I'm working on, but I can't figure out what to do with it. Is it a coloring book? Am I going to write poems to match each illustration? Should I color the illustrations or will that ruin it? I can't keep creating things just to shove them under the bed.
4) Time and guilt. Any time I do find to work on it, I feel guilty. I can't concentrate because I keep telling myself I SHOULD be working, I SHOULD be cleaning, I SHOULD be exercising, I SHOULD be... etc. I feel selfish if that's how I'm spending my time.
5) Self esteem when we're always telling ourselves our art is crap. (as all artists do) Maybe some creative prompts to get the juices flowing?
1. Nonfiction writer. I have multiple niches, but my Substack newsletter focuses on mental health coping strategies and how changing our lives can help others change theirs.
2. Favorite writers who have influenced me include Anne Lamott and Brian McLaren (nonfiction) and Andrew M. Greeley (fiction), as well as several top writers on Medium.
3. Hope to create a workbook or other digital product related to self-care to sell on Gumroad soon. Also currently finalizing an article about Christians opposed to Christian nationalism for a Texas media outlet that will probably get
published this week.
4. Self-confidence and questioning if people will
find and be willing to pay for my digital products.
5. Mindset issues.
1. Writer of novels and screenplays.
2. Anyone who can tell a good story. Neil Gaiman, Shirley Jackson, my grandma.
3. Currently editing my latest book. Looking to query agents.
4. Time!! Always time. Feeling guilty that I’m being selfish while writing.
5. Not that I can think of. Just keep going!
1) Writing mostly - both non-fiction and fiction (crime/legal thrillers); also screenplays, but not consistently
2) Michael Connelly and Grisham for fiction. I'm also a big fan of random and fun trivia books, especially on topics that aren't covered widely. So oddly enough, the Uncle John's Bathroom Readers inspired me to start researching areas that would be of interest to many people, but also be lighter in subject matter
3) Two crime/legal thrillers that I'm having a hard time coming up with a solid ending for, and a semi-autobiography about growing up with my dad. Also, I practice screenplay writing by adapting books into screenplays. I have some ideas for my own stories, but I'm still working on my skills and I use existing works to play around with.
4) Time, motivation, and frustration with either writer's block or coming up with story endings. Your posts have addressed each of these, so I have some strategies to try now, but it's still difficult. Admittedly there's still a lot of self doubt since I don't have an end goal with any of the work I'm doing. Is it just for private satisfaction or is it for attempting to publish? I don't know
5) What happens when you hit the halfway point of a work and look back and think everything you've done up to that point sucks? Also, I'd like to know more about what you do that isn't part of the creative outlet - what kind of job/hobbies do you do that is more routine yet doesn't stifle the creativity streak you have as well? Sometimes I wonder if I've simply taken on too many responsibilities that it makes it hard to justify time for something more artistic and self-serving
1. Mostly trying to write fiction. Really good at starting ideas but filling it in and breathing life into is where I lose steam.
2. I don’t know that I have specific influences that I turn to, but I do find that whatever I’m reading at the time tends to get reflected in my own work (sometimes to my own detriment)
3. Current project is focused on a book dealing with mother-daughter dynamics but also cannibalism, so you know just the usual stuff.
4. Biggest hurdle tends to be the “how do we get there” part of the story. All the lead up and meat that makes you invested so that when shit hits the fan you can’t put the book down. I think I just get excited about the shit-covered fan part.
5. I don’t have any particular topics to offer, but I absolutely love what you’re putting out. Your posts have helped reenergize me, which is more powerful than anything I could have specifically asked for. So just keep doing you!
1) Short films, screenplays, short stories
2) Aaron Sorkin, David Fincher, The Safdie Brothers, Greig Fraser
3) I would like to finish my next short film, which is about a chess game
4) Getting a chess board! I'm hoping it'll be here by this week
5) How to vet the good ideas that you can actually run with. I'm the type of person that comes up with tons of half-baked ideas and my brain is constantly pulled in a million directions. It'd be great to learn about a process for deciding what threads are truly worth following and what's just a crazy thought because I'm in love with a particular movie at the moment. That would also help me when it comes to following through on a project; because I come up with so many ideas, I often lose interest in projects I was initially very passionate about in favor of the newer model.
What kind of art do you make?
None, sadly
2) Who are your biggest influences?
You and redlettermedia
3) What is your current creative goal or project?
I never say this aloud but I someday wish to host a show, either audio or video critiquing films and games, and have deep dive essays into a game or series. Sharing stories about the first time we experienced them and knew they would be a part of our lives forever.
Also to host a podcast taking a series episode by episode, specifically star trek, Simpsons, 30 rock, mad men, venture bros , and futurama to name a few.
4) Is there anything preventing you from finishing it?
Starting it for one, fear of failure, imposter syndrome, time, not finding the right people with whom to collaborate.
5) Are there any particular topics you’d like me to cover?
You speak a lot about the pitfalls of not finishing a project, either due to mental blocks, having too many projects and not feeling like you can devote the time they deserve. How did you get to the point where you were able to START something? Despite all my work on myself and mental health I can't get past this little voice telling me that what I want to say has certainly already been said, probably more eloquently and there's no sense trying at this point. I convinced myself it would be arrogant to even think I could add my voice to an overwhelmed chorus. How were you able to share your creative endeavors?
1. Wannabe Airbrush Artist and Automotive Custom Painter.
2. Craig Fraser, Scott MacKay, Frank Frazetta, Drew Struzan, H R Giger.
3. Current project is a Pattinson Batman piece.
4. Fear of failure is slowing me down, but I’m getting there.
5. In terms of content, you’re nailing it so far Buddy, so I’m along for the ride.
1. Podcasts (as a hobby with a friend)
2. Dare I say you and HDYR, as well as other podcasts that I love and haven been so helpful to me over the years.
3. Mainly focused on my day job which is a business that my wife and I co-own and revitalising the energy that we had in the inception of the business and re-engaging the passion that made it successful. Podcast wise, continuing to have passion and energy for the show that we are covering (One Tree Hill).
4. Fatigue.
5. I would be really interested in how you manage past mistakes and not obsessing over them and letting them go. I have a habit with continuously ruminating over past mistakes, even from teenage years and before, and even after working through it, making amends/balance etc, I can struggle to ket things go. Would be great to hear how you manage that, if it effects you ... this is where the 'just look up' comes in for me.
I hope that you're well, thank you for doing these, it means more than you probably know.