Writer's Fast
I have been writing poetry, hip-hop, and even a ballad or two on a regular basis since September 1996 and as of today May 1, 2009 I have decided to embark upon a creative writing fast. I was thinking that as creative as I know I am, (being created in the image and likeness of Creativity itself how could I not be�creative) I might be stifling my abilities by not allowing them to rest. Maybe the reason for the Sabbath, not because God requires rest but because rest requires God to take time within Godself to see and fully appreciate what has been created. I mean when you can speak universes into existence it would be very easy just to keep "talking" but to pause and reflect on what one has spoken into existence is just as important as speaking into existence is it not?
This is especially important at the level of human beings because we speak/write things into existence just like way God does (many of us not realizing it) however when we don't like what we have created; we complain like it�s the paper/universe's fault we wrote a poem/life we are not satisfied with what we have created. As artist I believe we must make a conscious decision to set aside a sacred time of honest reflection on our creations, a Sabbath if you will. I personally think this is one of the reasons for "writer's block" if we aren't carefully watching where we are going we can easily run into a wall.
I am blessed in the sense that I have on had "writer's block" once and that was within the first three months of my writing and never again. However had I been taking periodic pauses from my constant writing work over the years I probably wouldn't be embarking upon this fast. I also probably would have published more of that work as the world has heard only about 10% of what I have actually created and I have published even less. Also I have magnanimous ideas for this artform that I haven't even put to use because I have been so busy writing. I think the other prime reason for writer�s block is that in those periods we should be �doing� something else.
What better time than the closing out of National Poetry Month to embark upon this fast thus I am taking the next month to write...nothing. No poem No rap No song No short story etc. I am inviting my fellow artists to come along for ride and encouraging those who are not artist to join in a way suitable to their own life. Maybe you need an anger fast or a going to the club fast or a facebook fast LOL whatever take some time to reflect on how you have used your time and gifts see if that usage is in sync with what you say you want in life if not use you fast to mentally prepare a plan and begin executing that plan when your fast is over; if all is according to the plan you have in motion say "it is good" and pick up where you left off when your fast is over.
Now you don't have to go the entire month; you may only need a day or a week, but I after writing for so many years definitely need the whole month...maybe two LOL and who knows maybe this will evolve into a Writer's Retreat.
Should you decide to join me in this journey send me an email to thirteen_nazareth@yahoo.com with "Joining Writer's Fast" in the subject line. If enough people get involved I am going to create a mailing list specifically for those involved that will be initially dedicated to this idea and similar creative catharsis to help make us better people not just better artists.
My apologies to any artists I have agreed to work with I still want to work with but if your projects have a May deadline they will have to do without me unless I have already written my portion or happen to have something unused in my catalog that works well with your idea; if not however we can pick up at the beginning of June.
So what will I be doing during this fast aside from reflection on my creative history?
You will have to wait and see LOL
This is especially important at the level of human beings because we speak/write things into existence just like way God does (many of us not realizing it) however when we don't like what we have created; we complain like it�s the paper/universe's fault we wrote a poem/life we are not satisfied with what we have created. As artist I believe we must make a conscious decision to set aside a sacred time of honest reflection on our creations, a Sabbath if you will. I personally think this is one of the reasons for "writer's block" if we aren't carefully watching where we are going we can easily run into a wall.
I am blessed in the sense that I have on had "writer's block" once and that was within the first three months of my writing and never again. However had I been taking periodic pauses from my constant writing work over the years I probably wouldn't be embarking upon this fast. I also probably would have published more of that work as the world has heard only about 10% of what I have actually created and I have published even less. Also I have magnanimous ideas for this artform that I haven't even put to use because I have been so busy writing. I think the other prime reason for writer�s block is that in those periods we should be �doing� something else.
What better time than the closing out of National Poetry Month to embark upon this fast thus I am taking the next month to write...nothing. No poem No rap No song No short story etc. I am inviting my fellow artists to come along for ride and encouraging those who are not artist to join in a way suitable to their own life. Maybe you need an anger fast or a going to the club fast or a facebook fast LOL whatever take some time to reflect on how you have used your time and gifts see if that usage is in sync with what you say you want in life if not use you fast to mentally prepare a plan and begin executing that plan when your fast is over; if all is according to the plan you have in motion say "it is good" and pick up where you left off when your fast is over.
Now you don't have to go the entire month; you may only need a day or a week, but I after writing for so many years definitely need the whole month...maybe two LOL and who knows maybe this will evolve into a Writer's Retreat.
Should you decide to join me in this journey send me an email to thirteen_nazareth@yahoo.com with "Joining Writer's Fast" in the subject line. If enough people get involved I am going to create a mailing list specifically for those involved that will be initially dedicated to this idea and similar creative catharsis to help make us better people not just better artists.
My apologies to any artists I have agreed to work with I still want to work with but if your projects have a May deadline they will have to do without me unless I have already written my portion or happen to have something unused in my catalog that works well with your idea; if not however we can pick up at the beginning of June.
So what will I be doing during this fast aside from reflection on my creative history?
You will have to wait and see LOL
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