Enemies of the Artistic Process & Agenda

Glad to see you back! I hope all of you had a productive, safe, and enjoyable summer. Well, gosh, let's get back to work!

After a few housekeeping details about this course and the school, we will read Mary Oliver's advice to writers. Then, after that, we'll take a look at this:

Enemies of the Artistic Process

Writing is difficult. But knowing who or what is keeping you from completing your writing can be helpful. Read about the various types of "enemies of the artistic process" and then complete the writing exercise below IN YOUR JOURNAL!

The Procrastinator
• Don’t put off tomorrow what can be accomplished today.
o He says:
• “You can just write tomorrow or the day after or the day after….”
• “You should write after you get all your other work done.”
• “You have too much to do right now to write.”
• “Write after your life gets back to ‘normal’.”
• “Hey, what’s that over there…coffee!”

The Victim
• Bottom line: stop making your lack of a creative life the fault of someone or something else other than yourself.
o He says:
• “My family doesn’t understand or appreciate me.”
• “My teachers are too demanding and fill my life with stress.”
• “My friends demand all my time and attention.”
• “I’m going through a tough time and can’t think to write.”

The Talker
• Don’t talk excessively about it until it’s done. Writing is, by nature, a lonely art.
o He says:
• “Hey, I’ve got a great idea for a story—want to hear it?”

The Critic
• Every artist (even a successful one) has to deal with this guy sooner or later.
o He says:
• “That’s a stupid idea.”
• “This is going nowhere.”
• “This sucks!”
• “You can’t write!”

The Judge
• For everything there is a season.
o He says:
• “You should be doing something more meaningful with your time.”
• “How dare you sit there and write when there’s stuff to be done!”
• “Your family and friends need you more than your art!”

The Perfectionist
• Nothing in this world is perfect. & To err is human.
o He says:
• “It’s not good enough.”
• “I’ll never be a writer!”
• “No one will like my story/poem!”
• “I can’t show this to anyone or they’ll think I’m stupid.”

ASSIGNMENT: When you write, who would you say is your biggest enemy? In your journal, write a "hate" letter to your chosen "enemy". Go ahead and "blast" them, tell your enemy that you are not going to take their "crap" anymore. Be creative!

Then believe your letter. Don't let the enemy win!