Art is the process of making something for someone. That’s it, that’s all I know. What I know is that when you try to make a thing for everyone, it ends up being for no one, because who wants to unwrap a present to “everyone”? No one. We all want something unique, something special, something that feels like it was made just for us.
This is true of restaurants, of music, and certainly of books. It’s how most people make most decisions. They want something that isn’t objectively right but right for them.
Sure, it may be that everyone in your neighborhood is now driving a Tesla and Moleskine notebooks are no longer cool, but so long as you like whatever it is you use, that’s what matters. At least, to you.
But I think we forget this when we sit down to write, when we force ourselves to make music, to draw, to create. We want to reach down into the recesses of our souls and find something true, something bold, something real; and then we have the audacity to want others to like it! That’s a tall order.
Then again, making tall orders is what art, if it is about anything, is about. So when you sit or stand or go for a walk and decide to share something with the world, something big or small, something you’ve been working on for a very long time or perhaps something you just threw together—whenever you attempt to create and express—remember that your job is not to please everyone. It’s not to get the whole world to agree with you or even like you. Even the politicians can’t do that with their promises and slogans and baby kissing. So what hope do you, a mere mortal with your own limited perspective, have at pleasing everyone? None.
Your best bet is to create something for someone.
Try it, and see what happens.
Upcoming Classes & Resources for Writers
Speaking of something for someone, I’m doing two more writing circles in the new year. Spaces are limited for these, you get to write a group with a small cohort of collaborators and get my eyes on it for a reasonable price. When writers commit to this process, it’s magic. Details below.
January Writing Circle
This group is open to anyone and is ideal for those writing their first book or wanting/help finishing their next.
Price is one payment $500 or three monthly payments of $200. How it works is we meet once a month for two hours to offer feedback and coaching on your work-in-progress, whatever it might be.
Included with this program is access to a recording of both my big idea and structure classes, so you get off on the right foot.
In addition to three, two-hour live calls, we’ll check in via email weekly to update each other on our word counts, progress, and struggles. We will encourage one another, coach each other, and hold ourselves accountable.
It’s good fun.
Meeting dates:
January 23, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central time
February 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central time
March 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central time
February Writing Circle
Same as above, just starts a couple weeks later.
Meeting dates:
February 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time
March 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time
April 2, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central time
Spots are limited for these circles (a maximum of ten per group), and I won’t be doing any other group coaching at this time, so grab a spot if you’re interested.
Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions. I’ll be announcing a couple more live classes soon, as well, and maybe doing something fun for Black Friday (stay tuned).
Thanks and hope all is well in your world,
Jeff
P.S. What’s something you recently made for someone (not everyone)? Feel free to share in the comments.
Aww lovely messages for artists here. Thank you.
Something I made for someone: a co-worker was on his dying bed. I made a colouring card that said ‘I paused to think about you today’ … and stopped at different times to colour and whisper a prayer for him.
The morning I decided to take a photo and send to his phone was the morning he passed on. I don’t think he ever saw that card. But I made it just for him. I hope he had peace. That was what I was praying for him.