Today I was having a conversation with my favorite playwright (she works with me at ye ol’ agency) and in our discussion about how much we love writing, she alighted upon the fact that the best part about it is that you don’t need anyone else to write. This thought struck me like a thunder bolt – its so obvious but its something that I’ve managed to forget this year. As I thought about it more, I began thinking about how Murakimi said writing is like running. A solitary exercise and when its done properly you are only competing against yourself. Sure there will always be other writers that you’ll compare yourself to, go to for inspiration, or admire, but really the one you should trying to beat more than anyone else is your own self.
That said I’m still working on taking Murakimi’s advice. Often times I look at my own portfolio and I wonder what I can do to make it better. What should be taken out or put in? I’ve long known that it is this act of constant revision that has me enamored with advertising – when it comes to selling yourself the job is never done. A portfolio is a creative beast with its own pulse and it is made up of what best represents you NOW. I love that ultimately your portfolio reflects how you change and grow over a lifetime in one field much like an authors collection of works. Even in one year the growth is immense.
This morning on the train I found myself reflecting on the words that I have written this year. The vast majority have not been written in the pages of my journal or in the confines of short stories but rather have been for work in the format of scripts, taglines and headlines – most of which have been killed. But again, it is that act of constant revision and striving to be better that has kept me going this year. And, as I look forward to next year I know that it is those personal writing projects that have fallen by the wayside that will also need my attention and constant revision. Because as I’ve learned this year a writer doesn’t much done outside of work without the self-discipline of a runner.
December 22, 2008
December 19, 2008
December 18, 2008
writing 12.18.08
Ten things I’m doing at work right now:
1. Listening to a mix I made for someone near and dear.
2. Tapping my foot to the beat…this apparently drives my coworkers batty but despite my repeated efforts to stop my keyboard doesn’t dance without my foot moving. Le sigh.
3. Looking over headlines that I wrote for a pitch and wondering if they can be salvaged for my portfolio
4. Saying goodbye to my boss for the rest of 2008
5. Daydreaming about drawing this weekend
6. Recalling the conversation I had with my mentor this morning and hoping that things go as we planned.
7. Resisting the urge to get a second cup of coffee
8. Thinking about all the concepting I should be doing instead of writing this little entry
9. Talking with my oldest friend on iChat…she’s in Michigan and I miss her. I wish we were on a run together instead of sitting in offices in different states.
10. Counting down the hours until the boozing and schmoozing commences at the holiday party
Ok back to the writing for realsies...
1. Listening to a mix I made for someone near and dear.
2. Tapping my foot to the beat…this apparently drives my coworkers batty but despite my repeated efforts to stop my keyboard doesn’t dance without my foot moving. Le sigh.
3. Looking over headlines that I wrote for a pitch and wondering if they can be salvaged for my portfolio
4. Saying goodbye to my boss for the rest of 2008
5. Daydreaming about drawing this weekend
6. Recalling the conversation I had with my mentor this morning and hoping that things go as we planned.
7. Resisting the urge to get a second cup of coffee
8. Thinking about all the concepting I should be doing instead of writing this little entry
9. Talking with my oldest friend on iChat…she’s in Michigan and I miss her. I wish we were on a run together instead of sitting in offices in different states.
10. Counting down the hours until the boozing and schmoozing commences at the holiday party
Ok back to the writing for realsies...
December 17, 2008
December 15, 2008
writing 10.15.08
Sometimes, being me is like the best thing I could ever wish for. Today my electronic-musically savvy friend, Peter, sent me Amiina. You know the former Icelandic backup band to Sigur Ros that I’ve been dying to get but keep forgetting about every time I go to the record store? Yes, you forgot about them too? Good. Well not good but I’m glad I'm not alone in my forgetfulness…but my god YES. My ears are all kinds of happy, new music to write to, yes please. I’m over here doing the happy dance in my chair which looks something like swan lake meets hipster and nothing at all like this fabulous video.
Virtual high five to a Happy Monday!
Virtual high five to a Happy Monday!
December 5, 2008
writing 12.5.08
Happy Friday! The past few days have been quiet, quiet, quiet up in these parts due to the incessant clacking at my keyboard and impending deadlines. My agency is pitching new business and with that comes great opportunity, a chance to work on something new (!) and late nights trying to stitch together the perfect words…essentially its my type of geeky fun.
That said, its Friday (dance a little jig in your swivel chair) and with that comes a haiku I wrote on the train last night.
Keyboard happy hands
Tap to the rad beats at night
Making words for you
Pictures are back on Monday, for realsies.
That said, its Friday (dance a little jig in your swivel chair) and with that comes a haiku I wrote on the train last night.
Keyboard happy hands
Tap to the rad beats at night
Making words for you
Pictures are back on Monday, for realsies.
December 2, 2008
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