what a lovely read! i am such a perfectionist when it comes to my work even though i'm not that good yet. it's counterintuitive! i have to be unafraid of publishing imperfect pieces in order to become a better writer. this was the reminder i needed. thank you!
This is helpful. Thank you for sharing Danny. I keep going back to edit the same pieces over and over again. And I have just started. I am a completely new writer. So this is good to know. These are good lessons to learn.
Danny, I just found your Substack and appreciation the points made in this piece. I haven't had a consistent writing practice until about a year ago, and at first, I second guessed every idea I had. Eventually I realized that the "perfect" idea rarely manifests and fuels you to finish a project, especially long-term ones. You just have to commit to a regular practice and know that the reps are part of it.
Funny that your teacher mentioned Bob Dylan's discography. My friends and I are listening to full discographies every few months, and we started with the Beatles. It's obviously insane how many S-tier songs they've put out, but I was shocked by how many (in my opinion, nobody kill me) D- and C-tier songs they wrote too. The only people that would hate on a mediocre piece of art, even when you've created genuinely good art as well, are people who have never created anything and put themselves out there. It's scary, and most of your stuff will be meh.
Hey Devon. Personally I love the Beatles but I'm aware that not all their stuff is great. If you end up writing about it, please let me know - I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I agree that the fear of putting out mediocre work holds a lot of artists back. If perfection is one of the requirements of your work, you'll never release anything. I used to fall victim to this mindset, so for my writing practice, I'm determined to post weekly and not to fall into the trap of trying too hard to perfect my work. Glad to hear you were able to commit to your practice too.
True about art (music, writing, painting, photography), presentations and lectures, conversations with people, sales and marketing, science and research, and pretty much everything I have ever done. Hell, it was actually true about dating. I went out with many women before I met the woman of my dreams!
what a lovely read! i am such a perfectionist when it comes to my work even though i'm not that good yet. it's counterintuitive! i have to be unafraid of publishing imperfect pieces in order to become a better writer. this was the reminder i needed. thank you!
Everything you wrote is so true and relatable. Especially being new here, this is a great reminder as I go about my day today. Great piece!
This is helpful. Thank you for sharing Danny. I keep going back to edit the same pieces over and over again. And I have just started. I am a completely new writer. So this is good to know. These are good lessons to learn.
Danny, I just found your Substack and appreciation the points made in this piece. I haven't had a consistent writing practice until about a year ago, and at first, I second guessed every idea I had. Eventually I realized that the "perfect" idea rarely manifests and fuels you to finish a project, especially long-term ones. You just have to commit to a regular practice and know that the reps are part of it.
Funny that your teacher mentioned Bob Dylan's discography. My friends and I are listening to full discographies every few months, and we started with the Beatles. It's obviously insane how many S-tier songs they've put out, but I was shocked by how many (in my opinion, nobody kill me) D- and C-tier songs they wrote too. The only people that would hate on a mediocre piece of art, even when you've created genuinely good art as well, are people who have never created anything and put themselves out there. It's scary, and most of your stuff will be meh.
Hey Devon. Personally I love the Beatles but I'm aware that not all their stuff is great. If you end up writing about it, please let me know - I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I agree that the fear of putting out mediocre work holds a lot of artists back. If perfection is one of the requirements of your work, you'll never release anything. I used to fall victim to this mindset, so for my writing practice, I'm determined to post weekly and not to fall into the trap of trying too hard to perfect my work. Glad to hear you were able to commit to your practice too.
I hadn’t even considered writing about the discography deep dive but it could be really fun!
You’re right. Inner critic could be fought. He always wants to cancel you, calling you an impostor.
Keep on going, goal is to improve.
—
(Scarabs)
You write your song, and sing.
And it is nice.
Then someone heard you, and decided rashly
Exhale a snicker and provide their “wise”
Advise
And condescendingly proceed to patronize
And suddenly — a wave of these emotions
That always hide just under armor, paper-thin,
Just under fragile skin,
That was supposed to shield you from weather
Of “critical” feedback that serves no purpose
Except of pleasing those that criticize.
The more we sing, the more the ones who don’t
Would find a way to let us know that maybe
What we create is useless or misshapen,
Or doesn’t rhyme, or banal, or obscene.
They want to see reaction, ruffled feathers,
Defensiveness, dramatic scene.
And yet we have to … simply sing.
Whatever happens, maybe let it happen.
Just take the hit and grin.
Begin.
Thank you Danny 👋
True about art (music, writing, painting, photography), presentations and lectures, conversations with people, sales and marketing, science and research, and pretty much everything I have ever done. Hell, it was actually true about dating. I went out with many women before I met the woman of my dreams!