Tag: creativity
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on being ghosted
Years ago, I met a prospective client, a renowned clothing designer, in her NYC studio. We discussed the book she wanted to write — her timeline, her goals, her hopes and fears. I thought we bonded… …and then she ghosted me. Weeks passed. I wondered: Was it something I said?I should NOT have worn that…
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on connecting the dots
My first night in Peru, I sat on my patio and opened a notebook to write. I’d come here to find peace. My life had been upended recently—a 6-year relationship ended; the house I’d wanted to buy had fallen through. The future I’d imagined had dissolved, and I felt lost and uncertain. Here, though, listening…
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on drawing a finish line
You live in Peru? You must be bilingual.” Well…sometimes. It depends on the day. On my mood. On the lighting. I used to think being bilingual was a finish line I would one day cross. But now I see it as more as a moving target. It’s more like being “happy” or “healthy.” Are you…
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mediocre jazz
The other day, I came upon some songs I’d recorded back in 2013. A couple I had written, some covers, some classical and some mediocre jazz.* I hadn’t thought about them in years. When I listened to them now…I was shocked. They’re WAY better than I remembered. At the time, I was 25 and living…
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the fear of starting
“It is not possible to make a mistake.” That’s what Mona tells John when he arrives on the island in Breakfast of Champions (the Kurt Vonnegut novel). It’s the customary greeting in her culture when meeting a shy person, she says. It’s also what I tell people who want to write, but are afraid to…
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how to write a book
In 2019, I decided to drive around the U.S. The plan didn’t start off that way. At first, I was just going to visit my sister in Atlanta. Then my brother in Mississippi, since it was only 4 hours away. Then, Why not New Orleans? Houston’s only a couple hours from there. Well if I’m…
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on taking feedback
Here are a couple things that will drive you bonkers when you’re writing your book: 🚫 Trying to please everyone 🚫 Bending over backwards to accommodate everyone’s suggestions 🚫 Trying to avoid even the smallest rejection The thing is… Trying to write everyone’s favorite book—and making every change that anyone suggests—will almost always result in…
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where do I start?
“I’ve always wanted to write a book,” a friend told me recently. “But where do you start?” I hear this all the time. Many people have ideas for a book—yet most never get written, because getting started is one of the hardest things to do, ever. I don’t have all the answers, but one strength…
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will anyone want to read what I write?
“Will anyone want to read my book?” “I don’t know how interesting my story is.” “I want to write my memoir, but I doubt anyone will want to read it.” Listen: I’m learning (or attempting to learn) Quechua. Last week, we learned that the word for “child” is gendered – but not according to the…
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how do you motivate yourself to write?
How do you motivate yourself to write? What do you do when you’re out of ideas? How do you keep going when inspiration has dried up? Making a schedule, having a deadline, setting goals for yourself – those can all be great ways to “stay regular” with writing. But that can result in flat, “obligatory”…
Kimberly Bunker, MFA 