I occasionally receive emails and messages from Magpies seeking big-sister-type advice on pursuing a creative career — usually one in writing, blogging, or building a lifestyle business. If I could condense all my thoughts on the matter, it would be: just begin. Today. The timing will never be perfect, and life is never going to slow down to accommodate your ambition. You will never feel ready, and you will never have all the resources you think you need (time, money, technology know-how), but you will learn that those constraints, and the big swings you take while attempting to maneuver around them, are in fact an asset. They force you to focus ruthlessly on whatever you can do, and to make difficult trade-off decisions. But yes, just start. Today. Even with the kids coming home from school early, or the laundry piling up in the basket, or the hint of an incoming cold. (The best time to plant a tree was five years ago. The next best time is today.)
If you are determined to make it happen, you will find a way, and you should consider this your secret power. You will write in the carline. You will sketch in the margins. You will code using pocket change time. You will fail a lot. But the point is: you have to start; you can make it better later. The only way I know to shrink the gap between my ambition and my ability is by continuously working at it. In fact, there is no other way. I’ve never once heard of someone swooping in from outer space and inviting someone to publish a book with no previous writing under her belt. Remember: If it’s a calling, it will keep calling. If it’s not, you’ll know, because the call will gradually attenuate to a whisper, then a nothing.
If “just start” sounds a little churlish to you, let me provide some specific direction. I am anchoring these in the craft of writing, but I think they’ll apply to a lot of adjacent creative practices:
+Arrange a space and sequence of rituals that feel hospitable to writing. I find cues deeply helpful. I almost always write at my desk, with the same objects around me, after reading a little poetry. I prefer no overhead lights, noise-canceling headphones, and symphonic music, although sometimes I need full silence. Notice these things about yourself. Self-awareness is a key part in your development as a writer.
+Make a daily habit of putting pen to paper. Consistency over quality. Even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t feel like it. Inspiration will not always find you, but you can screw up enough discipline to eke out a paragraph. Keep prompts close by for those sticky days. I know some people like written prompts; I can usually get the juices flowing by skimming Pinterest or flipping through my notebook.
+Keep a notebook. Copy down interesting words or first light ideas.
+Do not under any circumstances worry about “your audience.” You must assume no one will read what you write for a very long time. I still write under the assumption my work will never been seen. This is partly shaped by the humility born of publishing for a very long time with next to no one reading my work, and partly self-serving, because thinking about an audience only interferes with my craft.
+Related: worry even less what other people in your space are doing. Comparison is a distraction from the craft, and can introduce troubling disingenuousness. Besides, why would you take directions from someone who has no idea where you’re headed?
+Write what you want to read.
+Seek a state of playfulness when you are creating. Do not redline too quickly. Follow the brush. There is a great John Cleese quote about this: “If you are going to be creative, you have to be in a state of play. You can’t play if you’re being careful. If you’re trying not to make mistakes, it destroys creativity completely.”
+Related: find the most low-stakes mediums you can when you are starting. For me, this is scrap paper or the WordPress editor. If I’m in MSWord, I feel like I’m writing in a tuxedo jacket. Your specifics may be different, but think about where you feel the least pressure to “be a writer.” (Is it your notes app on your iPhone? The back of a takeout menu? Etc.)
+Read as widely as possible. I attribute any improvements in my own writing to continuous practice and continuous reading.
+Publish early and often. Get into a routine of getting your work out there. You need to start somewhere, and your early work will likely not get too much attention anyway. Rip off the bandaid. Those early attempts will later be mile markers in your progress, and will demonstrate just how far you’ve come.
+Learn to reset quickly. Threw out a draft that took two weeks to craft? Onto the next. Agonizing over a bad review or a nasty comment? Dust yourself off. Writing is predicated upon resilience. Onward, onward, onward —
Post-Scripts.
+Three cleansing exercises to try.
Shopping Break.
+Love this easy-to-move-and-live-in everyday dress. On sale for under $100 in a past-season color here!
+I don’t know why these Rhoback shorts are on sale, but they are, and I’m ordering a pair. (P.S. This athletic dress has been a Magpie reader bestseller this week.). Another great golf dress option here.
+Apparently this is AYR’s bestselling product and I’ve never tried it! Has anyone tried? I do, however, love their denim. I’d start with these if you’re new to the brand. The best!
+These linen pants in the rainbow stripe!
+Kind of have a big crush on this sexy but simple scoopneck dress. Why did I see it and imagine myself morphing into Dakota Johnson while wearin git?
+OMG these toile shorts!
+Love the vision of this navy slip skirt with a tone-on-tone navy cardigan.
+I have a feeling Magpies are going to go crazy over this perfect striped shirtdress.
+Heirloom tomato room spray! This candle is one of my favorites for summer.
+Love the tie-waist detail on this striped shirt.
+Seriously cute scallop trim shorts for our girls.
+Charming wax seal set. I had to order!
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Everything about this is sheer gold. LOVE!
P.S. You inspired my last Substack essay!
Aw – yay! I’m so glad it resonated! xx