“Do not quit. You see, the most constant state of an artist is…” (Great Work quote)
“Do not quit. You see, the most constant state of an artist is uncertainty. You must face confusion, self-questioning, dilemma. Only amateurs are confident … be prepared to live with the fear of failure all your art life.”
~ W. O. Mitchell, novellist
A mentor of mine once told me this:
When you’re swimming through the confusion, hold you breath as long as you can. Because the longer you can hold your breath and stay in the confusion, the greater the clarity when you finally pop up.
That’s so so SO much easier in theory than in practice. I’ve been swimming in that particular channel for the last couple of weeks, and the temptation to burst up and out and just say “enough! This is miserable!” is strong.
And that’s what I love about this quote. It reminds me that being confused, being uncertain is what going that the dip is all about. It’s a symptom of doing Great Work.
And it says don’t quit.
Stick with it, and if it’s all got a little overwhelming then perhaps this technique inspired by Leo will help.
- “You cannot create experience. You must undergo it” (Great Work quote)
- “Wanting it is easy, but trying to be great – well, that’s torturous” (Great Work quote)
- “Still, my mind chattered on as if…” (Great Work quote)
- “…uncertainty, confusion, error, and wild and fierce fanaticism” (Great Work quote)
- “You can’t get to Wonderful without…” (Great Work quote)
Michael, thank you for this today. It was heaven sent! As I struggle to be with my own stuff around being creative, I checked email (oh no, bad move) but this post sent me back to writing. Thank you my wise wonderful friend.
Michael,
You continue to reach so many parts of my brain and my being!
A link to this post was included with your e- this morning and I found these quotes resonated on so many levels. Strangely, a couple of months ago I did a blog post about writing in which I ended up comparing the process to swimming. I will add that I’m very near-sighted and sometimes end my laps with a conk to the head, though I did not say *that.*
If ok to mention, my brief effort, aimed at writers, can be found at http://thewriterscenter.blogspot.com/2010/01/member-appreciation-month-arlene.html ; did it for “Member’s Month” at the Bethesda Md. Writer’s Center.
And thank you, always.
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