You've heard the expression "you have to kill your darlings," right? I think there's a lot of confusion about which darlings and how much killing should be involved. Originally, the saying was meant to help remove "precious" scenes. Anything that doesn't contribute, is "so beautiful" but wordy etc. should be ruthlessly removed by the hopeful … Continue reading Kill Your Darlings – Not Like That, You Murderer!
FYPM: A Poem
Today I woke up and checked the posts other people made on websites graphic designers created. Then I took my earthenware mug some other soul fired and a book another author wrote to the great outside, where I reveled in the plants someone else planted until it was time to go to the restaurant a … Continue reading FYPM: A Poem
Whistle While I Work
Okay, this is kind of a misnomer. I can't whistle. The closest I get is blowing raspberries, but I can tell from how people studiously ignore me that that has the opposite of the intended effect. But I do have music I listen to. I try to spice it up every now and then with … Continue reading Whistle While I Work
Making a Community: Inclusion Is Exclusion
So far, we've covered the micro and the macro aspects of community building. There's one more key element to communities, and that's defining who isn't in your community. This is probably the hardest part, and also the most important. People with good aims--creating strong communities, wanting a thriving business, whatever--tend not to also like being the … Continue reading Making a Community: Inclusion Is Exclusion
Making a Community: Plan Big
Last week I talked about how keeping your focus narrow and your interactions intimate help create a strong, robust community. Today, I'll talk about how to use this for big plans. Have Goals While the scope and attention should be laser focused on the fandom or experience that binds you all together, it's still important … Continue reading Making a Community: Plan Big
Making A Community: Thinking Small
I know nothing about starting a community, okay? An influencer I am not. But I do spend an inordinate amount of time reflecting on what makes a community and how we help them flourish. Over the next three weeks, I'll be talking about some reflections I have on what I think is important when cultivating … Continue reading Making A Community: Thinking Small
This Is Why I Should Read Shorter Books
I'll be honest, I spent all of this glorious day listening to books in a gentle breeze in my backyard. It was as wonderful as it sounds and so I'm playing hookie today. Back next week!
Ally Is A Verb
As Pride Month closes, I want to take one more minute to say that we see and love all of you. Something I've been chewing on lately is the difference between saying "all are welcome" and "I have made a place for you, specifically." I see the first one a lot. On social media you'll … Continue reading Ally Is A Verb
Suspensive
People don't like "nice" things. There are a jillion books, movies, songs and even a couple religions about this concept, and it seems like it's a pretty human constant that we're only happy when we know we may not stay happy. We are the reasons we can't have nice things. What can I say! We're … Continue reading Suspensive
Make Editing Fetch
I hope everyone had a good Father's Day. It can be a tough day for a lot of people, so I hope it was spent with people you love and who support your emotional health. One of the things my dad taught me how to do is to critique creative things in a manner that … Continue reading Make Editing Fetch
