Personal Philosophy: Priorities

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      No series on personal philosophies would be complete without a look at priorities. Priorities help you get on track, stay on track, and even find the track in the first place. Your priorities reflect both your ideal and your actual creative life-style. Your choices affect both long-term and short-term creativity, productivity, and stamina (some would add sanity to this list).

Sleep may hurt short-term productivity but definitely helps with stamina and creativity in both the short-term and long-term.

Exercise helps with energy for creativity and productivity.

Length of writing session. I am guilty of long writing stints. Only recently have I been learning that breaks actually help long-term productivity and stamina. But I find I go further with my creativity when I set aside long blocks of time. On the other hand, many long sessions hasten burn-out which hurts you in the long-term.

Frequency of writing sessions. Writing more often definitely is a plus for creativity and productivity.

Rest of your life. I'm really bad at this but it is excellent for long-term stamina and creativity. And when you make a point of taking quality time for your family, they are more willing to accommodate your writing schedule.

      What would you add to this list of priorities?

Personal Philosophy: Critics and Critiques

Angry? No... tired! (Photo credit: Sébastien Barillot)

      This isn't a how-to for how to deal with criticism. It's about identifying your personal philosophy about them. Love them, hate them, fear them, avoid them. But why? And what are your ideal critic and ideal critique?

      Let's start at the end. What is your ideal critique? I would love for someone to some day call my book “a high fantasy for all ages … has major elements of adventure mystery and love”. Knowing this about myself, I try to write these elements into my story.

      You may not have thought about an ideal critic. But critics are not a single species. They are readers, so your ideal critic is probably going to be a lot like your ideal reader. Write for one and you may already be writing for the other. Personally, I see a critic as a reader who has a voice with other readers. So, to me, a critic is no more scary than any other reader. I see a particular critic as only being representative of a certain type of reader. Thinking about critics – who they represent, the power they wield (and why) – is intimately tied to how you see your readers.

      How do you play with critics? Do you avoid them or invite them in? Even more important is why. Many times this is a reflection of how you see your own worth and/or the worth of your book. Some people look to themselves for this while some people look to others. Most people are in between. Other people see a critic or critique as a challenge to be met by their work or by themselves. These people might go seeking feedback.

      Also important is whether or not you like the way you deal with positive and negative criticism. Once you know why you act the way you do, it is of course possible to change. But I digress. For the purposes of learning your personal writing philosophy, it is enough to know how you respond, why you respond, and possibly to set goals to change. A personal philosophy is, by its very nature, evaluative and contemplative so if you see room for improvement why not set goals to change?

Personal Philosophy: What It All Means

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      What makes any book great? Great plots, characters, settings, and world immediately come to mind. So does a narrative style that pulls the reader into these and leaves the “real” world behind. But all that is common advice, not necessarily personal philosophy. What's really important is what “great” means to you.

      Great can mean what makes a book wonderful and first-rate. The (possibly)
bad news is that greatness is subjective. The good news is that your criteria for greatness are probably shared by your your reader. 

      Technique is important, but I also care about scope.

      I care about the purpose of the book, the underlying meaning or
message. This sounds suspiciously like theme but can also be seen as
the book's perspective or assumptions. I really, really love books
where hard work leads to success, where good wins out, where people
find true love. Whether the book argues for the existence of these
things or simply assumes them, I find that almost “great book”
has these elements. Find your own criteria of greatness
and incorporate them into your personal writing philosophy.

      I also care about the room in a book for exploration of ideas and
perspectives, as well as exploration of the world (which almost
necessarily plays into the first two types of exploration). This may
or may not be important to you and your ideal reader. But it a
potential that books have and may be something that you find in a
“great book”. Exploration is very different than statements or
assumptions. While the first can satisfy a sense of 'rightness”,
the second can promote openness and flexibility of thought. I think
it promotes creative thinking and personal involvement in a book. So
it is part of my writing philosophy.

      In a less abstract sense, scope can also be the length or extent of the
work. I happen to most enjoy books that bring me back to (and expand
on) a world. I prefer series of series over stand-alones. You may be
just the opposite. You can see how knowing this informs how you
design the scope of your work. My belief that series allow for more
exploration of character, plot, theme, and world – and the value
that I place on these elements – predisposes me towards series.

      In fantasy and in romance, I look for length, “what we wish might be”,
“a truer version of reality”, a complex universe, and “the
world as it should be” (excerpts from my own lists). These are
things that I think I always unconsciously looked for in the books
that I read. When I became conscious of this, I was able to
incorporate them into my own stories. I quickly found that my stories
gave me more satisfaction – and when they seemed lacking I knew what
to check (aside the obvious).

      What does this all mean? To me, a book needs technique but it also needs
“greatness” or scope. And scope comes in many flavors. Because
of space limits I touched on only a few the elements that I think
make a book not merely good but great. What do you believe makes a
book great?

Personal Philosophy: Topics and Themes

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Part of the appeal of writing is the opportunity to write whatever you want. That's the theory, anyway. (The drawback is that you don't get to write however you want.) Many writers actively look for inspiration from the outside world in the form of news articles, overheard conversations, and research. But these strategies are grounded in and filtered through your personal interests, values, beliefs.

Interests → Story You write what you know and you probably know (or are working to know) a lot about what interests you. The facts and suppositions about what you learn fuel your characters, plots, and settings. By knowing your interests, you can more efficiently focus your intelligence-gathering efforts.

Values → Theme. Your values influence how you think about almost anything that catches your eye. Is it good or evil? Was the decision fair or unjust? Did she get what she deserved? All of these assessments are fodder for themes and plots.

Beliefs → Conflict. Your values are judgements made based on your beliefs. Conflict most often happens when beliefs clash.

Personal Philosophy: Why This Genre?

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Outsiders tend to group “writers” in one big pack. But there are many types of writers. But writers are selective in what they write – usually just a few forms. Knowing your reasons for writing these genres and styles can help you keep going or know when it is time to change.

 

Define your genre(s). You might have thought a lot about what genre(s) you would write in and whether you should branch out or cross genre lines. Or maybe the decision was obvious to you. Either way, you reached your decision in part because of how you defined that genre. Not the market definition – your definition. A definition provides important guidelines for your writing. For instance, I believe fantasy is the literature of ethics, is a truer version of reality and also what our minds “wish might be”.

 

Identify its potential. How you define your genre gives some insight into its appeal but also consider what you want to do with your genre. I love the familiar-yet-strange characters, settings, and world-building of fantasy (a standard). I enjoy innovative use of myth (an option). And I like use my genre as an expansion of reality. Within your genre, what possibilities excite you?

What you give. There's a lot of books out there so know the qualities you can bring to the table. This can be as simple as a love of writing but originality helps. What makes you special? There are hints to this in the last two sections. We'll explore it from another angle later by looking at what you want readers and critics say about your works.

These truths are at the core of why you write what you write. They give you direction, ideas, and affirmation. They also pinpoint your personal writing interests. Sometimes these interests change. For instance, perhaps your concept of the genre evolves. This changes your idea of its potential which in turn might affect your perception of what you can give.

Or you stretch your abilities and you feel another genre has more potential. Or maybe you see the potentials for your current genre as drying up as the genre evolves. If you stay aware of your beliefs, you will know why you are uneasy or unsatisfied. Know yourself and you'll know when it is time to consider a change (or expansion) in genres – and why.

Personal Philosophy: Ideas and Ideals

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Your writing philosophy is more than a statement. It is a collection of personal truths and beliefs. Some are about your writing – why you write in a particular genre or genres, what topics and themes you want to address, and what you want your story world to be like. Part of your philosophy should concern your readers – what you want them to say about your books and what sort of relationship you want to have with them. And part of your writing philosophy is about yourself as a writer – your priorities, your conduct, and your lifestyle. We'll look at these issues over the next several days.

Even if you already have a writing philosophy, it is worth your time to examine it again. Over time, you change, your writing changes, and your life changes. This means your writing philosophy may need to change too.

If you do not have a concrete writing philosophy, there are several benefits to having one. First, you will know where you are headed and why. Second, a record of your writing philosophy gives you something to go back to when you are feeling underwhelmed, overwhelmed, or simply not motivated. Finally, it gives you a way to explain to yourself and others why you write – what you give and what you get.

Over the next few days, I'll give you ideas to think about but no template. This is intentional. A writing philosophy is unique to each writer. Not only are your ideas about your writing unique, your way of expressing your philosophy may be unique as well. A poem, a collage, a certificate, a list? There are many ways to record your resolve.

Writing Is Like Love

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Sometimes writing gives me the greatest feeling in the world. Everything makes sense, anything is possible. Looking at your WIP is like looking in a mirror that clearly reflects your intentions. Writing is effortless and time flies by. You are happy and energized. The world is a wonderful place. These feelings are very like the best moments of love, when everything is “right”.

Love answers some deeply personal needs. Why do you write? Probably because it fills other (or some of the same) needs. I write to express myself, to communicate, to think things through to the end, to create something. These needs may not be necessary for basic survival the way food and water are. But writing provides an outlet and a means for personal completion. Writing is my tether to other people. To keep it, I make a commitment to stay with it when things get tough.

How do you feel when life grows difficult? Sometimes writing is an effort, a struggle, a pain, and an inconvenience. Loving relationships can be that way, too. You write anyway. You write because you know the bad times can be overcome or endured. Writing helps you overcome or endure. It is your tether, your life-line, your reminder. You honor your commitment.

Like love, writing contains good and bad. Most people's relationships with writing start shallow but deepen with time – if they keep at it. I think everyone starts with an idealized view of writing. Time shows other sides. Every person reaches a point of decision: to commit or not commit. There are many types of commitment: the two-timer, the flirt, the steady. And the level of commitment can change with time. The nature of your relationship with writing changes with time. You change and your writing changes with you. Maybe you go separate ways. Maybe you live happily ever after.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

I said previously that I liked the Tao te Ching.
I was just thinking the other day that writers walk the fine line of being in a highly competitive market and being part of a very supportive community. The way out is to not compete with others but be the best you that you can be. Your uniqueness, professionalism, and attitude will become your selling points and also reasons for respect. Ideally.

Fight On!

English: abstract art 42x54in ,oil on canves-olej na plutnie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“To be nobody but
yourself in a world
which is doing its best day and night to make you like
everybody else means to fight the hardest battle
which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.”
― E.E. Cummings

    I decided I needed to know my "self" recently when I was having trouble articulating what it was I wanted to improve about myself and why it was important.

    I think the challenge requires that you first think about who your "self" is. Listening to music is great for this. But if you do choose to think about who you are at the core, decisions become easier and you can trust yourself more when things change.

    The next step, of course, is making sure that our self-perceptions are actuality (that we live them) rather than talk. There were some things I believed about myself and said but I was living something different. That is what I had to come to realize and then decide which reality I wanted. I wanted the new reality and decided to take further steps to make it real in my private, public, and professional lives.

The Kissing Mants Philosophy

The Whirlpool Galaxy (Spiral Galaxy M51, NGC 5194) is a classic spiral galaxy located in the Canes Venatici constellation. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I looked at space pictures the other day and saw a picture of a galaxy. I've seen similar pictures many times but yesterday I researched the praying mantis for my book and the two images came together.

 Part of the magic of writing is when two unalike 'stuffs' come together in a new way. This is part of the art in what sometimes seems (in dark moments) nothing more than a formula. But the same can be said for galaxies, right? 

Kissing Mantis

The kissing mantis waits in spreading dark

To take my hand and provide wings of a dream

So I might never turn and see in her mark

My darkened shadow self’s fading gleam

And as I sweep the seas in a stellar monsoon

I spy a long-tressed lady in the starry brine

Smooth strokes of light shape a lonely moon

Who casts her child among the stars to pine

And the watery land below us torridly turns,

Waking and dreaming, caught in shadowed force

The veins of a turning galaxy that glisten

And the curved arms of the mantis keep the

course

How to Develop a Personal Philosophy

Originally Posted: March 19, 2008 by lesliesrussell in Lifehack, Notes

What is it?

A personal philosophy is a written document detailing your ideas on how the world works–the big stuff and the small stuff and everything in between. A personal philosophy is a fluid thing your personal philosophy will change and grow as you change and grow.

Why do I need it?

• You already have one you just don’t know it.
• Having a written philosophy gives you a firm foundation upon which to base decisions and opinions.
• Writing it down exposes flaws or virtues allowing you to correct or embrace them as need be.

How do I do it?

1. Start with the phrase “I believe:”
2. Make a list of things you believe, hold true, or find self-evident.

FAQ

• Do I need to study philosophy?

No. But it really can’t hurt can it? You may find something with which you agree or find a better way to say something you already believe.

• Do I have to share it with others?

No. But being able to defend your philosophy will strengthen it.

• What if I believe something embarassing or wrong?

Then maybe you are wrong, but maybe the world is wrong. You won’t know which until you share it with others and are forced to defend it.

• How long will it take?

The rest of your life.

The Tao of Writing

According to legends, Laozi leaves China on his water buffalo. Renard, (2002), p. 16 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A personal confession. I love the Tao te Ching, by Lao Tzu. It isn't just about the abstract 'life', it is about life. As in learning, walking, martial arts, music, and writing. Yes, writing. Here are four examples of what I am talking about, pulled nearly at random.

1. “Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”
   One interpretation: Do you have the patience to wait to write until the clutter of your thoughts settle and your mind is clear?
   Another interpretation: Do you have the patience to not write a project until the ideas settle and the story and characters are clear?
2. “The wise man is one who, knows, what he does not know.”
   One interpretation: Your knowledge of personal and technical strengths and weaknesses comes partly from yourself but also partly from the feedback from others. Even then, it is incomplete.
   Another interpretation: apply this to research
3. “He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty"
   One interpretation: A good writer tries to write better than other writers, a great writer tries to write better than herself.
   Another interpretation:
4. “When people see some things as beautiful,
   other things become ugly.
   When people see some things as good,
   other things become bad.”
   One interpretation: Writers create protagonists and antagonists. The writer guides the reader in the perceptions of good and bad in people.
   Another interpretation: Writers write about values – what is beautiful, what is ugly. Some writers like to make the to make the boundary clear, others choose to blur the line. We have a responsibility to think about the messages we send because we send these messages to readers.