Treat Your Art As An Experiment
Art For Art's Sake: Part 9
All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Many of us artists don't make Art.
I have been that artist for a long time.
Call it fear, perfectionism, imposter syndrome or any other limiting beliefs. It stops us from doing precisely what we are supposed to do.
The underlying reason is that we won't do something unless we can guarantee that it'll turn out perfect and be a success.
That's not how Art works.
When I started regularly writing and posting my essays and short stories, I was nervous. I didn't want to look like an idiot. But I knew I had to put myself out there, no matter how I looked.
Earlier, whenever I would sit down to write, I would say - "I don't know what is happening here."
This negative dialogue wasn't helping me, so I changed it.
Now I say to myself - "Let's see what happens."
Within a week of this new thought process, I realised that I was experimenting.
I would write a post, share it with the world, and step back. I won't wait around - I will get back to work on the next post.
But, once a day, I would sit in the corner and see how you all are reacting to the published post.
And I would do so impersonally - no feelings attached. My worth is not tied to the result of my writing. I am a writer, no matter what.
Analysing your reactions, I would tweak my writing a bit here, a bit there. Then I would repeat the loop.
Write > Share > Step Back > Analyse > Repeat
That's how you do Art.
You get interested in a craft. You try it out. You get feedback. And then you get back to your workstation.
That's how you learn. And that's how you grow.
As William Blake once said, "The true method of knowledge is experiment."
Have you heard of the saying "Get out of your own way"? This is what that means.
Let yourself mess up. Let yourself stumble and fall. Let yourself look like an idiot.
If you stay cautious the whole time, you won't be living.
Experiment and have fun with your Art.
And see where it takes you.
More in the Art For Art’s Sake Series -
Your Job As A Writer Is To Write
To Build Your Writing Career, Start Small.
What Does It Mean To “Trust The Process?”
Consistency Will Help You Make A Breakthrough
You Must Stay Persistent With Your Creative Journey
Deliberate Practice Is The Key To Master The Craft Of Writing
Go Low, Slow And Steady. And You’ll Reach Your Writing Milestones Quicker.
Treat Your Art As An Experiment
If You Are Not Having Fun While Creating, You’re Doing It Wrong
Contrary To Popular Belief, Write For Yourself First
Comparison And Competition Will Hurt Your Writing
Rest Is Your Answer To A Productive Writing Session
Let Curiosity Lead Your Writing - And 2 Ways Of Doing It
You Need To Have Faith And Let Your Words Flow
Always Move On To Your Next Writing Project
Once You Choose To Become A Writer, You Are One For Life.
You Already Are A Writer. You Just Have To Identify As One To Yourself.
