I’ve been writing a lot recently. It’s going better than usual and here’s why: I’m not being precious. I don’t throw a parade when I’m happy with the work and I don’t fall on my sword when I’m not. I show up each morning and tell a story–sometimes it’s good and sometimes it isn’t.
My roommate is fond of saying, “personalize your work, but don’t make it personal.” Said another way: season your art with your experience, but don’t make it about you.
Art isn’t therapy and it isn’t confession. Art is a cocktail, one part work and one part play. Treat it as such.
joshua chamberlain 