Image by Réme Walle

I’m not in love with writing. I’m just for some reason compelled to write. So I’ll follow it, see where it goes.

Welcome to the Editor’s Journal; A daily thought on writing, the creative process, art, work, the world and how it all goes together. Every morning I rise between 5 and 6 am, I sit here in the quiet of my kitchen and I write whatever’s prominent. I have a bunch of article ideas saved, so I’ll either pull from them or write something new. I also write at larrygmaguire.com. I hope you enjoy the read.

Sitting down to write a story or article can be a challenge, especially when I’ve not taken the time to browse my own mind without pressure of other things.

It’s like when I wrote on Saturday about embracing the solitude. When I’ve no responsibilities there seems to be a greater access to something that I can not say what it is.

When I’m caught up in other things I’m blank.

006 - Embracing The Solitude
The peace of creating in the quiet and the contrast of the noisy world.medium.com

Like this morning.

I’m blank, so the only thing I can write about is being blank and see if by doing so I can come out of that and into something else.

Do I have to have something to say?

Can I not just as simply say fuck all?

Where is the pressure coming from to say something worthwhile?

Well it’s coming from my own mind of course. My ego self says I’ve got to deliver, follow through on my commitment to myself. After all it is to myself.

All commitments are to ourselves. Nobody else really exists. The entire thing is me talking to me.

And that’s fine, I don’t have a problem with that, it’s what I want. To develop the habit of sitting here every day, even if it’s not at 05:30 in the morning, and write.

Making A Connection

Even if what I write is shit, it doesn’t matter. For all the shit there’s bound to be one good piece that actually connects with someone.

When something I’ve written connects with someone then that’s my job done. Even if it’s only one set of eyeballs then that’s what I’m after.

I’m writing regularly on Medium for probably 2 months now and the conversation has extended to email with several readers.

Some people really making a connection with what I have written and although it has been small, it’s no less significant.

What struck me about the significance of only a single connection made, is an article I read recently by the prolific Gary Vaynerchuk.

Why I Vlog Everyday!
A lot of people have been asking me lately why the vlog is so similar? They tell me it’s the same thing over and over…medium.com

I’m not a follow-this-guy-all-around-the-place type of person. I have respect for what influential people are doing but I don’t idolise anyone. And that is so with Vaynerchuk, he has enough devotees anyway.

But I liked what he had to say here and it gave me some support to the idea that I don’t need tons of responses or feedback from the world, at least not yet. I’m happy that I’m building momentum for something bigger.

I’m also building a back catalogue that my kids and others can browse after I’m gone, and that’s a big deal.

It’s a big deal because now that I’m 43 and my father and mother are in their 70’s I have an understanding that I don’t really know them. Now, that’s something I intend to address with their buy in of course.

Their story is fascinating and tragic, even given the little that I know of it, and it needs to be heard.

Do you write? Do you draw?

Every piece you create you leave a breadcrumb behind that others coming after can follow. It’s an intriguing way of looking at the things we create and this entire creative process.

Bottom line is I’m making stuff for the sake of it. I don’t know why yet, I’m just compelled to write stuff down.

Back to the start of this article…

I guess something filtered it’s way through my consciousness...

The Artist’s Manifesto is a short book about staying true to our art. It is a call to Artists and Creatives like you to create from the heart with passion and integrity, disregarding the need for applause and recognition. It’s available from 13th May 2017. Grab your FREE copy here.

Like Some More of This Kind of Thing?

Howdy, I’m Larry, Writer & Artist. Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff. I write about art & creativity. When I’m not doing that I write short stories about the ordinary lives of people and the challenges they face. My stuff can be edgy, hard hitting, and sometimes controversial, but never contrived. If that’s your bag you can Sign-up To Sunday Letters Here.