Purposeful Accident & The Return of Weekly Letters
Edition 003
“Close-up of pieces of wooden type” by Raphael Schaller on Unsplash
Edition 003
Good day fellow creative people, It’s Larry from Storymaker.
Today announces the return of Storymaker Weekly Letters. It’s been a while since you last had a mail from me, some of you have had none at all in fact.
So, Storymaker is back and here’s the deal…
When I started Storymaker it was a bit of an experiment, much like everything I make if I’m honest.
In that, there was no real direction, just an intent to make something and see where it went. The possible result of which could be attributed to an idea I like known as Purposeful Accident.
Purposeful Accident
The concept of Purposeful Accident suggests that as creative people we should simply set out with the intent of making something we are inspired to. If something good come of that purposeful intent then happy days. If nothing comes of it then no harm done.
No plan, no win and no loss.
That is the creative state which brings forth magic. Or not. Whatever the result we are not caught up in it. Success or failure doesn’t exist in this state of creative mind and we are free to create in the moment of now without any preconditions.
If you are a creative person then you already know that the most beautiful things come about from a place of inspired action. Therefore your job and mine is merely to get in that place and make from there.
Purposeful Accident comes about by virtue of a psychic disconnection from the world of things and people and a connection with all that we are. It is that which comes as a result of an unobstructed connection with our true self right here and now.
No past, no future, only the creative present.
So why am I sharing this?
I see this principle as vital to the creative process and I want to share the idea with as many people as possible. In addition, I’m tired of the same old hyperbole designed to evoke a response from me and you, to get clicks, to sell something first.
Most content online I feel has lost the plot and lacks creative integrity. There are genuine sources of course, but they are in the minority I feel.
I want to be involved with people who are making stuff that matters and I want the Storymaker publication to reflect this.
The concept of Purposeful Accident is nothing new per se, but many of us are trained by the machine to think it is the modus operandi of the lazy and purposeless.
They say that you and I need a plan.
They say; fail to plan, plan to fail.
They say to be a worthy contributing part of this society you need to be ambitious and set your sights on commercial success. And almost every article you will find on this subject will attempt to highlight the apparent fact that you’ve spent your life failing.
But fear not! They have the answer you were looking for!
Here they come with their 1500 words to save your useless and underperforming life.
Well, I don’t know about you but I’ve had enough of that negative reinforcing rubbish and I regard the Storymaker publication as the antithesis to all of that.
And I want you to join me.
Yeah sure, I’ve considered writing for those publications you’re thinking of. But you know what, I just can’t do it.
Despite the draw to blend in with that tired old rhetoric and produce similar save-your-life articles, I have decided against it - wholeheartedly.
I will write for no one else.
The Storymaker Publication will receive 100% of my Medium directed energies and I’d like to to get on board too.
What You Can Look Forward To
I’m kicking the Storymaker publication and the Weekly Letters newsletter off again and so, here’s a little breakdown of what you can look forward to.
Each week I’ll offer you a short article plus links to content from others around the web, on Medium and of course to your stuff on Storymaker.
If you’d like to be included in the Weekly Letters going out to all subscribers then all you have to do is post a new piece of content that particular week.
All the info on how to contribute is right here
Recommended Reading - A book or two you might like to check out.
Poetry - from other publications and individual writers
Short Story - from other publications and individual writers
The Business of Creativity - Articles on marketing your work
Podcasts - Links to podcast episodes I’ve listened to this week
When Will Weekly Letters Go Out?
The Storymaker Weekly Letters will go out every Friday evening UTC (+1 in Summertime).
Make A Contribution
I’m actively seeking writers to contribute to the focus on genuine content written, not to save anyone from themselves or anyone else, but to offer something real, of substance and of creative integrity.
If you are making something from the heart and with passion then I’d love to hear from you. Find out more & contribute here.
Like to make a suggestion?
Shoot me a mail: larry@larrygmaguire.com