Prompt Expansions

01. Some of my beliefs include that the world is ruled by chance and nothing is predetermined, that there is still time for me to live up to my potential even though I'm not there yet, that things can still get better, and that the best way to confront my feelings is to synthesize them into art. It's always a struggle to articulate my beliefs, as I can never seem to find words that fit. My beliefs aren't active thoughts; they're more similar to mental background noise. Writing them down is like putting silt through a sieve -- even if some particles get caught, most still get lost.

02. When I write, I'm standing on a dock cast-netting for words. Many slip through the netting, but as I toss out my thoughts again and again, I retain more and piece them together into something presentable. All that to say, my process is slow and tedious -- things don't fall into place as easily as they used to when I was younger. I attribute this to the brain fog that comes with my declining health over the years; my brain can't process things the way it used to, so I've had to adapt my methods to accommodate my changing abilities.

03. Anything can make a good story, as long as the base elements required to build it are present. Compelling characters, conflict or other stakes, moral and meaningful themes without preaching or pandering, and believability (or an invitation to suspend disbelief) are all crucial aspects of a good story's foundation. There are no hard-and-fast rules for storycrafting, though -- subversion of fundamental elements can be as compelling as playing them straight if done well. I'm very fond of unconventional storytelling, and I encourage works that indulge in metanarrative or experiment with the nature or limitations of the chosen media.

04. Authenticity refers to realness and honesty, as well as presenting something as it actually is without deception, obfuscation, or distortion. For something to be authentic, it must be shown in its entirety, blemishes and all. Even reproductions or homages can be authentic, as long as they're presented honestly.

05. Authenticity is crucial in today's world, where it can be challenging to know what is genuine and what is not at first glance. Knowing the reality of something and its authenticity can be a refreshing change -- and a necessary respite -- from today's climate of misinformation, subtle deception, and fabrication.

06. I often question my authenticity, as I've never been fully confident in my sense of self. I've always felt as though my identity is malleable, and it's always challenging to know if I'm being true to myself when I don't know how much of me is my "self" at all. This changing nature can be both troubling and freeing. I don't feel tethered to one concept of who I am, and I'm free to change whenever I see fit. However, people often view my changes as deceptive and interpret the versions of myself from the past as less real than who I am now.

Shitty First Drafts - Reading Response

01. When Lamott refers to "the fantasy of the uninitiated", she's speaking of the ideas that non-writers have about the writing process. Any work seems easier when you're not the one doing it, and writing is no exception -- non-writers often view writing as smooth sailing with continuous inspiration and little struggle, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

02. With something as fickle as the writing process, it can be challenging to put your full trust into it. Lamott speaks for many writers (myself included) who will always be wary of whether their process is actually working, and I envy those who can truly go with the flow in this regard.

03. Lamott posits that first drafts are more about the process than the final product, and I agree. The point of a first draft is to get everything down, no matter how nonsensical, so you can pick up the pieces and turn them into something you can work with.