Chris, congrats on the show — you know I’ll be there. I didn’t know that you did art photography. You’re absolutely right that I edit and re-edit, to the point where I delay or don’t finish a piece of writing because it’s not quite perfect yet. It’s “how one chooses to convey it that makes art beautiful” — well put. I love that people can go through the same event (like a wedding) and not only experience it differently, but capture it differently in their art and writing.

Also, I wasn’t counting you as one of the male Eat, Pray, Love fans (three was my best worldwide estimate), but I welcome you to the fan club.

Gill, isn’t it uncanny how similar our writing styles are to mom’s? Genetics are weird, but in this case I’m grateful for them.

Keetha, there must be a way for us all to be best friends with Elizabeth Gilbert. I heard her speak last year, and I’m sure I saw her look at me across the auditorium and mouth the words, “Call me!” But alas, I didn’t have her phone number.

Brilliant or nothing - that’s it! Exactly what so many creatives struggle against. Great post.

I, too, am enamored with Elizabeth Gilbert.

And I just re-read some of Mom’s John essays; they’re so beautiful. I remember constantly why we love to write.

I only recently have begun to overcome the oppressive clutches of self-editing. My beloved muse has inspired me to let go of tendency to over-analyze my own work and to see its uniqueness. She has inspired me so much that on March 1, I will be hanging some of my photographs for the first time in a gallery! (One Blu Wall in Fondren)

A lot of it has to do with finding value in what you do. My most major obstacle is thinking that the things I write or make or do aren’t worth someone else’s time. I see great photographs and think, “Mine aren’t that good.” But, it’s not always the case. Everyone has their own view of the world. It’s the uniqueness of that view and how one chooses to convey it that makes art beautiful.

I’m feeling such editing as I write this comment, and I’m sure, Melia, that you felt it as you were writing this post. It’s hard to quantify the things in your head, but it’s through the thoughts of others that truly learn about the world. So, thanks!

[c]

I have a hard time “showing up” to creativity for creativity’s sake. When I do design work, there are prompts like getting money, a deadline, and it’s natural for me to interpret conversations with clients into successful designs for them.

If I’m in a position to create something new, however, the blank page is something that’s daunting. I grew up reading and drawing comics and feel that academically I understand the art form now to go back and do something new. However, I always put it off for some opportunity, or some imagined time when I will have free time to sit with it instead of just jumping in and seeing what happens.

I’ve found that the biggest challenge is just plunging in and getting over the initial hurdle of years of inertia and regret. With writing, what helped me break through was 1) writing with kids, and 2) starting a blog.

1) I stumbled into leading an after-school creative writing club and would do the exercises I gave to the kids. It was liberating to share our writing, because the kids hadn’t yet developed the fear of not being good enough.

2) In Fall 07 I finally started a blog to inspire me to write more. It was free and easy to create, and no one had to grant me permission to publish. It took me a while to start writing regularly. Once I found what I loved to write about — education and personal development — and got feedback from readers, I felt more inspired to write. The best thing about a blog is that you can go back and make little editorial changes, or even delete a post, which takes away my fear of creating something flawed that becomes fixed in stone.

If anyone’s interested in starting a blog, you can do it now for free. I recommend http://www.wordpress.com or http://www.blogger.com.