Seinfeld’s writing advice for right now
Oh, hi friends!!
There are a lot of things that might not be going so great right now. We could make long lists! We could think about them all day!
But I wanted to appreciate — for a moment — what you’re doing well.
Over here, we’re still cooking every night — a previously unimaginable feat. I know people who are taking online acting classes or committing to an Masterclass. (I’ve heard good things about the David Sedaris one!)
Many are helping out their families or their communities. You might be enjoying time with your kids or leading your team through Zoom.
Everything might feel hard, but maybe, I dunno, you’re flossing twice a week.
You might be dropping some balls. But you’re still holding a few.
Appreciate what you’re doing well.
“I still have a writing session every day. It’s another thing that organizes your mind. The coffee goes here. The pad goes here. The notes go here. My writing technique is just: You can’t do anything else. You don’t have to write, but you can’t do anything else. The writing is such an ordeal. That sustains me.”
Thanks to Brass Ring reader Bill D. for bringing this new interview with Jerry Seinfeld to my attention.
“You can’t do anything else” is a good and simple trick.
I found this new song “Sanctuary” by Jason Robert Brown to be very moving. (h/t Ruth Samuelson)
I am searching for sanctuary
Will you shelter me?
Will you shelter me?
I am searching for sanctuary
Will you shelter me?
Will you shelter me?
I am writing your name in the air
Can you see me?
Can you see me?
I am writing for sanctuary
Will you shelter me?
Will you shelter me?
PS — If you'd like some low-pressure accountability in the morning, please join me and my brother Eric for the 10:11 Club — every weekday at 10:11am ET, we're starting our day together and working toward one goal until noon. Join us anytime with #1011club on Instagram or hit reply and share what you'll be working on!
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara