Writing a new script
Oh, hi friends!
Do you need to hear what you’re saying through the voice of another person?
When I write a new song or script, no matter how many times I sing it in my head or recite the lines out loud, I never understand what it actually sounds like until someone takes it away from me. They interpret it, I hear it, see what can be fixed, and what’s improved by being filtered through someone new. Then I can keep going.
This strategy works too when you’re circling around the same debate: Quit or stay? Start this business or that one? Chinese or Italian for dinner? Usually the quickest solution is to say it out loud — to another person, or to your cat, or to a text thread — and ask, “What are your thoughts on this?” They might highlight an angle or solution you were missing.
They can also point out patterns you might not see.
I remember complaining many years ago about some freelance gig to a friend, wondering whether I should go back to a full-time job. And this friend said, But you always seem to be debating that idea of freelance versus full-time. What? I thought. I do?! They described a pattern I didn’t know existed (but which, in hindsight, was pretty obvious).
So if you’re circling or recycling thoughts, get some outside input. Some interpretation. Some reflection. Move forward.
JEFFREY BROWN: You wrote in the book that you're always asked, how do you keep working? And the subtext, you know, as you say, is, at your age. What's the answer? How do you keep working?
TWYLA THARP: Day by day, daily. Do it every day. It's what you do. I look at the past to see there what works and let go of what doesn't work, and build on what does work.
JB: In the meantime, the final piece of advice that you give all of us in this book is, shut up and dance.
TT: That's right, shut up and do what you love. And be grateful and keep doing it. And stop second-guessing it. “I’m getting old. I can't do what I love. Bullshit, in a word. It's going to change. That's all. It's not going to be the same. It's going to be different.
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Love this short, matter-of-fact interview with choreographer Twyla Tharp (thanks Shoshi for sending). Her book, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life is one of my favorites.
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
You can also support my work by checking out my motivational journal, Do It For Yourself, designed to guide you through your creative and work projects, and my upcoming journal Do It Today, which encourages you to find time for the things that matter most to you.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara