The blank page. Where every project and creative endeavor starts. A symbol of hope, endless possibilities, and abject terror.
I felt all those things when I sat down in front of the computer this week to start my third novel. After spending the past few months casually noodling an idea for a murder mystery set in JFK’s Terminal 4, I decided it was time to get to work.
Writing is my hobby. But the only way to truly tackle any new creative project – be it a book, learning a skill or crafting an idea for a new product or process – is to approach it like a job. Show up every day and do the work. Whether you feel like it or not. Whether you have your A-game or not. In the words of Stephen Pressfield, treat it like a professional.
Loyalty is about accountability. It’s in very short supply these days in our professional lives. But there’s no excuse for not staying loyal to ourselves.
One way to do that is to talk about your project. It’s hard to duck the work when you know people will ask how it’s going. That’s the reason for this post and the other updates I plan to share along the way.
Writing is a solitary pursuit, but it’s also proven to be an incredible way to connect with other people. I’m pumped to engage again with the small group of early readers who generously take time to read early drafts and share honest and constructive feedback. Not to mention the unexpected connections that pop up along the way. I think this happens with any creative act. When you share something with the world, the world responds.
I’ve never tried to write a murder mystery before. Will it be any good? I don’t know, honestly. But that’s the wrong question to ask. The question we need to ask ourselves is do we care enough to try. Are we going to choose fear over hope and possibility?
Don’t be afraid of the blank page.