Thank you for sharing. I just posted an episode of my serialized novel, which hasn't gained much traction so far. But last night, as I spent hours in post-production of the voice-over of the text, I was struck by the beauty of what I was doing. I could have published it as is without taking out all the little mouth noises and say to myself, "it's good enough." No, that's not good enough. I want to give the listener an audio text of the highest quality I can. Regardless of how many views I get, when I click on the audio and hear my voice read my words out loud, I feel the beauty of making art. That's good enough for me.
I love this, Brian, what you wrote. It IS beautiful, I agree, the feeling from making the best art we can. To me, that’s what it’s about and not competing with others, or the number of “likes” or recognition, and though those feel good, too, they’re secondary. Could you post a link to your page so I, we all, can have a look, too, like Shannan?
#1 really resonates -- Because you are a little god every time you make something that didn’t exist before
ALSO: #10 -- Because what feeds the spirit was never meant to feed the machine.
Thanking you! I've not been posting because I was starting to feel like, what's the point. I've had it all wrong. I'll do my own thing. If others respond, wonderful. Until then, I want to fly!
thank you, Shannan--how you have this gift in your writing of understanding every deep pocket of artistic hurt or fear or disappointment I have and filling it with love and compassion and inspiration. i I wish every artists could read this piece, especially in these extra-vulnerable times. I will turn to this post often. So grateful for you.
This is beautiful. Every sentence is jewelry-crafted, every piece of advice points to a deeper wisdom that becomes obvious if you pay attention. This is the one online piece I’ve read in a long time about writing I could read every day and not grow weary of. From my perspective, it’s all true. And it’s all crucial. I’d love permission to take a PDF of this to share with my students when I warn them about surrendering their voices to the ease and erasing of having AI take over what they have to say. This posting isn’t just a life raft for people wondering if the effort and dreams are worth it. It’s a humble yacht that can carry them where they want to go. And that’s wonderful whether or not we get the acceptance we crave. I always remember that Emily Dickinson and Van Gogh died certain they were failures at making their art matter. We know better. Read this over until it’s tattooed in your mind. Thank you, Shannan.
This post and your reply Richard bring to mind a quote I wrote down months ago that resonated profoundly with me, "Art Destroys Silence," by Dmitri Shostakovich and this beautiful quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." Live on all you wonderful creators of art! The world does thank us with a silent nod!
Oh gosh, you're so kind Richard -- of COURSE you can take a PDF and do as you like!! I'm so humbled and honored and just plain happy to read this. Thank you also for being such a kind reader across the various things I do.
Somewhere earlier someone posted, go do something daring and beautiful. I jokingly commented, But what about my rut?! And posted a meme with Zombies that said, the only thing I am afraid of with becoming a zombie is all the walking. But then I read your post. I totally relate to it. I don't know if any of my posts would qualify as art but you're welcome to check out memes if you want a diversion. Thank you, Shannon.
Yes!!! Thanks So Much, Shannan, for this very uplifting article! Making art is such a gift and so crucial to helping each other delve beyond our programming, our layers of beliefs and feelings that we're alone in a universe that really consists of the pure peace, love, and beauty we all think we must find outside ourselves, but which is the very substance of who and what we are! You raise the value of making art for art's sake, helping us all realize we're not the separate selves we think, but ever and always the infinite awareness art helps us to remember, recognize, embody! <333
Oh, I love this list. So often I feel like I need a social media team just to have a wider audience for my published work. I love the public (publicare) conversations with new folks - which speaks to number 4. I know how important it is to me to read someone else’s work at just the right time. The more public my work is, the more likely it is that my poem will fulfill that role for someone else.
Thank you Dick! Your readership & kindness is very dear to us. And yes I love looking at it this way, that we want to be share our work on social media not just for self promotion but also to reach out into the void, from our hearts for those who wish to genuinely reach out and reach back also
Thanks, Shannan. I should have clarified that I don't have the heart to keep up with social media. I've left Twitter, rarely go on BlueSky, and have a terrible Instagram game!
I try so hard to reconvince myself of this every few days. It seems to get harder the more time passes, but there is a LOT of truth to it nevertheless.
usually things that are important or worth it are harder to do/reaffirm...at least in the beginning. And thinking that we're all at the beginning no matter where we are...that's an exercise in humility that pays off in great dividends...first one being...peace of mind
Needed to read this today. Thank you. ❤️
anytime 💙
Likewise & ditto
Thank you for sharing. I just posted an episode of my serialized novel, which hasn't gained much traction so far. But last night, as I spent hours in post-production of the voice-over of the text, I was struck by the beauty of what I was doing. I could have published it as is without taking out all the little mouth noises and say to myself, "it's good enough." No, that's not good enough. I want to give the listener an audio text of the highest quality I can. Regardless of how many views I get, when I click on the audio and hear my voice read my words out loud, I feel the beauty of making art. That's good enough for me.
That's wonderful, Brian! I look forward to heading over to your page and spending some time there
I love this, Brian, what you wrote. It IS beautiful, I agree, the feeling from making the best art we can. To me, that’s what it’s about and not competing with others, or the number of “likes” or recognition, and though those feel good, too, they’re secondary. Could you post a link to your page so I, we all, can have a look, too, like Shannan?
Thanks for the kind words. I don't have a lot of posts on my stack yet. But feel free to take a look. https://briangibb.substack.com/
#1 really resonates -- Because you are a little god every time you make something that didn’t exist before
ALSO: #10 -- Because what feeds the spirit was never meant to feed the machine.
Thanking you! I've not been posting because I was starting to feel like, what's the point. I've had it all wrong. I'll do my own thing. If others respond, wonderful. Until then, I want to fly!
exactly...and you're not posting...not really....you're creating...writing...making art.
thank you, Shannan--how you have this gift in your writing of understanding every deep pocket of artistic hurt or fear or disappointment I have and filling it with love and compassion and inspiration. i I wish every artists could read this piece, especially in these extra-vulnerable times. I will turn to this post often. So grateful for you.
your kindness and friendship helps keep both K & I motivated to keep going and trying new things and making crazy art very often!
This is beautiful. Every sentence is jewelry-crafted, every piece of advice points to a deeper wisdom that becomes obvious if you pay attention. This is the one online piece I’ve read in a long time about writing I could read every day and not grow weary of. From my perspective, it’s all true. And it’s all crucial. I’d love permission to take a PDF of this to share with my students when I warn them about surrendering their voices to the ease and erasing of having AI take over what they have to say. This posting isn’t just a life raft for people wondering if the effort and dreams are worth it. It’s a humble yacht that can carry them where they want to go. And that’s wonderful whether or not we get the acceptance we crave. I always remember that Emily Dickinson and Van Gogh died certain they were failures at making their art matter. We know better. Read this over until it’s tattooed in your mind. Thank you, Shannan.
This post and your reply Richard bring to mind a quote I wrote down months ago that resonated profoundly with me, "Art Destroys Silence," by Dmitri Shostakovich and this beautiful quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter." Live on all you wonderful creators of art! The world does thank us with a silent nod!
these are both such beautiful quotes -- thank you for putting them here Debra. 💙
Oh gosh, you're so kind Richard -- of COURSE you can take a PDF and do as you like!! I'm so humbled and honored and just plain happy to read this. Thank you also for being such a kind reader across the various things I do.
Somewhere earlier someone posted, go do something daring and beautiful. I jokingly commented, But what about my rut?! And posted a meme with Zombies that said, the only thing I am afraid of with becoming a zombie is all the walking. But then I read your post. I totally relate to it. I don't know if any of my posts would qualify as art but you're welcome to check out memes if you want a diversion. Thank you, Shannon.
I'm so happy this was inspiring in some way. I think anything we make from our heart is a kind of art!
I give all the shits and watch my garden bloom. If only in my mind. I love this post. 💓
Thank you for reading and sharing and growing that garden friend!
Yes!!! Thanks So Much, Shannan, for this very uplifting article! Making art is such a gift and so crucial to helping each other delve beyond our programming, our layers of beliefs and feelings that we're alone in a universe that really consists of the pure peace, love, and beauty we all think we must find outside ourselves, but which is the very substance of who and what we are! You raise the value of making art for art's sake, helping us all realize we're not the separate selves we think, but ever and always the infinite awareness art helps us to remember, recognize, embody! <333
This is such a thoughtful and kind response. I feel touched to have readers like you, thank you very much Bobby.
Oh, I love this list. So often I feel like I need a social media team just to have a wider audience for my published work. I love the public (publicare) conversations with new folks - which speaks to number 4. I know how important it is to me to read someone else’s work at just the right time. The more public my work is, the more likely it is that my poem will fulfill that role for someone else.
Thank you Dick! Your readership & kindness is very dear to us. And yes I love looking at it this way, that we want to be share our work on social media not just for self promotion but also to reach out into the void, from our hearts for those who wish to genuinely reach out and reach back also
Thanks, Shannan. I should have clarified that I don't have the heart to keep up with social media. I've left Twitter, rarely go on BlueSky, and have a terrible Instagram game!
Thank you. I can so relate to this.
thank YOU (and, well, me too) 💙
I try so hard to reconvince myself of this every few days. It seems to get harder the more time passes, but there is a LOT of truth to it nevertheless.
usually things that are important or worth it are harder to do/reaffirm...at least in the beginning. And thinking that we're all at the beginning no matter where we are...that's an exercise in humility that pays off in great dividends...first one being...peace of mind
Fantabulous, thank you for this!!! 👏🏼🫶🏼🩷❤️🙏🏼
Thank you for stopping by and reading, friend!
I needed this terribly today. Thank you ❤️
happy to share some gentle encouragement (usually I need it terribly too)
Thank you for this encouragement. I Needed this.
we all do sometimes (ahem, for me, often!)
It's like you read my mind with this one. Thank you.
thank you so much for your readership, Sara!
All the 13 reasons are so compelling, just one would be enough:)
right!? I try to keep some on sticky notes around the house (my daughter usually doodles over them though)
That's lovely!