Are You Making Enough Mistakes?
Andy and the Artist
Andy was finally writing the stories he had been imagining all of his life. But he was frustrated.
A workshop teacher mentioned that his work had a restrained quality. Andy didn’t know what to do about this. He felt critical of himself and uncomfortable with his process. More and more, he procrastinated sitting down to write.
As I met with Andy, I pointed out impressive things he’d pulled off—engaging characters, compelling situations, interesting dialogue.
I also told him what I sensed was his biggest challenge:
“You’re not making enough mistakes.”
Somewhere along the line, you and I, together with Andy, got the message that we were truly succeeding at a creative endeavor if we didn’t make mistakes. We confused lucky first-tries with success.
We replaced learning, experimentation and growth with the demand to “get it right the first time.”
In the past 16 years of teaching writers, I've noticed those who expected to get it right the first time always hit a wall. They were stiff and unable to experiment. They couldn’t accept a less-than-perfect first, second, or third try.
Yesterday, I admired the work of an amazing artist. The scene: a watercolor boat overflowing with children in muted shapes and glowing, rosy colors. Her artist friends promise it will win acclaim at an upcoming show.
She’s been practicing for a while. Another scene, a picnic, had been her playground for practice. That painting hadn’t quite worked, but after a couple of attempts, she put it aside and created the magical boat.
Now she was returning to the picnic scene. “I’ve painted this seven times now,” she told me.
Was she frustrated? Was she critical? She lifted her paintbrush and smiled. “I really love what I’m learning,” she said.
I notice the artist’s acceptance of so-called failure, her willingness to make mistakes and try new things. Paradoxically, that willingness to be a beginner is the mark of a seasoned professional.
Meanwhile the beginner is terrified of making repeated attempts, interpreting them as failure.
All that is needed is a slowing down, a loosening of demands, and an acceptance of the work with its flaws.
Make mistakes.
Smile.
Repeat.
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Have you seen my new website? www.christikrug.com christi@christikrug.com
(360) 213-6989 (360) 213-6989
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Need a story prompt?
- Visit the Bookish board for wild and inspiring images.
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Join our workshop series:
Finding Your Stride:
How to Build Momentum in Your Writing Life
Instructors: Sage Cohen and Christi Krug
with guest
Laura Stanfill
Tuesdays,
March 4-25,
6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Special events:
IMPORTANT CHANGE:
Wildfire Wednesday has been cancelled for February.
Wildfire Wednesday, March 26 Cascade Park Library
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Our guest author is Sage Cohen! Concluding our month of partnering together by honoring this prolific and inspiring author of Finding the Life Poetic, The Productive Writer, and Like the Heart, the World.
Bring your work to read for the open mic time. Free.
Classes:
Wildfire Master Class, new session: Wednesdays, 6 pm, March 5 and March 19, April 2 and April 16. Constructive feedback for writing, drafting, revising.
Thursdays in March: Wildfire Writing II at Clark College. You can take this class whenever you need a creative boost as it is different every session! Concludes March 27.
Thursday mornings: morning Wildfire Master Class, currently full.
Make a mistake. See what you learned about your art.
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I've added Portland classes to the Meetups schedule!
Please join . . .
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