She sat down to write –
the perfect story ever.
Life intruded. Left
what remains of a first draft.
Tag: books
Of Being Alone
Enough said!
An Artist’s Life
Ever had that feeling of being lost? The frustration of not being able to be as good as you want to be? I know I’ve had that feeling – still do, but that’s when we need words like these. To calm the soul, to assure us that it’s all going to be fine. Because everyone’s gone through it. Every artist faces a point where he or she’s torn between scarcity and abundance.
Art doesn’t make money grow on trees; we all know that. And we still choose to do it.
What do we hope for, when we continue to create art despite knowing that it might only lead us down poverty’s path?
Are we hoping for the next best seller? The cover image of a popular art magazine? The headlines of the reputed news channel that no one but the rich have the time to while away on?
Hell yes! Every artist hopes for recognition. And abundance.
But these’s more…
It’s not just the glitter that we’re after. We create art, because we have to. Because knowing that you want to be an artist and not working on it, is like burying all your dreams and accepting a hideous mask in this already two-faced world.
And as artists, we can’t do that.
So we create art instead – the only thing we can do to stay sane. Such art comes from the heart; it’s raw, it’s fresh and it connects with its audience.
And once we’ve reached that point, the glitter follows.
It’s a beautiful life, an artist’s. And Amanda Palmer has beautifully phrased it in her book, ‘The Art of Asking.’ I haven’t read the book, but after reading a few excerpts, the book’s now on my list. If you enjoyed this excerpt, you might want to check out another one I shared sometime ago, also from the same book.
P.S: The image is a screenshot from Brain Pickings Weekly (with their signature yellow quotation mark.)
Rekindling Thoughts
I’m not a fan of smoking, but when I came across this piece by Ayn Rand, I couldn’t help but agree completely.
I’ve never realized what powerful species we are. Not only did we discover fire, but also mastered the art of taming it at the tip of two fingers – one of them which is the middle one. How simple it is for us to tame such a strong destroyer – we are not only powerful but also a threat, to ourselves and the rest of the world. Some day, we could end up stripping the universe of its essentials. “A spot of fire” – incredible how it can breed chaos and great thoughts.
The Best Advice
Here’s the thing about advice: it’s best recieved from an inanimate object. I meant a book. Because the worst you can do to a book is rip it to pieces, and what it says isn’t going to change. It’s much better than taking advice from friends or family where at the end of the day, the relationship might be hanging on a noose.
Anyway, books — they have the best advice. A few quotes always help me so much on a bad day. Here are a few of my favourite quotes.
“First sign of madness, talking to your own head,”
~Harry Potter
I talk to myself a lot. Random ramblings to conversation replays — it all happens in my head. And I smile each time I think about that line. Sheer madness!
“Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it’s actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.”
~ Christopher Paolini, Eragon
Dare to believe in what is worth believing and worth dying for — a great advice. This book surprised me, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Pity the others in the series weren’t as interesting.
“We’re fighting.”
~Harry Potter
If an imaginary character can fight for something he believes in, why can’t I? Motivation in its purest form. Someone says something like that to me when I’m distressed, I’d probably punch them — but it’s just a quote, so it’s fine.
“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
This is where I fell for Paulo Coelho’s writing. Raw truth, not to mention bitter. I know this feeling only too well — when I wish people would stop telling me what to do and leave me alone. Been there?
“I am not worried…I am with you.”
~Harry Potter
An incredible teacher — student conversation in a life threatening situation! How would it be if teachers trust students with their lives? What would students do? Endless possibilities; endless entertainment.
“Truth doesn’t have to be liked. It only has to be spoken. Speak it out. The truth may hurt you, but it will set you free.”
~ Amish Tripathi, The Secret of the Nagas
Well, Amish has said it all, and I have nothing better to add.
Any thoughts? You know what they say, “Spit it out!”
National Blog Posting Month – #Day8
The Chaos Within 