A weekly newsletter about being creative in the widening gyre
Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
(from “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats)
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Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction, pop culture writing, and podcasting. Now I’m working to discover what more I can achieve and share with the world, and whether an older author can find a place in the storytelling business. Together, let’s see if I can get there.
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Getting Ready for a Bloody Valentine…
It’s my turn to get some promotion regarding participation in an upcoming event. Check it out:
While the first sentence includes some of my former jobs, I truly appreciate the coverage and look forward to meeting everyone there and selling some books!
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Tell The Damn Story focuses on sustaining progress all January
New year, new focus, folks. We’re trying to build something here, unit by unit. For January we’re going to focus on all aspects of deciding to write and ways to stick with it to make progress as a creative.
Here’s the link:
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Taking a risk in your storytelling isn’t a crime
Ever read a passage in a book, or watch a scene in a film, or a TV show, or listen to a song, and experienced the thrill of coming across a creative moment that is absolutely bonkers, wild, or deeply moving? Sometimes our reaction is a wow, a gasp, a laugh out loud, a reread/rewind/relisten.
Such a moment is one of the reasons we humans consume art.
But we creatives have a follow-up interest in how the artist accomplished that exciting piece of work.
This is also one of the more harrowing chances a creative can take. How we deal with the call to create such a moment is often…odd. Procrastination. Insecurity. Doubt. Sleepless nights. Walking the dog to exhaustion for both of you. Why? Because creative risk is scary. We so want to get what we’re working on right that taking the chance can seem perilous.
I’m here to tell you, brothers and sisters, this is also where the most satisfactory artistic experiences reside.
Taking the chance, pushing yourself to write up to and then past the edges of your creative abilities, is a great way to develop as an artist.
Here’s how to do it:
First Draft: write fearlessly pushing your story to be the best it can be without listening to your internal editor of caring if it is good (Yes, folks, once again I’m telling you to let it suck) and keep going until the draft is completed.
Second Draft: Reread what you wrote carefully, with an editorial eye focused not on how preposterous it might be, but instead on how clear and coherent the story is at this point. Edit to clarify and strengthen coherence.
Third Draft: Apply science, history, story logic, etc. to the tale to see if all aspects stands up to such scrutiny. If your more outlandish moments fail the history or science or story logic, etc. test, ask yourself what is required to make it work. Do not immediately throw out the work because it falters in one of these areas; this is where the creative fun is hiding. Remember, many classic literature and beloved pop culture tales have negotiated these challenges as well. From Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to The Lord of The Rings to Superman to Star Wars to Avatar to Stranger Things, the writers of each project had to work through the same challenges you face. Have fun.
Then, submit it to trusted early readers or, preferably, a great writers group and listen to the feedback offered not from the POV of “they are saying I’m wrong” but from the perspective of “they are offering ways and opportunities to improve my work substantially.” Assess each comment from that perspective.
And then rewrite again.
We’re not tying shoelaces here, my friends, we’re coaxing art from the deepest depths of our collective souls. It is honorable and admirable work worth doing well.
Let’s party.
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Humor with Bob and Grace
BOB: These ICE agents in Minneapolis are attacking American protesters more violently than ever. How can Americans express themselves if their rights are denied every time they get anywhere close to these monsters?
GRACE: Whip cream pie catapults.
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And now for a peek at a handsome fella
Part of my service here is trying to improve your day. One of the ways I do that gets more appreciation than others, and that is sharing pics of a handsome fella named Sonny Mehlman. He’s also known as the KoC, as in the King of Chill. Here he is in one of his favorite chill spots, lying across the rarely seen Glorious, patron saint of aging dreamers.
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Pop Culture Fuel
Deep Dive: Don’t Cut Corners on Award Show Writers
After the NFL wild card games and thanks to old school TV tech (yes, I’ll still DVR), I watched The Golden Globes. Nikki Glaser was the most consistently funny person on stage. She’s worked on the craft of writing and performing comedy for years and it shows. Bravo.
The writing for presenters, however, is a completely different challenge. So many bits fell flat. Sometimes it was timing or deliverance (especially regarding commitment to those bits), but too often, the bits are just not funny as written. Sure, not every presenter is great at delivering comedy. Perhaps that should be taken into consideration; straight enthusiasm for their craft in introducing an award and its nominees would certainly be more welcome than bad jokes. But Glaser’s comedy, the bit performed by “Smartless” podcast hosts Sean Hayes, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman, and the teasing exchange between Don Cheadle and George Clooney proves that good comedy delivered well is possible during award shows.
Award show writers do have a tough job but it would be better for everybody to perhaps push all the presenters bits to a higher standard. Love of craft will always serve the audience better than unsuccessful comedy.
Current Obsessions:
Books
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari (Glorious and I are both reading at the same time, a fun activity)
Scott Snyder’s American Vampire, Volumes 7 and 8
The Savage Sword of Conan, Vol. 1 (reread)
John Truby’s The Anatomy of Story
A History of Women in America, by Janet L. Coryell and Nora Faires
TV
The Pitt, season 2
The Night Manager, season 2
Amanda’s Mild Takes, on social media (a calming voice in this storm)
Andor (rewatch binge)
Film (we’re slacking here)
Music
Wednesday Bleeds – a friend recommendation that has stuck around because of the daring shifts in tone this band makes.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers The Live Anthology
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Closing Thoughts
At times like these, a great quote from a true leader sometimes helps. Here’s one:
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” – President Abraham Lincoln
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Alright, talk atcha next week. Stay strong.
Chris Ryan 