Guys, guys! Get a grip! I know you're tearing up from its beauty, and that's fine, but stop trying to throw money and roses at your computer screen! Pick those up and pull yourself together. Are you alright? Alright.
I want to have a little discussion. My good friend and fellow fiveawesomegirl, Kayley, recently updated her blog with an interesting post about Blog/Vlog Every Day in April, National Novel Writing Month, and forced, scheduled creativity. The basic gist of her post is that she finds these sort of monthly challenges annoying, as oftentimes, quality is sacrificed in the name of quantity. I absolutely agree with her in some ways-- for instance, I rarely choose to publish "Today I did this and this and this"-type material during months other than April and August, but occasionally have no other choice when it comes to BEDA-- and I find her opinion totally valid. During the three-year run of fiveawesomegirls, there were some days when I couldn't wait to get in front of my camera, and others when the idea of Thursday made me sick and agitated (I have to do this again?). However, I've also noticed that the extra push and pressure provided by a time constraint and a goal can shake loose a lot of ideas I might not have explored otherwise. The challenge of having nothing to talk about has produced what are, arguably, my three favorites of my own videos (this, this and this). Staring at a blank document without an idea in sight really inspires me to find something funny or clever to make out of nothing. While Kayley is totally justified in thinking that BEDA churns out a lot of crap-- my own blog has seen quite a few crap splatters this month-- it's also a pretty beneficial workout regimen for me, creatively.
So what do you guys think? Does allotting time every day specifically for creation help you stretch your muscles, or does going through the motions just make your motions sloppier? I know my own answer is "both," but I'm curious as to how other people work. I'll be checking my own comments (of course), but I'll be reading the responses to Kayley's blog, as well, if you want to add something to the original discussion over there. I'm looking forward, as always, to hearing your input, and I'll see you guys tomorrow!
Chipotle burritos this year: 6.5
Subscribers: 48,850
Nail color: "Plum's the Word," Sally Hansen
Miles run today: 1
Oh, and one last quick note: On April 1st, when I explained the rules of my dairy-free challenge, I mentioned that I'd put the race on hold in the event that it greatly inconvenienced other people, like if someone invited me over for dinner, or if I was out with people and couldn't find anything to order that fit my specifications. Well, I'm going home this weekend for Easter, and it occurred to me today that turning down my grandma's famous holiday cupcakes would be both rude and a TRAGEDY. So I think, in the name of Grandma, Jesus Christ, the Easter Bunny, and vanilla cake with pink frosting, this Sunday will be a freebie. All those in favor, say "aye." All those opposed, I don't really care.
P.P.S. Breakfast: Kashi cereal with soy milk. Lunch: Pasta with marinara, strawberries, carrot sticks. Dinner: ...Chips and salsa. Some Oreos. A piece of chocolate. Don't judge me.
60 comments:
To start - AYE. Cupcakes are best. Secondly, I've found both in this (my first BEDA) and NaNoWriMo, I wrote a lot of crap. There are times I don't have anything witty to say, and there are times where I literally spent the whole day curled up eating chocolate, and can't imagine saying anything worth reading.
However, I still think the experience is worth it, because honestly, I am one of those people with very little motivation. It takes things like this (goals that are enforced by a community) for me to produce anything on the internet.
Go ahead and have those cupcakes!
AYE. I was there when you were talking about this in your live show. It is a perfectly permissible thing to do. Same with when you accidentally ate that cheese. As I said during the show and you repeated aloud to the audience, "It's okay. We forgive you."
AYE! As I said in your blogtv show, cupcakes are always a good excuse for ANYTHING. Homework to do? CUPCAKES. Studying to be done? CUPCAKES. Food to be eaten? CUPCAKES. It works for anything. CUPCAKES WAS BORN THIS SWAN QUEEN.
I have yet to actually finish BEDA, and though I'm still going blog for the remainder of this month, I've already missed three days. I do, however, love the push it gives me to want to write. Especially NaNoWriMo: I'll write 1,667 words, and if I don't like it, I know that I can just fix it later and keep pushing through to the finish line. Sure, it gets a little mundane with everyone writing the same posts by the tenth day of BEDA, but it's still fun. Whatever. I'M THE SWAN QUEEN.
Aye aye cap'n.
I'll probably comment over in Kayley's blog too, but to be honest, I sort of love BEDA (bit iffy about VEDA but what I do like about it is that it's one of the only ways I feel like new vloggers can nowadays get a bit more of an audience than they usually would and it also pushes them into vlogging in full speed -- learning what works, what doesn't, experimenting, being allowed to be a bit crap, that sort of stuff). I like it because it means I get to hear from lots of my friends every day and I also like it because I miss seeing people write things and create things and seeing even those worse days when perhaps they don't produce bloody Jonathan Swift or something, I like hearing those slightly rougher around the edges aspects to their writing and to their being. I like the thought process and I like being able to see it, which is something you don't always get in finely polished blogs (which is also great, because a lot of the time you get really well formed and well expressed arguments and a sense of the author's stylistic voice). I think BEDA is just a great opportunity in which you can get to know someone a bit better, at risk of coming over a bit soppy or something.
Maybe I'm just kinder to blogging because of my word bias but I always feel like people don't write enough and I like to see them write. I suppose that sums it up.
If words helped, entertained, or meant anything to ANYONE they have worth. Writer or reader.
I totally had chips and salsa for dinner last night, no judgements passed! And I definitely feel like the challenge to write every day is a creative exercise that is super-good for me. BUT! I also went into BEDA with a theme in mind for all my posts, so when I'm out of ideas I have that theme (with a lot of pre-April planning involved) to fall back on. I also like to keep a folder of ideas and pictures that inspire me on days I'm not feeling creative!
Kayley does have a point,but I think I have to agree with you,Hayley. For example, I like art. So I try to draw something once a week. Whether it be a simple doodle or an actual,full blown peice of work,I try to create something every week. I've found that it helps me consistently be thinking of new ideas and such. So that's just how I tend to view the whole BEDA thing.
Also, go for the cupcakes.
Aye!!! Beautiful picture, hayley. :) On forced creativity, I tend to be in favor of it. It does produce some crap, but it also forces people to just sit down and write/vlog, and eventually something good comes out of it. And its interesting/ entertaining to see some rougher posts than the usual perfect, manicured little beauties that are usually posted.
PS. Live show was really fun tonight. I don't have any problems with blog-tv narcissism, and I would totally be onboard if you decided to do them on the sane schedule as your vlogs, every 2 weeks.
Aye. You can't offend Grandma. Also, Thanks for reminding me Easter is this Sunday! I had no idea. :)
AYE AYE AYE! Eat the cupcakes. Cupcakes are in the top ten greatest inventions of mankind. It would be an absolute tragedy to not eat them.
I read Kayley's blog and then yours, and I have to say I agree with you. Sure, it pushes out some crap sometimes, but one of the biggest things getting in the way of my creativity is laziness. I'll have projects I want to undertake and things I have to say in mind, but keep procrastinating because I can't be bothered to churn some words out today. Or I have something else to do. BEDA and NaNoWriMo are what MOTIVATES me to actually get those brilliant (or not-so-brilliant!) ideas out of my head and into some physical form. And starting is the hardest part. Even though perhaps 90% of what comes out of some NaNoWriMos or BEDAs might be crap, it forces the gems out there to blossom into something else rather than just festering into the forgotten corners of your mind and NEVER reaching their potential.
I suppose the best example for me is NaNoWriMo. I've been writing for years, but always getting partway through my drafts and abandoning it simply because my attention span had expired and I'd hit a boring or difficult part to write. NaNoWriMo MADE me persist and get through the difficult parts.
Aye. And I agree with you to a point. I think maybe every day is a bit much, but maybe a more modest goal of a video or blog or what have you once a week would produce the best results.
Aye! I had so much fun in your blogtv show today.
Cupcakes are *always* acceptable.
As for allotted time and forced creativity, I'll put it this way: if I didn't force myself to write things when I wasn't "inspired" or didn't feel like it, I would barely write ANYTHING. Sifting through the crap is worth finding the gold. Or, you know, copper. It's not that great, but at least it's kind of shiny.
Anyway, if I hadn't participated in NaNoWriMo, I would NEVER IN MY LIFETIME have written that much of one story. I have about 6 half-assed novels, folders full of characters and plot and ideas and explanations, but the only ones with a semi-acceptable word count and some substance are the NaNo ones.
Some people may be able to sporadically produce masterpieces, but I think the majority of us are too lazy to get that far without forcing ourselves to get over our issues and just do things, whether it be writing, making a video, or getting your homework done. Even if some of it is crap, some of it might surprise you.
Also, I thank you for bringing this up, because this is the first time since my 2 pm class that I actually really *thought* about something.
Hmm. Hmmmmm. I think it all depends on whether the person is really into it or not. Like, if a vlogger who loves vlogging is really excited about making videos and so they decide to do it every day for a month, it shows and the videos have a fun about them that isn't so much present when someone is just forcing themselves into a schedule to be "productive." In either case there are obviously going to be videos that are not as good as discrete videos, but when the person is obviously having a good time making them, it shows and then I don't think it's annoying.
It is kind of weird how a lot of people kind of use the challenge things as an excuse to put up videos they otherwise wouldn't have. This chick rebexington is doing a variation of VEDA right now and she uploade'd a cover of a song that I liked quite a lot, but she was all acting like she was doing it because she had permission to do a stupid ukulele cover this month. I feel like I've seen this a lot/probably done it myself. That's kind of a strange phenomenon the more I think about it.
So the conclusion I have arrived at is schedules are great for productivity, but should only be implemented if the person is really loving making stuff at that moment. Otherwise there's more time wasted than well spent and it's not worth it.
So after about a year of subscribing here, and maybe two of watching youy on youtube, I finally have a comment to post. I joined NaNo two years ago because of your vlog post. Two years in a row I completed the challenge, and year one I have the still unedited form of a real mystery story, and year two was complete garbage and what I call a 50000 word outline. I love the spur of creativity and the surge of get off my butt that comes in November. What it does not help me accomplish, though, is continuing that push into rewriting and editing and all the real work throughout the rest of the year. I am still lazy for 10 months of the year, but that's okay. So I guess there's good and bad. Then again, when i do find inspiration in March or July, I find myself pushing now, just 1667 words today and I can slack off.
My writing mentor Doug, always told me that when you sit down and schedule a writing time - such as Tuesday's at 7:00, once you get into a routine of writing then, something taps into your subconscious and helps you become creative because you kinda know that you have to. This may not be true, but I've always believed him and found that it works for me. I think it just depends on the person.
As Ray Bradbury says,
"If you want to write, if you want to create, you must be the most sublime fool that God ever turned out & sent rambling. You must write every single day of your life. You must read dreadful dumb books & glorious books. Let them wrestle in beautiful fights inside your head, vulgar one moment, brilliant the next. You must lurk inside libraries & climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes & wear books like hats upon your crazy heads. I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. I wish craziness & foolishness & madness upon you. May you live with hysteria, & out of it make fin stories – science fiction or otherwise. Which finally means, may you be in love everyday for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world."
I wish I could do as Mr. Bradbury says to do, but I find that a challenge in itself. When I write in my journal, I feel pretentious when I write about how my days went, or my "profound" thoughts. Then for some reason, I'll come to writing about my writing process and that just always leaves me so discourages. Writing on the internet makes me feel even more pretentious.
However, I only feel/think this way when I take a break from regular writing. It's good to make yourself go through and action over and over again, like algebra problems you know?
As a BEDA participant, it has been hard to write every single day. But I think that it is worth it. As all the lovely people before me have said, it's nice to have a reason to write. Sometimes, we forgot to set aside the time for that.
I'm the type of person who has to set aside time to do anything creative. Whether it be writing or drawing, I believe time is essential. I feel that if it's something that I HAVE to do, something forced and rushed, it always comes out "less" than if it was something I was doing for myself and actually spent time on. I think that may be why I let myself flake out last year during NaNoWriMo. Not this year though. I'm going to finish this year.
I've never done BEDA, because when I first learned about it, I thought it was funny it was even a thing -- I had been posting blogs nearly every day for several years (they were typically merely recounts of each day for the sake of me wanting to talk about myself, but still). Now, however, it's a completely different story, and it's not so much about not having anything to talk about as just not wanting to talk about it.
As for NaNoWriMo, I think that it is very good for those people, such as myself, who have a lot of trouble maybe not starting an idea, but finishing it. I've done NaNo two years in a row and only won last year, but to my surprise, after going back and editing a fair bit, it's really one of the best things, as a whole, that I've ever written. The story is just a little bit one-note with some two-dimensional characters, but it's still not that bad, and unlike anything else I've ever written, it's finished, and that's what NaNo was about for me.
BEDA is a good excuse to keep writing and keep motivated most of the time, but I don't agree with people taking on the challenge without being serious about it. I hate reading blogs where day after day the author will just write "I'm stressed and tired and I can't today", because there's no point if it's just something to blow off. Sure, I've written a stupid 1 sentence cop-out post this month, but unless you're going to be serious about it and at least try, there's no point and it turns into a stupid chore.
AYE! For the frosting. And for grandma.
Yay, you ended up drawing the picture! I must say, it came out beautifully. I'm absolutely one of those squiggly lines. And Gator looks very dapper on the bed next to you. My day was adequately made when I saw my blogtv username in this post.
As for the BEDA/VEDA/NaNoWriMo conversation: my feelings differ greatly from Kayley's! I really do believe that, at least when it comes to writing, learning to just commit and put pen to paper without second-guessing yourself is a hugely important lesson to learn. It's a lesson that I think NaNoWriMo teaches. At least it did for me. As for BEDA/VEDA, I don't think everything needs to be taken SO seriously. Not every bit of content has to change the world. Sometimes it's just fun to share a month with the internet. It's not something anyone is forced to partake in!
I've gotta say, I agree about the fact that it produces an unbelievable amount of...well just plain garbage, but that's why it only happens once or twice a year. Internet "junkies" (myself specifically) are not always known for self-motivating, so it's a healthy push in the right direction.
Frankly, you can always erase bad products when you're done (forget the fact that once something's on the Internet, it's there FOREVER ;-) ) but you can't always re-capture a moment of inspiration. If you force yourself to jot down every thought for a month, there's a good chance a few of them will be gems you'd be delighted to go back and read and know that you shared that useful/brilliant/encouraging/hysterical word with at least a small group.
And lastly, as my piano teacher continues to instruct me, you're not going to really get creative until you're completely BORED with what you're playing. That's when inspiration strikes, just to get away from the drudgery of repetition of the same thing. Self-preservation almost. I think it's the same for any potentially creative medium.
Aww, I'm sad I missed your show!
As for the whole BEDA/VEDA thing, I commented over at Kayley's entry, but I'll also talk a little bit here about what I think. I agree with Rosianna that it's a really good way to get to know someone better. I like seeing people when they're not necessarily completely "on." I think it lets the audience see more of their true personality and not just their internet persona. I haven't done VEDA or BEDA myself, so this is from the perspective of a reader/viewer, but I've really been enjoying both VEDA and BEDA this month and I'm going to miss them when they're gone. In terms of forced creativity, I recently started a collab blog with some other girls and having to post every Friday has made me consider things about my life and myself that I don't think would have crossed my mind otherwise. So, in that aspect I think being forced to put something out does help creativity.
Aye. As far as the BEDA-ing and NaNoWriMo-ing go, I've blogged almost every day in April. I only published about half of those blogs, though. Most of them are just unpublished drafts. NaNo pushed me to get a better grip on my writing. I think the main diference between BEDA and NaNo is that in NaNo you don't necessarily have to write every day, so when I couldn't think of anything to write I simply didn't, whereas BEDA requires you to write every day, regardless.
Personally I think that BEDA and NaNoWriMo are great tools for creative expansion. I personally really love doing them, and have definitely benefited from them.
VEDA, on the other hand, is...Well, kind of annoying. xD I feel like a jerk for saying it, but for me, watching videos from the same people every day does not hold the same appeal as reading blogs. Also, I think that it takes a lot more time to produce a quality, entertaining video than a quality, entertaining blog. So VEDA videos tend to be somewhat lacking, while blogs can be eloquently churned out.
But, I mean, I obviously just personally prefer the written word to other media. So, you know...just my biased opinion. :)
Somewhere I heard that Seinfeld said he considers his job as a 9-5, and tries to write steadily for 5 hours a day rather than sitting around waiting for brilliant ideas to smack him in the face. He also said when he's coming up with material, about 95% of it is crap. Of course, we only ever get to see the 5% he decides worthy of being shown. But I think with BEDA, the time constraints prevent the use of a filter, so everyone can see all the crap that is generated.
Still, I think BEDA is good because it forces people to do more, and eventually leads to more of the good 5% in a shorter period of time. It also has been forcing you to be creative. You're aware of the fact that at times your blog is more of a menu/itinerary than anything, so you try to come up with ways to make it more interesting. And, if there was something you were afraid of trying because you thought people may not like it, now's the perfect time to do it because compared to everything else, it's probably not that terrible and could actually be quite amazing.
So. Be creative! Be daring!
I hope that made sense btw :)
If you didn't eat your grandma's cupcakes I would come to Ohio to do it for you.
As for cramming all that creativity into a small space: I think it's generally a good thing. Yeah, I've written an acrostic poem about my roommate and just made lists of stuff that annoys me. But I've also gotten to document some of my life in a really cool way. And I've really liked some of the things I've gotten to write about in general, like I wrote one post about time that was awesome. It all reminds me that I love writing.
I'm a creative writing major so I know that feeling of being forced to write very well. I've never participated in NaNoWriMo or BEDA, but I've sat staring at the wall trying to come up with a poem for class the night before it's due just hoping that inspiration strikes. Usually it doesn't. I find that in those moments of desperation before the deadline I end up just writing something I like, not really thinking about how others will take it and most of the time it works out. I think when you sit there and try to think of something creative or witty it comes across as contrived in writing. The best poetry (or blog posts) are genuine and written about things the writer is interested in. I think being forced to write can produce something messy, but I feel that the ideas being conveyed are worth writing about and worth editing in the future.
PS. I love reading your blog posts every day! They almost make me want to try a dairy-free diet, but I don't think I could give up chocolate milk...
Aye!
At the end of November I was extremely unhappy with the amount of crap I'd written (but I won). But on the other hand, it turned out that I actually was able to write and while I still didn't finish my novel and editing it sounds really discouraging, it inspired me to enjoy writing more and introduced me to rediscovering this hobby I intend to develop in the future.
I'm doing BEDA this month and I am very happy with this project. Yes, it's true that grammar goes down to the extreme, my creative use of language got a bit TOO creative (if you know what I mean) and I often start a post with 'so', which I hate. But I put a reasonable amount of effort into my posts and think that I do pretty well. At the beginning of the month I made a list of thirty possible themes so that I don't run out of ideas but so far I used maybe 7 of them finding interesting/weird things to talk about anyway (like analyzing kitchen utensils in response to Kristina's video). So I don't think BEDA must mean pushing out junk, it forces you to think more creatively. Even when I was swamped with work I escaped to blog posts, really enjoying writing them. But I think I would let myself fail the project and take an evening off to think about the next post and not write junk (I'm lying. I probably wouldn't xD).
Okay, that was long. And I have to say that Inside My Brain is my favorite video on YouTube!
I think "forced" creativity definitely has its merits. NaNo is just an extreme version of what "real" authors do- they *make* themselves write even when they think they don't have it in them that day. Yes, what comes out might suck, but I've also found that I get the best surprises when I am typing like a maniac. That doesn't mean they'll stay in the novel, but a novel that's taken me yars to write will probably have the same amount of scenes cut out of it.
I think things such as BEDA and NANOWRIMO, are great. I think the only problem is if you're busy AROUND them; because I kinda think that's when they start getting annoying and you'll allocate a certain piece of time in your already busy schedule and then you're under TOO much pressure to write; creating something 'just because'.
Whereas if you have the time, and you approach it without too much pressure, I think it's one of the best ways to write. I'm not sure on this - but maybe it has something to do with the adrenaline? I guess the focus on being creative is different when it's the only thing put in front of you.
[End Scene]
Let's face it, it's not a decision if cupcakes are involved.Infact, Hayleylujah for cupcakes.
And as for the whole BEDA vs NaNoWriMo debate, I think all production strengtens the productivity-channels, no-matter if it's crap or gold spewing through them. So that's good, right?
Aye~ :D
I think it depends on the challenge. I'm rather pleased with my first (and only, I've only participated once) NaNovel. I like to read through it and be hit with those, "Wow, I wrote that?" moments. In a good way, provided. Though I do like to make fun of my own writing.
But BEDA isn't NaNoWriMo. I can't throw in plot devices or twists. I can't fabricate things in BEDA. If I write fantasy it'll just be a creative writing blog, and that's not what I want it to be. I've already nearly quit this month, until my friend came in and yelled at me for being boring (This Has A Title being the heart of this whole fiasco). I've written a few posts I'm proud of, but the only reason I blog anymore is to talk about The Sims 2. I just don't have anything exciting to say 95% of the time.
first, aye! why not? you've done so well thus far.
and two, i say both too. this is my fist BEDA, and it's helping me get used to writing more, because i usually avoid it. of course there's gonna be posts that just say what i did today, but there's good stuff in between. because of BEDA i'm actually considering NaNoWriMo, if chemistry and mineralology don't kill me in november :)
If you bring me a cupcake, then you're allowed to have some. You might not want to make the trip all the way back to Orlando, though... So... Eat one for me?
Just thought I'd let you know, Hayley, how impressed I am with you giving up dairy! I think I'd completely lose it. My favourite things to eat are pasta with parmesan and butter, macaroni cheese and other such yummies. I'm impressed to the point of disbelief! :P
Aye! CUUUUUUUPPPCAAAKESSS!!
...and who can say no to Grandma?
Rock on Hayley!
I'd have to go with both for the beda thing as well. I noticed that if I don't allow time for myself, I rarely stretch my creativtiy muscles. I often surprise myself when I sit down and say "your going to write" and end up writing some kind of worth while.
I made a blog and I wanted to tell you about it. Hi. I like you. I hope your sexy Zefron dreams come true.
Well first off, AYE!
Second, blog tv was really funny! I think your art skills should be put in the Louvre!
Thirdly, I did try Nanowrimo... and it was a fail of epic proportions.I don't have a blog so I can't say that I have done BEDA. but I can understand the feeling of forced creativity.
But Hayley, do me a favor! Enjoy those cupcakes for us will you?
Sometimes reading your blog or watching five awesome girls I felt like a burdon to you.I think that things like BEDA and VEDA are fine as long as you want to be doing it.
Johnee from 5 awesome gays is doing VEDA and you can tell that he is into it and wants to be there. It has been really entertaining and enjoyable to watch. However, someimes reading here or watching 5 awesome girls you (and other girls) seem to be doing it more out of obligation than becuase you really want to. Therefore, after watching those videos or reading those posts I feel like I am a burdon to you and therefore am left with an uncomfortable feeling about the whole thing.
So therefore, I think that these things are good as long as you are enthusiastic and actually want to be doing it.
I don't know if you've seen it or not, but this post reminded me of wheezywaiter's post on inspiration/writer's block.
The Most Inspiring Video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgSiU7-QyVQ&feature=relmfu
Aye for Sunday!
I think it depends on the person. I attempted BEDA for the first time this April, and I seem to be pushing out more crap than creativity. I did it to give myself a goal, something that I could push myself to do, something I could proudly say I did. I don't have any scheduled things that I participate in, so I wanted to try something new.
But some people need the limited time and pressure to put out their best work. I'm not one of them as it turns out, but to each his own. I find myself writing things I wouldn't read,but then there are some times when I look at what I did and I like it. I'm proud that I took on this challenge. I don't think I will be doing BEDA again in April, but it was a great experience.
Aye =) I did NaNoWriMo for the 1st time last year and I could never bring myself to go back over what I wrote and edit it. Yes, it got me to focus and create something but nothing very good. On the other hand,I think if I blogged evryday, so long as it didn't start feeling like a chore, I would just become more enthusistic about it and respond well to the challenge. x
Aye! Do it for Grandma!
Obviously eat the cupcakes, no questions asked. So I am doing a science research project for school and your dairy free diet gave me an idea. I am doing the effects of LACTAID tablets on how easy milk is on the human body. Pretty interesting stuff. So far things look good for LACTAID. I also wanted to say I feel special being a part of your blogtv broadcast! Your videos really inspire me in a lot of ways and your witty blogs are great. :)
I blogged extensively about the discussion on my own blog, but to add to this one where people will actually read my thoughts I decided to post the part that contains to what you're saying.
I love BEDA and I think it's a great way to just get.you.writing. I don't think of BEDA as a tool to get people to read my blog. I'll tell you right now, no one reads my blog. Nor do I care if anyone is reading it. It's an exercise for myself to just put away all of my excuses, sit down for 30 minutes a day and write. A lot of the time I find myself saying "oh, I'll read this novel or script" and "I'll watch and study what works for this show" and call that enough for one day when it comes to practicing writing a script (or sometimes novel). It's not. You have to write. And that's why I enjoy projects like BEDA and NanoWriMo. They push me to set a goal and work to reach it. Is it good content? Not always. But it's more content than I had before the month started. So I've succeeded.
AYE!!!!!!!!!
Totally OT, but you have really nice nail beds. I know, that is weird. But they are long and narrow and just give your nails a nice shape/look. Oh and I am very excited about your Easter indulgence!
Aye and no judgments Hayley.
I definitely get annoyed when every blog I read for an entire month says something like "I did nothing today, sorry for my boring life". However, personally I feel like I can create better content if I do it everyday. I write better because of daily journals in 8th grade. I create better sculptures, paintings, and mixed media work because of 9 a.m. art class for 4 High School years.
Being in a routine and not being afraid of producing crap can be a good thing. I think if during NaNoWriMo, Beda, or Veda you just mindlessly pump stuff out without thinking for an entire month than that isn't helpful. However, if you actively participate and throughly think through at least the majority of your work than you can grow as a content creator.
I don't do BEDA, VEDA, or NaNoWriMo, but I keep a LiveJournal that I update usually once a day. Only a few of my friends read it, and those friends are people that I don't see very often, so the bulk of my posts are "this is what I did today" stuff. But that's because my friends and I don't see each other every day, so it's a way to keep up with each other's lives.
But again, it's just me and a few of my friends. Not my thoughts being read by hundreds, if not thousands, of people I don't know irl.
But that didn't really answer the question.
I'd think being forced to update every day would take out some of the creativity, in the same way that HAVING to do anything does. I love to read, but when I have to read for class, I don't enjoy it as much. I like doing things when I want to do them, and sometimes I just don't feel like reading.
On the other hand, though, there have been times when I have a paper due the next morning, and I get a really good thesis and end up rewriting all ten pages in a few hours.
You never know when inspiration will strike. Just be thankful it happens and go with it.
I once read an online interview of a best selling author. In which he said that he has to be inspired to write, so every morning at 8:00am, when he sists down at his desk, he makes sure he's inspired. In other words, if you are independently wealthy and can afford anything you want, then you can probably afford to be suddenly struck by creativity. But If you're like me, (and probably most of you are)then you need to have those creative muscles flexed, toned and ready so that you can get 'er done. That is all.
I completely agree with you on the BEDA/VEDA issue. Without digging for it, you're only going to get the 'surface-level' creative that almost everyone gets every once in awhile. When you push yourself to get past the everyone-fucking-does-this type of stuff, you get to the beautiful stuff. And (at the risk of being mean towards Kayley) you can tell in the quality of the creations. When someone doesn't want to develop their creativity, what they create is pretty mediocre.
100% aye
And I commented on Kayley's blog, so go check out my comment over there :)
I hear you. Some self-imposed goals and limits can be really helpful- for me it's kind of vital. Without setting aside time for creativity, I will push some stuff into the filing cabinet in the deepest part of my brain. So it's good to hold myself accountable. But I think if I took that too seriously, like a regiment of writing everyday, I might just try to hurry through it without experimenting with new things. Balancing it can be hard. That being said, I need to start blogging and writing more! haha
You should BlogTV way moreee
I hope those cupcakes rule!
Hey Hayley, I have been busy with school for weeks and have just spent the last few hours catching up on you blog. Hilarious as always and I am very impressed by your no dairy drive, I don't think I could do that! and the running? I would love to be a runner but I can't help but think people are watching me! I run like a 4 year old in a fairy balerina costume!
I can't believe your 'Inside Hayley's Brain' video came about because you had no ideas. Definitely one of my favourites.
I find that I really need to make time to force myself to be creative because otherwise I just get lazy and lay around watching America's Next Top Model and Gilmore Girls re-runs, which are yano great, but kind of prevent me from being at all productive.
And as for the cupcakes, AYE! They sound amazing :) x
I'm actually really amused that you wrote about NaNoWriMo today as next month a group of friend are going to have our own NaNoWriMoMay as you will - Nov didn't work out for all of us to participate as we wished (family obligations and education). I believe it's a good thing because sometimes you can write yourself into a corner and be writing utter nonsense but I believe that if you push yourself hard enough somethings goods bound to come out of it.
Hmm...pretty sure that's what you just said, well great minds and all that.
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