creative balance.

Like stories and narrative voices, writers embody different extremes. For some, the focus is the current project and the motivator is the next deadline (or, depending on your boss, the chiding voice that accompanies error). Thankfully, I never make mistakes. Kidding…no one is perfect (coming from someone who has been referred to as “impractically imperfect,” not a misquote). Anyway, there are also many writers who do not write to make a living and write purely from the soul, and then there are writers who do not write to make a living and can’t write from the soul…writers that have no soul…you get it.

Writing and editing for a living can cause you to slide into some really intellectually lazy behavior. Personally, I find myself making excuses to avoid my own creative work in favor of the goals that my employers deem immediate and relevant…and they are so convincing!

During work hours, yes! Go above and beyond! Work late and work hard, but don’t let the stress of completing an assignment for someone else translate to the neglect of your personal goals. Balance is everything. Yesterday, this is how it went down:

“I finished that article today. That was creative. That counts.” 

COMMENCE NAP ———>

In a later moment of clarity, I promptly “punished” myself for self-neglect with three pages of creative work. Also interesting. Shouldn’t I be rewarding myself with creative work instead of punishing myself with it? Yes, I was creative in my work for others, but whose goals were actually fulfilled?

The creative beast is a sneaky, fat, lazy animal of the subconscious when coupled with stress and sleep depravation.

I guess what I’m getting at is that while writers earn the right to make a living at what they do, it’s important to identify those moments when you might be making excuses for yourself and deviating from the challenges and goals you’ve set for yourself in your own writing and creativity. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t (or can’t) be creative in work for others, but don’t forget yourself in what you do.

Also, do yoga. I have to say that starting up again is making my body scream, but it’s worth it for the calm, the clarity, and literal/metaphorical balance.

Oh, Alice!

Have I told you lately how hard it is for me to maintain a blog? In the midst of multiple interviews up and down the East Coast, freezing temperatures, and wondering how it is that my best friends are doing all over the world, apprehension is the easiest and most sincere feeling. Something about winter is terribly gloomy, and unlike some of my snowbunny buddies who worship those glittering flakes (you freaks know who you are), I’m really happy that Connecticut has yet to be entrenched in feet of snow. Snow is beautiful, but snow is brutal. I prefer looking at it from the window with a book, snuggled inside a wool blankie!

I’ve finished Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and the differences between my recent impressions of these stories and those of my blessed childhood are glaringly different. This is a freaky, freaky book, and Lewis Carroll is tricky, tricky writer. It dawned on me that Alice’s experience of this seemingly backward universe, rendering her as “ignorant,” demonstrates two parallel truths: Alice’s truth of childhood and the absurdity of adulthood from a child’s perspective, and adult conventions rendering the truth of childhood both absurd and irrelevant. I really should have read this earlier and banked a great essay for Sociology & Anthropology or Postmodernism…

As you grow older, some people lose that lens, that absurdity and creativity. I’m glad to be in a field where a certain level of “absurdity” is almost required. Yes, it is absolutely necessary for you to go through six chains of command in the office only to end up where you’ve started on a project…off with your head (we’ve all been there)! In comparison, for those of you that have read this book, why is it that when you walk away from a little house for hours you don’t end up remotely where you started? Oh, Alice.

Any of you having this sort of experience with childhood book as an “adult?”

The Hunt

I forgot to mention…one of the biggest components of job hunting is submitting yourself to perpetual trial and error, building a resistance against feeling like a failure when your resume falls into the endless black-pit vortex of Mediabistro, and re-assuring yourself that no, it’s not a tiny error you missed in your resume that has disqualified you from the hundreds of jobs you’ve applied to in publishing. Patience, patience. Instead of running around like a crazy person then dramatically scrabbling around in a corner whining and eating macaroni and cheese, try telling yourself that it’s OK and that you and a good number of young Americans can rejoice in your exclusive membership to the “I Haven’t Broken Into a Big Publishing House yet” Club.

Kraken, a tailless cat with a limp that has clawed, bitten, and maimed his way into my heart, reminds me daily that patience, commitment, and lack of sleep can all be great fuel for writing heartfelt cover letters, and that this tolerance can also translate into the 12+ hour days we will all be working when we get our entry-level jobs in Editorial…aka slavery.  As this vengeful kitty reminds me via hunting my face at 3am, 5am, 6am, and then finally at 7am when I can no longer resist the urge to drop-kick his furry butt, there is always tomorrow, be patient, and enduring a certain level of abuse is normal in getting where you need to go. Also, don’t get a cat

A Little Smile Goes a Long Way

I crossed the street this morning and a wild, skinny, laughing grandpa covered in electric pink paint blew by me on his bike wearing only a loincloth and a foam Statue of Liberty headband. This guy literally made my commute with his smile and his positive attitude…so what if he’s a little crazy?

You don’t have to be crazy approach your day, your week, and others with a smile. It sounds pretty corny, but people notice, and they feed off of it. When you smile at someone, they almost always smile back (unless he/she is just straight-up rude and dead-panning you on purpose). Smiling makes you more approachable. It’s even suggested that smiling boosts your own level of happiness!

I met a speaker from Simon & Schuster who gave me some great advice, and I think you all should take note. I’m generally a pretty smiley person anyway (I got gold star superlatives and awards like “Miss Smiles-a-Lot,” and “Miss Approachable – Highest Client Satisfaction” in high school classes and college jobs, but I never thought to share the role a smile can play in an interview, or the difference it can make when meeting a professional in the field you are looking to enter.

As this great Editorial Assistant emphatically explained, “You should be smiling at least four blocks away from the place you want to work. When you’re already working there, do it anyway. Your higher-ups may not know you personally, but you never know who you’ll hold the door for or who you’ll pass in the lobby that morning.”

Awesome!

Just for fun, here are some smiles that may not send the right message:

     

The Party behind the Publisher

Walking through the doors of larger publishing companies, absorbing the grandeur, the machine, I started to wonder (and I’m sure I’m not alone) where it was that the creativity was hiding. The lobby spaces were large, intimidating, and particularly closed off…not so reflective of what you think these companies stand for. Even our name tags read, in bold lettering, “Unannounced Guest.”

Don’t let the façade fool you. Think of a big publishing house as one of those Nerds Gumballs (my favorite, even now). The traditional outer shell is no reflection of the flavor and creative, awesome nerds that are hiding inside!

I’ll say it again. I’ve found my people. Here are some words of wisdom from various professionals that absolutely made my day:

“Write drunk; edit sober.”

“Don’t set your trash can on fire first week on the job.”

“Fail!”

“Hire your boss.”

Below is an actual exercise we did…hysterical! I’d love to hear your comments.

Exercise:

X Publishing company would like to hire three new Editorial Assistants, but these hires depend on the acquisition of one of the following three books that would be hugely profitable:

1. A book by a hateful religious extremist

2. A book by a self-justifying felon who caused the financial crisis

3. A book by Justin Bieber endorsing crystal meth and promiscuous sex for minors

What would you choose, and why?

Happy 4th!

Hi Wendy!

If you haven’t seen this, you need to check it out. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than some functional, wacky modern art. This beast not only helps to neutralize pollution, houses a DJ booth, and spritzes overheated concert guests, but it looks AWESOME.

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/news/artnetnews/pollution-fighting-sculpture-moma-ps1.asp

I’m also pleased that this is a student project…it’s great when older institutions invite wild, large-scale innovation and support imaginative youth.

Notable, Neon, No Fakers…

Last week, a group of NYU bluestockings (and a solitary gent) climbed into the Nylon brain for a sassy and straightforward Q&A with some of the magazine’s editors and directors. Surrounded by several of America’s most notable faces in print (and by some of the most creative in person), the group of us squished into a tiny conference room, awaiting the secrets hidden behind those pristine white walls.

Nylon’s ability to mix an even cocktail of smart, underground, and culturally relevant content to a youth audience makes the magazine a stand-out among competitors, and its willingness to shape shift in small ways (without jeopardizing the brand) leaves room for the unexpected while giving readers the information they’re dying to know. Nylon is all about a lot of things, but it’s not about the sex. You know, it’s just about cool people doing cool things, which is great.

Nylon doesn’t simply garner content from other media. The real secret is getting out there, going to music festivals, exploring street and runway trends, and doing it yourself. Recycling information that someone else has already covered isn’t going to make an innovative magazine, and when you find that new band or trend, you could be the one to have it first.  Less safe, more fun. The idea behind Nylon is to be “aspirational but not untouchable,” as the magazine features what you know, what you don’t know, and what you should know.

So what did the creative chemists behind the Nylon girl (and guy) have to say about breaking into the publishing industry and preserving your voice while creating editorial pieces? Deputy Editor Ellen Carpenter recommends trying to write in different voices for fun, noting especially to “always read what you write out loud – it should have a melody to it.” Executive Editor Luke Crisell quickly added “That’s your arsenal, your words. When you’re reading, write down five words you didn’t know.” To a writer developing his or her lexicon, this advice is crucial, and while there’s definitely a common thread in the Nylon voice, the collage of different writing styles, visual structure, and content truly makes this magazine a relevant staple to savor or devour.

Thanks again to Nylon for giving us the grand tour!

A Little Green in the New York Machine

One of my biggest concerns about living in New York was being far from my garden (yes, I know), missing fresh air (yep), and not finding any way to connect with nature (my Connecticut is showing). As far as I can tell, everyone around here seeks that spot of green, but there’s a high likelihood of those spaces already being occupied by screaming kids, hobos, canoodlers, and Shih Tzus with Velcro sneakers (I can’t believe people do this), and these spaces won’t necessarily accommodate your ideal picnic or Frisbee toss.

So, while you might not be able to find that huge rolling landscape to lounge on, there are a few creative ways to wind some green into the New York machine.

Free Concerts in the Park:  While you may not be totally alone here trying to tap into your transcendental side, these shows provide some great opportunities to unwind with friends, get some Vitamin D, and let some music amplify your outdoor experience.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_concerts

http://madisonsquarepark.org/things-to-do/calendar?y=2012&m=jun

Bond with Your Local Produce: If you’ve ever grown your own vegetables, you know what the good stuff looks and smells like. I want to gag every time I grab a bunch of tomatoes from a supermarket and they reek of chemicals and plastic wrap. As a great alternative, the Union Square Greenmarket aims to please, bringing real mom and pop veggies to your table. Your purchase supports local agriculture, the food is great, and you get to experience foods based on season (perhaps some you’ve never tried). While the market itself is busy, you can bring the wonderful great outdoors home to your own space. There are many other fresh markets, so check one out in your area!

Explore a Museum: At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I had the pleasure of checking out Tomás Saraceno’s Cloud City. It was a gorgeous day on the roof garden, and the inside of that structure is the wildest, most disorienting adult funhouse I’ve ever experienced. Outside? Check. Having Fun? Check. Getting a beautiful vision of the city from the inside of a sculpture? Check. The best part is that only a few people are allowed up at a time, so you don’t feel rushed, and the experience feels very individual. If you’re feeling a bit less enthusiastic about those heights, there’s no harm in daydreaming to some Monet inside.

Happy adventuring!

Anatomy of a Shopping Bag (Concealer of Sins)

As a low-maintenance, earthy kind of gal making a transition to city living, I wasn’t surprised to see designer shopping bags in the arms of many women in my area. Zara, Burberry, Michael Kors, Cole Haan…what struck me a few days in was seeing women piled high with shopping bags at 7:30am on the train. Seriously ladies…the sun is barely up on a weekday and you’re already shopping? Maybe you should pair your Prada with some Yogalates and wheatgrass shakes.

Judged.

Aside from my normal obsessions of music, books, and good dark chocolate, my girly (and best-kept indulgence) is shoes. After prancing to and from the subway in heels my first week here, I was transformed into a limping, deformed, sad shade of my previous self. In shame, I winced all the way home, no market or roast beef involved, vowing never to let anything come between me and my converse ever again.

Apparently it wasn’t the expendable budgets of these mystery women I was looking at, but their street smarts and drive to stay fashionable (my lack of vision first thing in the morning definitely led me astray). I’d always wondered how these women made appearances in great shoes without needing an ice bath or a thousand band-aids. I present to you the attractive upscale shopping bag, stylish (and work-appropriate) vessel of homemade food, art projects, hair supplies, secrets, and best of all, flats. Here I was thinking that the New York woman was a well-dressed, impatient, stiletto-wielding and totally unimpressed figure. Well, maybe she is…but I underestimated her resourcefulness, creativeness, and her ability to show me the ropes without saying a word.

Scribbling at the Height of Folly

A very quirky (very brilliant) man once said, “To take my work seriously would be the height of folly.”

The bother of being serious in that mind-hand-pen-paper dynamic rattles even the most proficient writer to the point of causing doubt. In my opinion, every folly simply needs a good edit.

Rely on your instinct.

The little impressions in my daily commute on the 6 train, the moments that imprint themselves while  I’m recharging or unwinding…these are the things that leave me rooting around in the dark abyss of my purse for a pen and the back of a receipt. You have to grab them before they dissolve completely. If you don’t keep them, they were never present.

If I were truly serious, I would probably carry a notebook.

In the spirit of my folly, a pen and some luck are good enough.