12 Comments
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Waving From A Distance's avatar

Very timely, indeed! Been stalled for weeks thinking I might as well give up after five years of writing with the muddled middle still there. And maybe a muddled beginning and ending. So taking a break. BUT with the research you've summarized, I will go back and not give up completely. Not sure when, but sooner than later.Thanks for the post.

Chris Smith's avatar

Sooner than later! I hope it gave you a little encouragement to continue. Thanks for your comment :)

Lisa Phillips's avatar

This really resonated with me as I struggle to complete editing my novel. Imposter syndrome is real!

Jenny Wynter's avatar

“This is the thing about creative work and how we respond to it. Feelings lead to actions. We close the document. We abandon the draft. We pivot and change direction. We assume we can’t do it - so we don’t. But the moral to this particular research paper is that you can - well, more accurately; you probably can.”

Love this! It’s so true - if we rely on “feeling like it” we’re doomed to give up, procrastinate or otherwise not get the work done. Thanks for this.

Chris Smith's avatar

I'm pleased that resonated Jenny. Thanks for your reply.

Gail Day's avatar

I confess, I always feel my sceptical hackles raising when I read about quantifiable studies of qualitative questions. But I also admit that the results speak to me… every bit of it, but especially the ‘experience doesn’t get you over it’ section. Thanks for this insightful piece.

Chris Smith's avatar

Thanks Gail - I'm pleased it helped.

Satori Iwamoto's avatar

Helpful and timely.

Chris Smith's avatar

Thanks for your comment Satori.

Niki Mathias's avatar

I love all this very practical research. So timely and applicable. Thank you!

Chris Smith's avatar

Thanks for taking the time to reply Niki :)

Amy's avatar

I love the suggestion that our really great ideas are the ones just out of reach. That if we keep going, reaching, farther than is comfortable, we might brush up against something extraordinary. Thank you for the encouragement.