Writing to save the world
Bold statement for the New Year, eh?
As an author, I believe in the power of story. As a human, I’ve felt the power of story. And I think it’s time we all write our way out of the chaos that has become our current state of affairs.
On the sci-fi side of my life, I talk a lot about the nature of power and control, the psyops that distort our vision, predictive programming that softens our response, the real conspiracies brushed off as fiction, the technological takeover and the threat of an evermore apathetic, uninspired populus.
And I don’t think I’ll ever run out of material to cover in that genre.
But while I continue to dive into the real-life events that make this planet more of a science fiction story with each passing day, I also want to commit to being a part of changing our world for the better. I don’t want to just bitch and shrug in 2022. I want to be a part of a revolution.
The stories I want to tell are ones of hope on the horizon, tales of overcoming seemingly untouchable forces. In narrative I want to find a path forward and focus on the task of raising the next generation of humans to be conscious, mindful individuals. I want to help people question their reality and imagine light in dark places. I want to create an artistic coup where creators not only value their contribution to society, but understand that it could be the only thing standing between our destruction and our evolution!
You know, small goals.
Every creation needs to be taken seriously
In the last couple of years, it’s easy to denigrate art. While the world turns upside down and we stand on the precipice of what feels like the end of an era, art can feel too frivolous to indulge in.
While glued to the news and social media and seeking solace in streaming services, too many of us have lost the joy of creation. Perhaps many have never even attempted it as they fought to survive in a world that changes so rapidly.
I believe, however, that now is the time for all of us to become creators. If we aren’t creators we are consumers. And if we’re only consumers, we are going to be swayed by whatever talking head, marketing campaign or catchy slogan crops up next.
Creation, whether it’s done professionally or for pleasure, is a defiant, empowering act of consciousness. It’s a declaration that we are beings who are here to do more than merely exist and survive. It’s an opportunity to tap into something greater. It’s an ownership of your mind. It’s a rebellious shout to the universe. It’s an act of community, of healing, of leading. It’s a way to see the shape of your soul and leave a legacy for loved ones.
If we can create art in the face of fear, perhaps we can overcome our terror entirely and pursue a world with open hearts and unhindered passion.
There is no right way to create, if you’re seeking to save the world
While I’m partial to the speculative nature of science fiction, I think that all genres have the capacity to make change. Romance reminds us of what’s good and beautiful. Memoir connects us to one another. Comedy drops our guard and cracks open the truth.
Furthermore, I think all art has this capacity for revolution, not just writing. Whether it’s music or cooking or gardening or sculpting, there are boundless opportunities to spark a wildfire of new ideas.
And the truth is, it isn’t even about whether you’re writing masterpieces or performing at an open mic night or painting a rock with your kids. Artistic expression connects us to who we truly are. We are given time to ponder and meditate, chuckle at our insignificance and contemplate our cosmic relevance. In a world desperate to label and divide, I think one of the strongest weapons we possess is knowing ourselves.
We become calmer, kinder, more grateful and alive humans when we take this time. So whether your art even sees the light of day or not, if you are evolving through its expression, that too can move mountains. And if, like me, you’re writing because you see the world collapsing and you want to prop it up with something tangible, the effort is never wasted!
Committing to help
It took me a decade of saying I wanted to be an author before I ever completed a first draft. While I’ll never say that time was wasted, I wished and I still wish I could write more, write faster, contribute an even bigger piece to the collective!
I know waaaaaaaay more people who wish they could write a book than I do people who actually write books. And that’s saying a lot after years of working in publishing.
I believe in the necessity of art so much that I want to help get everyone more invested in this by offering what I know, what I’ve experienced and what I’ve witnessed.
Behind the scenes, I frequently offer advice to friends and acquaintances seeking some info on publishing, writing and the act of balancing their creative drive with real life needs (kids, jobs, paying bills). And I want to open that offering up to new friends.
This year, I will be releasing a series of courses, the first one being a tool that helps aspiring authors get out of their head and get words written. That’s it. We’re not talking about roaring publishing success or winning a Pulitzer. The focus of this first course will be exclusively to clear the hurdle of getting the ideas out of your head and into the physical world.
In subsequent courses I’ll dive into more of the nitty gritty, but to start I just want to help more people find the courage to create.
I will also be offering one-on-one coaching services. Sometimes a broad approach to creativity just isn’t enough and you need an individually packaged approach. And I can help with that too!
I hope at the end of this year, that we can all look back on 2022 and say, yes, we faced adversity, yes, the world continued to spiral in all kinds of unknown directions, but still I made art. (Human art!) Despite the noise, I looked inside and pulled out my truth instead of having that space populated by someone else’s ideas. And in the face of uncertainty, I sought to save the world instead of casually observing its downfall.