The Necessity of Creation

I consider myself a writer.  I don't have a published novel.  All of my poems are really drabbles.  I've attempted a script or two but then never turned back to it.  But I am, 100%, a writer.

I may not be an authority on the subject, but I am frustrated when people say you should be doing this or you should be doing that to really be able to create.

The bottom line is: every individual is unique.  We all create differently.  Our ways of creation are all valid.

Some of us stare at blank ~whatevers~ for hours until we finally muster up the beginnings of something.  Some of us take long walks, listen to music and conversations, experience the world.  Others draw inspiration from other art (in fan fiction, this is especially obvious).

Each method of art - dancing, acting, drawing, game design, music writing - requires a different method.  But then, each person requires a different method.

I am not disciplined; I have a fickle muse, and inspiration is random and sporadic for me.  Getting me to settle on one idea is nigh-impossible.  For me to ever finish something, I need to allow myself to work on multiple projects at once (while at the same time actually working on them.  I am a lazy procrastinator).

I start with a vague idea.  Plenty of people make outlines.  Some people need to write out a couple of scenes.  Other people use character sheets.  All of these are different ways to start.

You do not need to be what they tell you that you need to be.  You just need to take a deep breath, and create.  If everyone were so focused on the how-you-should-be, nothing would ever exist.

Just because you have a different process of drawing from someone else doesn't mean your way is "wrong".  Just because you like to start at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a story doesn't mean you're "wrong".  Just because you take a fragment here and a fragment there and mash them together and mix them up and create a line from point A to point B doesn't mean you're doing it "wrong".  There is no such thing as a "wrong" process.

If you're creating, you're doing it right.  So please don't listen to the people who outline a specific way you need to do things.  You don't.  You're not any less of an artist - any kind of artist - for doing it differently.

Just needed to get that out there.

If There's One Thing That I've Learned

If there's one thing that I know,
It's that love never dies.
If there's one thing that I've learned,
It hurts as much tomorrow as today.
If there's one thing that I am,
It's a girl who falls too fast.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again,
I lied when I said it was the last.
Because the truth is that I love you,
And the truth is that I prayed.

And as I sit here, late at night,
The thought comes to mind.
This is not the end of "us", simply just a pause.
So we both have a bit of growing up to do.
You have a fear to overcome.

Neither of us have anything but "love",
Neither of us feel like we're good enough.
I hate that I'd be selfish,
That I'd ask you to come back,
But I'll find the words someday,
Because I still feel that who I am
Is incomplete without you.

If there's one thing that I know,
It's that I love you still.
If there's one thing that I've learned,
It's to hope even when it hurts.
If there's one thing that I am,
It's a girl whose optimism remains.

If this is the end, your inability to commit,
And my worried heart, hoping
I'll save us both pain,
Maybe this isn't the end of us.
Or maybe I'm ashamed.

If there's one thing that I know,
It's that you love me too.
If there's one thing that I've learned,
Love always comes through.
If there's one thing that I am,
I'm not complete without you.

Not For Me

I thought for once in my life, ‘forever’ could actually be.

I just can’t see the light.

I knew this was coming for far too long

But I thought it was worth the fight.

All things must end,

And now my chest is tight.

My heart is broken, my hands are aching,

All I can do is write.

I’ve found a song and now it's on repeat,

I don’t have as much strength or might.

As everyone seems to think.

Of anything good I’m losing sight.

This is a losing battle, it was from day one,

But I’m an underdog, that’s the blight,

The curse and the blessing God gave to me.

I dreamed of our children flying kites,

But I guess that will never be.

I just wasn’t the one for you

And you weren’t the one for me.

The Quiet

psst,
i have a secret,
something i want to share.

There are those who will tell you many things -
And there are days when, maybe,
You might just believe them;
But let's set the record straight,
They're wrong.

Love comes in many forms,
And who are we to say
Which one is more or less valid?
The best cure to a curse
Is love of a mother.

There is value, regardless
Of how you were born
Of who you are,
Or who you'll be.

And some will stomp their feet,
LOUD, LOUD, LOUD
as if drowning out the quiet voices
will ever make them feel better.

But you and I, we know better.
It's the soft voice of reason,
The becoming little bit of love.
Compassion is the best way to teach.

And wasn't it Jesus who said
Love one another?
Wasn't it Jesus who
Spent time with the sinners?
We're all a little broken and that's okay.

Some will stomp their feet,
As if loud can overcome soft,
But though soft is quiet,
Though sometimes soft is unseen,
Soft finds its way to the scars and the bruises,
And patches them up.

So yes, this is a secret,
Because loud is so easy to hear,
But listen to the quiet,
The quiet singing love, love, love.