I've been looking forward to your core idea essay since last month, and it did not disappoint. When I asked you how you write, I remember you saying you write in the in betweens. I've always admired that part about you—how much value you put into the little moments, how they become more meaningful because of how you approach them. I hope you know how much your writing continues to inspire me.
"in the in betweens" sounds like a wonderful Substack publication name. You're so sweet Linart. Thanks so much for being a constant. To more weekly writings together!
I loved the energy in this article, which Chris Cordry’s post put me onto.
I feel like I’m in all of those moments of bite-sized creativity that you’ve shared: painting the turnstile, waiting for a pizza (Becky… pizza?!) and using that moment for creativity.
And I found myself nodding at your suggestions because I do, or have done them, too, in some shape or form. But it was a great reminder of doing something little. From acorns come oak trees.
Pizza is a great visual for bite-sized creativity :) am sure you've also had many opportunities to squeeze in creative moments and made them effortless ;)
Becky, I devoured this. Chomp chomp. Your essay is a canonical read for those that want to bring creative expression to their lives.
The idea of creative expression is one of my core ideas—I believe any sort of creative expression is essential to bring awareness and intentionality to our lives.
I had a similar creative awakening as you (why do we have to wait for pandemics to figure these things out), so I saw a lot of what you wrote as my own experience.
This is so goooooood, Becky! I was just talking about my creative pursuits with my dad yesterday over dinner, and this is exactly what I *tried* to express to him: "I stopped relying on my employer to make me feel fulfilled. A job is just a job, but my creative hobby became what I'm proud of."
You expressed it way better than me (:
I'm always impressed by how many things you enjoy you actually do. It's very inspirational.
Ah this is so good Becky! And from what I've read over the past year, keeping a creative practice alive while also busing a busy professional seems to be the thread that ties your work together.
One thing I'm so impressed with you is how broad your creativity spans--writing, photography, painting, etc.--yet you still kick ass in each.
Awesome job getting this one out! Hope it felt as good to publish as it was for me to read (:
Well done keeping such a prolific practice up whilst working AND editing for WOP! Will you teach me!???
And your creative spirit is inspiring, seriously! Where does it come from?
✨
“Chomp. I had an hour before dinner (pepperoni pizza) was going to arrive. I squeezed turquoise paint out of its tube and onto a porcelain palette. I logged onto Skillshare. I drew flowers for fifteen minutes.”
Pleeeeeasy insert pictures of this! And your other bitesized art moments!
Love the flow - it was such an effortless read! The bite-sized approach really resonates - I think it works well for many things in life - like learning something new, changing habits and so much more! But never thought of applying it to creativity, going to try to do this Becky.
I love the way you look for bite sized moments to be creative. So inspiring! I’ve been struggling of late to find time to write. I’m definitely trying this out for the next few weeks.
I love that you are taking your own photos instead of using Unsplash. Imagine a one-year international moratorium on digitally generated words, photos, imagery, and audio and what the necessity to create would do the mental health of the world.
Love this whole concept and especially this: “Send friends my own stuff. If a friend asks for my favorite minced pork recipe, I don’t just send a link. I take the recipe I followed for reference, add some touches on where I rebelled (e.g. substituting sugar out for honey), and send them my own recipe. These small touches are an act of creativity too.”
What an awesome representation of a WOP core idea essay!!! After reading your work for a few months, I can see the continuity and through-line. Bravo and excited to read more!
This is such a great guide! I relate to this so badly. I also started my Substack while doing my job. I had all these little notes gathered in my notes app, I had written these while travelling in the metro, during the lunch break and the 15-minute break I would take. These little bursts of creativity have now made me an active writer, and blogger here. It's wonderful and you're journey shows how it can be done. Glad to have come across your work!
This was lovely. It is clear that creativity is part of you, and I appreciated you sharing your process of integrating it into your day! I resonated with breaking down the project into infinitely tiny drops. So well said and point well taken.
I've been looking forward to your core idea essay since last month, and it did not disappoint. When I asked you how you write, I remember you saying you write in the in betweens. I've always admired that part about you—how much value you put into the little moments, how they become more meaningful because of how you approach them. I hope you know how much your writing continues to inspire me.
"in the in betweens" sounds like a wonderful Substack publication name. You're so sweet Linart. Thanks so much for being a constant. To more weekly writings together!
To more weekly writing!! ✍🏼
I want to say “Great minds think alike”.
I loved the energy in this article, which Chris Cordry’s post put me onto.
I feel like I’m in all of those moments of bite-sized creativity that you’ve shared: painting the turnstile, waiting for a pizza (Becky… pizza?!) and using that moment for creativity.
And I found myself nodding at your suggestions because I do, or have done them, too, in some shape or form. But it was a great reminder of doing something little. From acorns come oak trees.
Looking forward to your book…
Ahhh thank you Eric!
Pizza is a great visual for bite-sized creativity :) am sure you've also had many opportunities to squeeze in creative moments and made them effortless ;)
Becky, I devoured this. Chomp chomp. Your essay is a canonical read for those that want to bring creative expression to their lives.
The idea of creative expression is one of my core ideas—I believe any sort of creative expression is essential to bring awareness and intentionality to our lives.
I had a similar creative awakening as you (why do we have to wait for pandemics to figure these things out), so I saw a lot of what you wrote as my own experience.
Bravo!
Chomp chomp! I've been meaning to ask you - you did an essay writing guide a while back. How's that going?
The pandemic was hard but it was the Great Creative Awakening. So glad to have been editing partners with you in the last few weeks!
This is so goooooood, Becky! I was just talking about my creative pursuits with my dad yesterday over dinner, and this is exactly what I *tried* to express to him: "I stopped relying on my employer to make me feel fulfilled. A job is just a job, but my creative hobby became what I'm proud of."
You expressed it way better than me (:
I'm always impressed by how many things you enjoy you actually do. It's very inspirational.
Man the biggest lie we've been raised to believe is that a job is everything. When it really isn't!
Thanks for the kind words, Catalina. It was good to catch you this cohort. Let's arrange a call some time in the next few weeks?
I would love to. I am currently traveling, but will reach out to you when I am back home in a little over a week. :)
Whoop whoop, Becky! Congrats on the piece, it’s excellent. Thankful WoP crossed our paths and that I can continue to follow along in your writing.
PS- I really hope that extra zero or two show up for you this week. ☠️💫
Ah thanks so much Emma! So glad to have met you last cohort and see you totally smash it this time around :)
I'm still hunting for the zeroes 😂
Ah this is so good Becky! And from what I've read over the past year, keeping a creative practice alive while also busing a busy professional seems to be the thread that ties your work together.
One thing I'm so impressed with you is how broad your creativity spans--writing, photography, painting, etc.--yet you still kick ass in each.
Awesome job getting this one out! Hope it felt as good to publish as it was for me to read (:
Thanks so much Tommy! Kicking ass is tiring but fun :D
I've missed ya. Gonna catch up on your Substack soon!
Well done keeping such a prolific practice up whilst working AND editing for WOP! Will you teach me!???
And your creative spirit is inspiring, seriously! Where does it come from?
✨
“Chomp. I had an hour before dinner (pepperoni pizza) was going to arrive. I squeezed turquoise paint out of its tube and onto a porcelain palette. I logged onto Skillshare. I drew flowers for fifteen minutes.”
Pleeeeeasy insert pictures of this! And your other bitesized art moments!
AAAH my brain is tired though so I don't know what's gonna come next week but we'll see!!
And oh man good call on the pics. Lemme dig them up!
Love the flow - it was such an effortless read! The bite-sized approach really resonates - I think it works well for many things in life - like learning something new, changing habits and so much more! But never thought of applying it to creativity, going to try to do this Becky.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Mahathi. Perhaps I should have called this Atomic Creativity :)
It's a perfect fit! My first post here on substack is about atomic risks 🙂 There seems to be a universal application of bite-sized-ness.
Chomp! 😍
So great to see this in it's final form.
Wouldn't have gotten here without you!
I love the way you look for bite sized moments to be creative. So inspiring! I’ve been struggling of late to find time to write. I’m definitely trying this out for the next few weeks.
Thanks Lilian! Even just a sentence here and there will build up into something. You got this!
I love that you are taking your own photos instead of using Unsplash. Imagine a one-year international moratorium on digitally generated words, photos, imagery, and audio and what the necessity to create would do the mental health of the world.
Woah. I didn't even think that I decided to do this in the year when generative AI exploded. It's been so wonderful to create photos on my own terms.
Love this whole concept and especially this: “Send friends my own stuff. If a friend asks for my favorite minced pork recipe, I don’t just send a link. I take the recipe I followed for reference, add some touches on where I rebelled (e.g. substituting sugar out for honey), and send them my own recipe. These small touches are an act of creativity too.”
Congratulations on your sole prop, Becky!
Creativity can really be that small! Thanks Kat :) I just read your core idea piece and woah?!
Would you be down to connecting in the next few weeks? ^^
What an awesome representation of a WOP core idea essay!!! After reading your work for a few months, I can see the continuity and through-line. Bravo and excited to read more!
Ahhh thanks so much Emily! Means so much that you can see the through-line :)
This is such a great guide! I relate to this so badly. I also started my Substack while doing my job. I had all these little notes gathered in my notes app, I had written these while travelling in the metro, during the lunch break and the 15-minute break I would take. These little bursts of creativity have now made me an active writer, and blogger here. It's wonderful and you're journey shows how it can be done. Glad to have come across your work!
....chomp chomp...amazing...
This was lovely. It is clear that creativity is part of you, and I appreciated you sharing your process of integrating it into your day! I resonated with breaking down the project into infinitely tiny drops. So well said and point well taken.