

I’ve attempted to work through the perennial classic The Artist’s Way three times.
I say “attempted” because I’ve never made it all the way through the book’s process, and I blamed myself each time I failed. I didn’t focus enough, I hadn’t given myself enough time, I didn’t follow through, I wasn’t disciplined, et cetera. Everybody else seemed to love that damned book, but you know what? I didn’t vibe with it — at all. (I especially despise morning pages; they’re an absolute waste of time.)
Other people can love The Artist’s Way all they want, but it doesn’t work for me. The system itself isn’t for me, and that’s not a personal shortcoming. Realizing that was such a relief. No matter how universal a creative method or piece of advice is supposed to be, you don’t have to follow it.
It feels wrong to admit that, doesn’t it? But it’s true. If you need a permission slip to ignore popular advice, here you go: You have my full permission to dump any guidance that doesn’t work for you, regardless of how well-received it is by other folks.
If a time management tool doesn’t work for you? Drop it. If a trendy self-help book seems like a bunch of bullshit to you? Ignore it. Are you tired of reading about everyone’s favorite plotting methods when you’re a pantster? Pants away, baby! Most insidious of all, if you come across something written from a place of unexamined privilege about “three easy steps to do whatever,” but the hidden fourth step is “be born into a wealthy family,” guess what?? If that doesn’t apply to you, you don’t have to even try those three steps! Just kick the nonsense to the curb!
Freeing, isn’t it?
I recently took an online workshop for short-form writing like micro memoir and flash fiction. It was a great class, and I learned a lot. The instructor urged us to keep a daily close observation journal, which sounded like a good idea, so I gave it a try. But it didn’t work for me. What she described didn’t fit the shape of my life or my personal writing practice. I felt guilty when I gave up, thinking I should’ve just tried harder. But then I realized other daily journal methods could give me the same benefit in a different package. I poked around and came up with a close equivalent in one of Linda Barry’s journal methods. I now have a better-for-me framework to shape my close observations, but I’m still gaining the benefits the instructor had promised. (I also get to make a little drawing every day, which is the perfect incentive for a doodler like me.)
That new “failure” was a good reminder that not every piece of advice or bit of instruction is universal. Keep an open mind, of course. Give reasonable methods a shot, but feel free to let them go if they don’t suit you and try something else. Remember, there is literally no such thing as “one size fits all.”
Keep what works and discard the rest.

- “Girls5Eva” is on Netflix now! As a fan from the beginning, I really hope this streaming platform switch helps it gain a larger audience. If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s a sit-com about members of a Spice-Girls-style girl group reuniting 20 years later to give their musical careers another shot. It’s hilarious, and the music is fantastic, so check it out. (This neurotic banger, my favorite from all three seasons, forces me to admit that I also don’t think I can trust my arms, and I own all 7 seasons of “The Mentalist.”)
- I don’t have a book rec for you this time because I have read nothing but formulaic low-brow stuff for weeks. This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy or recommend the kind of stuff I read when I get on those kicks. I just know my favorite well-loved trashy comfort reads aren’t for everyone. For example, I read six Jayne Ann Krentz romances from the 1990s last week, all in a row. I enjoyed every minute! I think I was just nostalgic for a time when people had email addresses but didn’t walk around glued to a screen 24/7. My favorite from that batch was Trust Me, about a caterer from an eccentric theatrical family who falls for a man left at the altar. There’s also a crime to be solved (of course). Like, if you want to read a cis-het romantic suspense novel from 1995, that’s a decent one. But I’m betting most of you don’t, LOL!
- I’ve been working on my novel revision so hard that it’s started to saturate my dreams. The other night, I dreamt that a hidden door to the faerie realm opened up by our condo complex’s pool. All the lounge chairs were bathed in this eerie green light, and I thought, “Hey, maybe it’s not a great time for a swim right now,” and noped myself out of there. Gonna write that green light into one of the settings, though! Thanks, subconscious mind. You’re the best.
Okay, talk to you soon!
4 responses to “It’s not me. It’s you.”
Brava!
Thank you! (Sorry, I think I have missed a comment or two from you on WordPress. The system doesn’t always send me a notice.)
Definitely going to check out your trashy read recs. They have the amount of quirk and fun I need in my trashy reads
I’m glad to be of service! 😁