the creative minimalist

darren r hill : writer, minstrel and journal keeper

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Repetition is not a narrative

This phrase has been bouncing around my head for a while now.

Days become similar.
Hours and minutes are the same.
Moments, by moment, merge.

It’s the Spring Equinox.
It’s a Full Moon.
It’s another day in March.

Am I living my life, or am I repeating myself…
because, if so, repetition is not a narrative.

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
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It’s all in the preparation. Symbols, rituals and events


Today marks the beginning of Lent. Originally this religious feast was the time when Christians, or Catechumens, prepared for Easter. In the past they would learn the stuff and become good little Catechumens, before getting baptised at Easter. Part of this preparation involved fasting, or giving up. I have oversimplified things, but that’s why we get the whole giving things up for Lent ritual.

Today, there is a New Moon. For those who have followed my social journey, you’ll have seen my on/off attempts at using the New Moon cycle as a time of personal development, ritual and habit-forming process. Another over-simplification: it is when I make some intentions for the coming month and set about achieving them.

And Mercury is going, or has just gone (it depends on what calendar I look at), retrograde. I’m not up with all the astrological details (I totally understand the astronomical side of things), but essentially Mercury retrograde is a time when you might need to pay more attention than usual. It is a time to double check things, communications and tech stuff – all good advice anytime, but, hey I’m trying to make a point. So, another gross simplification born from my ignorance of astrology: it is a good time to prepare.

A strict, empirical mind might dismiss coincidences. It would suggest that what I see is simply me making connections where I want them to be. Well, yes I am. And as I like rituals, symbols and events, I am happy to be doing this.

Therefore, as these three events align, I feel it only right and proper to pause and prepare.

But pause from what and prepare for what?

The prepare is easy to answer. I have a long list of goals that I am working toward. I have projects on the go and some interesting things I will be sharing soon. Lots to prepare and plenty to do.

Perhaps, as I see these symbolic moments align, what I am being told is… don’t forget to pause.

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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It all gets a little foggy…


At times the fog rolls in and, just like the tide, it can not be stopped. At these foggy moments, there is a danger that we lose out way. We can find ourselves lost, not knowing where we are or where we need to head.

Yet sight is just one of our many senses.

That can be a problem too. When the fog rolls in and we lose sight, the voices begin to mutter. They offer advice, warnings. They actualise deeper fears and worries within. As vision falters, so imagined vistas are formed. What we imagine is more ominous than the unknown hidden and obscured within the fog.

In time, the fog clears… fears not so.

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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How not to write a book or release an album

Musical instruments and writer's keyboard


The first rule of writing a book is don’t write a book. Let me explain, and no this isn’t going to be laced with Fight Club references… apart from that one. This is something that I have told many authors, in my time as a commissioning editor, and the first step on any training on writing that I have led or produced – and mentioned it online on many occasions and platforms. This is the golden rule. What I mean is that you should never start with the mindset that you are writing a book.

More unpacking is required. Yes, you have an idea, you believe you can write and you would therefore, like to get a book published and on the shelves of whatever route to market you choose. Great. But that is a big, big burden to carry when you open the word processor or notebook and begin to put down the first words. At some point, this big burden will weigh you down. It is too big for your fledgling shoulders to carry. So…

Think first draft/arrangement

If you want to write a book, don’t write a book. Just write, or if you want something to aim at, think a first draft. Getting the first draft done is a big enough task for the most accomplished authors. And here I look at myself with several unfinished first drafts gathering dust. As much as possible keep further thoughts of ‘book’ in another drawer or box.

Why am I saying this yet again? Well, dear reader, it is a case of physician why can’t thy heal thyself. I know this golden rule and yet I find it so hard to keep focused on the task at hand. I struggle to keep my mind on the first draft, not just on fiction projects but also here, on this blog. And – and this is the one currently ailing my soul – when making my music.

It’s infecting the art

With music the end product, or big burden, for me is the album. I find myself thinking all things album related: running order, cover, distribution, special edition, remixes… before I know it these things have taken over and infected the song, or music, the creation, my art. These big ideas begin to shape the sound, but not in a good way. They constrict, infect, mutate, and ultimately they destroy the creativity, the joy and the release found in making the art/music in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with me wanting to release a collection of songs, but the songs need to be created in the first place. There is nothing wrong with you wanting to write a book, but the words need to be drafted before anything else can effectively be done. Yes, there are exceptions, and if you have an effective network of support staff around you the burden can be shared.

So, feel free to join me, in writing that first draft or arranging that piece of music and before you know it, you might just have that book or album.

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

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It’s not just background noise


I overcomplicate things. I overthink things.

This is bad for me.

I struggle to start projects – what is the first step?
I end up with unfinished projects – too many ideas and I lose focus.

Not just projects, most aspects of my life.

I will work at not overcomplicating things, I will calm my thoughts and not overthink things.

I am the creative minimalist

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
If you enjoyed this post please support my writing by making a donation of any amount.

Sign up for my (ir)regular newsletter to keep up to date with my creative adventures, including special offers, and join me on Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Pinterest

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