12 Comments
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Susie Campbell's avatar

I recognise the fuzziness, beautifully described here! x

Rachel Smith's avatar

Thanks Susie. I’ve been thinking since about how often we make this phase ‘wrong’, when maybe it’s just a part of the creative cycle. Baked in.

Susie Campbell's avatar

Yes, I think that's true - there are several places of the creative cycle which are really uncomfortable and hard to stay with, alongside the great joys of when things come together or you get those flashes of inspiration or insight. Easy to think the latter is when the work is 'really happening' but I wonder if those difficult places are as important, maybe more important? Thank you for sharing these reflections xxx

Caroline Bobby's avatar

gorgeous

gorgeous

gorgeous

Pippa Bondy's avatar

Thank you, dear Rachel. 😊

Evan de Barra's avatar

Even to technology copywriting, I can apply your lesson and wise words.

Rachel Smith's avatar

Thanks Evan- v glad to hear they’re versatile!

Audrey Boss's avatar

Thank you. I needed that today 💚

Rachel Smith's avatar

So glad. Me too. x

Ruth's avatar

So resonant! Lovely to have this (and your beautiful voice) on a can't-find-the-river day, thanks Rachel xx

Rachel Smith's avatar

So glad to hear this Ruth, and yes, as I finished writing it I was thinking about how this feeling is such a part of the process, creative and life, and yet it can be so hard to be in, and we think it's just us, and, and....

Imagine writing that villanelle?!! I think it is my favourite of the form. xx

Ruth's avatar

yes! so often villanelles clunk for me, but this is a perfect match of form and content, the learning by going idea really resonates with your piece