Succinct Shots: Creative Ponderings
Wrestling with the muse during a time of change and transition
This is the introduction for a series called Succinct Shots.
It’s based on a practice of stream-of-consciousness writing. It’s my own variation on The Artist’s Way Morning Pages, a journaling technique to trigger creativity.
In the 1970s, Peter Elbow promoted his ‘freewriting’ technique in the book Writing Without Teachers. With an emphasis on going non-stop and to free associate, it was an academic exercise in nothingness. It never made anything clearer or insightful in my mind.
Freedom to think also requires a direction. So, I, like many others, adapted the freewriting method to write focused on one idea or topic, intently, for a short duration. This focal point allows me to dig deep and avoid rambling aimlessly without meaning.
So far, all of my morning pages are from a downcast and reflective period in 2019. The writings sway towards self-help sentiments and creativity disquietudes.
It’s meant to trigger clarity for the writer, listener and/or reader.
The Journal Pages
My process for journal writing borrowed elements from both The Artist’s Way and freewriting methods.
Here is a breakdown of the procedure for each Succinct Shot:
Write two pages in a notebook within the first hour of waking up with a fresh and uncluttered mindset.
Chose a topic that enters your mind or one that’s stuck in your head. Let it come naturally, without force or over-selection.
Set the timer to record and write without interruption until the two journal pages are completed. (Time: 17-26 minutes; Words: 350-400).
Focus your attention on each previous sentence and flow from that point to the next thought. Do not linger. Try to let your inner mind guide the way.
As the page space ends, try to close out the thought in a meaningful way.
Succinct Shots Playlist
The Creative Habit - Chasing the muse on your own terms to find a creative sweet spot.
Fight for the Long Term - Find the little victories that keep the struggle from defeat.
The Journey of Secondary Roads - There are many roads to reach the right destination.
Flipping the Switch - Making your mind work in your favor over staying stagnant.
The Change Point - Realizing the moment when you push beyond normality.
The Rising Power of Independent Voices - Shifting the balance of personal power to thwart the status quo.
My Opening Farewell - The start of my morning pages and creative musings.
That Click Moment - The secret weapon to self-fulfillment and steady progress.
The Obligation of Purpose - It cannot be flimsy or flap in the wind.
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Update: June 2023
I wrote all the Succinct Shots writings in a notebook back in 2019. This was before Substack or Scobiphonic appeared on the horizon. Out of the 20 plus writings, I only published six early on. So now I’m ramping up the production to voice record and upload the rest.
Morning pages are highly personal. I was trying to jump start my positivity and creativity.
Since then, I’ve gotten back into the flow of life. I’ve always written, so writing essays for this Substack blog taps into my psyche and sensibilities.
Over the recent lockdown years, I studied music theory for free on YouTube. It released my inner songwriter dream into reality, thus Scobiphonic was born.
Creativity controls my life now. That’s what Succinct Shots were foreshadowing.
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