This is such an incredible post, thank you. The part about capitalism, so true. "Capitalism thrives on making us believe what we have is not enough; and that we always need more. More followers. More coin. More social proof. More influence." Also like "Together we create a forest." Great ending lines, thanks!
"The Joshua Tree only grows a new branch after it blooms.
If it never blooms the tree keeps growing straight up like a finger. When it blooms, which might happen every few years if the environmental conditions are agreeable, the bloom develops into a new limb.
That’s how botanists can age a Joshua Tree, by its number of branches."
Did they tell you about the Yucca moth and how they are dependent on each other? That's why no one who cares will ever kill a moth in Joshua Tree.
Also why I own a butterfly: to catch errant moths and let them back out in the yard. (I think I had 3 or 4 Joshua Trees in my yard, but might have been just two. I can't remember.)
Yes, they did. So fascinating! And makes the art practice/Joshua Tree analogy even more interesting because many intricate things have to be aligned for both to bloom. I’m envious you lived there😬 I’m heading there next January for a month and plan to do a self-directed residency (I stole that idea from Clare Wassermann)
Joshua Tree Coffee is lovely. Lots of seating outside. There's a little walkway to get to it to the left of the pizza.
In that same complex but facing the street should be a pizza place. If it's the same as when I was there, it's yum. (it's not, it's new ownership but looks like people like it.)
And Sam's Indian Food is amazing. I went there all the time.
I've lived some amazing places and it's been wonderful but it's also less vacation and more life surrounded by pretty. when I lived in Sedona I used to joke we still had taxes and teenagers but the view to the laundry mat was pretty good.
This is a perfect metaphor for the artists' life and such a great way to think about one's work. As a mostly unpublished writer, I decided to create a bookshelf of all my finished manuscripts and the journals etc I had appeared in. I would glance across at it whenever I received rejections and it really helped me keep the faith so I have my Joshua Tree too!
As we've discussed before, I have the option of self-publishing but it still comes with all those measures of worth that we burden ourselves with and that dilute creative joy. Your words chimed beautifully with my thoughts yesterday when I finally accepted that a huge marketing campaign for my novel which is out in 2 months is simply beyond me and that in the end, writing is its own reward and having a few genuinely moved readers is better than a big sales number or bestseller badge.
I'll get back on the case re. ads and promotions and reviews but re-balancing our values and emotions, as you have shown how to do here, is crucial for artistic survival.
What a wonderful thing to look at a bookshelf of your writing! It’s really easy to keep moving forward without taking the time to enjoy and celebrate our creative harvests—I love that you did that for yourself.
I can’t wait to read your new novel! You must be so excited.
This is such an incredible post, thank you. The part about capitalism, so true. "Capitalism thrives on making us believe what we have is not enough; and that we always need more. More followers. More coin. More social proof. More influence." Also like "Together we create a forest." Great ending lines, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it Jeanine❤️
Agreed!
TIL, thank you!
"The Joshua Tree only grows a new branch after it blooms.
If it never blooms the tree keeps growing straight up like a finger. When it blooms, which might happen every few years if the environmental conditions are agreeable, the bloom develops into a new limb.
That’s how botanists can age a Joshua Tree, by its number of branches."
I didn’t know this either until I did a guided tour of Joshua Tree National Park earlier this year. Fascinating trees.
Brilliant post! Says it all. Burn the tickbox!! Love you and love your writing. 🐦🔥🐦🔥
Thanks Clare❤️
I lived in Joshua Tree for a couple of years.
Did they tell you about the Yucca moth and how they are dependent on each other? That's why no one who cares will ever kill a moth in Joshua Tree.
Also why I own a butterfly: to catch errant moths and let them back out in the yard. (I think I had 3 or 4 Joshua Trees in my yard, but might have been just two. I can't remember.)
Yes, they did. So fascinating! And makes the art practice/Joshua Tree analogy even more interesting because many intricate things have to be aligned for both to bloom. I’m envious you lived there😬 I’m heading there next January for a month and plan to do a self-directed residency (I stole that idea from Clare Wassermann)
great place for it!
Joshua Tree Coffee is lovely. Lots of seating outside. There's a little walkway to get to it to the left of the pizza.
In that same complex but facing the street should be a pizza place. If it's the same as when I was there, it's yum. (it's not, it's new ownership but looks like people like it.)
And Sam's Indian Food is amazing. I went there all the time.
I've lived some amazing places and it's been wonderful but it's also less vacation and more life surrounded by pretty. when I lived in Sedona I used to joke we still had taxes and teenagers but the view to the laundry mat was pretty good.
This is a perfect metaphor for the artists' life and such a great way to think about one's work. As a mostly unpublished writer, I decided to create a bookshelf of all my finished manuscripts and the journals etc I had appeared in. I would glance across at it whenever I received rejections and it really helped me keep the faith so I have my Joshua Tree too!
As we've discussed before, I have the option of self-publishing but it still comes with all those measures of worth that we burden ourselves with and that dilute creative joy. Your words chimed beautifully with my thoughts yesterday when I finally accepted that a huge marketing campaign for my novel which is out in 2 months is simply beyond me and that in the end, writing is its own reward and having a few genuinely moved readers is better than a big sales number or bestseller badge.
I'll get back on the case re. ads and promotions and reviews but re-balancing our values and emotions, as you have shown how to do here, is crucial for artistic survival.
What a wonderful thing to look at a bookshelf of your writing! It’s really easy to keep moving forward without taking the time to enjoy and celebrate our creative harvests—I love that you did that for yourself.
I can’t wait to read your new novel! You must be so excited.