ObscuraJournal 3/15/26

One of my favorite writers, Craig Clevenger, is a big fan of starting over. I read in one of John Skipp's recently newsletters that he typically starts and stops, flips the script, and tries different angles on projects repeatedly until he's satisfied. I also do this with every single project, usually multiple times. And even though this is my usual M.O., I still feel guilty about it. I don't know why. There's no reason to feel that way. Maybe there's this part of me that thinks that if I can't get it right the first time then I failed, and when it comes to writing, those thoughts don't need to be in a writers head, ever.

The only time we fail is when we don't try, and try again.

And I'm going to slap the Yoda right out ya mouth with that "Do or do not, there is no try" crap. When it comes to creative endeavors, you have to try. If you don't believe me, listen to a great jazz album, but find one of the complete sessions editions. John Coltrane's A Love Supreme is a great one to check out. There are multiple recordings of Coltrane and the players attempting the same track over and over again. These were some of the best players in the world who, for whatever reason, either their's or the producer's, were not satisfied. And if the creator is unsatisfied, how can the audience be satisfied?

(Typically, the audience would never know, but that's not the point.)

I tend to start projects over because I'm not satisfied with the approach to the story. Either the POV is off, or I'm slanting to a tone that isn't working. The idea that it has to be etched in stone creeps in as soon as the words are typed, and I need to . let. that. shit. go.

A difficult task. We are a sensitive bunch, often alone with our thoughts and fantasies, working in a medium that is inherently introspective and intensely personal and sometimes the distance we need is subtle and difficult to gauge.

As much as writing fearlessly pertains to the content on the page, it is equally important to dispel those fears we harbor within.

We must forever try, and try again.

And again.

peace&love