OM DETTA AVSNITT
My answer to a question you should never try to answer
“All writers are shamans and creativity is a magickal act.”
— James Garside
This was the closest I ever came to writing a mission statement. It was a long time ago, I promise!
What do you write? Why do you write? There are questions no writer wants to answer.
File next to: “Where do you get your ideas from?” “Have you written anything I’ve heard of?” And “Do you like Harry Potter?”
I want to show the world its own dreams. That’s the phrase I came up with when forced to explain why I write. I know how it sounds. But I said what I said.
This piece was my attempt to explain what I meant without making things worse. Which is a hard line to walk when your philosophy sounds like it belongs on a t-shirt.
Magick shows up. Shamanism shows up. Bill Hicks shows up. Whether any of it lands or not depends on you.
Are you the sort of person who growls when asked why they write or do you have a two-hour answer ready? I’m a bit of both and / or neither depending on the day.
What do you write? Why do you write? Answers on a postcard please.
This episode is brought to you by:
Nobody.
Links:
Original: Why Do You Write? To Show the World its Own Dreams
Substack: jamesgarside.substack.com
Medium: medium.com/@jamesgarside_
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@jamesgarside
Web: jamesgarside.net
Chapter 23 by James Garside. A regular series of irregular thoughts. Could be anything. Mostly rants. Warning: May contain traces of sarcasm. Chapter 23 is a multimedia project by James Garside. Journalist, Author, Writer. Part-time vagabond, full-time grumpy arse. Would you care for a cup of tea? I write about everything from art, culture, and politics to tech, travel, and the occult. Sometimes in ways that get me into trouble. I’m also funny — I probably should’ve led with that. I help writers and artists to do their best work. Let’s be part of each other’s stories. More at: jamesgarside.net
Get full access to Chapter 23 by James Garside at jamesgarside.substack.com/subscribe
