My first essay took many months to write too, there's this annoying yearn for perfection that we all have that can sometimes hold us back. Really loved the poetic nature and the use of language in this read. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Aaron, it's helpful and reassuring when people tell me they also take time to write - a welcome counterfoil to the advice to post at least one long form essay a week and daily notes etc etc.
So many layers here! From the pebble, to the etymology, to the meta-interrogation of writing, and back to the pebble—it felt like a well-executed digression and return. There's substance (matter) and range, while still being cohesive, which I think is really the goal of an essay (an unexpected breadth of material that unexpectedly works together). From what you mentioned before, you seemed a little cautious of going down rabbit holes, but if this is an example of that, I'd encourage you to keep it up! Your voice drives the progression forward, and you can always edit out the less harmonious tangents. Excited for Small Matter 2.
I liked this "If I am asking someone to give me their attention, surely I should have given it mine?" At the same time soon after, was also convinced of the quickly done does not have to mean quickly forgotten. I guess, it's a matter of which advice to take that matters more for each of us.
"This is the fear. That a short piece, a simple thought, may be too thin. That an idea without enough substance has not earned the right to occupy space. And yet much of what I believe matters most is weightless: asking a thoughtful question and listening to the answer."
This resonates with me more than I'd like to admit: "My limitless intention demands a craft and rigour that my meagre attention cannot serve." Boom. Gonna have to sit with that for a while.
I'm also glad you've decided to give some "smaller" ideas space, and think the act of you tending to them is (more than) enough to warrant their right to be there. I think most people sharing ideas, stories, information, want to give more, have robustly developed the substance of their offerings, build out the bigger picture. Which is fantastic. And I think there's a need for smaller doses of things too; sometimes we aren't quite ready for the whole shebang!
My first essay took many months to write too, there's this annoying yearn for perfection that we all have that can sometimes hold us back. Really loved the poetic nature and the use of language in this read. Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Aaron, it's helpful and reassuring when people tell me they also take time to write - a welcome counterfoil to the advice to post at least one long form essay a week and daily notes etc etc.
So many layers here! From the pebble, to the etymology, to the meta-interrogation of writing, and back to the pebble—it felt like a well-executed digression and return. There's substance (matter) and range, while still being cohesive, which I think is really the goal of an essay (an unexpected breadth of material that unexpectedly works together). From what you mentioned before, you seemed a little cautious of going down rabbit holes, but if this is an example of that, I'd encourage you to keep it up! Your voice drives the progression forward, and you can always edit out the less harmonious tangents. Excited for Small Matter 2.
Thanks Michael. I will most willingly take your advice.
I liked this "If I am asking someone to give me their attention, surely I should have given it mine?" At the same time soon after, was also convinced of the quickly done does not have to mean quickly forgotten. I guess, it's a matter of which advice to take that matters more for each of us.
Enjoyed this section a lot:
"This is the fear. That a short piece, a simple thought, may be too thin. That an idea without enough substance has not earned the right to occupy space. And yet much of what I believe matters most is weightless: asking a thoughtful question and listening to the answer."
Thanks for sharing Naz!
Thanks for reading Lance.
This resonates with me more than I'd like to admit: "My limitless intention demands a craft and rigour that my meagre attention cannot serve." Boom. Gonna have to sit with that for a while.
I'm also glad you've decided to give some "smaller" ideas space, and think the act of you tending to them is (more than) enough to warrant their right to be there. I think most people sharing ideas, stories, information, want to give more, have robustly developed the substance of their offerings, build out the bigger picture. Which is fantastic. And I think there's a need for smaller doses of things too; sometimes we aren't quite ready for the whole shebang!
I think you are right Dolores, sometimes smaller is an act of generosity - it gives more space, to the idea and to the reader.
My favourite use of matter is matter of fact. As a matter of fact, I state this matter-of-factly. Looking forward to more adventures in Small Matters.
Looking forward to more such insightful small matters.