"Why have i stressed professionalism so heavily in the preceding chapters? Because the most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.
Why is this so important?
Because when we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. A process is set into motion by which, inevitably and infallibly, heaven comes to our aid. Unseen forces enlist in our cause; serendipity reinforces our purpose.
This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers (insert 'artists' here if you like, or painter, or designer etc) don't. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favour in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetised rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. insights accrete. Just as resistance has its seat in hell, so Creation has its home in heaven. And it's not just a witness, but an eager and active ally."
Taken from The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, Steven Pressfield
I love this book - it is so kick - ass!!!
x me
I know this is true! I also read "Bird By Bird" by Anne Lamott . I guess the struggles as artists are part of the process.
ReplyDeleteyes- i loved that book too!
ReplyDeletei used to be in a group that read thru "the artist way". after we finished that, we read thru several other books, and the war of art was one of them. i loved re-reading the except you posted-