At (almost) 27, something I've noticed has improved with age is my ability to discern when I've hit a plateau from when I'm just being impatient for payoff. My tolerance for realistic drudgery timescales has extended, and I'm a lot more willing to endure six months of slow progress now than I was at 17. I think delayed gratification is more tolerable when the wait is a less significant slice of my total lifespan. Of course, I’ve also become I'm more attuned to the differences between slow but gradual progress and *stalled* progress, which also makes a difference. Learning how to learn, like you said.
Also: have you listened to the album "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain" by MONO and world's end girlfriend? Part.2 is my favourite, but it's all pretty brilliant.
one thing I remember from Seven Sentences is stealing from real people. Not the things they'd recognize (except maybe not eating the fruit at the bottom of the yogurt), but the shapes between them. One example I've read from somewhere else is how you could put Tony Stark and Steve Rogers into a room and they would argue no matter who the villain was who was trying to kill people.
Mind you, I have trouble with that because I don't see people archetypally like that, but I hope it helps.
My harp teacher loves to quote the story about cellist Pablo Casals, who—when asked why he still spent hours a day practicing late into his life—said, “Because I think I am making progress.”
My harp teacher also loves to say, "Close your thumb all the way." She is a woman of many wisdoms.
I think my bones needed to hear that this week. They also need me to do physio. (Are bones physio or is that muscles? This is something I would know if I did more regular physio.)
I also firmly believe in our ability to keep learning our whole lives. I keep my eye open for interesting classes being offered at rec centers and other places around me. If I end up not enjoying something, that's fine, but I value keeping my brain open to the process of attempting new things. For the stuff I'm really passionate about, I'll dig deeper and sharpen my practice.
Once you isolate something that needs practice, how do you go about doing it? I’ve been here long enough to know that the first part of your answer is “I read a lot of books that do it well”. But if the aspect you’re practicing is something that’s slow-build (say, mood or character), how do you pinpoint the parts doing that work in these novels? And then, how would you practice it?
I'm a (mediocre) cellist and I really like the Dotzauer Method Volume 1/Exercises 1 and 2. The wrist exercises are really good. I have also been trying to practice 15min-30min a day to build my skills back up, I haven’t played as much since college.
At (almost) 27, something I've noticed has improved with age is my ability to discern when I've hit a plateau from when I'm just being impatient for payoff. My tolerance for realistic drudgery timescales has extended, and I'm a lot more willing to endure six months of slow progress now than I was at 17. I think delayed gratification is more tolerable when the wait is a less significant slice of my total lifespan. Of course, I’ve also become I'm more attuned to the differences between slow but gradual progress and *stalled* progress, which also makes a difference. Learning how to learn, like you said.
Also: have you listened to the album "Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain" by MONO and world's end girlfriend? Part.2 is my favourite, but it's all pretty brilliant.
Maggie, do you remember what types of things you did to practice writing characters that feel like real people?
one thing I remember from Seven Sentences is stealing from real people. Not the things they'd recognize (except maybe not eating the fruit at the bottom of the yogurt), but the shapes between them. One example I've read from somewhere else is how you could put Tony Stark and Steve Rogers into a room and they would argue no matter who the villain was who was trying to kill people.
Mind you, I have trouble with that because I don't see people archetypally like that, but I hope it helps.
I too would love to hear more about this!
My harp teacher loves to quote the story about cellist Pablo Casals, who—when asked why he still spent hours a day practicing late into his life—said, “Because I think I am making progress.”
My harp teacher also loves to say, "Close your thumb all the way." She is a woman of many wisdoms.
Astronaut Victor Glover said in a recent interview, “Practice makes process,” which I feel aligns with the essay snips you shared here.
I think my bones needed to hear that this week. They also need me to do physio. (Are bones physio or is that muscles? This is something I would know if I did more regular physio.)
I also firmly believe in our ability to keep learning our whole lives. I keep my eye open for interesting classes being offered at rec centers and other places around me. If I end up not enjoying something, that's fine, but I value keeping my brain open to the process of attempting new things. For the stuff I'm really passionate about, I'll dig deeper and sharpen my practice.
Once you isolate something that needs practice, how do you go about doing it? I’ve been here long enough to know that the first part of your answer is “I read a lot of books that do it well”. But if the aspect you’re practicing is something that’s slow-build (say, mood or character), how do you pinpoint the parts doing that work in these novels? And then, how would you practice it?
This is a very good question and I'll do a post just about it!
I play piano but always wanted to play the cello. Good on you for seeking the instructor you need
I'm a (mediocre) cellist and I really like the Dotzauer Method Volume 1/Exercises 1 and 2. The wrist exercises are really good. I have also been trying to practice 15min-30min a day to build my skills back up, I haven’t played as much since college.