I haven’t written fiction yet but this really changed how I think about creative work in general. The idea that constraint doesn’t limit truth but instead demands it is really profound. It made me realize how often I overcomplicate things instead of asking what actually matters. This felt less like advice and more like hard-earned truth. Thank you Idris for another thought provoking newsletter!
You should delve into fiction, even if you only get your toes wet. Indeed constraints demand truth and I’m pleased you caught that. Thank you Brian, and you are most welcome! 🤩🤩🤩
I’ve been treating short stories like miniature novels and then wondering why they keep collapsing under their own weight. The idea that it’s about pressure and not plot made something click for me. One fracture, one emotional current, no escape routes. That reframing alone explains so many drafts I couldn’t fix no matter how much I revised. Thank you Idris Elijah for putting words to something I’ve been circling for years!
Pleased you took so much away! I hope this means you will finish more short stories and maybe even revisit some of your unfinished drafts. You are so welcome, Chloe! 🤩🤗
This spoke not only to my writing but my artistic process. When I work small (limited canvas, limited palette) it forces honesty in a way bigger pieces don’t. There’s no room for extra gestures or decoration that doesn’t belong. Reading this helped me understand why those pieces often feel more alive when they’re done. It was comforting to see that struggle reflected so clearly in another medium. Thanks for always articulating ideas like these so well Idris Elijah!
Love how you applied the topic of this newsletter to painting. Indeed, any form of creativity benefits from constraints. Really enjoyed these insights Jody, keep ‘em coming. And you are most welcome 🤗🤩🤩
This made me think about watching my daughter learn new dance routines and how the simplest ones are sometimes the hardest for her to get right. There’s nowhere to hide. Every move matters, every beat counts. Reading this felt similar. The idea of focus and compression really resonated, not just creatively but emotionally too. Sometimes less really does ask more of us. This newsletter will stick with me Idris Elijah so thank you for sharing it with us today!
Thinking how this topic applies to learning to dance is another great insight. So pleased you caught the heart of the matter. Thank you for sharing your great thoughts here, Maria. And you are so welcome! 🙏🏾🤗🤩
Some good advice on the writing of short stories.
Thanks 🙏🏾
I haven’t written fiction yet but this really changed how I think about creative work in general. The idea that constraint doesn’t limit truth but instead demands it is really profound. It made me realize how often I overcomplicate things instead of asking what actually matters. This felt less like advice and more like hard-earned truth. Thank you Idris for another thought provoking newsletter!
You should delve into fiction, even if you only get your toes wet. Indeed constraints demand truth and I’m pleased you caught that. Thank you Brian, and you are most welcome! 🤩🤩🤩
I’ve been treating short stories like miniature novels and then wondering why they keep collapsing under their own weight. The idea that it’s about pressure and not plot made something click for me. One fracture, one emotional current, no escape routes. That reframing alone explains so many drafts I couldn’t fix no matter how much I revised. Thank you Idris Elijah for putting words to something I’ve been circling for years!
Pleased you took so much away! I hope this means you will finish more short stories and maybe even revisit some of your unfinished drafts. You are so welcome, Chloe! 🤩🤗
This spoke not only to my writing but my artistic process. When I work small (limited canvas, limited palette) it forces honesty in a way bigger pieces don’t. There’s no room for extra gestures or decoration that doesn’t belong. Reading this helped me understand why those pieces often feel more alive when they’re done. It was comforting to see that struggle reflected so clearly in another medium. Thanks for always articulating ideas like these so well Idris Elijah!
Love how you applied the topic of this newsletter to painting. Indeed, any form of creativity benefits from constraints. Really enjoyed these insights Jody, keep ‘em coming. And you are most welcome 🤗🤩🤩
This made me think about watching my daughter learn new dance routines and how the simplest ones are sometimes the hardest for her to get right. There’s nowhere to hide. Every move matters, every beat counts. Reading this felt similar. The idea of focus and compression really resonated, not just creatively but emotionally too. Sometimes less really does ask more of us. This newsletter will stick with me Idris Elijah so thank you for sharing it with us today!
Thinking how this topic applies to learning to dance is another great insight. So pleased you caught the heart of the matter. Thank you for sharing your great thoughts here, Maria. And you are so welcome! 🙏🏾🤗🤩