Even though this is about writing, I felt it immediately as a musician. The way you talked about compression versus endurance felt exactly like the difference between finishing songs and endlessly developing them. I’ve learned more from completing small pieces than dragging one big idea around for months. This made that feel valid instead of like a shortcut. Thank you Idris Elijah for taking the time to lay this out so cleanly!
Writing is very similar to musicianship. We write all the time. The difference is only that we can hear the things we write. From the lyrics, the band, and the singer. I’m pleased you saw that connection! Thank you!! 🤩🤗
This hit home for me because I’ve felt that quiet pressure to go big before I was ready. Seeing short stories framed as a place to sharpen judgment instead of delay progress was a relief. I love the idea that finishing smaller things isn’t a detour. It’s how you build the muscle to carry larger ones. This made me feel steadier about where I’m putting my energy right now. Appreciate you Idris for naming something a lot of us feel!
This really landed for me. I’ve definitely treated novels like the real work and short stories like a warm-up and that mindset has quietly messed with my confidence. The idea of stories as training reps instead of status symbols reframed a lot. Finishing more, learning faster and trusting my instincts again feels like the part I’ve been missing. I can tell this came from experience, not theory. Thanks for sharing it with us today Idris Elijah!
The part about scale versus depth really stuck with me. Sometimes a small painting teaches me more than a big ambitious canvas I never quite finish. Shorter work forces honesty…You can’t hide in it. This helped me see that switching scale isn’t quitting, it’s training my eye and my decisions. Thank you again Idris Elijah for sharing your insights with us, it gave me a lot to sit with!
Exactly! Shorter work forces honestly, there’s no where to hide. Every stroke, word, and idea must breathe and have purpose. But you only get there by mixing it up. Short stories or small paintings to train, and novels or canvas for literal big picture thinking. Outstanding insight!! And you’re welcome for sure 🤩🤗
This reminded me of watching my daughter learn to dance. She gets better faster when we work on short routines she can finish and feel proud of instead of one long, overwhelming goal. The idea that repetition and completion build confidence really resonated. It made me think about how that applies to creativity at any age. I’m grateful for the way you framed this newsletter Idris Elijah!
I appreciate your perspective here, because you’re right. At any age. The framing is a suit, and you too also saw the universality. So grateful you did!! Thank you!! 🤩🤩🤩
Even though this is about writing, I felt it immediately as a musician. The way you talked about compression versus endurance felt exactly like the difference between finishing songs and endlessly developing them. I’ve learned more from completing small pieces than dragging one big idea around for months. This made that feel valid instead of like a shortcut. Thank you Idris Elijah for taking the time to lay this out so cleanly!
Writing is very similar to musicianship. We write all the time. The difference is only that we can hear the things we write. From the lyrics, the band, and the singer. I’m pleased you saw that connection! Thank you!! 🤩🤗
This hit home for me because I’ve felt that quiet pressure to go big before I was ready. Seeing short stories framed as a place to sharpen judgment instead of delay progress was a relief. I love the idea that finishing smaller things isn’t a detour. It’s how you build the muscle to carry larger ones. This made me feel steadier about where I’m putting my energy right now. Appreciate you Idris for naming something a lot of us feel!
Loving these takeaways deeply! The quiet pressure, the new found steadiness. You are truly welcome, Brian!! 🤩🤩🤩
This really landed for me. I’ve definitely treated novels like the real work and short stories like a warm-up and that mindset has quietly messed with my confidence. The idea of stories as training reps instead of status symbols reframed a lot. Finishing more, learning faster and trusting my instincts again feels like the part I’ve been missing. I can tell this came from experience, not theory. Thanks for sharing it with us today Idris Elijah!
Definitely! Don’t get me wrong, short stories are no joke. But they do allow you to appreciate the price of a word. Thank you! 😊🤩
The part about scale versus depth really stuck with me. Sometimes a small painting teaches me more than a big ambitious canvas I never quite finish. Shorter work forces honesty…You can’t hide in it. This helped me see that switching scale isn’t quitting, it’s training my eye and my decisions. Thank you again Idris Elijah for sharing your insights with us, it gave me a lot to sit with!
Exactly! Shorter work forces honestly, there’s no where to hide. Every stroke, word, and idea must breathe and have purpose. But you only get there by mixing it up. Short stories or small paintings to train, and novels or canvas for literal big picture thinking. Outstanding insight!! And you’re welcome for sure 🤩🤗
This reminded me of watching my daughter learn to dance. She gets better faster when we work on short routines she can finish and feel proud of instead of one long, overwhelming goal. The idea that repetition and completion build confidence really resonated. It made me think about how that applies to creativity at any age. I’m grateful for the way you framed this newsletter Idris Elijah!
I appreciate your perspective here, because you’re right. At any age. The framing is a suit, and you too also saw the universality. So grateful you did!! Thank you!! 🤩🤩🤩