I really like the idea of bringing a question with you before you start listening or reading. I spend a lot of time asking whether I like a song but not nearly enough time asking why it moves me. Is it the melody? The lyrics? The way the arrangement builds emotion? That feels like a much better way to learn from the artists I admire instead of just replaying their music. Thank you Idris Elijah, it’s funny how a newsletter about reading ended up changing the way I want to listen!
One thing I’ve noticed after reading these newsletters for a long time is that I’m starting to read differently without even trying. I don’t just notice a sentence I like anymore. I catch myself wondering why it worked. This newsletter kind of put a name to something that’s been happening in the background. I appreciate you sharing these every week Idris Elijah! And speaking of things to read, when will we be getting another one of your short stories?! I’m needing some good summer reading for the beach!
The line that really stayed with me was, “You don’t retain what you read. You retain what your mind is trying to solve while you read.” I think that’s why some books stick with me for years and others fade quickly. Your newsletters have changed how I approach what I’m reading. Instead of just hoping something clicks, I’m starting to look for one idea I can actually carry with me. Thank you Idris for another issue that gave me a different way to think about something I do all the time!
Good point made here that creating and observing aren’t really separate skills. The question you bring into a painting changes what you notice, just like it changes what you take from a book. Some days I get caught up in color or technique but other days it’s the emotion or the composition that stays with me. I like the idea that there isn’t one right way to look at art. Sometimes all it takes is asking a better question before you begin. I hadn’t considered that perspective before. Thank you Idris Elijah for another thoughtful read and I echo what Chloe said about more short stories!
I really like the idea of bringing a question with you before you start listening or reading. I spend a lot of time asking whether I like a song but not nearly enough time asking why it moves me. Is it the melody? The lyrics? The way the arrangement builds emotion? That feels like a much better way to learn from the artists I admire instead of just replaying their music. Thank you Idris Elijah, it’s funny how a newsletter about reading ended up changing the way I want to listen!
One thing I’ve noticed after reading these newsletters for a long time is that I’m starting to read differently without even trying. I don’t just notice a sentence I like anymore. I catch myself wondering why it worked. This newsletter kind of put a name to something that’s been happening in the background. I appreciate you sharing these every week Idris Elijah! And speaking of things to read, when will we be getting another one of your short stories?! I’m needing some good summer reading for the beach!
The line that really stayed with me was, “You don’t retain what you read. You retain what your mind is trying to solve while you read.” I think that’s why some books stick with me for years and others fade quickly. Your newsletters have changed how I approach what I’m reading. Instead of just hoping something clicks, I’m starting to look for one idea I can actually carry with me. Thank you Idris for another issue that gave me a different way to think about something I do all the time!
Good point made here that creating and observing aren’t really separate skills. The question you bring into a painting changes what you notice, just like it changes what you take from a book. Some days I get caught up in color or technique but other days it’s the emotion or the composition that stays with me. I like the idea that there isn’t one right way to look at art. Sometimes all it takes is asking a better question before you begin. I hadn’t considered that perspective before. Thank you Idris Elijah for another thoughtful read and I echo what Chloe said about more short stories!