Matthew Wayne Selznick Creates

A week or so ago, I recorded a “pitch video” for my Patreon page, a recommended tactic to attract more patrons to that platform. The lighting was funky, my delivery was self-conscious and rambling, and the darn thing clocked in at nearly six minutes long.

I finished it, I hated it, I uploaded it… and then I recorded a podcast about it.

The next morning, I decided that episode — in which I was exhausted, despondent, a bit whiny, and kind of a bummer — would not go out to the public. Only my patrons would receive the “lost” episode. Lucky them?

About a week later, I recorded a new episode seven. Between that first and second attempt, I read an article on Brain Pickings (I’ve mentioned Maria Popova’s invaluable contributions elsewhere) about Rainer Maria Rilke’s advice to a budding younger poet:

“Being an artist means, not reckoning and counting, but ripening like the tree which does not force its sap and stands confident in the storms of spring without fear that after them may come no summer. It does come. But it comes only to the patient, who are there as though eternity lay before them, so unconcernedly still and wide.” — Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

And then, I heard Elizabeth Gilbert interviewed by Krista Tippett, and I remembered Gilbert’s commitment to “just show up,” despite of, and in defiance of, the pain she’s endured in the last three years.

“I’ve learned to give myself all the credit in the world simply for being in motion. ‘Did you do something today toward this thing? Then you’re good.’ Was it great? No. Was it fun? No. But did you do it? Did you keep the ball rolling? Did you keep another step on that path going? Then you’re fine. That’s it.” — Elizabeth Gilbert, On Being, May 24, 2018

Finally, I remembered why I’m doing this podcast in the first place; to share everything I learn as I make stuff, find success as I define it, and stay healthy and sane in the process. It’s about openness, and vulnerability, and transparency.

There are no lost episodes.

That’s not part of the mission.

So. This episode seven is the original episode seven.

It’s all about imposter syndrome, enduring a crisis of confidence, and Doing the Work.

Oh, and I re-recorded that Patreon video, and it turned out much better. You can watch it on my Patreon page.

Here are some of the things I talk about in this episode, including a few links to sites with which I have an affiliate relationship. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase products through those links. It’s a lovely way to show your support for Sonitotum!

If you share your own story of a crisis of confidence in your creative life, you’ll help other creators understand their own ordeal.  Let’s hear from you in the comments!

This episode has extra content only available for patron members of the Multiversalists community! If you're a patron member at the Bronze level or above, please log in! Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.

For many years, I’ve referred to Ray Bradbury as my “story father.”  I’ve only recently given dedicated thought to what that actually means to me… and in the process, discovered there are other members of my story family, too!

In this episode of Sonitotum, I unpack the concept of the “creative family,” and invite you to take up this particular perspective as a way to add a level of accountability and quality control to your creative endeavors… and add meaning and impact to your work, too.

Hint: it’s all about love, really.

Here are some of the things I talk about in this episode, including a few links to sites with which I have an affiliate relationship. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase products through those links. It’s a lovely way to show your support for Sonitotum!

So what do you think about the concept of the creative family? The story parents and story soulmate?  Let’s hear from you in the comments!

This episode has extra content only available for patron members of the Multiversalists community! If you're a patron member at the Bronze level or above, please log in! Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.

A call for writing advice led me to seriously consider the best “shortcut” I know to become a better writer. It’s not a book. It’s not “butt in chair” or “writers write.”

And it’s not a shortcut.

But if you’re just starting out as any kind of storyteller, cultivating this skill will shave years of effort from your writing practice… and maybe even make you a better human being in the process.

It’s empathy.

Listen to find out the how and the why… then come on back here and leave a comment to tell me what you think!

Here are some of the things I talk about in this episode. Many of these links are to products and services with which I have an affiliate relationship. I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase those products and services through my links.

So what do you think? Is empathy over-rated as an important skill for writers and other storytellers? How do you use empathy when you’re writing? Do you even empathize..?  Let’s hear from you in the comments!

This episode has extra content only available for patron members of the Multiversalists community! If you're a patron member at the Bronze level or above, please log in! Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.

The day I originally planned to record this episode didn’t work out the way I’d planned in many ways. Instead, my subconscious called me out on my own inauthentic behavior… and put me through an emotional wringer of anxiety and depressive behavior that took a few days to really shake off.

That experience was ultimately a fruitful one, though… both for me, going forward, and I hope for you, as well, if the lesson described in this episode resonate with you in your own creative struggle.

It’s all about breaking away from fear and the stagnatingly familiar in order to live the life, and make the art, we believe we want.

Want to talk about it? Leave a comment!

Between editing this episode and releasing it, a very wise and dear friend led me to this article from Dr. Brené Brown. It fits.

This episode, and all that led to this episode, was quite the emotional rollercoaster. I came off of that ride a little different and, hopefully, incrementally just a touch closer to who I want to be.

If you listened and you can relate, I’d love to hear about it.

Tell me what you think about the episode, and if you’re willing, please share your own experiences with depression and anxiety, especially with regard to how your own creative process is affected by those conditions.  Let’s hear from you in the comments!

This episode has extra content only available for patron members of the Multiversalists community! If you're a patron member at the Bronze level or above, please log in! Click here to learn more about the benefits of membership.