My goodness, I’m glad the car situation worked out. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about the pickle you were in. Isn’t that funny? This is a very pleasant time jump!
Honestly, I needed your welcome back notes—thank you so much! I’m sorry for disappearing…
I feel like I should be taking How to Manage Life & Substack lessons from you. 🥰
Your prolific nature definitely makes it appear otherwise! We often sit and marvel over it (because I have been keeping 2D as up to date as I can manage).
I find that so hard to believe, but… I believe you. It’s funny how you can see someone soaring, and not realize what’s going on behind the scenes at the same time? I think you’re amazing!
Taking the time to read this really resonated with me. I think there are a lot of people that want to show their inner mind through creativity, but social media almost makes it another job with posting and having to keep up with comments etc. I'm looking forward to seeing what works you post in the future ☺️
Recently I've been getting into learning how to sew and knit. They have been fun outlets where I can keep my hands and brain busy while listening to audiobooks. I'll always love writing whether it's the fictional novels or essays lingering in my sub stack drafts. I think I haven't published them yet because I want to be in the right mindset of doing it for enjoyment. I think over the years people have seen hobbies as a way to make money and I want to make sure I've drawn the line for me on my hobbies being something to truly enjoy.
What about you 2D? What have been your recent creative outlets outside of writing?
I think you got cut off, and… I think I asked you this once before, actually (just not to this degree). My mind is mush these days. Well, I look forward to reading whatever you put out whenever you put it out—life requires meaning more than money. I think you’re wise to wait for the timing to be right, and to keep your hobbies sacred. I dove in, and look what happened. Ha! It sounds like we’re a bit similar—I can’t do most things singularly (except when I’m actually writing). Have you “read” any good audiobooks lately?
I do remember a conversation we had almost a year ago, I still think about it to this day. It really resonated with me when talking about the changes in the goth scene and enjoying different genres for the love of art. Lately I finished the Empire of the Vampire trilogy by Jay Krostoff and they were fantastic Gothic fantasy books! I've also started listening to The Mysteries of Uldolpho by Anne Radcliffe and it's been really invigorating so far
YES! I remember. It’s actually a deep conversation that we should have continued, but… you know… I fell off the map. My wife and I are actually going to see Last Dinner Party (who I’d mentioned) this summer. Their first album had so much promise, but their second is just more of the same. (I’m into it, just was hoping for more.) A lot of bands lack “fire” these days.
I’m looking up Empire of the Vampire right now, and… it looks cool! I’m going to flag it. I see a little blurb from Joe Abercrombie, who is one of my favorite authors. Very cool! Is audiobook your preferred format? I’m kind of floating in an “it’s hard to read with kids around” haze. Considering going back to audiobooks, but I’m hesitant.
It was definitely a memorable conversation! I enjoyed how vast we could take the topics we were discussing especially within the context of aesthetics dictating the enjoyment of different genres. The Last Dinner Party would be fun to see! Let me know how the show is when you see it over the Summer ☺️. I agree with you that a lot of bands are losing fire, though I feel like in the heavier music scene a lot of bands get a lot of hate for trying a new direction with their music (which can be a whole topic in itself about the elitist culture of the metal scene).
I'll always enjoy physical books, but with commuting to work almost everyday and having a lot of hobbies that are hands-on I enjoy the accessibility audiobooks can bring. I love listening to them on long drives especially, I highly recommend them especially for people who don't have the time or mental bandwidth to sit and read a physical book
Yes, exactly! See, you should journal and shape them into essays here! That's more or less what I do. I love talking about art and true creativity. I feel like what you're saying about the metal culture is a large part of the problem these days: artists are punished for being artists--once you're trapped in the "this is your lane" of it all, it's hard to get out.
I've only read one audiobook, and it was Harry Potter read by Stephen Fry. I would call it me testing the waters (and I didn't think it would be for me). Now, I believe Stephen Fry has ruined me for all audiobooks, he's so good. He brought everything to the table, and was able to get my very emotional by the end--even though I knew everything that was going to happen. So, yeah, I'm not against the form, I just haven't made time. I could swing back there if I had a commute, but I've been remote since Covid. You're in Austalia, right? Is your commute manageable? How many audiobooks do you get through in a month?
I definitely agree with you, artists are bound by the genres they have started as since the audience expects the same end result with a slightly adjacent formula. But still within the contrains on how the audience defines the artist. I think these conversations have sparked the desire for writing I had last year, maybe in time I'll finally press the publish button!
I very much love Stephen Fry's writing, I find I follow what narrators I like for storytelling moreso then the books themselves. If a narrator can create beautiful atmospheric storytelling then that's what hooks me. Yes I live in Australia ☺️ my commute to work is about 40 minutes each way so it gives me plenty of time to get some reading in. I would say in a month I can get through about 2-3 audiobooks, but it depends on the length of the book and how busy life is etc
![[ 2D ] 🤍Story +🔥Thought](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!-C0W!,w_120,h_120,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fffc8f383-2a73-4b6d-9de9-fc990c4c2523_1080x1080.png)
SUCH an amazing return essay. You've articulated what a lot of artists feel (including me!)
I care in volumes too. It will always be our blessing and our curse. But at least we're in it together. ❤️
That’s my favorite line. Love you, wife!
I still don’t know how to do this. The love from people means something—how do I return it without nose diving into a chasm?
Do your best, when you can. 💞
2D being back is amazinggggggg, nothing could be better upon my return!! Beautifully done!
Your return? This is intriguing…
Muhuhahaha we have both returned. That is even more intriguing!
I just did a double take. 2D on my timeline? THE 2D?!
Oh my gosh, Maryellen!!! I've been thinking about you, actually. I hope you and your family are well (and also your car)! 🥰
Oh the Element has retired to the garage. I found a new to me electric car. Charges once a week & costs maybe $30 a month to run.
Family is good! Hope all is good with you
My goodness, I’m glad the car situation worked out. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about the pickle you were in. Isn’t that funny? This is a very pleasant time jump!
Honestly, I needed your welcome back notes—thank you so much! I’m sorry for disappearing…
I feel like I should be taking How to Manage Life & Substack lessons from you. 🥰
Nah. Ive almost quit 40 times. I just appear pulled together. I'm a mess in progress.
Your prolific nature definitely makes it appear otherwise! We often sit and marvel over it (because I have been keeping 2D as up to date as I can manage).
Writing is like breathing for me. Sharing & posting & the rest....that is my mess. Creating will never stop.
I find that so hard to believe, but… I believe you. It’s funny how you can see someone soaring, and not realize what’s going on behind the scenes at the same time? I think you’re amazing!
Taking the time to read this really resonated with me. I think there are a lot of people that want to show their inner mind through creativity, but social media almost makes it another job with posting and having to keep up with comments etc. I'm looking forward to seeing what works you post in the future ☺️
That's exactly it! Like most things, I think I take it too seriously. What's your creative outlet?
Recently I've been getting into learning how to sew and knit. They have been fun outlets where I can keep my hands and brain busy while listening to audiobooks. I'll always love writing whether it's the fictional novels or essays lingering in my sub stack drafts. I think I haven't published them yet because I want to be in the right mindset of doing it for enjoyment. I think over the years people have seen hobbies as a way to make money and I want to make sure I've drawn the line for me on my hobbies being something to truly enjoy.
What about you 2D? What have been your recent creative outlets outside of writing?
I think you got cut off, and… I think I asked you this once before, actually (just not to this degree). My mind is mush these days. Well, I look forward to reading whatever you put out whenever you put it out—life requires meaning more than money. I think you’re wise to wait for the timing to be right, and to keep your hobbies sacred. I dove in, and look what happened. Ha! It sounds like we’re a bit similar—I can’t do most things singularly (except when I’m actually writing). Have you “read” any good audiobooks lately?
I do remember a conversation we had almost a year ago, I still think about it to this day. It really resonated with me when talking about the changes in the goth scene and enjoying different genres for the love of art. Lately I finished the Empire of the Vampire trilogy by Jay Krostoff and they were fantastic Gothic fantasy books! I've also started listening to The Mysteries of Uldolpho by Anne Radcliffe and it's been really invigorating so far
YES! I remember. It’s actually a deep conversation that we should have continued, but… you know… I fell off the map. My wife and I are actually going to see Last Dinner Party (who I’d mentioned) this summer. Their first album had so much promise, but their second is just more of the same. (I’m into it, just was hoping for more.) A lot of bands lack “fire” these days.
I’m looking up Empire of the Vampire right now, and… it looks cool! I’m going to flag it. I see a little blurb from Joe Abercrombie, who is one of my favorite authors. Very cool! Is audiobook your preferred format? I’m kind of floating in an “it’s hard to read with kids around” haze. Considering going back to audiobooks, but I’m hesitant.
It was definitely a memorable conversation! I enjoyed how vast we could take the topics we were discussing especially within the context of aesthetics dictating the enjoyment of different genres. The Last Dinner Party would be fun to see! Let me know how the show is when you see it over the Summer ☺️. I agree with you that a lot of bands are losing fire, though I feel like in the heavier music scene a lot of bands get a lot of hate for trying a new direction with their music (which can be a whole topic in itself about the elitist culture of the metal scene).
I'll always enjoy physical books, but with commuting to work almost everyday and having a lot of hobbies that are hands-on I enjoy the accessibility audiobooks can bring. I love listening to them on long drives especially, I highly recommend them especially for people who don't have the time or mental bandwidth to sit and read a physical book
Yes, exactly! See, you should journal and shape them into essays here! That's more or less what I do. I love talking about art and true creativity. I feel like what you're saying about the metal culture is a large part of the problem these days: artists are punished for being artists--once you're trapped in the "this is your lane" of it all, it's hard to get out.
I've only read one audiobook, and it was Harry Potter read by Stephen Fry. I would call it me testing the waters (and I didn't think it would be for me). Now, I believe Stephen Fry has ruined me for all audiobooks, he's so good. He brought everything to the table, and was able to get my very emotional by the end--even though I knew everything that was going to happen. So, yeah, I'm not against the form, I just haven't made time. I could swing back there if I had a commute, but I've been remote since Covid. You're in Austalia, right? Is your commute manageable? How many audiobooks do you get through in a month?
I definitely agree with you, artists are bound by the genres they have started as since the audience expects the same end result with a slightly adjacent formula. But still within the contrains on how the audience defines the artist. I think these conversations have sparked the desire for writing I had last year, maybe in time I'll finally press the publish button!
I very much love Stephen Fry's writing, I find I follow what narrators I like for storytelling moreso then the books themselves. If a narrator can create beautiful atmospheric storytelling then that's what hooks me. Yes I live in Australia ☺️ my commute to work is about 40 minutes each way so it gives me plenty of time to get some reading in. I would say in a month I can get through about 2-3 audiobooks, but it depends on the length of the book and how busy life is etc