Interrogating Your Artistic Practice
What's really going on in that head of yours?
This week’s post is a set of questions aimed at all you creative folks who want to strengthen and clarify your artistic practices going forward.
I’m asking real questions and would be delighted to read real responses in comments.
My hope is these questions will make you think about who you wish to be, or become, or change, as an artist.
Note that I’m not raising the specter of what you hope specifically to “accomplish,” as I feel that places unfair pressure on you, along with unrealistic expectations that are likely to be dashed in the normal course of events. (Have you read my piece dissing new-year resolutions?)
So here goes.
1. Name one factor arguably within your control and one outside your control that has been holding you back from giving your art as much time and attention as you’d like.
1(a). What, if anything, do these two factors have in common? (For example, are these human-driven factors? Internal psychological factors? Both? What else?)
1(b). What most distinguishes these factors from each other? (What makes them completely different?)
1(c). If you could change only one of these factors, which one do you think would have the greatest impact on you, and why?
2. Apart from the time-and-attention issue, do you take your artistic practice as seriously as you want to?
2(a). If you respond “yes,” what factors or circumstances do you need to protect so that can continue?
2(b). If you respond “no,” what would being more serious look like to you? (This might be about time, craft, collaboration, etc.).
3. What does the balance between “adversaries” and “allies” look like for you? An “adversary” is any person or institution that does not consistently support and encourage your artistic practice. An “ally” is any person or institution that consistently offers support and encouragement; they “get” you.
3(a). If you’re surrounded by more adversaries than allies, what strategies might help you change that balance?
3(b). If you have good allyship, what work, or effort, should you contemplate to keep that healthy and possibly growing?
4. When you begin an art-making session (writing or anything else), what voices are loudest in your head that are not directly related to an artistic impulse? Literally, what are those voices saying?
4(a). Are these voices inspiring or interfering (or something else)?
4(b). Do you feel as though you can control these voices, whether negative or positive?
4(c). What might your art-making session feel like, or how might it change, if you could significantly quiet negative voices and amplify positive voices?
5. How has your concept of yourself as an artist changed over the last five years? For instance, what words did you used to describe yourself and your practice 5, 3, 1 year ago vs. today?
5(a). Is your self-concept as an artist still changing, or does it feel pretty well fixed? What does your answer signify?
5(b). Does your current self-concept as an artist align with who you are now, or wish to be?
That’s enough for now! I’m looking forward to any and all responses! Hopefully, these questions will spur you to think even more deeply about your artistic practice and your intentions (not necessarily goals!) in the new year.
An Anniversary…
WRANGLING THE DOUBT MONSTER: FIGHTING FEARS, FINDING INSPIRATION turns one year old!
If you’re a creative person, this is still the book you need to get inspired and feel seen as an artist. (The audiobook is a really fast “listen.”)
And take the DOUBT DECODER QUIZ to learn how self-doubt affects all aspects of daily living. (You may be surprised!) We’re publishing new findings in 2026—and I’d love to include your responses (anonymously, of course).
And a Birthday…
My new novel, TENT CITY, is available on pre-order!
An action-packed family saga involving an economic apocalypse. Will that do it for you?
Does the end of prosperity start at home?
A striving family. A collapsing economy. A tragic death. In Tent City, everyone must confront their demons in the struggle to survive.
