4
Aug
On Building Stuff
I’ve been reading Stephen King’s “On Writing” this past week, and came across a gem of a passage last night that I wanted to share.
” […] when you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy. Perhaps even ecstatic.”
I love that. It justifies the ever-increasing amount of time I spend pounding away at our modest cache of web toys every night, or during the weekends. Or in my sleep, even. Your chances of becoming really good at your craft are directly proportionate to how much time you spend at it, I daresay. And unless you’re Mark Zuckerberg, there are no shortcuts for this either.
One other thing: I take issue with the term “workaholic,” which I’ve been hearing a lot from people these days. In the first place, this isn’t “work.” Work is what you do to put food on the table and pay bills. This is something else entirely; I do this because
otherwise I’ll go insane.
August 4th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
“Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy. ”
Very nicely put. I can’t believe it came from Stephen King, lol.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:54 am
^Pero yung nagsabi nun, si IT.
To be honest I do like a little outside approval because I’m always scared that my myopic vision of my own creations isn’t enough. I always second guess myself. There’s a saying about how things are never real unless there’s someone else other that you that can qualify them as real.
August 7th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I think the phrase was describing the act of creation more than the act of critiquing. The former doesn’t need an audience, while the latter absolutely requires it.
August 8th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Love what you do and do what you love. Very, very, VERY few people have the luxury of this. It’s my new life goal :P Besides, life’s too short to waste your time doing something you enjoy, even if it’s for money.
“See” you in Singapore next week! ;)
August 14th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I changed my mind about that car. Once you have millions to spare (hopefully in dollars), let me be executive director of your charitable institution.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
@sparks — Sounds like a plan.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Excellent quote! (Been meaning to read that book for some time now but never really found the time). Also, I can definitely relate to what you are saying. My wife thinks it’s funny that I slack off by working on my pet project. Non geeks just don’t understand. :-)