A Few Quotes on Input + Output

Plus a very interesting residency and my last class of the year

Check out my first post here to read more about the namesake of this newsletter and make a copy of the input/output tracking sheet if you so desire.

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I’ve been off the grid for a few months, shepherding a longer project to its next stage—more info on that in 2024!

But as I inch back into this newsletter, I want to share a few quotes I’ve been saving using my meticulous system of emailing them to myself with no subject line:

First up, we have the GOAT, author of The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron:

“In order to create, we draw from our inner well. This inner well, an artistic reservoir, is ideally like a well-stocked trout pond. We've got big fish, little fish, fat fish, skinny fish — an abundance of artistic fish to fry. As artists, we must realize that we have to maintain this artistic ecosystem... we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them — to restock the trout pond, so to speak.”

My question: how are you self-nourishing right now? I’ll take literal and figurative answers here. I’m self-nourishing with a plethora of crackers.

Next up, a quote from Greta Gerwig that I pulled from a profile in Vanity Fair. Overall, I was pretty disappointed by the blandness of this piece—and shocked when I saw Sloane Crosley wrote it. Where is her voice??

Anyway, here’s the quote:

“But I don’t want to get too precious about making the ‘right’ decision. Two years ago, nobody thought Barbie was the right decision,” [Gerwig] says. “I want to give myself enough time to get lost so that I’m not so demanding of output to let it be uncomfortable. Not feeling like you have to be extremely productive is probably good for long-term health of the soil.”

My question: what would happen if you gave up the idea that there’s only one correct way to proceed with a current creative project?

And finally, this one from Flow Daddy Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:

"Try to be surprised by something every day. It could be something you see, hear, or read about. Stop to look at the unusual car parked at the curb, taste the new item on the cafeteria menu, actually listen to your colleague at the office. How is this different from other similar cars, dishes or conversations? What is its essence? Don't assume that you already know what these things are all about, or that even if you knew them, they wouldn't matter anyway. Experience this one thing for what it is, not what you think it is. Be open to what the world is telling you. Life is nothing more than a stream of experiences — the more widely and deeply you swim in it, the richer your life will be."

My question: is there a new question you could ask people in conversation like, “what are you loving right now?”

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Where are you at in terms of input and output right now? Are you feeling inspired by the end of the year, or dragging yourself over the finish line?

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And here’s the residency—IT’S ON A BOAT! Apps due by January 15th:

“The Arctic Circle is a nexus where art intersects science, architecture, education, and activism – an incubator for thought and experimentation for artists and innovators who seek out and foster areas of collaboration to engage in the central issues of our time.

The Arctic Circle 2024 takes place in the international territory of Svalbard, a mountainous Arctic archipelago just 10 degrees latitude from the North Pole.

The Arctic Circle expeditions provide the opportunity for artists and innovators to pursue their personal projects on board while exploring collaborations with the expedition’s fellow participants.”

Writers are one of the categories who are eligible. I would LOVE to apply for this, but life circumstances don’t permit me to go to the Arctic next year (bummer). Let me live vicariously through you!

Note: you will need a letter of reference for this, and I’m personally retired from writing them.

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Just one one more class this year:

And it’s “Comedy Writing for Non-Comedians” through Writing Workshops. Just a few spots left. Saturday, December 9th, 1-3pm ET, virtual, $75.

Here’s the description:

Comedy can be another tool in your writing toolbox, allowing you to write with a stronger voice, distinct point of view, and punchiness that can be applied to disciplines such as copywriting and content writing. From the rule of three to learning what the heck a callback is, learn how to be funnier on paper…and maybe even in real life!

Perfect for fiction and nonfiction writers, as well as those trying to inject more humor into jobs like content writing, copywriting, and more.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• Tools of comedy that can be used across forms and genres

• How to find a point of view for yourself or a client

• How to use specificity and simple techniques like the rule of three to punch up a piece of writing

• A comedy rubric to check against your own work

• A discussion of publications for comedy writing, as well as how to leverage your comedy chops for paid writing jobs 

• A repeatable brainstorming process

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ABOUT ME: My name is Caitlin Kunkel and I’m a comedy writer, long-time teacher, and creator of The Second City’s Online Satire Writing Program. I currently teach classes and consult on gift book proposals, modern adaptation, satire, and comedic literature. I co-founded The Belladonna Comedy and the Satire and Humor Festival, and I co-wrote the satirical gift book New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay, named one of the Top 10 Comedy Books of 2018 by Vulture.