Story Magic

88 - We are a blip in the universe

• Golden May

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Today, Emily & Rachel talk about mindset when the world is a dumpster fire.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

  • a little follow up to our Art when the world is burning episode
  • does writing matter when the outside world is a mess? 
  • choosing to create (or not) 


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Rachel:

Hey, writers. Welcome back to Story Magic, the podcast that will help you write a book you're damn proud of.

Emily:

I'm Emily.

Rachel:

And I'm Rachel.

Emily:

And today we're talking about does writing even matter? Okay. I was a little salty when we recorded our Art when the World is Falling Apart episode.

Rachel:

This is a follow up to that episode. No, you weren't. Okay, now keep going.

Emily:

No. Okay, so I. So, readers, Rachel and I had a conversation before this podcast, and I am taking away from it. This is my personal opinion, not what I necessarily think Rachel meant, but that I was a little down on, like, does writing matter? And I was a little like, nothing matters. Everything is.

Rachel:

This morning when we were working, I was like, is Emily a nihilist? Oh, no. You're on a slippery path. I need to stage an intervention. This podcast is my intervention for Emily.

Emily:

So we wanted to come back on and talk a little bit about, like. Like, does writing even matter? And what if it. What if it doesn't? That's my question. What if it doesn't matter?

Rachel:

What if it doesn't? Yeah, this is a good. Yeah. Okay, cool. So let's just get started. This is a follow up to our episode Art when the World is Falling Apart. We had a lovely little discussion there about, like, it's really hard to create when everything around us feels like a chaos. Dumpster fire. Today we are recording on January 21st.

Emily:

I was gonna say that I don't feel any more hopeful.

Rachel:

I don't feel anymore. It's been one week and a day since we recorded that other episode. Things have not been great still. No. But you and I, I think, are on the same page about how this. How we feel. But I was. I re. Listened to that episode because it just came out, and I just wanted to expand more on this because I worry that people will lose themselves in the. No, it doesn't matter. And not, like, fully understand what we mean when. When we express feelings that may allude to that question.

Emily:

Yeah.

Rachel:

Anyway, I just want to spend, like, 10 minutes. Let's just, like, talk a little more.

Emily:

No, it's great. I think it's so important. It's so important because when say that, I find freedom in it.

Rachel:

Yes.

Emily:

So I think it was Kristen Kefer, I think, who first. She sent an email once, like, a long time ago. She's another writing coach. She's fantastic. When she sent an email to her newsletter that was basically like, your writing doesn't matter at all. And I remember being like, what? And I read it, and it's her, her whole point was this idea that, like, guys zoom out a little, right? We're like little specks on a planet floating in a universe that we can't even comprehend. We are like little blips in the timeline of time. Like, nothing that we do really matters all that much. And I think that that can be for some people. It was for me but like, a really freeing concept of like. And I think it's kind of an anti hustle concept of like, it doesn't really matter. Like, why are we working so hard for other people's external expectations instead of just like doing. You get this one life, do what you enjoy. So that's where I was kind of coming from. From like, nothing matters. Yeah, your writing doesn't matter.

Rachel:

I think there's a couple different conclusions one might make from that sentence. One is like, Zen, nothing matters. Everything's fine. And cynic, nothing matters, give up. And like, we're not saying that, that, that's not the hot take of today. So I, I, but I I 100 agree. I also think that we've said this before and we'll say it again, also quoting a lovely friend of ours, Tiffany Grimes, who has said, like, there are no emergencies in publishing. Like, why are you freaking out about this? And what I think we try to embody that a lot in like, our Golden May work of like, none of it's not an emergency. An email will send or it won't. Who cares? You know, And I do think that free, I agree. I think that frees up a little bit. And I think for me in particular, I think it gave me some perspective of like, prioritizing in a way that didn't feel like, pressured. I don't know if this is going to make sense, but like.

Emily:

For a.

Rachel:

Lot we just, we just recorded an episode that I talked a little bit about identity. And like, for a while, I think I, I still think this. But being a writer is part of that identity too, that I, that I hold for myself. And when I was in a time in my life where writing was really, really hard, I felt that identity crisis. Like, I am not who I say I'm. I'm a fraud. I'm an imposter. I'm not writing, but I think I am a writer. And so like, oh, no, what? I'm lying to everyone. It's like, no, no, you just like, couldn't write. Like, it's actually fine. I think that's where exactly like, everything's fine. You are one life amidst 6 billion on a Rock in space with an infinite number of other rocks like that. I 100% agree. And I think that that's what it freed me from, was expectation, the shoulds, the pressure. But I think you and I still deeply care about our work and the work of other writers. You know, like, we don't say that this doesn't matter to. To then imply we don't deeply care about what we're doing.

Emily:

Yeah. Well, it's interesting because the line that you make, right, is like, it sort of illustrates a lot of ways that I feel about everything right now. Right. It's really easy in the United States right now to look at this idea of, like, I'm one person, you know, in the billions of people on the planet, like, what the heck am I supposed to do? Do to, like, help the world. Like, why, like, nothing that I do matters. Right. It's really easy to fall into that despair of wanting to give up.

Rachel:

Yeah.

Emily:

And I think. I think there's a line between that and, like, having the ego, like, going too far into this ego of like, I. I alone can change the world because it's way too much pressure. And the same thing as, like, my eye alone, like, my stories are gonna, I don't know, have this crazy impact or my stories are going to matter in this, you know, X, Y and z way and putting that pressure on them, like, there has to be a middle ground of, like, it matters, but it doesn't matter. Right. And like.

Rachel:

And like, that also doesn't mean you shouldn't care about it.

Emily:

Yeah. Yeah. And I think, you know, it's. There's also. I think one of the reasons I was feeling salty that day when we were. We were talking about it was I used to push too far in the direction of. I'm an enneagram one, you guys. I used to push too far in the direction of, like, your story has to make a difference in the world. Like, my stories must make a difference, like, in terms of their message. They must change people. Right. I'm going to save the world through my stories and other people. You have that power too. Right. And I think that's too much pressure. But it's also true, right? It's also true that stories have profound impact on how we see each other. And in the United States right now, that's incredibly important. Right. Publishing has a job right now to tell the stories that are being silenced. And. But the. I think there's also. When you say that, there's also this implication that, like, the people who are being silenced have to tell their stories so that they are heard in a specific way. And I think that that's damaging. So it's like, I think there can be a lot wrapped up in this idea of like, why does writing matter? And I think if you are called to tell, you know, if a writer is called to tell a marginalized story about their marginalized identity so other people understand them, great. That shouldn't be the only type of story that we allow marginalized authors to tell. Because it's also very important to just live, like, see through other people's lived experiences and lives in the way that they see the world. Whether that's, you know, you know, through a romance or a sci fi or a fantasy or whatever that just has like, that doesn't have a message about saving the world or like, making the world a better place. Like, it's still. It still does. I don't know if what I'm saying is making sense. I'm rambling now, but like, just like this idea that, like, just telling your story, whether it has a message right or not, message in quotations, you know, like a. Like you're trying to push people to see the world in a different way. Whether you're. That's your intention or not, your story still matters because voices still matter. I'm gonna stop, I'm gonna get off my soapbox now. Step down.

Rachel:

I think there's just like a lot of. This is where I think it's challenging in our world right now because the political rhetoric makes everything feel so black and white. And like, it's not. I'm not talking about politics. I'm saying, like, the rhetoric and like, it's so easy to look at the world through. Through a lens. Like it's black and white and stuff like this is. Is multifaceted. Stuff like this is wrapped up in emotions. Like, stuff like this is gray of being. Like, I can hold the fact that like, I don't feel, you know, maybe my. My story doesn't have to change the world. My story doesn't matter. And I can also hold the fact that like. But I'm gonna tell it anyway, you know, like, there's. There's a lot of different realities that you can hold here and decide for yourself what are the truths you're going to hold on to, what are the truths you're going to hold onto. But like, what we're letting go of is like the pressure of feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. And like, maybe you need a day off because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter.

Emily:

Those two things can be true. And I do think it's important to say, right, writing. When we're writing fiction stories, we are us as writers. Right. We're sitting down to explore the world through characters. Right. And we are exploring our voice and the things we want to say and the things that matter to us and the things that bring us joy. And I think that that always matters. Right. Expressing yourself, using your voice, whatever it's for. Right. As long as you're not hurting other people.

Rachel:

Yeah.

Emily:

Caveat. Right. It matters. And so like whether you even, maybe you don't even want to publish.

Rachel:

Yes.

Emily:

Your writing still matters. Yeah. Right. And like maybe you have huge dreams, your writing still matters. Maybe you're writing because you have a specific ideal reader, you want to change their mind. That matters. Maybe you're just want to entertain somebody. That matters. Maybe you're just like these characters and want to hang out with them. That matters. Right. You matter. So your stories matter and also wear a blip.

Rachel:

Yes.

Emily:

You guys don't worry so much about it.

Rachel:

Yes, exactly. I was talking to a writer this morning, like one of my one on one clients and we, we have been working on bringing forth like a lot of character internal processing. Like we're, we're working on that skill of writing character thoughts on the page and diving into like, how is this character processing the world around them. And my client, like we talked about this morning and was like mentioned how they often feel really resistant to that because they don't want to face their own vulnerabilities in that character's thoughts. And like we ended up having this really wonderful conversation about how cathartic it is to do, do that like they did. They, they, they took my feedback, ran with it and knocked it out of the park. And so today we were talking about like, wow, can you not see the beauty in how this character processed their situation? The flawed beauty, Right. Like these are flawed characters doing flawed things. They're not. This is not like beauty in the sense that it was. Wow. But it was like you never. This character, we never would have known that the character and the writer felt that way without working through those emotions on the page.

Emily:

Yeah.

Rachel:

And like I can see as a coach how transformative that is in my clients. So I told this person, I told my client, like, most of the time I don't feel like I'm writing, I'm helping people write books. Most of the time I feel like I'm helping people learn how to confront Their own emotions.

Emily:

Yeah.

Rachel:

And we do that through writing books. Like, that's all I do is write books all day and help other people write books all day. But, like, that really fades into the background. It's not about the book. It's about the emotion that you bring when you write the book. And that is so impactful. Regardless of whether this book ever ends up being a finished product that gets into the hands of readers. So, like, if that's where you're at, whoa. So good. Like, don't even worry. The. It doesn't. It doesn't ever matter to get into the hands of someone. It matter, like, what you're feeling, something in the moment. That's incredible.

Emily:

Yeah, it truly doesn't. If. Whether you're exploring yourself or it just brings you joy, it matters. And I feel like hustle culture. So many times people tell me, right, writing a book takes a lot of time and a lot of energy, and oftentimes it impacts the people around you. Right. It impacts the people that you live with because it takes up your time and your energy. Right. And I just feel like there's so many times that writers come to me with this weight. Like, if I don't make money off of this, then I wasted all this time and I disappointed all these people that I impacted with taking the time to write this book. And it's like, it's so not true. Like, the fact that, like. Like, it doesn't matter how much time and energy you put into it and, like, what you ask of other people. Like, you're allowed to do that regardless of whatever happens, you know, in the publishing next stage. If anything, you're. You're allowed to write. You're allowed to. It matters.

Rachel:

Oh, so it does matter. And it also doesn't.

Emily:

That is the takeaway.

Rachel:

There it is.

Emily:

You're welcome.

Rachel:

Take it and run with it. Good luck, everybody. It's a hot out one out there. Do you ever watch Parks and Rec?

Emily:

Yes, I have seen all you have seen a long time ago, though.

Rachel:

So remember when they're. When Ben and April are in D.C. and they're talking to the congressman who's like, just a straight up robot. And they're like, do you remember this episode?

Emily:

Vaguely. Vaguely. It's been a really long time.

Rachel:

They say something and the congressman is like, okay. And they say something else, and he's like, thanks. Then they're like, bye. And he's like, be careful. It's a hot out. It's a hot one out there today. I don't. That has Nothing to do with what we're talking about.

Emily:

It just reminded me that's just how spray works.

Rachel:

Good luck out there, everyone.

Emily:

That's how I feel about life right now.

Rachel:

Hang in there.

Emily:

We got this.

Rachel:

So cool. We're just a blip and we're moving through the rack and. Or we're moving through the universe and.

Emily:

You might as well enjoy the ride.

Rachel:

Enjoy the ride. Chill out, everybody.

Emily:

That's what. That's. All of our podcast episodes this year are just us.

Rachel:

Relax. Take a deep breath. It's not a big deal. Everybody relax. Oh, my God. You guys should see the way I'm just dragging my hands down my face.

Emily:

We're gonna make it.

Rachel:

Hey, that's the end of the episode. Bye. Why do they let us have mics? Like, I don't know, do you guys actually care about what we say? We're talking. I might end up cutting this out. I might leave it.

Emily:

No, I don't think you should, because please let us know. We sit down and we just talk to each other about random stuff, and then I forget that people listen.

Rachel:

People actually listen.

Emily:

Someone messaged me about stalking the other day. I was like, wait, someone listen to that.

Rachel:

Guys, it's just Emily and I on a zoom call, okay? Like, we're just talking to each other.

Emily:

We don't even prep anymore.

Rachel:

Yeah. So please, nothing.

Emily:

Let us know if you like our ramblings. Please leave us the five star reviews. Okay, that's it. We're done.

Rachel:

We're done. I don't.

Emily:

I think you're purple.

Rachel:

Okay. If you want to build a successful, fulfilling and success sustainable writing life that works for you, you've got to get on our email list.

Emily:

Sign up now to get our free email course, the Magic of Character Arcs. After seven days. I can't even do it. After seven days of email magic, you'll have the power to keep your readers.

Rachel:

Flipping pages all through the link in the show notes. We'll see you there. All of this is staying in. All right, everybody. It's best staying in.

Emily:

My only excuse is that the world fell apart yesterday.

Rachel:

Fell apart. That's it.

Emily:

All right, bye.