21 Comments
User's avatar
Jess's avatar

This was so fun and comforting to read. I often get lulled into the trap that my writing has to be monetized/turned into a product, and since it hasn't yet then that must mean it isn't 'good'. I keep reminding myself though I do this because I enjoy it, and the creativity fills me up!

Nix's avatar

I'm also on the non-monetize train, just because it's not a full time job does not mean it's any less serious or full of craft

Abraham Adeyemi's avatar

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. So many notables and quotables, but the bit that particularly stuck out for me was how your non-writing activities can be poured back into your writing.

I am (currently, because things can always change!) a full-time writer-director, but before then jumped around from job to job and it is entirely unsurprising how much those odd jobs unintentionally served as inspiration to some of the stories I've gone on to create. Some of those jobs are nearing a decade since I last did them, yet they remain the gift that keeps giving.

As a whole, you have to live to write; that's where the stories come from.

Thank you for this piece! Shared with many writer and artist/creative friends.

Nix's avatar

I love this! thank you for sharing - I think you're right, that these experiences have veryy long half lives - they can be a deep well to continue to pull from

Phayvanh Luekhamhan 🍸's avatar

Thanks so much for this!

Mashal Waqar's avatar

Exactly what I needed to read on this fine evening. Thank YOU for writing this 💝

Michelle's avatar

thank you for this piece! been feeling blocked / down about a new full-time job i feel lukewarm about, even though i also feel relieved to have financial security. this is motivating and inspiring me to keep trying creative things like writing!

Nix's avatar

thanks for reading - congrats on the new job even if it's not EXACTLY what you want - I hope there are still learnings and growth from it that can fuel your creative projects

Zoe 🪷's avatar

This was a wonderful essay as someone who moonlights as both a Doctor and writer - perfectly encapsulated all the thoughts I had on this topic ✨

Nix's avatar
Apr 18Edited

thank you! + I'm so glad that line found its intended reader!

Anna Gát's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

april's avatar

was so rich to read!!! bookmarked to reread later since there’s lots of points to mull over

Nix's avatar

thank you for reading!!

Ashley Zhang's avatar

So much admiration for you, always ❤️

Nix's avatar

<3 and I for you!

Sean's avatar

This is fire. Thank you!!

Chris Krafft's avatar

Thank you for this delightful essay! I thoroughly enjoyed this post.

Nia Mahmud's avatar

I feel so inspired by this!

(“JP”)'s avatar

Wow. Amazing!

Quiet Riot's avatar

Love love love this

Anjali's avatar

This was so reassuring to read as someone working the 70-80hrs and traveling like you mentioned! I’m inspired by you