“Inspiration is for amateurs. I just get to work.” — Chuck Close

It may be that I like hearing about the work habits of writers and artists I like almost as much as I like their work. How do you force yourself to do work no one (really, like, no one) is clamoring for, in addition to doing the long apprentice work you need to do to build your chops? As most of our work gets less structured and more creative, it might prove helpful to take a look at how artists get their stuff done.

And, sorry, all those romantic notions you have of absinthe spoons, manic episodes and Kerouac-like rambling on a long roll of butcher paper really aren’t operative. Creative work is mostly showing up every day and enduring a million tiny failures as you feel your way to something a bit new.  read more »

I am currently subscribed to about 25 podcasts, each with either daily, bi-weekly, or weekly release. I benefit from listening to them all, but I feel like I don’t have enough free time to do so. Mostly I do my listening as I walk around campus or do odd things around the house, but often I need to focus on written material which prevents me from simultaneously understanding the podcasts.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to digest lots podcasts in a very structured and efficient manner? Is 25 podcasts a lot, or not much at all? Anything you have to say about this subject will interest me.

Thanks!