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Eliza Anderson's avatar

Thank you. This means a lot to me, this story of Adam Yauch’s role in The Beastie Boys, as the guy who Acted on the ideas of the group, who moved them to manifest their ideas. “What I try to take from this is that this is a choice that Adam made. That any of us can make. We each have the choice to show up fully in our creative work. To do so exactly as you are. And that you — and only you — get to define this.”

I matters because I Do seem to be having an internal dialogue that is tearing down my creative work. Is it worth it? Will it amount to anything? Am I good enough?

Adam Y went to my HS in Brooklyn. My brother was in his first band with him. They were kids. Everyone starts somewhere. Persistence is everything, joy in the practice, and remembering that life can also be cut short (rip Adam). I need to remember this and you’ve helped today

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Dan Blank's avatar

That is amazing!!! Thank you for sharing this Eliza.

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Elena Brunn's avatar

Thank you, Dan. This came at just the right time. Your story reminds me of what the ground-breaking choreographer advised her mentee Agnes DeMille —

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.”

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Elena Brunn's avatar

I left the name of the mentor! It was Martha Graham.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Elena!

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Dan Blank's avatar

Love that. Thanks Elena!

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K. Woodman-Maynard's avatar

This hits home: “Why do I feel like [crap] all the time?” I ask myself while staring into the flashlight that tells me bad news."

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Dan Blank's avatar

Right?! I saved that quote the instant I saw it. Thanks K.!

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Tom Bentley's avatar

Dan, this:

We each have the choice to show up fully in our creative work.

and this:

Instead of “making a mark,” focus on crafting moments that matter. Where your writing moves someone. Where it helps them feel validated or educated. Where you create experiences that are memorable, and create the fabric of our lives.

Both gems. Both motivational. I've had some stalls and fender-benders in moving along with a memoir that has the manuscript finished, but very complicated graphics demands—but still moving forward. Words like yours help.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Tom! And congratulations on your progress!

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The Midst's avatar

What a great story. And I love hearing that Adam Yauch was a master manifester. I once saw him riding a skateboard in SoHo and he smiled and waved. Just a friendly dude making stuff happen. — Amy @ The Midst

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Amy!

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Deborah Ann Lucas's avatar

Dan, you do such important work, encouraging and enabling people to step into their agency to make their mark. I love the breadth of ways you include in being creative. A vital subject beautifully expressed. Thank you.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Wow — thank you!!!!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Yes! We are a creative force. We create beautiful things out of nothing, just with the power of our minds.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thanks Claire!

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Nidhi Kush Shah's avatar

"You are a creative force." Thank you Dan. I wrote this on a sticky note and posted it on my workdesk.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Yay! Thank you Nidhi!

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Ani Birch's avatar

My teens have become collectors of records, books, CDs, and DVDs. It is nice to see them reaching further than their phones for entertainment.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Nice! Thanks Ani.

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Gila Pfeffer's avatar

Classic Dan, saying the things writers desperately need to hear. Love the new typewriter btw.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Aw, thank you Gila!!!

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Jennifer Probst's avatar

A beautiful post and so true. I find that I need to reset every day and remind myself that the work is my true home - the rest is noise. It all matters.

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Jennifer!

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Jamie Lynn Tatera's avatar

Love it. You are a creative force!

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Jamie Lynn!

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Love the typewriter! :)

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Dan Blank's avatar

Thank you Emma!

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William Douglas's avatar

Thank you for this, Dan. It used to concern me that the type of stories I love to write weren't 'world changing', just romantic comedy fluff. Now I look at a screenplay I have just finished about seven friends, with a slew of problems who overcome them and fulfil their Hollywood dreams because each one had a true Rocky Balboa moment: learning to believe in themselves and I realize my small story could actually influence someone else. I like to say, "Dreams can come true if you help them along."

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Dan Blank's avatar

Yay! Thank you William.

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Beverly Wadsworth's avatar

Another point for writers to ponder is that AI (Chat GPT and other platforms) can be an incredible tool to enhance our writing. Not so different from how the tools of the typewriter, computer, and internet have been incredible tools for writers in the past. They key? Focus on and leverage your creativity/imagination. This is a place we humans still have an advantage. View AI as one of the tools in your toolbelt. I've actually found Chat GPT to be a fairly good thought partner.

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Richard Donnelly's avatar

"It doesn’t matter how many followers you have" It does if yer trying to publish.

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Richard Donnelly's avatar

I would only add that, like working in the industry, it won't ever hurt. Clear a couple hundred thousand followers, and you'll get that call from an agent.

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