Just before Christmas 2020, I found my literary calling. I had been looking in the wrong direction all along, and then, something just clicked: the outlines of the book I’m to write finally came to me. The subject was so obvious, constantly surrounding me—yet subtle enough to linger on the sidelines for 36+ years.
I was about to turn 37 and I gave myself the deadline till my 40th birthday to finish the first draft. The discovery gave me a purpose and slowly lifted me out of a post-breakup darkness that had consumed the better of me for a little more than a year. Ever since I have been reading book after book on writing, and even attended a few workshops to immerse myself in the trade.
This past Saturday, I joined a day-long online class (Writing Photography), carefully orchestrated by the wonderful Lewis Bush. It was not the first time I got the chance to learn from him, I’m a regular when it comes to his virtual seminars. This one was a breakthrough for me, however, as now I feel confident in my approach. Until now, I have tried to force my thought process into existing structures and that suffocated the work. Now I know that experimental means are just as valid as classic methods. As long as things make sense, I’m on the right path. Hearing this from someone I look up to is definitely a game-changer.
I am still not sure how much of the process I am going to share with the public: on the one hand, I would love to—on the other, it is wiser to keep most of it to myself at this point. I will need to find the right balance between using this space* as a comfortable sounding board and over-sharing. I do like a good challenge though!
Should you be on the search for Saturday-worthy (online) courses related to photography that do not cost you an organ and are given by an excellent teacher, do take a look at what Lewis offers. Highly recommended.
Réka Szentirmay. Structure v5. 21st February 2021.*Or, it is probably time for me to start a newsletter.
details matter 