I read this book many years ago. I need to revisit it. I remember her talking about getting up and going to the gym, a habit she was religious about because it was an important part of dancing.
Yes, she talks about that in the first couple of pages! And then she talks about the things that can get in the way of rituals like that: fears! So this came from the first chapter.
Thank you so much for this Kelcey. This is inspiring, especially as I've started teaching & I think I get more nervous than the students. I have this book on my shelf & hardly ever look at it! Time to put it front & center.
Belated thanks, Laura! I’ve been teaching for decades, and I STILL get nervous. I even get more nervous around my college freshmen than my grad students! I hadn’t read Tharp’s book in a while, but it’s been nice to go back to, especially with my smart students!
I dig Tharp’s imagery, particularly the boxer staring-down shtick: I think because that element of physicality and combat really helps to ground the thought of fear actually in one’s body, and makes one believe in one’s real strength both to stare it down and to vanquish it. That really works for me.
I don’t think, at all, it’s about not being afraid - surely we need that primitive emotion on all sorts of levels to survive - it is much more about taking it and dealing with just as you and Tharp describe.
And, as ever, I dig your imaging for the whole piece. So good. So creative. I just love it every time.
Belated thanks, Nicolas! Wow, I really appreciate how you emphasize the bodily element of fear and thus on our strength in vanquishing it! Nice insight!
I'm teaching a grad class called "The Writing Life" which is more about the philosophical approach to writing and how to be a writer in the world. I'm using "The Artist's Way" but if I teach it again I will consider the Tharp book, because I've read it and like it a lot.
So powerful. Twyla Tharp's book changed my life. She made me see that good writing can be taught, which made me realize that book coaching is a skill, which led me to the work I am doing today to set the standard for excellence in this new industry. I am forever indebted to this book. I'm so glad you are sharing it with more creative souls!
Wow, that’s a powerful testimony! I had a similar experience with The Artist’s Way. After growing up as an athlete, that book helped me realize that being an Artist was a WAY, a series of actions and a mindset, and not a fixed identity in conflict with being an athlete. (I hope that sentence makes sense!) Any of us who are teachers or writers or artists have to believe that skills can be taught/learned! And that growth happens through habits!
I have this book. It’s inspirational! Glad to see another writing teacher is enjoying it as much as I am.
Yes! I’ve really enjoyed using it! Lots of good discussions!
This is absolutely amazing Kelcey! 😭
Thanks, Jamal!
Tharp is indeed an inspiration!
Yes, I'm enjoying having a book club of sorts with my students!
And I love the presentation!
This is beautiful. Thank you and your students for sharing!!
Thanks, Catie!
I read this book many years ago. I need to revisit it. I remember her talking about getting up and going to the gym, a habit she was religious about because it was an important part of dancing.
Yes, she talks about that in the first couple of pages! And then she talks about the things that can get in the way of rituals like that: fears! So this came from the first chapter.
Good Stuff! Dump those fears and reframe them. I love it.
Exactly! Thanks!
Love this, Kelcey. I enjoyed this book. I just read Twyla’s other book, Keep It Moving, which I thought was good as well.
Oh I didn’t know about that one! I’ll check it out!
Thank you so much for this Kelcey. This is inspiring, especially as I've started teaching & I think I get more nervous than the students. I have this book on my shelf & hardly ever look at it! Time to put it front & center.
Belated thanks, Laura! I’ve been teaching for decades, and I STILL get nervous. I even get more nervous around my college freshmen than my grad students! I hadn’t read Tharp’s book in a while, but it’s been nice to go back to, especially with my smart students!
Hey Kelcey, cool piece.
I dig Tharp’s imagery, particularly the boxer staring-down shtick: I think because that element of physicality and combat really helps to ground the thought of fear actually in one’s body, and makes one believe in one’s real strength both to stare it down and to vanquish it. That really works for me.
I don’t think, at all, it’s about not being afraid - surely we need that primitive emotion on all sorts of levels to survive - it is much more about taking it and dealing with just as you and Tharp describe.
And, as ever, I dig your imaging for the whole piece. So good. So creative. I just love it every time.
Belated thanks, Nicolas! Wow, I really appreciate how you emphasize the bodily element of fear and thus on our strength in vanquishing it! Nice insight!
This is truly awesome!
This is fabulous! What an empowering exercise!
Thank you! I see your IU logo. I teach at IU South Bend!
I saw that! Any online classes you teach? I’m in the market, always!
My IUSB courses are in person, but I'm teaching a 1-session online workshop for the Indiana Writers' Center in December!
I'm teaching a grad class called "The Writing Life" which is more about the philosophical approach to writing and how to be a writer in the world. I'm using "The Artist's Way" but if I teach it again I will consider the Tharp book, because I've read it and like it a lot.
Ooh, I’d love to take that class with you! We talked about The Artist’s Way last week in class. You can’t go wrong with either of these books!
So powerful. Twyla Tharp's book changed my life. She made me see that good writing can be taught, which made me realize that book coaching is a skill, which led me to the work I am doing today to set the standard for excellence in this new industry. I am forever indebted to this book. I'm so glad you are sharing it with more creative souls!
Wow, that’s a powerful testimony! I had a similar experience with The Artist’s Way. After growing up as an athlete, that book helped me realize that being an Artist was a WAY, a series of actions and a mindset, and not a fixed identity in conflict with being an athlete. (I hope that sentence makes sense!) Any of us who are teachers or writers or artists have to believe that skills can be taught/learned! And that growth happens through habits!
So interesting! We took away the same message from totally different kinds of books 🙌
Good job--it helps to get people thinking about their own creativity so we can break through the "my work sucks" mindset.
Thank you! We are too quick to dismiss our work!
Love this!
Thank you!