Why You? Why This?

Why are you the right person for this particular form of expression? How does it align with your values? What does your unique POV add to the culture? 

Here is the play I mentioned: The Recognition of Shakuntala (aka Abhijnanasakuntalam) by Kalidasa. Read it here.

Here is the Tool/Assignment for this episode:

Okay, so how to tap into your specificity? This may seem completely counter to what we’ve just talked about, but bear with me. I want you to take any of the following three stories (please forgive the Euron-ess of them all. When I was talking to my brain trust, with sadness, they all suggested I use popular European stories because most people wouldn’t know stories from the continent of Africa, the West Indies, or Spanish-speaking Caribbean), so, European stories its). Even if you aren’t a writer (I chose a writing exercise because it is the cheapest to do), take one of the following stories:

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

Little Red Riding Hood

Or

Hansel and Gretel 

Rewrite them from your particular point of view. Ask questions that the originals don’t or couldn’t ask. Make connections that only you could make. Swap protagonists. Play with it. Remember, be specific without being unique. This isn’t about making work to sell. It’s about you acknowledging and honoring your specific experiences, to shine lights in areas we may never have thought of, if not for you. 

Once you’re done, see how much the story has changed. How much more “you” did the story become? What did that personal excavation and deployment feel like? How useful will you find it for your future creating?

If you’re deadest against writing, take the themes of your favorite photo, piece of music, whatever you want, and address that theme through the lenses of your specific personal experiences. What happened? What did you create? Was it a difficult exercise to do?

Remember, not everything is for everybody, but give it go. You may just be surprised. 

Peace.

Until next time.