(*) The Only Magic Left is Art

Follow your own curiosity and say the most interesting stuff first. There is this weird idea of a “general reader,” who reads the New York Times and is equally interested in about 200 things (politics, peace in the middle east, pie, &c). I don’t think such people exist. And if they do, they are too busy reading the New York Times to read whatever you’re writing.

So forget that hypothetical reader and write about the things that are most interesting to you. Then, make it your mission to explain to readers why they should care about this thing you find interesting.

At the base of it, I guess I don’t believe in other people’s hierarchies about what’s important in the world. … And — this is one reason I love the web — all the analytics I’ve ever seen on my stories indicate that my own interest level and effort dictate what does well, *not* the subject matter.

”

- “Forget your generalized audience,” John Steinbeck advised in his six timeless tips on writing, and The Atlantic’s Alexis Madrigal echoes him with even more depth and dimension in his own advice on writing.

Pair with famous writers’ collected wisdom on the craft.
(via explore-blog)

devicfotos: alex toronto - 2012

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:23:40 -0700

devicfotos:

alex

toronto - 2012

curate 1k blog: I cannot stop looking at Mary Iverson’s paintings. I’m as fascinated...

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:20:29 -0700

curate 1k blog: I cannot stop looking at Mary Iverson’s paintings. I’m as fascinated...:

curate1kblog:

I cannot stop looking at Mary Iverson’s paintings. I’m as fascinated with the final surreal, Tetris-like result as I am with her process. Iverson creates majestic landscapes and then scores measurement lines into the painting, almost defacing her own work. From there…

(Janie♥Kay)

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:05:28 -0700

(Janie♥Kay)

alanbao: The Great Man Theory - Alan Bao, 2012 Give it a vote...

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:59:05 -0700

alanbao:

The Great Man Theory - Alan Bao, 2012

Give it a vote on Threadless, or buy the print at Society6!

(Heather Heininge)

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:33:42 -0700

(Heather Heininge)

mrfrivolous: MR.FRIVOLOUS: “THE VERY RANDOM THOUGHTS OF...

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:25:45 -0700

mrfrivolous:

MR.FRIVOLOUS:

“THE VERY RANDOM THOUGHTS OF CUTHBERT THE GAS MAN” original on A4 paper.

Click HERE for more info.

(Marwane Pallas)

Sat, 25 May 2013 09:55:59 -0700

(Marwane Pallas)

(ludwigwest)

Sat, 25 May 2013 03:34:26 -0700

(ludwigwest)

(conjunto universo)

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:40:42 -0700

(conjunto universo)

Maybe it’s time to remember an old friend…

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:39:00 -0700

Maybe it’s time to remember an old friend…

Listen/purchase: Try to Be by Blue Hawaii Like always, you can...

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:29:58 -0700

Listen/purchase: Try to Be by Blue Hawaii

Like always, you can follow us on bandcamp to view our entire collection of hidden gems:

http://bandcamp.com/theonlymagicleftisart

Talkin' 'bout Music at Trader Joe's

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:19:43 -0700

williamtaylorjr:

I generally enjoy it when pretty girls ask me about my music purchases, but on occasion it can be a bit wearing:

Cute Cashier at Trader Joe’s (Noticing my bag from the record store as she rings up my groceries): Looks like you bought something from Rasputin’s.

Me: Yup (Not elaborating, as I already had a decent idea how the conversation would unfold).

Cute Cashier: Let me guess…a record?

Me: Yup.

Cute Cashier: What did you buy?

Me (reluctantly): An album by Songs: Ohia

Cute Cashier: What?

Me: Songs: Ohia

Cute Cashier: Songs Ohio?

Me: Ohia. O-H-I-A

Cute Cashier: Oh…what’s that?

Me: Well, it’s a singer songwriter named Jason Molina. He recorded under the name Songs: Ohia. When he played with a full band he recorded under the name Magnolia Electric Company. Every once in a while he would just record under his own name.

Cute Cashier: Oh….so what’s his name again?

Me: Jason Molina.

Cute Cashier: Maleena?

Me: Molina. M-O-L-I-N-A

Cute Cashier: Oh….what kind of music is it?

Me: Well…it’s kinda hard to label…he was prolific and experimented with different styles…folk, I guess…sometimes more rock…he often sounds like a cross between Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young…his voice is a lot like Will Oldham’s.

Cute Cashier: (Confused silence, then eventually): Is he new?

Me: No, he actually died a few months ago at the age of 39 from organ failure due to an advanced stage of alcoholism.

Cute Cashier: huh…….I’ll have to check him out.

I don’t think she’s going to check him out.