Time To Write Is the Most Important Thing In The World - Jonathan Blum

Summary

In a reflective conversation, author Jonathan Blum discusses the significance of daily writing and its emotional rewards. He shares his journey from aspiring songwriter to short story writer, emphasizing how storytelling serves as an outlet for both joy and sorrow. Blum highlights the impact of a writing workshop that helped him find the right narrative structure for his work, particularly a story about a jazz pianist grappling with personal struggles. His insights underscore the dedication required in the craft and the transformative power of storytelling as a means of understanding and expressing life's complexities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Daily writing is essential for a writer's growth and happiness.
• 😀 Being immersed in a story brings joy and fulfillment.
• 😀 Writing can be a way to process both sorrow and joy.
• 😀 The importance of finding the right structure for each story.
• 😀 Jonathan Blum emphasizes the improvisational nature of storytelling.
• 😀 Writing allows for emotional expression that may be absent in real life.
• 😀 Transitioning from songwriting to short stories provided a meaningful creative outlet.
• 😀 It's crucial to recognize personal limitations in creative pursuits.
• 😀 The journey of writing often involves trial and error to discover the best approach.
• 😀 Writing serves as a source of continuity and meaning throughout life's challenges.

Q & A

Why does Jonathan Blum emphasize the importance of writing every day?

Jonathan believes that writing daily brings him happiness and allows him to explore stories and connect ideas, making it a crucial part of his life.

What does Jonathan say about the relationship between sorrow and storytelling?

He refers to a Hasidic saying that describes how deep sorrow can be transformed into a song, highlighting that writing stories serves a similar purpose by giving sorrow a form and melody.

How did Jonathan's background in music influence his writing?

Jonathan initially pursued songwriting and, although he felt he lacked the talent for a music career, the experience informed his narrative approach in storytelling, as he saw parallels between songs and stories.

What kind of jobs did Jonathan take to ensure he had time to write?

He worked various jobs, including teaching ESL in the afternoons and evenings, which allowed him to dedicate time in the mornings to writing.

What was the pivotal moment that led Jonathan to focus on writing short stories?

During a fiction writing workshop with Marilynne Robinson, he discovered a suitable narrative structure for a story he had been struggling with, leading him to realize his capability for writing short fiction.

What does Jonathan mean by 'paying your dues' in writing?

He refers to the extensive time and effort spent honing his craft before finding the right approach to storytelling, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in writing.

How does Jonathan view the act of storytelling?

He finds storytelling to be improvisational and a means of navigating both joyful and difficult aspects of life, making it a deeply personal and fulfilling activity.

What challenges did Jonathan face when transitioning from music to writing?

He realized he did not have the talent to pursue music professionally, which pushed him to seek other creative outlets, ultimately leading him to writing.

What kind of stories does Jonathan enjoy writing?

He enjoys writing various kinds of stories and technical challenges, continually seeking to explore new narrative forms.

In what way did the jazz pianist character influence Jonathan's writing process?

By changing the perspective of the story to that of an unreliable narrator, Jonathan found a way to authentically capture the character's emotional struggles, demonstrating the importance of perspective in storytelling.