Most of you are already in it. It might help to know that this place has a name, and that many people have been here before you. The master storyteller of RadioLab Jay Abumrad calls it “The German Forest.” You might feel all alone, but look carefully and you will see the footprints of those who have been right where you are, feeling what you are feeling. Some of them exit where they started, but the dark forest calls and they will be back. A lucky few find their way to the other side, where all the great stories live – stories that they themselves give life to.
Creative process: 1) This is going to be awesome 2) This is hard 3) This is terrible 4) I'm terrible 5) Hey, not bad 6) That was awesome
— Kazu Kibuishi (@boltcity) August 19, 2013
Key Tips from the Episode:
- You have to immerse yourself in it.
- Be willing to blow it all up.
- Try the Mechanical Method. Put one foot in front of the other.
- Do, do, do. Don’t let philosophizing your situation keep you from DOING.
- Surround yourself with the story without fear. Face it. Slog through it.
- COLLABORATE. Talk to people about your story, and record your conversation.
- There is a correlation between time spent in the forest, and moments of emergence.
- The Forest is GOOD FOR YOU! Feel free to soak in the goodness.
- If it’s worth doing, the forest awaits your journey.
- After you make it through a few times, the terror isn’t so bad.
“The dark forest is the place you have to go to meet the next version of yourself.” – Jad Abumrad
