Subtle Maneuvers

Subtle Maneuvers focuses on the intricacies of creative life, highlighting routines, rituals, and the struggles of artists and writers. It explores perspectives on productivity, inspiration, and the artistic process, offering insights from historical and contemporary figures in the arts.

Creative Process Productivity Techniques Artistic Inspiration Creative Blocks Writer's Life Art and Money Historical Artists' Insights Routine and Ritual in Art Creative Motivation

The hottest Substack posts of Subtle Maneuvers

And their main takeaways

"From rage to despair and back again"

1139 implied HN points • 13 Jun 22
  1. Jean Rhys took nine years to finish her masterpiece, 'Wide Sargasso Sea,' due to perfectionism and life distractions.
  2. Rhys had a turbulent life marked by self-destructive behavior, destitution, and difficulty managing day-to-day tasks.
  3. Despite setbacks, Rhys' dedication to her craft and her novel's quality led 'Wide Sargasso Sea' to be considered one of the best novels of the twentieth century.

Do I just need to relax??

825 implied HN points • 02 May 22
  1. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to a less favorable outcome in creative projects.
  2. Balancing seriousness with a relaxed attitude is important for personal well-being.
  3. Sometimes, it's best to just take it easy and be easygoing.

Pat Metheny's compulsive productivity

825 implied HN points • 18 Apr 22
  1. Pat Metheny is an extremely disciplined musician, practicing for eight hours a day and taking detailed notes after performances.
  2. Metheny describes his productivity as a balance between compulsion and reverence towards balance in his life.
  3. Being all-in on one thing, like work or music, can actually lead to finding balance rather than detracting from it.

Robert Graves’s writing paradise

707 implied HN points • 31 May 22
  1. Robert Graves's house in Majorca is preserved with a rustic, sun-drenched charm, reflecting his life in the 1930s-1950s.
  2. The house has a lush garden, a view of the Mediterranean, and even a vegetable garden maintained as if Graves still lived there.
  3. Graves's son William aimed to retain the essence of how his father lived during his most creative period in the house.
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Alexander Pope’s paid subscription model

746 implied HN points • 21 Mar 22
  1. Authors in the past often did not benefit financially from the success of their books.
  2. Alexander Pope created a paid subscription model in 1713 to address this unfair system.
  3. Pope's model offered a new way for writers to benefit directly from the sales of their work.

“A strange empty day”

648 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
  1. May Sarton emphasizes the importance of 'off days' for creative work.
  2. Even during unproductive times, progress can still be made.
  3. Simple activities like walking or reading can help dispel unmotivation.

Wayne Thiebaud on finding “charm and freedom” in your work

707 implied HN points • 21 Feb 22
  1. Wayne Thiebaud found charm and freedom in his work by simplifying his compositions.
  2. Thiebaud's artistic breakthrough came when he painted something he felt was real, like pies and cakes.
  3. He was inspired to strip away mannerisms in his work and focus on basic compositions.

Really good writing advice from Slavoj Žižek

825 implied HN points • 22 Nov 21
  1. Slavoj Žižek shared a writing strategy on Twitter that may help with a breakthrough in writing projects.
  2. Twitter can sometimes be a wonderful resource for finding valuable insights and advice.
  3. Žižek's advice on making writing disappear could be an interesting perspective to explore in your own writing process.

David Lynch on being true to your ideas

707 implied HN points • 24 Jan 22
  1. David Lynch emphasizes the importance of being true to your ideas
  2. Lynch is open about describing his methods and habits for creativity
  3. Journalists have found plenty of insights into Lynch's creative process

Three tales of creative incompetence

589 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
  1. Creative projects often start with the feeling of incompetence or not knowing what you're doing
  2. Even celebrated writers like Joy Williams and Joan Didion have faced challenges and failures in their projects
  3. Making mistakes or feeling lost in your creative work can sometimes lead to unexpectedly great outcomes

Hayao Miyazaki, creativity, and selfishness

1356 implied HN points • 11 Jan 21
  1. Hayao Miyazaki's creative process involves a strict morning routine at his studio.
  2. Selfishness can be a necessary element in the creative process, as shown by Miyazaki's dedication to his work.
  3. The documentary on Miyazaki portrays him as a complex figure, balancing creativity, selfishness, and family relationships.

Mary Ruefle does not own a computer

766 implied HN points • 25 Oct 21
  1. Mary Ruefle writes her poems by hand on paper before typing them on a typewriter.
  2. Ruefle finds joy and importance in physically writing by hand and enjoys the process of creating with pen and paper.
  3. Mary Ruefle does not have a strict writing routine but focuses on erasing old books as a unique and ongoing project.

New Year, New . . . Rapture?

452 implied HN points • 10 Jan 22
  1. Making stuff can be a joy and a privilege.
  2. Writing can be a source of rapture.
  3. bell hooks professed to love writing and enjoy her time at her desk.

Advice on writing, fear, and shame

471 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
  1. It's okay to address dark themes in your writing, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
  2. Accepting and embracing the darker aspects of your creativity can lead to breakthroughs in your work.
  3. Some successful authors have managed anonymity, allowing their work to speak for itself.

Joanna Hogg’s art of perseverance

511 implied HN points • 08 Nov 21
  1. Late bloomers like Joanna Hogg can be more interesting than youthful talents.
  2. Perseverance and enduring uncertainty can lead to creative success.
  3. Being open to serendipity and improvisation can enrich the creative process.

Advice on building creative stamina

550 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
  1. Having a sustained daily writing habit, even for a short time, is valuable.
  2. Some well-known writers have emphasized the importance of consistency over quantity in writing.
  3. It's possible to build up stamina for writing by setting small, achievable goals.

Sybille Bedford’s squandered years

432 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
  1. Excuses for not being productive are common, but Sybille Bedford attributed her modest literary output to 'great natural sloth.'
  2. Distractions like travel, relationships, and leisurely activities may enrich one's work, as seen in Bedford's life.
  3. Creating a conducive work environment and receiving support from friends can greatly enhance productivity, as it did for Bedford.

Time, Strength, Cash, Patience

550 implied HN points • 22 Mar 21
  1. The newsletter discusses the process of writing a new book and the importance of being held accountable by a wider audience.
  2. The book project will focus on the stories of how writers, artists, and musicians funded their creative endeavors throughout history.
  3. The manuscript for the book is due in 13 months, and the newsletter author expresses excitement and motivation to explore this material further.

Louise Bourgeois's daily routine

373 implied HN points • 11 Oct 21
  1. Louise Bourgeois had a fascinating daily routine in the 1980s, balancing small artworks at home and large-scale sculptures in a Brooklyn studio.
  2. Bourgeois lived in her New York City townhouse for 37 years after her husband passed away, gradually expanding her studio throughout the entire house.
  3. Jerry Gorovoy, who was Bourgeois's assistant for 30 years, shared insights into her routine and artistic process.

Advice on writing and love!

275 implied HN points • 07 Feb 22
  1. Fear of love can be a barrier to personal growth.
  2. Balancing writing and love requires open communication and space.
  3. Celebrate good news and enjoy the present moment without excessive worry.

What if your ambition outstrips your talent?

589 implied HN points • 30 Nov 20
  1. Feeling stuck in your creative work is normal and can fuel progress.
  2. Creative burnout may signal the need for rest and replenishing experiences.
  3. Converting limitations into advantages is a key mindset for writers and artists.

A megalomaniac with extremely low self-esteem

314 implied HN points • 27 Sep 21
  1. Nick Cave embraces low self-esteem as a creator.
  2. Routines can be a great accompaniment to low self-esteem.
  3. Automating the creative process can help stabilize a fragile enterprise.

Advice on art paralysis with guest columnist Beth Pickens

412 implied HN points • 26 Apr 21
  1. Recognize and acknowledge patterns of art paralysis to initiate change and growth.
  2. Encounter and address fears related to success, scaling up, and self-limiting beliefs.
  3. Practice self-care, seek support, confront fears, and take small, consistent steps to overcome art paralysis.

Mega advice column, plus an announcement

275 implied HN points • 30 Aug 21
  1. The newsletter will now be sent every other Monday.
  2. As a writer, it's worth pursuing your craft despite the competition.
  3. Balance different interests and crafts to create a cohesive practice.

“If work comes easily, it is suspect”

294 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
  1. When work comes easily, it might not be the best quality.
  2. Just because something seems like a gimmick doesn't mean it's ineffective.
  3. It can be challenging to capture the essence of someone's work, especially a living artist.

Lauren Berlant’s labor of being

275 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
  1. Lauren Berlant was a celebrated writer and professor known for works like 'Cruel Optimism' and 'The Hundreds.'
  2. Berlant's writing style varied between dense and academic in 'Cruel Optimism' and experimental in 'The Hundreds.'
  3. One memorable quote from Berlant is 'we are constantly dogpaddling around a space whose contours remain obscure.'

Machiavelli’s daily routine while writing The Prince

255 implied HN points • 21 Jun 21
  1. Machiavelli dedicated four hours daily to writing The Prince, free from worries and boredom.
  2. After being exiled and stripped of power, Machiavelli wrote The Prince, a work of political thought drawn from his diplomatic experience.
  3. He completed The Prince in a few months, working in the evenings after supervising his land and playing backgammon.

Erik Satie: “An artist must regulate his life”

196 implied HN points • 17 May 21
  1. An artist must regulate his life - Even geniuses like Erik Satie had specific daily routines to follow.
  2. Satie's satirical schedule - Satie's detailed daily schedule pokes fun at the idea of a brilliant person's routine.
  3. Enjoy the absurdity of life - Satie found joy in the absurdity of living, a talent worth cultivating.

Advice on marketing and fame with guest columnist Ron Hogan

176 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
  1. Guest columnist Ron Hogan provides advice on marketing and fame in creative work.
  2. Balancing the desire for fame with the discomfort of self-promotion is a common dilemma for many artists.
  3. It's important to focus on creating authentic work and sharing it genuinely, rather than getting caught up in marketability and fame.

Advice on impostor syndrome, procrastination, and getting to your real work

176 implied HN points • 29 Mar 21
  1. Impostor syndrome is common and affects even highly competent individuals.
  2. Confidence can be misplaced, and privilege can play a role in how it is perceived.
  3. Recognizing the prevalence of impostor syndrome can be comforting and help combat feelings of inadequacy.

The art life has always been a struggle

176 implied HN points • 15 Mar 21
  1. Artist-client negotiations have always been challenging, with stingy buyers causing conflict
  2. Being more talented than peers can lead to envy and even sabotage
  3. Self-promotion has always been important for artists, requiring savvy management of public image

Austin Kleon on being creative when your kids are home allll day

196 implied HN points • 23 Nov 20
  1. Austin Kleon, a bestselling author, shares his Covid routine of being creative while his kids are home all day.
  2. Kleon emphasizes the importance of repetition and routine in staying creative during challenging times.
  3. His typical day now involves balancing work, family time, and household responsibilities due to the changes brought by the pandemic.

Subtle inspiration: a grab bag

137 implied HN points • 14 Jun 21
  1. Philip Guston aimed to create art that surprised even himself.
  2. Alison Lurie preferred to interfere in the lives of imaginary people through her novels.
  3. David Hammons believed art should blend into everyday life rather than stand out at a gallery.

Carl Jung on the importance of taking a break

216 implied HN points • 07 Sep 20
  1. Carl Jung emphasizes the importance of taking breaks when feeling tired.
  2. Jung's work habits included taking longer holidays than most and spending extensive time at his retreat.
  3. Taking breaks and rest is beneficial for productivity and well-being.

The joy of Fran Lebowitz

176 implied HN points • 18 Jan 21
  1. Fran Lebowitz is surprisingly at peace and not as tortured as expected.
  2. Lebowitz does not believe in guilty pleasures, stating that pleasure should not induce guilt unless it harms others.
  3. Lebowitz's perspective on pleasure highlights societal inconsistencies in what should be considered guilty.

Advice on energy

176 implied HN points • 21 Dec 20
  1. The advice column talks about overcoming writer's block by having external accountability, like deadlines from MFA programs or writing classes.
  2. To boost productivity as a writer, consider joining a writer's group, participating in writing sprints, or combining different methods.
  3. Putting pressure on oneself to write a perfect story can lead to writer's block, so it's important to allow creativity and not aim for perfection.