My God, Christian. This is what I've been struggling with for the last 4 and a half months. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you. Craft in a time of genocide.
I actually thought of you when I was writing this, hoping you'd click the link and read that article in particular. If I hadn't heard from you, I would have followed up in a few days and recommended it. It's one of those rare pieces that will shape a reader's (and writer's) perspective for the rest of their lives. I'm glad it resonated. Thank you for sharing.
I got two sentences in, and was instantly transported back to Baghdad when I was enlisted. My team was living on a forward operating base (fob) out among the populace, and this gave us a better sense of who we were trying to help (we were a civil affairs team). So, this had me recall my experiences of living among those whom I was working with. And it made all the difference.
TL:DR ~ live amongst those you're trying to write about. Trying to write about the suffering homeless? Take some time to experience their plight. Go be homeless for a week. Go full retard on it. Leave your shit at home, and take only the clothes on your back and a pen & notebook. Minimal cash$$. Experience it. Know what you're writing.
Then imagine everyone in the country trying to murder you while you search for food, shelter, and medicine. Now you've got "the experience" but simulated.
What a great comment. Totally agree. It's actually something I've struggled with ever since graduating from journalism school....feeling too separated from my subjects to depict a real picture of their world. I think the more comfortable your life is, the harder it becomes to voluntarily put yourself in deeply uncomfortable and even dangerous situations. Of course, that keeps you in the zone of Craft, and who does that serve? Thanks for sharing your experience.
This is about the only article I'm able to find. I have an old video of some pictures and a video of a road side bomb that was meant for my team, if you want that link too.
Brilliantly written, Christian. I just watched the video linked to Max Porter's performance of "Wild West" and sat here in awe, jaw hanging open. Thank you for sharing.
It’s one of those pieces you’d love to write yourself while thinking at the same time, how??? Glad it inspired the same reaction for you as it did for me. Thanks for reading.
My God, Christian. This is what I've been struggling with for the last 4 and a half months. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you. Craft in a time of genocide.
I actually thought of you when I was writing this, hoping you'd click the link and read that article in particular. If I hadn't heard from you, I would have followed up in a few days and recommended it. It's one of those rare pieces that will shape a reader's (and writer's) perspective for the rest of their lives. I'm glad it resonated. Thank you for sharing.
I watched the video and read the words on craft. I can't stop thinking about any of it.
I appreciate you so much. Your sharing and your amplifying and your bringing this to my attention. We're here together in the long middle.
I got two sentences in, and was instantly transported back to Baghdad when I was enlisted. My team was living on a forward operating base (fob) out among the populace, and this gave us a better sense of who we were trying to help (we were a civil affairs team). So, this had me recall my experiences of living among those whom I was working with. And it made all the difference.
TL:DR ~ live amongst those you're trying to write about. Trying to write about the suffering homeless? Take some time to experience their plight. Go be homeless for a week. Go full retard on it. Leave your shit at home, and take only the clothes on your back and a pen & notebook. Minimal cash$$. Experience it. Know what you're writing.
Then imagine everyone in the country trying to murder you while you search for food, shelter, and medicine. Now you've got "the experience" but simulated.
What a great comment. Totally agree. It's actually something I've struggled with ever since graduating from journalism school....feeling too separated from my subjects to depict a real picture of their world. I think the more comfortable your life is, the harder it becomes to voluntarily put yourself in deeply uncomfortable and even dangerous situations. Of course, that keeps you in the zone of Craft, and who does that serve? Thanks for sharing your experience.
btw, is there somewhere I can read more about your time in Baghdad?
This is about the only article I'm able to find. I have an old video of some pictures and a video of a road side bomb that was meant for my team, if you want that link too.
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/BIG-TURNOUT-BUOYS-HOPES-UNFLINCHING-Millions-2734413.php
As a big Nick Cave fan and Red Hand Files subscriber you had me from the get go. We have a duty as artists to at least try to articulate the pain.
Totally agree. I can't think of anyone more adept at it than Nick Cave. Thanks for reading.
This is quite brilliant. Thank you for sharing, Christian.
Thank you for reading! What you're doing is also quite brilliant.
Thank you - appreciate that!
Brilliantly written, Christian. I just watched the video linked to Max Porter's performance of "Wild West" and sat here in awe, jaw hanging open. Thank you for sharing.
It’s one of those pieces you’d love to write yourself while thinking at the same time, how??? Glad it inspired the same reaction for you as it did for me. Thanks for reading.
The Craft. Wow. Am lit up and chewing on all of this… thank you
Right!? I honestly didn't know what to do with all the aliveness I felt when I read it. I still don't.