We recently connected with Aryn S Youngless and have shared our conversation below.
Aryn S, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
As a publisher and an author, creativity is key. Creativity is the light at the end of the tunnel, the salve to my wounded soul. The thought of a world without it is one that would most definitely fall into darkness and disarray.
So, how do I keep it alive? (Especially in a time where a light at the end of the tunnel may feel lacking)
As a creative, it goes without saying that sometimes the well of creativity will run dry. I’ve sat in those empty moments, convinced I would never create again. How could I? Surmountable reasons were weighing against me. I couldn’t have found the words to write a story, a blog post with the sharpest shovel, or endless digging.
I had nothing in me! … at that moment.
Moments filled with an empty bucket, blank page, or barren canvas are just that – moments. Some are fleeting, others may languish – but in the end, that’s what they do – end.
Over years of writing, I’ve hit these roadblocks for numerous reasons: obligation, external forces, or self-induced stress. But I’ve also learned to overcome, continue, and carry one. Here are a few of my tricks:
Write every day, even if it’s only a short sentence. This falls in the same vein as making your bed. It is a checklist item that helps to keep you moving forward. The sentence doesn’t need to be a literary great. It can simply be: I HATE WRITERS BLOCK! But you wrote, and good for you. Keep going. Maybe tomorrow’s sentence will come easier.
Read widely. Do you love horror? Great! Read a romance. Are you obsessed with romance? Awesome! Pick up a creative nonfiction title. Are you sure the only novel ever worth reading are literary giants? Incredible! Check out a graphic novel.
Basically, mix it up! Inspiration comes from everywhere. Read outside the genre you write and the one you prefer to read. You never know what you’ll find, which may be the key to kicking your creative block out of your life.
Explore Art and Culture. Go to see a theater performance! Visit a museum! Stop by the Central Library in DTLA and check out a book AND visit a library before you see a performance. The point is, get out there. Challenge yourself to see the world from different angles, mediums, and experiences. It will add depth to your writing and give you a few new tools to pull from.
Collaboration. Join a writing group. Talk to other writers! Write with other writers solely with the intent to enjoy writing and creating. Sometimes, what we need the most is a set of fresh eyes. Maybe it’s not writer’s block. Perhaps it’s a secret doorway you need someone else to point out.
Go for a walk. Sometimes, the best way to get out of your head is to leave your house.
Writing and creating, in general, will always require a refresh. The best way I’ve found to maintain a healthy flow of creativity is by creating an environment that helps to feed that world. While it is not always just that easy – you will have to dedicate yourself to new ideas, experience new things, and be open to stepping outside your comfort zone – over time, those moments allow you to fill your creativity bucket a lot faster.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As an author, genealogist, and the owner of an independent publishing house–Spring Heeled Jack Media, my work revolves around storytelling in its many forms. Since I was seven years old, writing has always been my passion–it’s where I can explore new worlds, give voice to untold stories, and connect with readers on a deeply personal level. But beyond writing, I’ve found immense joy in helping others learn the stories of their family history and how to turn those stories into historical fiction and creative nonfiction.
What excites me most about this work is the freedom and creativity of being independent. My son, who co-owns Spring Heeled Jack Media, and I are not bound by rigid formulas or trends. We are currently accepting submissions for our first Anthology of Folk Horror short stories, titled Whispers in the Woods, and working with a local high school to create an anthology that will celebrate the voices and imagination of the students.
At the heart of everything we do is a love for stories and the belief that they have the power to inspire, heal, and connect us all.
If you’d like to stay updated, please visit SpringHeeledJackMedia.com or visit us on Instagram at @SpringHeeledJackMedia. And if you’re an aspiring author with a Folk Horror short story you’re passionate about, don’t hesitate to check out our Submissions Page—we’d love to read you!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities to achieve success stand out in the writing and publishing world: persistence, adaptability, and community.
Persistence is vital to any goal you’re hoping to achieve–writing and publishing are no different. When it comes to writing, in an industry is rife with challenges and rejections; persevering through setbacks and learning from failures are crucial for success as an author and a publisher.
Adaptability is essential in an ever-evolving landscape marked by digital and social media and the ever shifting reader preferences. You have to remain open to new ideas, technologies, and market trends to help keep relevant and to find your audience.
Lastly, community. Writing can feel isolated and lonely – if we let it be. In reality, stronger pros are written with the support of a community. Be it a critique group, writing partner, or fellow writer, strong relationships within the literary community will help you grow as an author. Do not be afraid to work with authors, editors, designers, marketers, or readers—each one provides invaluable information that can lead to opening doors and creating opportunities that significantly influence growth of your writing ability, visibility, and –in my case–getting the word out there about Spring Heeled Jack Media.
For those early in their journey who are looking for a recipe for success, I suggest cultivating persistence by setting realistic goals, celebrating small victories, and developing a support system of trusted people. Most of all, remember to practice self-care. Breaks aren’t a reward, they are the needed fuel to succeed.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I think it’s better to balance being well-rounded and utilizing our strengths. We all have something we’re amazing at, without trying or with little effort, so it makes sense to cultivate and grow areas we know less about to help better see and understand the world around us and our market. It’s essential to strike a balance between both old and new, strong and weak. As the owner of an independent publishing company and an independent author, I know that leveraging our strengths is crucial for success, but recognizing where we can grow and improve is equally important.
The key is understanding that you need to have an overall goal and plan (strengths) while still being open and flexible about how you will achieve that goal (adapting and learning).
Most of all, find a balance for you as a writer or your organization. In my experience, focusing too heavily on strengths can lead to stagnation, while solely trying to improve weaknesses can dilute core competencies. By allocating resources wisely to enrich our strengths and address our shortcomings, we can maintain a competitive edge while continuing to grow. Take the time to find what strategies will help you grow, and be willing to take the time to understand them completely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.springheeledjackmedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/springheeledjackmedia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringHeeledJackMedia
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