We recently connected with Carson Elliot and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Carson, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
Being a creative often comes with the pressure of constantly making SOMETHING. The times I find myself the most blocked are when I am staring at a blank page and repeating to myself that this is something that typically comes easily for me, but that kind of self-talk gets me nowhere. Creativity for me comes in seasons; sometimes it is like a flood that I get swept away in and other times it feels like a terrible drought. In those periods of drought, I find I need to nourish my soul with finding ways to be in deep community with others, reading more often and widely, and pushing myself to witness and drink in the art of others. The words are always there, and they always return, no matter how long or intense the dry spell will be. It just takes patience and grace to give them space to come rushing back.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a poet and teaching artist based out of Nashville, TN. I have spent the past few years in community with a number of talented writers and facilitators in online spaces since the COVID-19 pandemic, where we explore the world of poetry and creative writing. I have been working with my creative partner Gemikal Prude over the past few months, developing Alight Arts Collective to serve as an additional space for local writers and creatives to share their stories. The arts have had such a complicated, yet vitally important role in the development of strong communities in The South, especially in cities like Nashville. The South has such a rich legacy of spoken and written word, and that legacy deserves to be celebrated. It is my hope that we can uplift voices that are often overlooked and help others develop a profound joy in sharing their work with others.
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?
Throughout the past few years I have held three core values dear to me and used them as a compass leading me forward: 1) Listen deeply to understand, not to be understood: so often this allows me to fully see people for where they truly are at any given moment, it forces me to be intentional with my thoughts and slows me down so my first response isn’t to simply react, but to lead with curiosity.
2) Let wonder lead you to your next step: often my biggest projects and most intriguing pieces are preceded with the thought “I wonder…” and letting that thought fill in the blanks of what might be missing. It also is such an easy way to tap into my inner child, because what is more childlike than following wonder with reckless abandon? This can be an invitation for play, for exploration and experimentation, or quiet contemplative thought, all routes that have led me to profound answers if I let myself sit with a wonder for long enough.
3) Be Held: this first was said to me in a group of writers I joyously got to spend time with at a writing retreat in the woods. We were setting our intentions for the space and the simple command of “be held” set the tone for that entire experience and it was truly wonderful. When I am struggling or feeling lost, this phrase has become a gentle mantra. When I accept the love, wisdom, and help of my community, I am always surprised by the tender ways they are able to show up for me.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
A year ago, I felt completely aimless and helpless in my situation. I had been very suddenly laid off from a major tech company, I was in a situation where it seemed like I would have to start my professional career over from scratch, and my dreams of being a working artist felt like they would become permanently on hold. From that deep well of anxiety and desperation, I began to develop my own creative writing workshop series and was blown away by how many people attended. From there it became a bimonthly event and then began to develop roots into what has now grown into the Alight Arts Collective. In that time I also released my first chapbook and began getting more traction than ever before in my publishing journey. The message I held for myself last year was that I was defined by what I lacked, but my community proved me wrong in more ways than I could count. I now have been able to turn that message on its head and live a life defined by abundance; a feeling that I hope Alight can spread to others as we continue to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carsonelliot.substack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyitscarsonk/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carson-kreidler/
- Other: Order My Chapbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SDP1LR
