In all honesty, I’m still trying to find my feet with this newsletter, but I’m prepared to do my growing and learning in public, as that is part of the approach I really want to take.
Writing and creativity is a constant work-in-progress and if we wait until we have everything ‘perfect’, then we will likely never get started.
Learning to give up on perfection may be just about the most romantic move any of us could make. - Alain de Botton
It’s one thing finding your voice as a writer, then it’s a whole different ball game finding your voice as a writer on a new platform, and trying to figure out the unique quirks of the platform to utilise them and do your best work.
That, for me, is what it’s all about. Whatever you do in life, for passion or profession, can you do great work? That doesn’t necessarily mean popular work or work that is commercially viable - although it doesn’t exclude that in any way - but rather can you do the work that you love and are proud of, regardless of what others may think?
That last sentence could be an entire book in itself.
The creator’s journey, though, is filled with fear, doubt, procrastination, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Joy too, but that can usually be quite fleeting; commonly the mind of many creators is racked with the relentless and fruitless pursuit of perfection.
My aim here is to create a space where my most authentic voice can come across, uninhibited, free, and joyful. I want to share my human experience of life on planet Earth at this time in its history, in the hope that it resonates with you and so we can share this journey, and maybe lighten the burden for one another.
I want to have fun here, and for you to have fun here too. It can get a little bit too serious down here otherwise.
I also want to regularly share the things that move me, inspire me, and entertain me.
My passions are storytelling, the ‘spiritual’ path, my family, writing, being out in nature, taking care of myself (mind, body, spirit, and emotions), music, books…
There will be a little bit of all of that here, maybe sometimes all at the same time.
I’m fascinated by the idea that we have just 26 letters in our alphabet, and if you rearrange those letters in a certain way to create words in a certain order, they can have a deeply powerful effect on other people. I love that idea. It keeps me excited and inspired. It makes me want to show up each day and keep writing.
And that’s all I feel I’m really doing. Just moving letters around and hoping that those letters move people.
Here are a few things I felt were worth sharing this week:
This article on how George Lucas and Walter Murch revolutionised the role music played in movies, with their work on the film American Graffitti.
Mancunians are super passionate about their hometown, and this video is a poem by Dave Viney - set to the music of Narcissus and with a guest appearance in the video by actress Maxine Peake - is the perfect collaboration to demonstrate that passion and spread the word about Manchester.
Author and life coach Jay Shetty talks to music producer Rick Rubin in this fascinating conversation where they talk deeply about creativity and spirituality and the place where the two come together.
I finished watching Daisy Jones & The Six a tv series based on the book by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s a rock and roll drama based loosely on the music scene in LA in the late sixties. The original music in the series is actually brilliant.
I’ve been listening to a lot of Elvis Costello lately. His repertoire is so diverse and interesting and his lyrics are sublime and very poetic. One of my favourites of his is from the song Possession, “Now you’re sending me your best wishes, signed with love and vicious kisses. You lack lust, you’re so lacklustre. Is that all the strength you can muster?”
Classic tracks I stumbled upon this week from 1984 that took me right back to being 12 years old again.
Thanks for reading!
My new book, B7965 - A boy called Szmulek: A man named Sam, is out NOW!. It’s a powerful memoir of my unexpected year-long journey with a Holocaust survivor. I’m super proud of it and very passionate about sharing Sam’s incredible story and getting it out into the world. I truly believe this is a very important story and one that the world needs to hear more than ever right now.
Also, if you like great music, please check out my radio station, The Buzz Mcr. We don’t do ad-breaks, news, weather, and travel. The music never stops. We have a thing called our Three Song Trust Policy, it’s like the old Pepsi challenge only with music. Try us, I think you’ll like us.
With love
Rik
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