Dismantling the Crumpled Paper Cliche

How artists actually get work done

I throw up a little in my mouth every time I see the crumpled paper cliche. You know, the scene where a writer gives up on his art in frustration, wads it up, and chucks it in the trash?

Nonsense.

Hollywood romanticizes the torture involved in the creative process, but those of us who make things know that’s BS. No, you don’t have to be a tortured hero to produce your best work. It’s not a superpower at all. It’s ordinary. It’s your responsibility. You don’t get to abandon it.

So what does the non-Hollywood version of the creative process look like? My art professor described it like this:

“Do something. Do something to it. Repeat until you're finished.”

That’s it. No lofty platitudes. No special skills required, no talent mandates, no excuses. It’s work. But it’s work you care about. So that’s why you show up day after day.

There is no trash, only an endless loop of effort, production, and revision. Nothing is wasted. Every failed prototype pushes you forward to better and better work. So no. You don't get to crumple it up and throw it in the trash.

Thanks for reading, and welcome to my new subscribers. I’m honored to have your eyeballs on my words. Stay creative.

Your friend,
Ade