211: DON'T TRY (w/ Brian Abbott aka High Poets Society)

Brian Abbott is a Boston-based writer who has found his stronghold in the world of social media under the moniker of High Poets Society.  His poetry is most recognized for its mesmerizing rhyme scheme and clever wordplay.  Brian has recently published his first book, titled “High Poets Society.” Full shownotes: http://yourcreativepush.com/brianabbott In this episode, Brian discusses: -His history of writing and how he used to hide it from the world, only showing it to his girlfriends. -Using the identity of High Poets Society as a way to give him the courage to post and show a different side of himself that most people in the “real world” don’t get to see. -How your own perceived prediction of what people are going to think about you and your creative passion is always much worse than their actual reaction. -How the validation from the masses helps him to gain the confidence to talk about his poetry and to share it. -The initial experience of amassing a large following on Instagram. -How the number of followers you have has nothing to do with the talent that you have. -The importance of writing ideas down the moment you get them. -His method for organizing his ideas in Evernote. -His mantra, “ambiguity and continuity,” and how he embraces the fact that his writing will take on a new meaning to every person that reads it. -His admiration for Charles Bukowski’s advice: “Don’t try.” -How he pushes through his laziness when he has things he needs to get done. -The importance of deadlines, even if they are self-imposed. -The experience of seeing his poems on Instagram in comparison to seeing them in the book. -The story of how he quit his job on a whim. -How not everything will be a success, as evidenced by his failed food blog. -His advice for gaining followers on Instagram: use 30 hashtags, be consistent, take advantage of demographics, and make friends in the community and reach out to other people. Brian's Final Push will remind you, "Don't try."   Quotes: “For a long time in those thirteen years, I hid my craft away.  I didn’t really show people or try to publish it anywhere.” “It’s tough to open up.” “I think the validation from the masses helps me get the confidence to talk about it and share it.” “The numbers have nothing to do with the actual talent.” “Thoughts would come into my head and I would lose them.  Those are poems and thoughts that are gone forever.” “When I’m writing, I like to tell myself ambiguity and continuity.  Those are the two matras I yell to myself in my head while I’m writing.” “Love is universal.  It doesn’t have any constraints or rules to it.  You love who you love.” “I can’t control what I write, but I can control what I post.” “Those deadlines light a fire under my ass and says Okay, make a decision. Stop messing around a pull the trigger.” “It’s definitely a choice.  And especially in this world where money and your status in society means a lot, it’s tough to give up what you worked for and live that starving artist life.” “If you told me three years ago that a couple million people a week are going to read my poems I’d curl up in a ball and die.” Links mentioned: Brian's Book youusedtobemuchmoremuchier on Instagram Connect with Brian: Website / Facebook / Instagram On the next episode: Caves and Clouds : Website