

Rough mix: Episode 7: Dark Forest
9 snips Jun 17, 2020
Kazuo Kibuishi, acclaimed graphic novelist and creator of the Amulet series, dives into the creative struggle known as the 'dark forest.' He explores how getting lost is part of the artistic journey and shares insights on overcoming self-doubt. Kazuo emphasizes the importance of collaboration, explaining how editors can help revive lost story elements. He also highlights techniques for navigating complex narratives and the necessity of tedious work in honing craft. Join them for inspiration on embracing the messy side of creativity!
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What The Dark Forest Means
- The dark forest is the creative phase where work feels wrong and chaotic but is actually where meaning forms.
- Embrace the discomfort as the brain connecting disparate material to produce new work.
Jad Abumrad's Wagner Breakdown
- Jad Abumrad told a story about being assigned a Wagner hour and missing deadlines, which plunged him into severe creative anxiety.
- He named that state the 'German forest' and described physical panic from the pressure.
200,000 Words And A Quilt Metaphor
- Jessica Abel describes eight months wrestling with 200,000 words of research before understanding her story.
- Her mother told her to stop hoarding material and start arranging it into a quilt she could own.