12 Comments
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Leslie Anne's avatar

As a teacher and compulsive writer, I love this message:

"Rigor isn’t a cage; it’s a chisel."

Gracias.

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Timothy Willard's avatar

Thanks, Leslie. Yes, I'm trying to take the bite off of the idea of working hard :) I find that rigor is resisted in our culture more and more, especially by the young. I want to show how there is real joy in the rigor.

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Laura Good's avatar

“Creative rigor isn’t about control or perfectionism. It’s about depth.” Profound.

Your words on pursuing depth and meaning in the creative work God has led us to reminds me of a quote I heard from a sermon years ago:

“life is not lived in length, but in depth.”

Thank you for another article that I will be mulling over in many days to come. Your work in the world is such a gift.

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Timothy Willard's avatar

Thank you, Laura! Yes, as someone who learned the joy of the rigorous pursuits later in life, I want to be an emissary of rigor :🙏

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Jane Waln's avatar

This is helpful. I have tried to write on a certain story from my life—not particularly for publication—but to get it down. Get to its meaning. This message, especially the question, “What truth was I trying to carry into the world in the first place” has given me clarity. Now I can begin again (with tears and a heart beat). Thank you!

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Timothy Willard's avatar

Jane, I'm so thankful this post encouraged you to write the story from your life. I love that you are pursuing it for the love!

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Órla Kenny's avatar

This was inspiring, Timothy.. beautifully written too.

Thank you!

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Timothy Willard's avatar

Thank you, Orla! 🙏

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Órla Kenny's avatar

You're welcome.

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Allison Stitzinger's avatar

Thank you so, so much for this. It was the answer to a prayer my heart didn’t even have words for.

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Timothy Willard's avatar

Wonderful! So grateful! 🙏

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Sierra Westerholm's avatar

"Because creative formation isn’t just about producing something. It’s about becoming someone."

This hit home... Favorite line!

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