Some people aren't planners,

but I am (a lot of the time).

I like to think ahead,

because I like to be forward thinking,

and I think you should too,

at least in some aspects.

As you read this email,

I'll be abroad and having an enlightening time,

without any worries about life outside of my time away.

I may even forget that this email has gone out.

So I'm writing to you as a past version of myself,

the one who is able to talk to you now,

while the other self is busy.

If you've seen the film Tenet,

you'll see some parallels with the timelines here.

Anyway,

plan, plan, plan.

But don't plan too much.

Your creative practice needs breathing space.

If you keep architecting an organic process,

you lose spontaneity and become mathematical

instead of artistic...

You may be wondering

why I wrote and scheduled this email

while I'm away.

The reason?

Consistency,

and loyalty to my readers.

If you know beforehand

that a routine or habit of yours will suffer for whatever reason,

find an alternative way to make up or complete the task at hand.

I've done this many times,

and it can be applied to all routines and habits,

from fitness goals to writing a certain amount of words each day.

So be sure to ensure consistency in pursuits

that you know will get you to where you want to be,

because even the smallest habits done daily,

will have enormous benefits over time.

The place I want to be

is sharing the power of creativity

with you all,

and being a reliable buddy

along the way.

Creative Update

Another email will be heading your way next Monday,

and since I am away,

my practice is in a limbo (another Nolan reference?)

I have plans to return to my fiction works

as well as In Da Crime Life when I come back,

and also to expand Poetry For Justice into a larger format event.

Upcoming Opportunties

Potomac Review are accepting submissions for poetry, fiction, and non-fiction categories.

They are a Washington DC-based literary press working out of Montgomery College who gladly accept international submissions.

DEADLINE: 2ND OCTOBER

All the best,

Bilal Psyche Akram