Creating Over Consuming: The Importance of Not Getting It Right

Note from Jan: I met Kimberly back around 2007, when she wrote grants for a children's healthcare organization and I did the same for a poverty law firm. Together, we worked to garner funding for the Health Law Partnership (HeLP), a program that partnered doctors and lawyers to advocate for children when legal problems (think housing issues, access to health insurance, and education needs) threatened their ongoing health improvement. It was a pretty cool gig. Also cool is the fact that almost 20 years later, Kimberly and I still work together, these days on more creative pursuits, including, but not limited to, writing.

But enough from me. It's a pleasure to share the creative journey of October's guest blogger, Kimberly Hays de Muga, who in a parallel universe is most certainly a rock star! Here's Kimberly.

The Importance of Not Getting It Right by Kimberly Hays de Muga

In the 1900s (as the children say), I grew up blanketed in middle-class privilege that afforded me piano lessons that I dreaded, even though I loved music so much that I broke the tuner knob on my white plastic radio. A well-loved library card and the Weekly Reader Book Club cemented my love of books, which I read like it was my job until I wanted it to be my job.

I kept on telling stories. Plus short poems about llamas in elementary, mediocre short stories about misunderstood teenage girls, and reporting for the high school paper punctuated classes, slumber parties, and lots of solitary brooding.

Then there were church “contemporary” musicals with themes of butterflies and coats of many colors and songs about it being cool in the furnace—I’ve blocked most of them but still remember the frightening thrill of performing.  

Looking back, I realize that my parents wanted a secure future for me and not the inconsistent life of a musician or writer. This led me to major in journalism, back when that was a decent and relatively stable career. Still, I questioned my choices, because someone was making a living off the albums and books that filled the shelves.

The idea that making art was only for professionals as I grew into my 20s was indoctrinated in me.

Dancing and downing cheap beer while sweating through my thrift store finery was a completely acceptable way to pass the evenings. Still, I held myself back from singing in a band or playing an instrument, even though some of the best bands, like Pylon, considered themselves art students first, not musicians.

I devoured books and poetry readings but never dared to read any of my words in front of anyone because they weren’t perfect. 

If I can save you a few decades of creative constipation, it would be a true pleasure. It’s really simple: start making stuff that brings you joy. Don’t call it art, call it creating things, call it doing something fun. And if studying it, or taking singing lessons, or joining a sewing circle feels good, do that.

I returned to consistent fiction writing about 12 years ago and have three yet unpublished novels and one under construction. (And owe a huge debt of gratitude to my long-time critique partners Jan Heidrich-Rice and Katherine Caldwell for helping me stay focused, open, and growing as a writer).

About 9 years ago, I started taking voice lessons, a weekly hour plus a couple of performances a year, including one next month. I would be delighted for you to come enjoy the free musical showcase (all adult students, including me) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30307 (corner of Eastlake and Ponce). The showcase will feature pop, R&B, Broadway, Jazz, classical, and piano performances, as well as free parking and a reception to follow.

Encouraged by the friends I’ve made in my community of musicians, I look forward to expanding into open-mic/live-band performance opportunities around the Atlanta area.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I also co-write a free weekly newsletter about grants and fundraising that also includes a book review. Sign up at https://haydayservices.com/

Along the way, I’ve learned, most of the time, to overcome my inner critic who crosses her arms and demands perfection or nothing. But you don’t have to take my word for it.

The joy of making and sharing (if you like) will feed your soul and make you feel so much better than hours of doomscrolling.

Feel free to drop me a line at kimberlyhaysdemuga (at) gmail (dot) com and ask me how I know.