The Invisible and Comfort

I read an article where a former UFC fighter, Spencer Fisher, had a private lesson with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and just all-around legend, Rickson Gracie. Gracie did not teach him crazy new moves but just a certain mentality of being always comfortable even in the worst positions and “invisible” aspects of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As someone who is halfway to a black belt, these concepts resonate with me. The invisible aspects interest me greatly as it speaks to a higher and more spiritual approach, and I think that this can apply to things in life as well.

In writing, there are the more material aspects to it that we can all see such as the grammar, style, mechanics, etc. However, it does make me think about the invisible aspects of writing. I am just starting out, so I am a white belt with this whole writing stuff, but when we consume top-quality media and stories, there are unseen aspects that make something very good to excellent. There is something more to Lord of the Rings, for example, than just an adventure, or else it would not stand the test of time. I watch anime, and there is a distinct difference from a good anime to a great anime. Part of it is a mastery of the basics, but an ability to think beyond in complex ways and convey that in a particular media.

Right now, as a writer, I am just trying to get the basics. I am not trying to reinvent the wheel but just tell a good story. I think that is a mistake in trying to reinvent the wheel right away, as people end up just being different for the sake of being different but not telling anything of substance.