I’ve got paint, canvas, easel, brushes, solvent, rags, apron, and space. I’ve got ideas—and I’ve got time, obviously, because here I am goofing off online. Why am I so cowardly about it? I do printmaking and watercolor all the time, but something about the idea of oil just spooks me.

One of my friends has been meaning to write the first chapter of his book, and it’s so easy to think, “He should just get going.” It’s obviously true. He’s done a mountain of research, he’s ready to go, he has ideas and notes and everything he needs, but something stops him. Maybe I should have more sympathy. Maybe I should kick his … until he starts writing.

Repeat 50x: It will be fun.