Conjuring Your Superfan
A Visualization Exercise
At Lighthouse Writers Workshop’s Lit Fest a few weeks ago, I taught a craft seminar called “Getting to the Finish Line.” We talked about the challenges, both practical and mental, that keep us from finishing a writing project.
One issue we discussed is perfectionism, which I believe strikes just about every creative at one point or another. It’s understandable: We want our work to be the absolute best it can be—and we’re unwilling to settle for less.
But perfectionism is limiting. It impedes our progress and growth—we can only be perfect at that which we’ve already perfected, after all—and it’s determinantal to our mental (and sometimes physical) health.
If perfectionism is holding you back, remember that first and foremost, your art is for you. There is no requirement to please anyone else. If you’re happy with your art, then you’re making great art.
Doesn’t feel like enough? If so, try this visualization exercise that I asked my seminar participants to do: Conjure Your Superfan.
Who is a Superfan? It’s someone who loves everything you do. I’m not talking your mom or best friend—I’m talking a heretofore total stranger who has discovered your work. They read your words, or saw your paintings at an artwalk, or came across your website and were blown away by your photography. This person all-out adores your creativity. They gush about it to their friends. They glowingly comment on your social media posts. They attend your events and buy your books / visual arts / other creative works.
Don’t have a Superfan? That’s okay. Here’s my step-by-step process for Conjuring your Superfan.
Think about who is or will be drawn to your creative work.
Picture them in your head. Or make a pencil sketch of them. Or create them out of clay. Whatever helps you see them.
Jot down a brief profile of your Superfan. What are they like? What do they enjoy doing?
Got it? Can you envision this person? Great! Now write what your Superfan would say to you in person or via email. What would they say about your work and how it’s influenced them? What words of theirs would give you that gooey-glowy feeling inside?
That’s it. You now have your Superfan. Whenever you get discouraged, read your Superfan’s words. Or dance your clay figure Superfan across your workspace. I mean, why wouldn’t they dance? They’re unable to sit still, because they are so freakin’ excited about you!
Is this a mini-ego trip? Sure. Is that a bad thing? Nope—not when you need a boost. If your Superfan keeps you going, they’re doing their job.
Now, you go do your job. Make something great…for you and for them.
Speaking of Superfans…
I’m a Superfan of all the contributors to the collection We Can See Into Another Place: Mile High Writers on Social Justice. I was fortunate to read an advance copy of this anthology, and every piece blew me away. As I said when I had the honor of writing an endorsement, the collection:
“…offers readers a rare opportunity: the chance to hear from a broad, inclusive group of storytellers using varied creative forms. Through these works, we discover how our humanity unites us. That is the power of outstanding creative work―and outstanding creative work is in abundance in this collection.”
We Can See Into Another Place releases July 1, but I have a copy (signed by contributors!) for a randomly-selected What If Journal subscriber. No need to do anything to enter—if you’re a subscriber, you’re automatically entered (US addresses only). I’ll announce the winner in the next edition of The What If Journal.
Thanks to Bower House & BookBar Press for the copy. Good luck, all!
Anyone But Her Updates
The September 17, 2024 release date of my third novel, Anyone But Her, will be here before we know it —and things are moving forward!
FIRST, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve signed an agreement with Tantor Media, who will be producing the audiobook version of Anyone But Her! More info coming soon.
SECOND, Anyone But Her is live on NetGalley and available for reviews! If you’re a NetGalley reviewer, please request the title—I’d love to know your thoughts!
THIRD, I’m over the moon about these words from fellow authors about the novel:
“Drop the needle on Anyone But Her and you won’t want to stop until the last fade-out. Like any great album—and I’m talking vinyl—there are two great sides to this smoothly-written story, and they come together, past and present, to tell a gripping tale. Cynthia Swanson’s latest is top of the charts.”
– Mark Stevens, author of The Fireballer and The Allison Coil Mystery Series“Anyone But Her is psychological suspense at its finest—taut and tender, with characters who feel so real we care deeply about every twist. Swanson’s latest is a moving and brilliantly crafted mother-daughter mystery about love, loyalty, and making peace with the past. A beautiful, unforgettable novel.”
– Amy Mason Doan, bestselling author of Lady Sunshine
Thank you, Amy and Mark!
FOURTH, I’m beginning to book Denver-area events to celebrate the release of Anyone But Her. Stay tuned for event announcements!
Not in Denver? If you’re in another part of Colorado and you’d like me to do an event near you, please let me know. If there’s a bookstore or event space nearby, I’ll see what I can do.
I’m also happy to discuss Anyone But Her (or my other books) with book clubs, either in person in the Denver area or via video chat in other areas. More info is here.
What If We Step Out?
On a personal note, I’m excited for tomorrow night. My book club just read Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow—and tomorrow (see what I did there?), Zevin happens to be doing a reading not far from us, in Boulder. We were planning to meet tomorrow night to discuss the novel, so it feels serendipitous…we’re headed to Boulder on a book club field trip!
If you’ve not read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, I highly recommend it. Zevin explores the relationship between two video game designers, Sadie and Sam, who meet as tweens and later decide to “make a game together” (as Sam says). A hit game evolves into a highly successful company—and over several decades, Sadie and Sam navigate their personal and professional lives, together and apart.
I’m not a gamer, but I was struck by the parallels between game design and novel writing, in terms of creating character arc, a robust setting, and a fully developed, satisfying plot. I had no idea! It’s enough to make me consider gaming, if games like Ichigo (the first game Sadie and Sam create together) actually exist. If you’re a gamer and you have suggestions, please let my readers and me know.
Til next time…stay cool, have fun, read, and create!
