A Love Story (In 3 Acts)

There is nothing like the hope of falling in love.

And there is nothing like falling in love.

Sometimes I wonder which of the two is more powerful: the hope or reality.

One morning, we enter a typical (or so it seems) day, go the places we go and do the things we do.

But something happens.

We meet someone.

THE one.

And our life is forever changed from that moment on.

Of course, it happens in different ways for different folks.

But the story structure is the same: we meet someone, fall in love and live happily ever after.  Or, as someone said in an interview I read yesterday, “we live pretty much happily ever after”. 

Of course, sometimes we don’t.

Have you ever thought of your creative life—your relationship with your art—as a three-act story?

Our creative life, it seems, has the ingredients of an epic story.

In Act I (often referred to as “the setup”), you are trudging along, minding your own business, when you encounter something that alters the pressure and temperature in the room.

It could be the arrival of an idea.

Or the discovery that something you do changes the way people engage the world.

Or your direct exposure to art or someone creative.

Whatever it is, if forever changes you.

You begin a new creative life.  And enjoy a honeymoon phase where everything is tingly and exciting.

In Act II (often called “the conflict”), you begin to discover who you are and what you’re supposed to do with this talent you’ve been given.

Your creative endeavors begin to feel more like chores and obligations than exciting adventures.

You experience failure.  Indifference.  Rejection.  Attack.  Irrelevance.

Your creative life is chock full of struggle and tension.

There’s lots of blood and colorful language that inevitably climax with the protagonist (i.e. you) wondering if all the work and sacrifice is worth it.

After all, no one else seems to care about your work.  Why should you?

And just as you decide it’s time to hang it up, just as you begin to walk away, it happens.

In Act III (called “the resolution”), you achieve breakthrough.

You discover something about yourself you never knew. 

And you re-enter your creative work with a renewed spirit of hope that, even though things are tough, you believe you can and will prevail.

The three-act structure is everywhere.

Act I: Setup.  Act II: Conflict.  Act III: Resolution.

Act I: Eden.  Act II: Wilderness.  Act III: Promised Land.

Act I: Immigration.  Act II: Sacrifice.  Act III: American Dream.

Act I: Fall in love.  Act II: Marriage.  Act III: Happily Ever After.

Act I: Joshua Tree.  Act II: Achtung Baby!  Act III: All You Can’t Leave Behind

And for you and I as writers, artists and creatives, it looks like this:

Act I: Discovery.  Act II: Struggle.  Act III: Breakthrough.

Do you know where you are in your story?

If you are in Act I, I’m very excited for you, but it's about to get messy.

If you are in Act II, don’t give up!

And if you are in Act III, congratulations—now it’s time for reinvention.  Which means that you have to accept that today’s Act III is tomorrow’s Act I.

Where are you in your creative life?

Where are you in your story?

How invested are you in finding out how that story ends?

We’re all looking for heroes.

We're looking for someone willing make huge sacrifices out of their love for their art and others.

We need a protagonist we can root for.

Why can't it be you?

If you enjoyed today's essay, you may like another I wrote on the 3-act structure here: Are You a One-Act or Three-Act Creative?

And, in the spirit of Valentine's, you may enjoy this one: Art and First Kisses

Happy Valentine's Day!

Comments

[Lizzie]

Keith, this is incredible. I love how you describe that brief glimpse of an idea (what I call my moment of divine inspiration because some ideas are just too good for me to get any credit) as "something that alters the pressure and temperature in the room." That's truly how it feels. And you've forever won me over as a loyal fan (although I already am one!) of yours when you used U2's brilliant career as a three act story :) I'm currently deep within Act II. I'm finding it difficult to write, and just yesterday I doubted whether this was my calling. There are some days when I'm exhausted and neck-deep in conflict with my current piece. But this gives me hope that there is an Act III right around the corner. Thanks for giving me hope!

I bought the new U2 documentary "From the Sky Down" a few weeks ago, and I think it's time to watch it. Because if Achtung Baby was the conflict and it still came out flawless and magical, then I need to be seeing the beauty of this messy act that I'm now in. Plus, I like the thought that there's an All That You Can't Leave Behind in my future.

This post was a gift today. I'm going to print it out and keep it close for those moments of frustration. Thanks, Keith!

[Larry Carter]

I imagine that I am in Act 2. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm doing creatively. Ideas pour in. I write them. I see some payoff, but not enough to feel that I am in Act 3.

[Suzie Gallagher]

I love the cyclical nature of what you describe; the passion, the getting through, the reward.
I am in the passion, not through anything I particularly do but because I am writing as a Christian, I can't let go, and won't let go of that joy. To bring the glory of the Lord into every facet of my life, including writing and other artistic pursuits means that I am never wandering off into the wilderness.
There are moments, we all face situations that can lead us down into the slimy pit of self doubt, but, remembering the love that God has for me, that is unwavering, boundless and free. When I think of that, immerse myself in that beautiful wondrous love, how can I not feel the joy. Feel the want and need to share that love.
I have my own cycles: if I have a sermon to write, I write dire poetry, if I am writing on one verse in the Bible and feel it is not quite right, I paint, if I am writing in my on-line journal and get to a point that I really don't want to share I go for a walk, take my camera, immerse myself in God's creation and pray. In God's time I complete the sermon, finish the piece on the verse and share the darkest parts of my journey. It is all cycles.
I write because to do otherwise would be a travesty of God's love for me. He presented me with the gift to write, to sing, to communicate with people in a way that makes his words become accessible to the outcasts of society and I am called to use these gifts.
This post was interesting because I had not articulated my own cycles, I just did them. It is good to stand back and look at motives for doing things, questioning ourselves whilst we are on our journey, in life, in writing or other creative endeavour, keeps us humble, keeps us active and keeps us going.
Thank you Keith, blessings to you.

[Eileen]

Great thoughts, Keith. I'm currently in Act 2. Trying to learn and not get too frustrated with the process.

[Michael Perkins]

I'm in Act II right now. Over the last week I've experienced indifference and attack. But I'm determined to make it to Act III.

[Keith Jennings]

Lizzie,

Any fan of U2 is a friend of mine! If you want to go on a journey with them during that period, read Bill Flanagan’s book, “U2 at the End of the World”. Most folks don’t get it when artists use personas through which to share their work. But it’s a very effective tool.

It’s so easy to write/create in Act I. It’s like the ideas flood in. Act II, despite how it feels, is our friend. It weeds out those unwilling to do the hard work. It prunes us. And it forces us to truly hone our craftsmanship, which in the end, is the gate through which all serious creatives must pass.

So please don’t quit! Experiment. Step outside your comfort zone. And email me at keitharsis at gmail. I have a secret writers group I’d like you to join.

[Keith Jennings]

Larry,

May I ask what you think the “Promised Land” looks like? Where do hope to be in, say, five years?

[Keith Jennings]

Suzie,

I really enjoy reading your comments! There is such a spark in your voice. And an urgency too. It’s refreshing!

What I’m reflecting on from your comment is the way you use a portfolio of projects and artistic channels through which you arrive at your work. This is VERY interesting to me!

[Keith Jennings]

Eileen,

Thank you so much! May I ask what your greatest frustration is at this phase in your creative life?

[Keith Jennings]

Michael,

You are a “hero” I’m seriously rooting for! So you had better stay in this fight, my friend!

[Kim]

What a great post Keith...and just what I needed to read today.

I think I'm on the cusp of Act I and Act II.

I've noticed (but haven't named, so thank you) these three acts in so many of my endeavors. Deciding to homeschool. Learning to knit. Working on healing. There is the initial excitement of "wow, I'm doing this! yes!" followed by the dip of uninspired drudgery...and it takes so much energy to push through that dip!

For me, it's not really linear. Act I, a peek into Act II, back into Act I for a while, a longer stay in Act II...maybe finally a glimpse of Act III, etc.

I needed a little motivation boost on this dreary day...so thank you for this!

(and like Lizzie, I love the fact that you used U2 as one of your examples...that gave me a smile, and when I read it out loud to my husband, he laughed in delight!)

[Keith Jennings]

Kim,

I hope you know I'm rooting for you. I think your story is stunning and has all the makings of an epic. So, as we say in the South, keep doin' your thang!

On a U2 note, here's an essay I wrote last year using U2 as the model: http://www.keithjennings.com/2011/06/three-act-creative.html

[Bubbleoffcentre]

act 2 - me too. but then i find a new way to express myself and slip back into act 1 trying it out... sigh. how do i commit to one thing and get thru act 2 to act 3? any ideas? thanks for your encouragement in the creative process, keith! vicki :)

[Keith Jennings]

Vicki,

I'm very intrigued by your and Kim's comments, where you describe a more nonlinear movement among the three acts. Hmm...

Think of Act III as a breakthrough in terms of your personal growth. You've made it to Act III when you discover something about yourself you didn't know. And when you feel a sense of renewal. That's Act III.

Act III has nothing to do with material or external success. That can come in Act I, and does for many creatives. They taste success (Act I), then have to figure out what to do after success (i.e. the inciting incident) pays a visit (Act II).

Regarding your question about how to commit to one thing, take a look at this: http://www.keithjennings.com/2011/10/creative-vs-uncreative.html (Warning: It's blunt!)

[Jason vana]

Keith - your posts are always right on with what I need to hear! I believe I'm in Act II in a lot of areas in my life, including the creative areas of my blog, Ignite and my freelance graphic design. We had an amazing board meeting for Ignite last night that I believe may just be ushering me and Ignite into Act III. It's very exciting! Thanks for the encouragement to keep trudging through!

[Léna]

Love this! I am in Act 2 again . . . as you know, there is no "happily ever after!" And I just passed some love onto you by nominating you for a Versatile Blogger Award. xoxox

[Karen]

KEITH - WOW I just sat down to read this, and as usual, you give us all ways to really think outside our own world of thinking.

I am happy, VERY happy to say that I am definitely in act III. The "resolution" .. I finally know who I am, and where I want to go in my creative writing, and my book that I am writing.

I feel comfortable in my writing, and not only am I finding new ways to be creative, (thanks also to your help Keith) . but I am using it as a part of my healing tool, which also leads me to "resolution".

As I have said many times in the past couple of weeks "I finally know where I am in this story, and I am using the creative writing to help push me along in that.

Also I have found something new about myself, how strong I am, and how creative writing has pushed my healing in a whole new direction in helping others - and when you truly write from the heart, there is connection, not only to yourself, but with everyone around you.

I love what you said about how if you are in ACT III that you will have to honor ACT1 all over again..I get it, I truly get what you are saying.. it's a continuous path of learning on different levels. There will always be some kind of conflict, but on different levels.

I LOVE IT.. thank you for giving us all the ability to really sit and think on many different levels.

GREAT blog!

Karen

[georgia]

well, i couldn't comment on "art & first kisses" or "are you a one-act or three-act creative?", because the comments were closed. but if i could have, i would have said... it's pretty cool how you can write about so many different things and bring it all back to the same underlying theme. it shows how you have a core message that you are passionate about, but are still able to keep fresh and inspirational on so many levels over a long period of time.

i love this three-act theme you write about. it makes me think of one of my favorite genres of music... classical. i don't know if you are familiar with the classical music form or not, but in many pieces {most notably, symphonies}, the works were written in three {sometimes four} movements.... which could be likened to your acts analogy. most of the time, the work starts with an upbeat or light-hearted {sometimes very powerful} first movement. then it moves into a second movement that is often slower and also often dissonant {tension} with a lot of use of minor chords, which sometimes create a somber or solemn mood, but other times, just peaceful or more reflective. finally, the work moves into it's third "triumphant" movement, where the tempo picks up again and there is a sense of resolution... even a victorious mood. and the key is back to major {as opposed to minor}, which is a brighter sound.

it's why i love this lyric from a song by sixpence none the richer... "tension is to be loved when it is like a passing note to a beautiful, beautiful chord." because music is one of my favorite things in life, i absolutely love how the writer of that song brought musical terminology into an analogy of life and art. {i think it was written, if i understand correctly, from the viewpoint of a musical artist that is on the road touring and the tension it creates.}

anyway, everything you wrote today goes right along with that, and being the music lover that i am, that is how i relate to this three-act theme. with that said, i am most definitely in a second movement {or act} phase when it comes to my creative life. i say "a" rather than "the", because i know this is not the first time i have been here... it's a cyclical thing, i think... like you said, for some, it's reinvention. it's tough here, but i look so forward to the third movement... resolve!

reading your posts could make just about any artist at any stage feel confident that they are doing the right thing by pursuing creative outlets and a creative life. THANK YOU!

[Jen Violi]

Love this! Sharing on my FB business page. Glad Lena touted your awesomeness today and that I visited here! xoxo

Jen

[Keith Jennings]

Jason,

Sounds like an exciting time for Ignite! And you! Thank you for your comment.

[Keith Jennings]

Léna,

Thank you so much! And I believe there will be a happily ever after for you! You are an amazing novelist.

[Keith Jennings]

Karen,

It’s my pleasure! Stay after it!

[Keith Jennings]

Georgia,

Sorry about the comments being turned off. If I don’t turn them off after a few weeks, I get bombarded with comment spam.

I am a huge music lover. Classical is one of my loves. My favorites are Chopin and Mozart. I’m also a Sixpence fan. Have everything they’ve ever put out. But my soul belongs to jazz, shoegaze and dream pop.

Thank you so much for your very sweet and encouraging feedback!

[Keith Jennings]

Jen,

Isn’t Léna incredible? I’m so happy to have connected with you. Look forward to checking out your work and getting to know you!

[Eileen]

Glad I stopped back over. Enjoyed reading through everyone's comments. It's encouraging to know I am not alone. I don't even know the best way to answer your question. My greatest frustration right now? Figuring it all out. I know I need to continue moving forward. I know I have an idea that needs to come to completion but it's almost as if there are more lessons I am supposed to learn before I'm going to have that a-ha moment. I'm having a hard time putting all the pieces together and it's frustrating. Don't know if that makes any sense.