Will Maclean on F*cking Up a Notebook to Write a Novel
This first appeared in Lit Hub’s Craft of Writing newsletter—sign up here. There’s a great artist called Bobby Fingers whose YouTube channel documents him making insanely detailed sculptures of celebrities, taking the viewer on a journey through his creative process as he.
The article introduces an artist named Bobby Fingers, who runs a YouTube channel documenting his creative process. On this channel, he creates highly detailed sculptures of celebrities, sharing each step of his work with viewers. The term sculptures refers to three-dimensional artworks made by shaping or combining materials like clay, metal, or wood. Bobby Fingers’ sculptures are described as insanely detailed, meaning they are extremely precise and lifelike, capturing even the smallest features of the celebrities he portrays. His YouTube channel serves as a platform to showcase his craftsmanship and engage with an audience interested in art and creativity. The article does not specify when Bobby Fingers started his channel or how many subscribers he has, but it highlights his role as a creator who invites viewers into his artistic journey.
The article then shifts focus to writer Will MacLean and his unconventional approach to writing a novel. MacLean intentionally damages a notebook to use it as a tool for creativity. This method is presented as a way to disrupt his usual writing process, which might otherwise feel too structured or predictable. By fcking up a notebook*—a phrase that suggests intentional destruction or messiness—he introduces chaos into his workflow. The goal is to break free from rigid habits and spark new ideas. The article does not provide details on how exactly the notebook is damaged or whether this method is part of a broader writing technique. However, it implies that MacLean views this act as a deliberate strategy to overcome creative blocks or refine his storytelling.
Both Bobby Fingers and Will MacLean share their creative processes with an audience, though in different mediums. Bobby Fingers does so through video documentation on YouTube, allowing viewers to observe his meticulous sculpting techniques in real time. Similarly, Will MacLean’s method of ruining a notebook is framed as a performative act, though it is not explicitly stated whether he shares this process publicly. The article suggests that transparency in the creative process can be valuable, whether for artists, writers, or other creators. It does not specify the motivations behind this sharing, such as education, inspiration, or community-building, but it highlights the act of documenting creativity as a recurring theme.
