Creative Process in Photos pt. 1
The process of composing literary work, documented in photos.
Progress Gallery
How FreeSense Evolved
A visual record of milestones, revisions, and finished details.
Milestone Title 01
The ideation phase. I started brainstorming and outlining what I wanted to write about.
Milestone Title 02
I spent roughly 3-4 hours (per session) at Pier 62 drafting sample passages through free writing.
Milestone Title 03
Sharpening my skills through literary exercises/challenges. For example, writing an entire passage in cursive. I titled the collection of each passage, “FreeSense.”
Milestone Title 04
After each written passage, I created a 20–30-minute video expounding on the topic. The series was also titled “FreeSense.” I posted all six videos on my Instagram account.
Milestone Title 05
FreeSense was supplementary writing. The first manuscript that I wrote was titled “Beautiful Trash.” This is the notebook I used; everything was handwritten.
Milestone Title 06
FreeSense is a theme that centered on young adulthood/early career. Beautiful Trash focuses on my childhood through young adulthood in Seattle. I have the manuscript on my hard drive, and I’m willing to rewrite/submit to a publisher.
Milestone Title 07
I churned through notebooks. I’m surprised that I did not develop carpal tunnel…
Milestone Title 08
At 19, I was in the newsroom using steno pads. My degree is in English Literature. I blend AP-style with creative writing. Everything I compose has nuance. This is some of my personal collection.
Milestone Title 09
Appearance-wise: I let myself go during the creative process. It wasn’t intentional, but it wasn’t a focus either. Mentally & creatively, I was as sharp as ever. I didn’t care how people saw me. I was confident in what I was creating.
Milestone Title 10
I created a website to showcase my FreeSense work. I also developed a writing persona called StandPat. I allowed people to read my content in its rawest form. Before I ever considered compiling these into an anthology, I didn’t charge to read my work. Hence the entendre of FREEsense.
Milestone Title 11
My tragic first attempt to create an e-book cover. For about thirty seconds, I thought I was doing it… I don’t even remember what app I used to create this.
Milestone Title 12
Eight days later and 80-100+ hours later, I reworked the book. Then, I designed the e-book (which was much harder than copying & pasting the text) and officially self-published the FreeSense e-book on 10/26/22. ISBN:9798218098827
Milestone Title 13
This was just boredom. More of my personal writing collection.
Milestone Title 14
More boredom. Officially publishing FreeSense was anticlimactic. Without a formal deal/distribution or widespread audience; only a small handful of people purchased. However, that wasn’t the intent; it was more imperative to have the content on record.
Milestone Title 15
I spent much of my time writing at KEXP Gathering Space, Sugar Bakery, Myrtle Edwards Park, Pier 62, and my studio in Lower Queen Anne, Seattle.
Milestone Title 16
One of the few things that I contracted out: the hardcover. I worked with an illustrator/book designer (Baris Sehri) who I contracted via Reedsy. Similar to the e-book, I designed the physical book interior and printed 200 copies via AlphaGraphics. I used a soft-touch, high-quality material. Republished in 2024.
Milestone Title 17
An unconventional back cover description. Yet it establishes the writing tone.
Milestone Title 18
The final photo with my locs. An 8-year journey. The creative process was complete.
Milestone Title 19
Professional Pat. I needed to refocus on what pays the bills. And I advise always prioritizing what pays the bills.
Milestone Title 20
I’m no voice actor, but I thought it was important to add my narration to my words. Pictured in the studio while working with some good folks. You can listen to some of the chapters from FreeSense on this website. To be continued…
Second Thoughts
It’s been a six-plus-year process, with substantial breaks. I didn’t start writing because of COVID-19 or due to quarantine. However, those unfortunate circumstances gave me more space to prioritize this project, and I’ve never stopped writing. As an English major at the University of Washington, I made sure to enroll in courses with professors who challenged me intellectually. When I decided journalism wasn’t a career path I wanted to pursue long-term, I still prioritized Communication professors who valued scholarship, not just those who would give easy grades. I took challenging courses on purpose.
In college, I was a student researcher for an academic textbook; I worked on an honors thesis; I studied abroad; I founded a multicultural student organization (w/members who were rockstars in the academic department). All of which precipitated my career path. This led me towards college access, career services, and currently workforce development. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that I’ve worked with thousands of people throughout the state of Washington, corner to corner. I’ve coached youth sports, and I’ve mentored so many more. I’ve worked with community leaders, higher education leaders, industry leaders, political leaders, and those in the streets. I never felt a need to have a social media presence. I’ll walk into a room in Seattle, and someone will go, “That’s Pat…“
The creative process took its toll on me. My greatest creative flaw is that I am a perfectionist. Every line must have significance. Each word must have significance. So, I absolutely choose my words wisely. The substantial breaks derive from the notion that if I can leave something for a while, then return back with fresh eyes, and I’m still enamored with it – that’s ART. Hell, this website tells a story just through using colors.
With my background and experience, I’m not meant to be self-published. I should 100% be published under an imprint. But quite frankly, I didn’t have the patience back then, so I figured that I would just teach myself the process.
Career-wise, I’ve been playing 4-D chess for years. I’ve accomplished quite a bit; however, if I were an individual who said yes to everything… I’d have more. But I’m not complaining. I’m thankful for what I’ve worked for.
I wrote a chapter in FreeSense called “Clearing da’ Cache”. For me, it symbolizes leaving behind those in your “corner” for nefarious reasons. I’ve never been naive enough to believe that everyone who smiles and laughs with you truly cares about you. It’s more people than you think, but it’s also fewer people than you think. Ultimately, what perturbed me was that certain individuals actually thought I believed that. However, it must be a testament to how I was raised, to always be respectful of others.
The expectations of me within the community weighed deeply on my soul. I’ve heard how composed, chill, and laid-back I am for my entire life. But I grew up tough, and I was raised with an iron fist. Fortunately, so many people poured positivity into me that some people thought I grew up sheltered; and I wish that were the case because I don’t want to flex struggle & hardship. That isn’t cute.
What I learned in my creative writing classes is that some creative people have phenomenal imaginations. I used to continually ask myself, “How did they come up with that trope?” Until I realized it often wasn’t grounded in reality. It was an uptopic, mythical world… My brain won’t permit me to think that abstractly unless I did some kind of ayahuasca.
What I can do is write about human interactions because I’ve dealt with a lot of humans… Many of whom have confided in me. Hundreds of individuals who shared their stories with me. My lord is that shit heavy. The challenges, the burdens, and the trauma that people of all walks of life carry with them on a daily basis.
It burnt me out.
So I had to make space and sit with it. I had to ask myself: how am I going to navigate the rest of my life when this path isn’t healthy?
So, I synthesized my experience. I began writing about my life first with Beautiful Trash, and in that process, I expounded on the message to connect with others. This became the FreeSense series. It’s An Anthology of Sh*t I WROTE. Hell, even the subtext is ART, especially given the age of artificial intelligence and original content.
As I transition from StandPat back to PatchyP (or Patchy), I leave resentment and disappointment behind. I knew most people wouldn’t understand what I was working toward (even though I was transparent), so it helped me clear the cache. PATCHYp moves forward with the people who held me down. Those who privately critiqued me, those who advised me, those who supported me, but more importantly, those who stood by my side.
Pictures don’t do the creative process justice. It’s just a snapshot.
