The Broaden Your Horizons Edition
Three Things Writers Can Learn from Photographers: I love how different creative pursuits shape and inform each other.
Creative Experiments: February: daisy yellow posts monthly experiments to jumpstart those of us with creativity block. The experiments that specially intrigue me: art inspired by circles; drawing (as opposed to writing) letters and numbers; finding an ingenious solution to a problem (once I decide which of my myriad issues to focus on, heh); art based on a list (I love lists!). Are you tempted to rack up some creativity points?
Just Try (via Megs): Natalie Whipple on how fear keeps us from failure by taking us out of the game. I am a cautious, risk-averse person so this is something I need to overcome all the time. A must-read if you’re like me!
The Gap Year: Susan Wise Bauer advocates for a gap year between high school and college, based on her experience as both a college student and a college professor. What does this have to do with writing or even creativity, you wonder? It’s because most of us are locked into the belief that there is one conventional path to our goals. You go to school, you go to college, you get a job. You write a book, rewrite a book, query an agent, wow an editor, get a publishing contract, go back to square one if you don’t succeed. This is a challenge to think outside of the box, to step back, to ask “why?” in response to “this is the way things are done”. To consider alternative paths for reaching *your* unique goals.
As always, I love your linkies. I think there’s another thing we can learn from photography. Don’t be afraid to take as many pictures as it takes to get THE SHOT. I read somewhere once that photographers can snap off a hundred pictures or so (somewhat less, but the idea stands) and pick the best one later, but that writers generally should try to get it right the first time.
I don’t like that. I learned from writing fanfiction that it’s okay to write it a dozen ways (and more in your head) before you get it right. A writer NEEDS the mindset that this material can be covered in another, different story. It’s freeing to know I can write the same story eight to ten different ways and my brain won’t tire of it before I hit upon the one I just LOVE.
That’s something photographers understand, but I think the real reason why writers won’t do it is because they’re afraid of the time, commitment, and effort involved in making words something less precious and more raw material to mold LATER to our will. But that’s something we have to get over if we’re ever going to produce that VOLUME of words we want to. Words aren’t precious. Only the final, chosen words are.
Or in another way of putting it, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
Now, back off the soapbox and wondering where all THAT came from… :blushes: Thanks, Rabia, for the links. Even if I don’t comment on everything, I’m reading. I promise.
I agree, Megs, that we writers are very daunted by experimentation. Writing a story takes so much time (unlike the split second it takes to snap a picture) that we have to get it right the first time. And if a story fails, we see it as a mistake instead of a learning experience.
For most of the 6+ years I’ve been writing, I’ve worked on only those projects I’ve considered marketable. I’ve not given myself enough time to just play. To write snippets of witty dialog. To write a scene that’s been playing in my head, but has no other story around it. To worldbuild for fun. I focused so much on selling my work, that my pleasure in it was all wrapped up on getting acceptances. Not any more. 🙂 I’m returning to what made writing what I’ve always wanted to do in the first place.
Megs, you are a fabulous commenter just as you are. You always have such thoughtful things to say. No need to apologize. 🙂