Hello Friends Last night I gave a presentation at the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, which I’ll share with you in the coming weeks. I was delighted to see a full house. Thank you so much to everyone who turned out, and for the fascinating questions that came up afterwards. As an artist who also writes, one question came up which people often ask me: “How does your writing practice relate to your visual art practice?”
I got the audiobook so I can listen while raking leaves and walking.
I meant to say that I am a very amateur drawer (think stick figures) but I find it sooooo relaxing and absorbing. Perhaps because, unlike with writing, nothing is at stake for me. But as you say, the processes are so different, drawing non-linear and more holistic.
Yes it's true that some shifts when we start to have expectations. I just saw a lovely interview with Neil Gaiman who says when he goes to his writing desk and he's allowed to do one of just two things; write, or do nothing. No phone calls, no reading, no internet scrolling, just stare out the window and do nothing, or write. He says after 10 minutes writing generally becomes preferable to staring out of the window! This seems like a really smart way to allow ourselves permission to relax about the whole thing, to drift, to wait, to get bored, and allow space for the creativity to come to us, rather than fill it up with the usual distractions. Wise advice from a prolific author.
The creative hard-wiring of my peculiar brain. I believe that it's related to my PTSD condition, which is hypervigilant and used to overstimulation. Music creates an enhansed cognitive pathway, rather than (perhaps for you) an emotive one. Cognition is the key, as my mind makes better word associations while listening to soft music.
That is fantastic advice and I did a version of it today. I wrote over in our pet-friendly studio (no guests there!) which has zero distractions and used the Pomodoro method of X minutes doing nothing else. It really does work. I alternated writing and practicing the trumpet (beginner).
Listening to The Master and His Emissary has been another exercise in attention. It's amazing how often my mind begins to wander off....but I know I'll miss something so I pull on the leash to bring it back. Over and over. Fascinating thesis.
Oh a good idea to listen to The Master and His Emissary - I read it a while ago and I know I'd get more from a re-read as there is just so much in it, but I'm struggling to find the time. Of course - audiobook!
Oh, I so hear you Sam on the strong resistance, boredom, distractions to writing! Am getting back to my novel after our six month season and my brain wants to do anything else! I have to have silence
for writing, too. Have just ordered The Master and His Emissary.
Oh lordy yes, the resistance is real! Especially after a long break. Sometimes you just have to strap yourself in, don't you! Yes The Master and His Emissary is a wonderful, multifaceted, far-reaching study, and my copy is dog-eared and full of post-it notes. It's a big thick tome, but I think the publishers may have brought out an abridged version since the first one, as it was something like 700 pages!
I loved 'The Master and his Emissary'. I'm trying to coax my right brain out from under the rock it's been hiding under most of its life.
I write - even this comment - on a tablet with a stylus. The tablet can read my horrible handwriting better than I can!
I love music, I play a little. My other creative outlets are photography and home projects. I need silence for all of them, although I'll have instrumental background music on for less challenging office work.
Thats really interesting - I've often wondered if handwriting accesses different ways of thinking than typing does? Do you use a particular kind of tablet and app? I've sometimes been tempted to try one, as it might be a good way to keep notes more organised...
Interesting that you enjoy music as you draw, but not as you write. I'm exactly the opposite 'I enjoy a certain type of music when I write - it propels me; it enters the words and creates future catharsis. But never when I draw, sculpt, or paint'.
I got the audiobook so I can listen while raking leaves and walking.
I meant to say that I am a very amateur drawer (think stick figures) but I find it sooooo relaxing and absorbing. Perhaps because, unlike with writing, nothing is at stake for me. But as you say, the processes are so different, drawing non-linear and more holistic.
Yes it's true that some shifts when we start to have expectations. I just saw a lovely interview with Neil Gaiman who says when he goes to his writing desk and he's allowed to do one of just two things; write, or do nothing. No phone calls, no reading, no internet scrolling, just stare out the window and do nothing, or write. He says after 10 minutes writing generally becomes preferable to staring out of the window! This seems like a really smart way to allow ourselves permission to relax about the whole thing, to drift, to wait, to get bored, and allow space for the creativity to come to us, rather than fill it up with the usual distractions. Wise advice from a prolific author.
The creative hard-wiring of my peculiar brain. I believe that it's related to my PTSD condition, which is hypervigilant and used to overstimulation. Music creates an enhansed cognitive pathway, rather than (perhaps for you) an emotive one. Cognition is the key, as my mind makes better word associations while listening to soft music.
PS to below comment--I thought it would show my handle which is Maine Innkeeper. That's the season I'm talking about: the tourist one!
That is fantastic advice and I did a version of it today. I wrote over in our pet-friendly studio (no guests there!) which has zero distractions and used the Pomodoro method of X minutes doing nothing else. It really does work. I alternated writing and practicing the trumpet (beginner).
Listening to The Master and His Emissary has been another exercise in attention. It's amazing how often my mind begins to wander off....but I know I'll miss something so I pull on the leash to bring it back. Over and over. Fascinating thesis.
Oh a good idea to listen to The Master and His Emissary - I read it a while ago and I know I'd get more from a re-read as there is just so much in it, but I'm struggling to find the time. Of course - audiobook!
Very beautiful work, wonderfully spoken
Oh, I so hear you Sam on the strong resistance, boredom, distractions to writing! Am getting back to my novel after our six month season and my brain wants to do anything else! I have to have silence
for writing, too. Have just ordered The Master and His Emissary.
Oh lordy yes, the resistance is real! Especially after a long break. Sometimes you just have to strap yourself in, don't you! Yes The Master and His Emissary is a wonderful, multifaceted, far-reaching study, and my copy is dog-eared and full of post-it notes. It's a big thick tome, but I think the publishers may have brought out an abridged version since the first one, as it was something like 700 pages!
I loved 'The Master and his Emissary'. I'm trying to coax my right brain out from under the rock it's been hiding under most of its life.
I write - even this comment - on a tablet with a stylus. The tablet can read my horrible handwriting better than I can!
I love music, I play a little. My other creative outlets are photography and home projects. I need silence for all of them, although I'll have instrumental background music on for less challenging office work.
Thats really interesting - I've often wondered if handwriting accesses different ways of thinking than typing does? Do you use a particular kind of tablet and app? I've sometimes been tempted to try one, as it might be a good way to keep notes more organised...
It's a Samsung tablet with stylus. The text input panel is an alternative to a keyboard.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Interesting that you enjoy music as you draw, but not as you write. I'm exactly the opposite 'I enjoy a certain type of music when I write - it propels me; it enters the words and creates future catharsis. But never when I draw, sculpt, or paint'.
Oh that's interesting - why do you think that is?