Andrew Greeley – you will be missed

I heard that the author Andrew Greeley passed away recently, but had never read his books.  This morning my hubby sent me a huge text about it and how Andrew Greeley touched his life.  I’m going out to get his books now that I know how great he was.  Sad that I didn’t learn about him sooner.

Below is how my husband described Andrew Greeley:

“I just heard on the news right after you left, that one of my mom’s favorite authors passed away.  He was a priest who wrote ‘romance books,’ but this one was quite different.  His books were different than the standard fare.  He wrote a book called God Game back in the 90’s.  The premise was that a software program was created that populated a world.  The “world” believed you were God, so they would worship you.  They would go along with their normal lives and the player could watch or interfere.  It was a groundbreaking book, and interesting since that might be just how we exist.  Just someone’s game.  My Mom figured I would like the book and she was right.  I’m going to order it off ebay right now.”

Practice Makes Perfect Writing

Image courtesy of cbenjasuwan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone always says that you have to write every day to become an author. Oddly enough, I never hear that advice given to artists. Instead, what I hear about is talent and natural skills. As if the ability to draw a circle is some God given blessing the rest of the population can never achieve without copious amounts of “talent.”

Does it take any less effort to practice drawing than to write? Do your hands cramp less from constant use (dooming you to a carpel tunnel destiny) more from painting or typing? Is one easier than the other?

All forms of art take practice. God given talent is for amateurs. Only the stubborn and the motivated succeed.

Last Wednesday my writing group was finally able to meet up after a 2 month break caused by holidays, health issues, and cold weather. It felt good to write. Liberating and stress relieving, but there was something wrong. Words didn’t throw themselves onto the page in a frenzy of inspiration and short story joy. They reluctantly let themselves be placed like bricks, heavy with intent but lacking depth or direction. An embarrassment to read aloud and confusing to understand.

What happened to my writing? I’ve regressed! Is this what happens after only a two month sabbatical?

Does all that mumbo jumbo about practice-practice-practice really apply to the real world?

I guess so…

The Art of Reading

Found several beautiful illustrations of books and reading.  These three were my favorites.

The Library: by =asuka111 on Deviantart.   It is magic.  Shows the wonder and whimsy of reading.  As if the world is available at your fingertips just by opening a book.

The Library: by =asuka111

Sneaking Around: by `thundercake on Deviantart.  The best places to read books are curled up someplace snug and warm.  The golden light is friendly and even the mousy companion in the corner seems pretty comfortable in this nice little reading hideaway.

Sneaking Around: by `thundercake

bear in reading: by ~ironland on Deviantart.  This is how it should feel when you are reading a good book.  Safe, cozy, and happy.

bear in reading: by ~ironland

Writing is like making art – Part 2

Drawn by Me- Life Drawing: Feet

Life drawing classes.  Every artist should be mandated to take them.  They are one of the best experiences I ever had and grew my drawing skills so dramatically that I am embarrassed to show anything before this period.

They taught me to draw from life.  Instead of imagining what a person looks like I could see the wrinkles, lumps, dimples, scars, birthmarks, and shadows.  I was able to learn how a person filled space and how to translate that onto paper.  Before, my drawings were flat, awkwardly proportioned, and boringly stiff.  After, they had depth, mood, and personality.

As writers we sit down by ourselves and write.  If we choose to go to a coffee shop there are people around us, but ultimately it is a solitary act and it is easy to get lost inside our imaginations, forgetting to ‘write from life.’

How many times have we all described a character by the sparkle and color of his eyes, color of his hair, or full lips?  I know I am guilty.  Very guilty.  What if we looked up from our laptops and scoped out the coffee shop, choosing a stranger at random to write a description of?  Nowhere is there a “sparkling eye.”  We tell a story about him, voice, movement, first impressions, and the way he makes us feel.  Below is a quick example describing a fellow that walked into my office last week:

“His speech slow and soft spoken as if tip toeing through words in a sultry dance for one.  Raising in pitch he shows interest by turning his thoughts into the song of speech.  Leaning forward, pale blue eyes hold eye contact and he nods gently at the appropriate times.  The perfect gentleman, tempered and docile as if bred for the sole purpose of not offending.”

I issue this challenge to all you writers.  Do something that artists have been doing for years.  Do some Life Writing.  You might surprise yourself with what you write.  I know I did.

If Fictional Characters Were Real…?

Mwahahaha!

via Writers Write Creative Blog