It's Wednesday, and I'm in a mixed state of hurry, go, and do, and sit, stay, and write. It's just like that on Wednesdays.
I've been reading a couple of writing books simultaneously, On Writing by Stephen King, and the Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Creativity by Julia Cameron, and I have to wonder why I didn't read them both sooner. They are wonderful gems, and I love them both for their honesty and pointed advice. They are very different, and yet, both great books. This isn't really a review, just a momentary gush.
A few quotes the many that I like from them:
On writing what you know and love, Stephen King says this: "Be brave. Map the enemy's positions, come back, tell us all you know. And remember that plumbers in space is not such a bad set up for a story."
On filling the well of creativity, Julia Cameron says this: "Our focused attention is critical to filling the well. We need to encounter life experiences, not ignore them."
I also think that paying attention to the world, or even the blogworld, can help us find prompts for our creativity, so I just want to highlight a few creativity inspiring fests.
Misha Gericke is hosting a Word Master Challenge . . . it's definitely inspiration for creativity, so go check it out.
Also, this Friday, Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting the Best and Worst Movie Remakes Fest along with Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Al Diaz.. . . and I know sometimes I find that thinking over movie making gets my own creative ideas going. You know those thoughts that you might have when leaving a movie theater, "I didn't like the way the director did _____. If I was directing the movie, I would have _____." So join in, have fun, and maybe we'll all get more creative! (or just have fun!)
Also, Julie Luek is hosting Writing Through the Seasons, a four part series on writing through the seasons of life. I highly recommend checking it out. This week, Jennie Bennet shared what it takes to make a writing dream come true.
What do you do to fill the creativity well? Have you read Stephen King's On Writing, or Julia Cameron's the Artist's Way? Signed up for the Word Master Challenge, the Best and Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest, or read some of Writing Through the Seasons?
18 comments:
The King book is always on the bookshelf nearest my writing desk. :)
Thanks for the mention Tyrean and your wonderful comment! Julie's so awesome for putting that together. I love that quote by Julia Cameron. I might have to pick that book up :)
I really want to read Stephen's book, so many have recommended it.
For me it is movies, books, and music the fill the well, sometimes life can help.
I enjoyed King's On Writing, but I haven't heard of the other book. Love the quote on filling the creative well, though.
Cameron's book sounds great!
Thanks for mentioning our blogfest.
And Wednesdays are a little crazy for me as well.
I loved Cameron's book! Just finished going through it. Have a ton of stuff from it written in a journal I kept for it. I loved her emphasis on feeding the artist. King's book is very good too, but as you said for different reasons. His more inspiring for actually sitting down, doing the work and getting published.
That plumbers story actually sounds pretty good Tyrean!
We have to keep filling that well too, or it goes dry.
I've read Stephen King's book and really enjoyed it. Today I'm reading and watching TV and not going to work to fill my well that is tired.
EJ - it's a great book. I can't believe it took me so long to get over the "King" stigma and read it.
JA - You're welcome!
Brandon - yes, books, music, movies, and life all fill the well! :)
Cherie - glad you liked it!
Alex - You're welcome. It's a good book.
Julie - yes, they are both different takes on writing, and both good.
Maurice - that's King's idea . . .and yes, it's a good one!
Diane - your pictures are inspiring!
Natalie - hope you have a great relaxing day!
Television seems to work for me. That and getting out and about. Workouts... showers... making dinner... workshops are great.
I haven't read either of those. I just read Save the Cat which converted me...
I read the King book years ago. Thought it was wonderful. And for creativity I love to travel to new places, even if it's just on the other side of town. Getting me out of my usual habitat seems to inspire me in all areas of my life. :)
I'm waiting for the Artist's Way to arrive to Mexico City. Hopefully in a couple weeks or less. Hopefully.
I find inspiration in the movies too. Some of them at least. Thanks for the shout out of the bloghop! :D
I did enjoy SK's On Writing but I should probably read it again. As for the blogfests, I"m still a little burnt out from a-z but I'll certainly be making the rounds, esp. the movie one since I love movies!
I love the King book but haven't read Cameron's. Sounds like one to add to my list!
I haven't read King's book yet, but it seems to be required reading, according to a lot of my peers. I have it on my TBR list, though.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow's blog hop...should be fun :)
Thanks for all the great links, Tyrean.
"We need to encounter life experiences,..." These words are so true. Lots of times, there's so much inspiration all around us, but we just don't see...
I just ordered Save The Cat. I've read so many good things about this book on other blogs...
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