Good morning all :)
I'm thrilled to see more followers on the blog - welcome and thanks for visiting!
Today's post will be brief. On one of the blogs I follow (Bookends, you can see it in the list on my main blog page) there's a blog post up today written by Bookends client Christie Craig.
View the post here.
I had the pleasure of hearing Christie Craig give a presentation at my writer's conference last fall. She came into the room carrying what appeared to be a doctor's bag or medium sized carry-on piece of luggage. All of us kind of wondered what it was for, and we sat back to enjoy her presentation on persistence and staying in the game, no matter what.
While her information was geared to writers, it could apply to anything. Stick to your goal and don't give up.
THEN she did something I won't ever forget. She asked the room how many rejections would it take for us to give up on our dream. Then she pulled about 200 rejection slips out of her bag, and tossed them on the floor.
We sat there, astounded. Then she reached into the bag again. "How many times will you read a rejection and keep going?" And she took ANOTHER 200-300 sheets of paper out of her bag and tossed them to her feet.
This routine continued for several more rounds--until the floor was covered with the rejection slips - she must have had 2000 or more stuffed into that bag of hers. And now she's a bestselling author.
Never give up on your dream, no matter what. Keep moving toward your goal. You'll get there.
Elaine
Showing posts with label Storytelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Storytelling. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Intriguing Piece of Art...
Hope everyone has been enjoying the New Year so far! As I tiptoed downstairs this morning (oh, so chilly even with the heat going full-blast), my goal was to sit butt in chair and start writing. No distractions. No writer's block. Just pouring forth.
And then I sat here.
And sat.
And well, sometimes I have to admit that I need inspiration to begin. Most times the self-discipline and excitement in a project can be enough to get me going. Other days (like this morning) I will browse a few blogs and then "dive in" as they say.
Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors; I was delighted to discover he had written and directed a short film called Statuesque starring Bill Nighy (who I really like from Richard Curtis films anyway).
The link below probably won't be active for long, but it is a lovely, artistic, unique and pleasing-in-the-morning little gem. Thought I'd share here...
Watch the short film.
I'm not usually one for films without dialogue, but I must say these 8 minutes are a beautiful little treat. And now, inspired and craving strawberry jam (great visuals in the film)--I am off to write and float and let my imagination rise...
And then I sat here.
And sat.
And well, sometimes I have to admit that I need inspiration to begin. Most times the self-discipline and excitement in a project can be enough to get me going. Other days (like this morning) I will browse a few blogs and then "dive in" as they say.
Neil Gaiman is one of my favorite authors; I was delighted to discover he had written and directed a short film called Statuesque starring Bill Nighy (who I really like from Richard Curtis films anyway).
The link below probably won't be active for long, but it is a lovely, artistic, unique and pleasing-in-the-morning little gem. Thought I'd share here...
Watch the short film.
I'm not usually one for films without dialogue, but I must say these 8 minutes are a beautiful little treat. And now, inspired and craving strawberry jam (great visuals in the film)--I am off to write and float and let my imagination rise...
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Keep your eyes open...It Might Get Loud
Hey all,
First, I need to thank Simon Owens for today's blog post. He sent me the info and the preview link. WOW. What a great discovery in just a few minutes time.
I kept my eye on several films which played at Sundance Film Fest this year, but didn't know much about this one. It's called It Might Get Loud and tells about the history of the electric guitar from the point of view of 3 musicians: Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge and the White Stripes' Jack White.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I was never a Zeppelin or White Stripes fan. I do enjoy U2 but haven't bought many of their albums. But It Might Get Loud seems, at least from the preview, to have that transcend-its-main-audience capability, meaning it can be enjoyable for audiences who may not be die-hard fans. Watch the preview here.
I'm particularly drawn to the moments in the preview where they speak about storytelling, about finding the words that are living in your soul and getting them "out there" to share with others. I may not like Zeppelin's music, but as a writer trying to get stories out of my imagination and onto the page, then into the hands of readers--I definitely identify with the need to express something.
Another documentary which played at Sundance this year, Anvil, The Story of Anvil, acheived this feat to perfection. For those who haven't seen it, it's the story of the Canadian heavy-metal band's path to success, with many, many setbacks. Yet the 2 main band members, friends since high school, never gave up. While I never enjoyed heavy metal music, I was riveted by their story of persistence and hope. I drove an hour to our artsy cinema to watch it--twice. When it's available for purchase, I'll buy the DVD.
And it seems It Might Get Loud might have an inspiring tale to tell too...so keep your eyes open!
First, I need to thank Simon Owens for today's blog post. He sent me the info and the preview link. WOW. What a great discovery in just a few minutes time.
I kept my eye on several films which played at Sundance Film Fest this year, but didn't know much about this one. It's called It Might Get Loud and tells about the history of the electric guitar from the point of view of 3 musicians: Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, U2's The Edge and the White Stripes' Jack White.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I was never a Zeppelin or White Stripes fan. I do enjoy U2 but haven't bought many of their albums. But It Might Get Loud seems, at least from the preview, to have that transcend-its-main-audience capability, meaning it can be enjoyable for audiences who may not be die-hard fans. Watch the preview here.
I'm particularly drawn to the moments in the preview where they speak about storytelling, about finding the words that are living in your soul and getting them "out there" to share with others. I may not like Zeppelin's music, but as a writer trying to get stories out of my imagination and onto the page, then into the hands of readers--I definitely identify with the need to express something.
Another documentary which played at Sundance this year, Anvil, The Story of Anvil, acheived this feat to perfection. For those who haven't seen it, it's the story of the Canadian heavy-metal band's path to success, with many, many setbacks. Yet the 2 main band members, friends since high school, never gave up. While I never enjoyed heavy metal music, I was riveted by their story of persistence and hope. I drove an hour to our artsy cinema to watch it--twice. When it's available for purchase, I'll buy the DVD.
And it seems It Might Get Loud might have an inspiring tale to tell too...so keep your eyes open!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Artistic Life in the Trenches...
Happy Friday, all! Yes, I do keep meaning to blog more often (and will acheive that goal one day!) but for now, it's doing good at 2x/week. And the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it's beautiful outdoors and I'm like a cat scrambling to get out there myself.
Today's topic...artistic life in the trenches. Whether you're a writer, painter, photographer, filmmaker, musician, etc. - - it helps to have a support system. I've been fortunate to be part of several writers groups in my area, but I think it helps to go beyond our comfort zone. If you're a writer, try to meet some photographers, painters, musicians, filmmakers.
Artists are everywhere. We just have to look for them. Several times per week, I go to a nearby cafe for lunch to write. It's about 5 minutes from work and the tables/lighting/setup are conducive to writing away without too much hubbub all around. Since my face has become familiar, the staff asks me what I'm writing on, what I write, etc. (I use an Alphasmart Dana - best thing in the world!) One waiter there is a musician and it's wonderful to hear how his music is coming along when I see him. He keeps me in good Diet Coke supply and wishes me luck on my writing. These are more than simple exchanges; they keep us going and let us know that we're not alone.
This helps when the bullets start whizzing over our heads or crises occur. Knowing there are other artists in the trenches too is not only comforting; it's one of the best gifts I can imagine.
I've been incredibly fortunate to have encountered artists in a variety of fields. A filmmaker is able to help me see things in a visual way, how certain ways of editing a film can quicken the pace or heighten the tension in scenes. My current manuscript has some filmic pieces, and having another type of artist's feedback besides a writer is helpful. Same thing goes for painting. Knowing someone who paints on a regular basis helps me understand how they approach their art. I find value in this as a human being and as a writer.
Artistic life in the trenches gets to the best of us, but remember--we're not alone.
Now, go write your little hearts out!
Elaine
Today's topic...artistic life in the trenches. Whether you're a writer, painter, photographer, filmmaker, musician, etc. - - it helps to have a support system. I've been fortunate to be part of several writers groups in my area, but I think it helps to go beyond our comfort zone. If you're a writer, try to meet some photographers, painters, musicians, filmmakers.
Artists are everywhere. We just have to look for them. Several times per week, I go to a nearby cafe for lunch to write. It's about 5 minutes from work and the tables/lighting/setup are conducive to writing away without too much hubbub all around. Since my face has become familiar, the staff asks me what I'm writing on, what I write, etc. (I use an Alphasmart Dana - best thing in the world!) One waiter there is a musician and it's wonderful to hear how his music is coming along when I see him. He keeps me in good Diet Coke supply and wishes me luck on my writing. These are more than simple exchanges; they keep us going and let us know that we're not alone.
This helps when the bullets start whizzing over our heads or crises occur. Knowing there are other artists in the trenches too is not only comforting; it's one of the best gifts I can imagine.
I've been incredibly fortunate to have encountered artists in a variety of fields. A filmmaker is able to help me see things in a visual way, how certain ways of editing a film can quicken the pace or heighten the tension in scenes. My current manuscript has some filmic pieces, and having another type of artist's feedback besides a writer is helpful. Same thing goes for painting. Knowing someone who paints on a regular basis helps me understand how they approach their art. I find value in this as a human being and as a writer.
Artistic life in the trenches gets to the best of us, but remember--we're not alone.
Now, go write your little hearts out!
Elaine
Friday, April 3, 2009
That old adage: Show, Don't Tell
Oh, c’mon. Don’t frown and groan yet. Granted, this topic is overdone in the writing world, but occasionally I stumble across examples which revitalize my faith in its truth. Magic happens when writers follow this simple (and yet elusive) advice.
Key Point: Your audience doesn’t want information; they want experiences. It’s our job as writers to offer that to the best of our ability.
How can we do this? By using what we have in our toolbox. Words, description, sentence structure, our own experiences and knowledge of the human condition, etc. For you blogaholics out there like me, Margie Lawson is guest blogging today at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales. I attended a few of her brief presentations in Atlanta last year; she’s one of the best teachers on character emotion that I’ve encountered.
Keep in mind that for any technique, like flavorful seasonings, use in moderation. Description can be a wonderful tool, but it can also be like letting a full saltshaker loose on that prized soufflé. One author I was required to read in high school described a leaf for 5 pages. FIVE PAGES. A LEAF. It wasn’t even important to the story. All of us have things which we avoid. Stephen King hates the word “zestful” and has vowed to never use it in his books. I’m with him; my vow is to never describe a leaf. Ever.
Point being? A few well-placed words can go a long way. Below are some examples I’ve read recently. They restore my faith, because writers like the below not only offer a glimpse into whatever it is they are trying to communicate, but they let us share in those experiences with them. That takes talent, folks, and it’s something I am more determined than ever to remember as I continue writing.
My thanks, kudos, and deepest respect for all the artists below who were brave enough to share their talent with the world. All of you are my heroes and heroines, my inspiration.
The street door was still open, just a little, where the knife and the man who held it had slipped in, and wisps of nighttime mist slithered and twined into the house through the open door. His shoes were black leather, and they were polished to such a shine that they looked like dark mirrors: you could see the moon reflected in them, tiny and half full.
-- Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book
It’s 5 degrees. The street is dark and absolutely still. The cold has already made it through all three of my coats. Above me the obsidian sky is glittering with millions of stars. I take a breath. The whole night sky rushes into my throat, the stars tickling into my lungs like tiny fragments of ice.
--Tom DiCillo, filmmaker, on the atmosphere at the Sundance Film Festival 09
Now imagine being frozen from the waist down in a lake of ice for eternity. Imagine that the slightest movement would freeze the tears on your face and the water surrounding you. God, according to Dante, was all about motion and energy, so the ultimate punishment for Lucifer is to not be able to move at all. At the very bottom of hell, there's no fire, no brimstone, just the utter inability to take action."
--Jodi Picoult, The Tenth Circle
The following 2 examples are the first sentences of 2 Dennis Lehane books. His tone, his words automatically bring you into the story.
The first time I met Karen Nichols, she struck me as the kind of woman who ironed her socks.
--Dennis Lehane, Prayers for Rain
A piece of advice: If you ever follow someone in my neighborhood, don't wear pink.
--Dennis Lehane, Sacred
Key Point: Your audience doesn’t want information; they want experiences. It’s our job as writers to offer that to the best of our ability.
How can we do this? By using what we have in our toolbox. Words, description, sentence structure, our own experiences and knowledge of the human condition, etc. For you blogaholics out there like me, Margie Lawson is guest blogging today at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales. I attended a few of her brief presentations in Atlanta last year; she’s one of the best teachers on character emotion that I’ve encountered.
Keep in mind that for any technique, like flavorful seasonings, use in moderation. Description can be a wonderful tool, but it can also be like letting a full saltshaker loose on that prized soufflé. One author I was required to read in high school described a leaf for 5 pages. FIVE PAGES. A LEAF. It wasn’t even important to the story. All of us have things which we avoid. Stephen King hates the word “zestful” and has vowed to never use it in his books. I’m with him; my vow is to never describe a leaf. Ever.
Point being? A few well-placed words can go a long way. Below are some examples I’ve read recently. They restore my faith, because writers like the below not only offer a glimpse into whatever it is they are trying to communicate, but they let us share in those experiences with them. That takes talent, folks, and it’s something I am more determined than ever to remember as I continue writing.
My thanks, kudos, and deepest respect for all the artists below who were brave enough to share their talent with the world. All of you are my heroes and heroines, my inspiration.
The street door was still open, just a little, where the knife and the man who held it had slipped in, and wisps of nighttime mist slithered and twined into the house through the open door. His shoes were black leather, and they were polished to such a shine that they looked like dark mirrors: you could see the moon reflected in them, tiny and half full.
-- Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book
It’s 5 degrees. The street is dark and absolutely still. The cold has already made it through all three of my coats. Above me the obsidian sky is glittering with millions of stars. I take a breath. The whole night sky rushes into my throat, the stars tickling into my lungs like tiny fragments of ice.
--Tom DiCillo, filmmaker, on the atmosphere at the Sundance Film Festival 09
Now imagine being frozen from the waist down in a lake of ice for eternity. Imagine that the slightest movement would freeze the tears on your face and the water surrounding you. God, according to Dante, was all about motion and energy, so the ultimate punishment for Lucifer is to not be able to move at all. At the very bottom of hell, there's no fire, no brimstone, just the utter inability to take action."
--Jodi Picoult, The Tenth Circle
The following 2 examples are the first sentences of 2 Dennis Lehane books. His tone, his words automatically bring you into the story.
The first time I met Karen Nichols, she struck me as the kind of woman who ironed her socks.
--Dennis Lehane, Prayers for Rain
A piece of advice: If you ever follow someone in my neighborhood, don't wear pink.
--Dennis Lehane, Sacred
Friday, March 27, 2009
Rituals: the key to unlocking your creative mind
Happy weekend, all! The forecast for Atlanta this weekend is drizzling rain and cold--perfect weather to stay inside and write. If I go stir crazy, it's ideal weather to go to a local cafe and write there as I watch the rain droplets stick themselves to the window.
On to today's topic...I read an article recently about our subconscious mind. Seems it's quite an interesting part of our brain, and it's directly connected to our creative processes. This article specified that many times, rituals of any kind can help tell our minds that it's time to write (or begin any kind of task, really.)
So, what rituals? The article mentioned anything non-verbal. It could be lighting a scented candle, saying a silent prayer to the Muse, taking three deep breaths, whatever have you. The point is that our subconscious mind picks up on these ritual actions--if we do them consistently before we create--as a cue to begin work.
While I don't have any scientific proof of this, I can tell you that it works for me. And hey, whatever works to get the creativity going is a good thing! My desk is decorated with all kinds of magical, faery art, along with sketches of New Orleans and Savannah, along with anything to inspire me.
In the picture above, there's an intricate moon inside a glass circle which spins on its stand, a pewter fairy with an emerald stone in her outstretched hands, and a Celtic cross. My ritual before writing is to spin the moon on its stand, run my thumb over the stone the fairy is holding, kiss her wings, and then run my fingers over the smooth surface of the Celtic cross. I also keep some loose raspberry tea leaves in an azure blue pottery cup nearby, and I take a deep whiff of that mixture too, then sit down to write.
How did I come up with this? I don't know. But it's non-verbal, I do it in a certain order, and somehow it makes starting at the computer easier to do; easier to begin that writing task.
Try it sometime - it might work for you.
What are your rituals?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Take a Day to Refill the Well
By our very nature, writers struggle with finding the time to write. Once time is available, the issue changes into what to write, how to write, is it any good or is it the latest skunk craze and well--you get the picture. Getting trapped in this cycle can drive anyone insane.
Someone once said, "You never reach the bottom items on your to-do-list, so put writing at the top." I could have saved hours at writing workshops if I'd only heard that line earlier. That sentence clicked with me, so now I put it at the top. And it does work. I take my Alphasmart Dana with me and write on my work lunch hours; I often stop at a coffeehouse on the way home and write more; and try to do at least 3-4 hours on weekend days.
Whether you're budgeting 10 minutes or 10 hours to write, it's also important to stop and refill the well once in awhile. Take an entire day to refill the well. I did this yesterday and not only was it enjoyable, but during a dinner conversation with a friend, I discovered a little tidbit I could put into my current work in progress. This couldn't have happened if I'd planned it; it was one of those mysterious things that just clicked at the right moment--and it's ideal. So the day was enjoyable, I met up with old friends I hadn't seen in awhile, and I got a tidbit for a story.
Someone once said, "You never reach the bottom items on your to-do-list, so put writing at the top." I could have saved hours at writing workshops if I'd only heard that line earlier. That sentence clicked with me, so now I put it at the top. And it does work. I take my Alphasmart Dana with me and write on my work lunch hours; I often stop at a coffeehouse on the way home and write more; and try to do at least 3-4 hours on weekend days.
Whether you're budgeting 10 minutes or 10 hours to write, it's also important to stop and refill the well once in awhile. Take an entire day to refill the well. I did this yesterday and not only was it enjoyable, but during a dinner conversation with a friend, I discovered a little tidbit I could put into my current work in progress. This couldn't have happened if I'd planned it; it was one of those mysterious things that just clicked at the right moment--and it's ideal. So the day was enjoyable, I met up with old friends I hadn't seen in awhile, and I got a tidbit for a story.
It's also important to get "out of one's element" and see things differently once in awhile. In a big city, this can mean going across town and discovering a few new places or spots; in a rural area, go out for a drive and find some new highways with horse farms.
Now it's time to return to that manuscript! Make time to refill the well - you'll be surprised at the gems you come across when you're not looking for them :)
Now it's time to return to that manuscript! Make time to refill the well - you'll be surprised at the gems you come across when you're not looking for them :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire Wins Oscar - Great Way to Tell a Story
Happy Monday, all!
"Slumdog Millionaire" took best picture (along with many other awards) last night at the Oscars. For those of you who haven't seen this yet, GO. It does have some disturbing scenes (just a warning for those who are somewhat squeamish) but this is one of the best films I've seen recently.
Why?
* The storytelling method is incredible. I would encourage writers of any kind to go see this film on that fact alone. This could have been told in several ways, and it would have made the film entirely different. It's the WAY the story is told which thrilled me. Begin thinking of that when you're writing a scene for your screenplay, novel, or short story. Are you telling the story in the best way possible? What other options could you try? Is there a way to increase the stakes by doing something just a bit different?
* Because it's a great story of a little Indie film which almost went directly to video, but instead got distribution in tough times. Now it's won Best Picture 2008 along with many other awards which I can't remember this early in the morning. We all love underdog stories; the film's storyline is an underdog story, but so is the filmmaking process for this movie. Go see it!
I also loved "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and was pleased to see it won some awards. The one thing I remember saying at the closing credits of "Slumdog Millionaire" is that, "Wow. That was an incredible way to take information and tell a story."
Check it out!
"Slumdog Millionaire" took best picture (along with many other awards) last night at the Oscars. For those of you who haven't seen this yet, GO. It does have some disturbing scenes (just a warning for those who are somewhat squeamish) but this is one of the best films I've seen recently.
Why?
* The storytelling method is incredible. I would encourage writers of any kind to go see this film on that fact alone. This could have been told in several ways, and it would have made the film entirely different. It's the WAY the story is told which thrilled me. Begin thinking of that when you're writing a scene for your screenplay, novel, or short story. Are you telling the story in the best way possible? What other options could you try? Is there a way to increase the stakes by doing something just a bit different?
* Because it's a great story of a little Indie film which almost went directly to video, but instead got distribution in tough times. Now it's won Best Picture 2008 along with many other awards which I can't remember this early in the morning. We all love underdog stories; the film's storyline is an underdog story, but so is the filmmaking process for this movie. Go see it!
I also loved "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and was pleased to see it won some awards. The one thing I remember saying at the closing credits of "Slumdog Millionaire" is that, "Wow. That was an incredible way to take information and tell a story."
Check it out!
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