Thursday, July 26, 2012

Inspiration at the Art Gallery


Today, I'm making a trip to the local art gallery where they are currently exhibiting a large collection of Picassos.  I've seen the exhibit before a few weeks ago but with a friend who was more academic than appreciative.  Today, I'm going with a different friend who I think will make the experience better.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no expert on art.  I fall into that often maligned category of people who "know what they like".  I accept that my interest in art is simply to appreciate it as a rank amateur.  Yes, I like the colourful stories behind some of the artwork (read off of the little labels they put next to the paintings) but I don't have any burning desire to read the artist's biography and learn every detail of their career.

The friend I'm going with today is the latter.  Her interest is stronger than mine but I venture to say (sorry, Nan's friend) that I get more out of the art in terms of creative inspiration.

I strongly believe that all art is a stop on a creative continuum.  Books, paintings, music, dance, they can all inform and inspire each other.  While I don't do anything more than appreciate fine art, music or dance, I gain a great deal of creative energy from seeing a painting, hearing a beautiful piece of music or watching a ballet on television.

Inspiration and creativity are everywhere and they don't have to just be inspired by the masters.  Picasso's life was extremely interesting (his love life too) and hearing about it may give me an idea for a story, but seeing his paintings all together in one place is a well of inspiration and creativity that my mind may subconsciously return to over and over throughout my life.  That's why I visit art galleries.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Slow Hand,or Enjoying the Finish

I've written before about creating sexual tension in romance writing and the need to draw out the climax of a story (or sex scene).

Strangely enough, I do the same thing in my writing process.

Right now, for instance, when I could be sprinting to the finish line of a complete first draft of my current manuscript, I'm drawing out the writing process by taking frequent breaks, even not writing for a day or two, or intermittently working on other pieces.

What is wrong with me?

Well, for one thing, I enjoy the feeling of completing a manuscript and, subconsciously try to make the feeling last by delaying the moment when I type in "The End" and put the story to rest for a while before I come back to edit it.

So, the question is, is that really wrong?

I don't think so.

I've come to accept that I enjoy the process almost as much as the reaching the goal (and sometimes more).  Nearing the end of a manuscript draft is a pleasure that lasts for a long while, however completing the draft is a finite moment.  Don't get me wrong, I want to reach that finite moment...and soon.  But in the meantime, I'm enjoying the slow burn.