There's something beautiful and indescribable about the effect of color in writing. It's like painting a picture with words. To me, there are few things more incredible than the ability of a writer to create detailed images and scenes in a person's mind, just by putting letters on paper. It's something kind of like magic.
The cause of my sudden artistic revelation? Well, my life is sort of made up of phases. Right now, I'm in a serious art phase. I'm not talking just Van Gogh, Monet art stuff- I'm talking about all art stuff. Specifically this art stuff:
http://b1nd1.deviantart.com/gallery/
Emmy Cicierega is pretty much an internet celebrity artist known for her incredibly inspiring art. The art she creates revolve around the moods and atmospheres that she brings to life using color schemes. My favorite works:
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj5t9oGZHy1qgbzseo1_500.jpg
http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwxkfmVswY1qgbzseo1_500.jpg
I'm also inspired by other visual artists as well- my three best friends are all awesome artists. (As the only writer, I'm kind of like the black sheep of the tight little art family we have going on. I'm totally fine with that!) Being surrounded by such wonderfully creative people does affect my writing, and in the best way possible. I'm so inspired.
Lately, I've been experimenting with my writing and trying to find my own unique voice. Although I think I have a long way to go before I achieve that, I feel that recently my writing has taken a turn for the better. And I think it's because of my new awareness of color. Just like in visual art, colors and vivid descriptions in literary art can create an atmosphere that inspires others. And there's nothing a writer loves more than inspiring others! :)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Plotting. Scares. The crap. Outta me.
Honestly. It does.
Yes, I'm aware of how important plot is. I know that it pretty much makes or breaks the story you're writing, and that plot is what fiction is all about- besides the characters, of course. But it really does frighten me, and I'm not the kind of person who deals with her fears head on. I'm a procrastinator, a "slitherer-outer," whose way of dealing with stressful and unpleasant things is avoiding them altogether.
Which means that in the end, all the scenes I write are left hanging in the air.
I don't know why I'm so intimidated by plot. I really do love it, and it's one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I just feel like I don't understand it yet.
I start my writing with the characters and setting. When I get to plotting, I do a general outline, but I don't go deep enough into sub-plotting and twists and all that junk. I kinda let all the plotbunnies multiply in my head and torture me throughout the day until I get them on a piece of paper/napkin/my hand... And even then, I don't know what to do with 'em.
They stare at me with big, cute, googly bunny eyes, begging me to plop them somewhere where they'll fit. That's when the procrastination comes in.
SO YES. I am scared of plotting. Terrified of it. But I'm really thinking that by now I should suck it up and stop being a 'fraidy-cat, because plotbunnies don't like 'fraidy-cats.
Yes, I'm aware of how important plot is. I know that it pretty much makes or breaks the story you're writing, and that plot is what fiction is all about- besides the characters, of course. But it really does frighten me, and I'm not the kind of person who deals with her fears head on. I'm a procrastinator, a "slitherer-outer," whose way of dealing with stressful and unpleasant things is avoiding them altogether.
Which means that in the end, all the scenes I write are left hanging in the air.
I don't know why I'm so intimidated by plot. I really do love it, and it's one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I just feel like I don't understand it yet.
They stare at me with big, cute, googly bunny eyes, begging me to plop them somewhere where they'll fit. That's when the procrastination comes in.
SO YES. I am scared of plotting. Terrified of it. But I'm really thinking that by now I should suck it up and stop being a 'fraidy-cat, because plotbunnies don't like 'fraidy-cats.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Character Dilemma
Ugh. Okay. I'm gonna rant and whine and complain and hope that a wiser, more experienced writer will have pity on me and decide to give me words of wisdom.
Here I go.
I have a character in my story. She is quiet, thoughtful and self-sacrificing. She hates sweets. She holds grudges. She puts many things before her own well-being, which can be a pretty bad thing. She is a good debater, but prefers to stay out of debates. I guess that kind of gives you a general idea on what kind of person this girl is.
The thing is that I feel like I'm missing something. I feel like she's boring. See, she's the protagonist in the story and everything is seen from her perspective, but nothing about her perspective is really engaging. She has a good sense of right and wrong, and is very down-to-earth. Yeah, she does have weaknesses and flaws, but they don't help in making her any more interesting.
Normally, I create characters with crazy, strong personalities (like a fun-loving, eccentric adventure seeker or a reclusive, irritable grouch). I keep thinking that those are the interesting characters, that those are the characters that make a reader want to dive into a story. This is the first time I've created a character that is shy instead of boisterous, thoughtful and quiet instead of impulsive or eccentric.
The problem is that I don't know what I have to do to add color to her. Writing from her perspective is no fun- I really don't feel any strong connections to this character at all. Usually I try to add something in a character that relates to me- a habit, a fear, an experience- so I can connect to him/her. But none of that works. She's still boring. I've tried to give her stronger qualities, but I end up making a mess of her and ruining the entire characterization. Still boring in the end.
So how can I add zest to an otherwise timid, introverted character? How can I make her point of view interesting and intriguing? And most importantly, how can I turn her into a character that a reader could root for?
Here I go.
I have a character in my story. She is quiet, thoughtful and self-sacrificing. She hates sweets. She holds grudges. She puts many things before her own well-being, which can be a pretty bad thing. She is a good debater, but prefers to stay out of debates. I guess that kind of gives you a general idea on what kind of person this girl is.
The thing is that I feel like I'm missing something. I feel like she's boring. See, she's the protagonist in the story and everything is seen from her perspective, but nothing about her perspective is really engaging. She has a good sense of right and wrong, and is very down-to-earth. Yeah, she does have weaknesses and flaws, but they don't help in making her any more interesting.
Normally, I create characters with crazy, strong personalities (like a fun-loving, eccentric adventure seeker or a reclusive, irritable grouch). I keep thinking that those are the interesting characters, that those are the characters that make a reader want to dive into a story. This is the first time I've created a character that is shy instead of boisterous, thoughtful and quiet instead of impulsive or eccentric.
The problem is that I don't know what I have to do to add color to her. Writing from her perspective is no fun- I really don't feel any strong connections to this character at all. Usually I try to add something in a character that relates to me- a habit, a fear, an experience- so I can connect to him/her. But none of that works. She's still boring. I've tried to give her stronger qualities, but I end up making a mess of her and ruining the entire characterization. Still boring in the end.
So how can I add zest to an otherwise timid, introverted character? How can I make her point of view interesting and intriguing? And most importantly, how can I turn her into a character that a reader could root for?
New Yolk, New Yolk!
I recently came back from a trip to New York, and let me tell you, it was CRAZY. Soooooo many people! And considering the fact that I went on a weekend and it's the holiday season, things were pretty nuts. I'm not really a big-city kind of girl, but this trip was especially awesome to me CUZ GUESS WHAT. I'm working on a novel right now about a futuristic, dystopian city. I don't really want to go into detail about it right now since I'm not exactly sure about the details myself, but New York really served as a good source of inspiration for me. I practically went insane taking pictures of everything! I'm happy to say that I now have a better, more concrete idea of the setting of my story. I was going "BRAIN BLAST" every five seconds, Jimmy Neutron style.
Isn't it purty? :D
Isn't it purty? :D
Sunday, December 18, 2011
What happens in the shower.... STAYS in the shower...
Quick question for all the writers out there:
Why must we get all our best ideas in the shower?
I mean, seriously. First I'm scrub-a-dub-dubbing, belting out whatever lyrics I remember from High School Musical when
BAM!!!
That scene- that one scene that I've been trying to figure out for ages- just pops into my head and plays out so beautifully, and I'm miraculously inspired to write. My hand is itching to find some sort of writing utensil, but what am I supposed to do? I'm in the shower, and all I have in my hand is a bar of soap that has proved itself a good microphone substitute... But I'm not exactly sure it could be a good pen substitute.
Next thing I know, my idea is going down the drain and there's no way to retrieve it. My mood is ruined and suddenly I don't feel like singing anymore.
Is that just me, though? Or do other artists suffer from this as well?
Hm, I should find myself one of these!
That would definitely come in handy...
Why must we get all our best ideas in the shower?
I mean, seriously. First I'm scrub-a-dub-dubbing, belting out whatever lyrics I remember from High School Musical when
BAM!!!
That scene- that one scene that I've been trying to figure out for ages- just pops into my head and plays out so beautifully, and I'm miraculously inspired to write. My hand is itching to find some sort of writing utensil, but what am I supposed to do? I'm in the shower, and all I have in my hand is a bar of soap that has proved itself a good microphone substitute... But I'm not exactly sure it could be a good pen substitute.
Next thing I know, my idea is going down the drain and there's no way to retrieve it. My mood is ruined and suddenly I don't feel like singing anymore.
Is that just me, though? Or do other artists suffer from this as well?
Hm, I should find myself one of these!
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