Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday Friends: Learning to Write Through Other Artistic Means

Can writers improve their craft by participating in or studying other modes of artistic expression? Absolutely. A case in point: e.e. cummings was an accomplished visual artist. He imported those skills and techniques into his writing. The next time you read one of his poems, pay attention to its graphic layout. As an example, in Cummings' poem, Grasshopper, the letters and "words" appear on the page like a jolting grasshopper.

That short preamble brings us to this week's installment of Friday Friends, the July 21, 2010 post from Lynda Young's blog, W.I.P. IT, A Writer's Journey. The title, 8 Tips Actors Can Give Writers, is certainly fulfilled in the text of the post.

Although I've never acted, I have created a comic strip. I found that many of the themes, puns and dialogue from that strip found voice in my first novel. In that sense, I have personal validation that the creative impulses of non-writing artistic pursuits can and do influence an author's writing. Lynda's post is yet another instructive demonstration of how the lessons of acting can positively influence a writer's prose.

How about you? Do your non-writing artistic ventures influence your writing? How so?

36 comments:

  1. I like your observation of e e cummings' visual art in his poems. It's something to think about.

    Thanks too for including my post in your Friday Friends post :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I strongly believe that various artistic ventures can influence our writing - for instance I love to draw or paint. Even though I'm no artist (and never will be), I often find that the activity puts me in the right frame of mind for writing. Also, I often find myself inspired to write from photographs I (or others) have taken, and music I play (or listen to). In addition I think different types of writing can be a positive influence on how I choose to word my thoughts, and it is a good way to release writer's block.

    All in all - diversity = good!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're welcome, Lynda! And my thanks to you for creating such a thought-provoking and instructive post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree, Cruella. It's great that you tap so many different artistic sources for literary inspiration, things like drawing, painting, music and photographs (my, you're so multi-versed!).

    I like to draw (although I'm not very good at it:)). I find that when I draw, I somehow "turn off" the part of my brain that I use for logic and sentence construction. Thirty minutes to an hour into drawing, that part of my brain really seems to relax and stretch (almost like mental yoga for that cranial hemisphere). I find that when I go back to writing after drawing, I think and write with a greater clarity, a clarity born of the relaxation derived from indulging and exercising a different part of my brain.

    Happy weekend, Cruella. And thank you for sharing a part of your creative experience with us through your feedback above!

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  5. that was a great post by ms. lynda!

    i think that visual arts teach you to see things differently- colors, textures, details, light, shadow, etc. and the more you improve your skill as a visual artist- the more the way you see the world changes... and i think i find that reflected in my writing.

    studying music can help with cadence and pacing.

    being a great chef could help with descriptions of scents and tastes.

    hmm.. this is such an interesting thought mohamed! great post!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi, Mohamed. I saw your comment at Rachna's site and thought I'd come over and say hello since I also love editing. :)

    To answer your question, music and art influence my writing every time I contemplate the written word. I write to music as it helps reinforce the emotion I'm writing. I tend to draw characters, maps, etc. I've also drawn comics enough to appreciate how much skill is required and that I don't possess it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear aspring_x,

    I've seen the artwork that you've posted to your blog through the last few weeks. It's such unique and emotive art. I had no doubt that it influenced your writing. You've just confirmed that it does.

    Thanks for visiting our little cyber-community here and for sharing yourself with us.

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  8. I probably have learned as much about character development from watching The Actors Studio with Jim Lipton as I have from any writing class or book. Actors and directors often describe there how they develop their characters. Their insights are priceless gems for a writer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I used to draw and paint much more when I was a teen and when I was getting my Art History degree. It helps me sometimes to stop writing and do something else creative to charge my artistic batteries. Writing takes it out of me in a way that creating art never did. Maybe because I knew I wasn't that good at it and I wasn't sure how to get better.

    Writing on the other hand, I get better the longer I work at it. The thing is, if I hadn't gotten that art history education, I probably would never have learned a lot of the things that inspire me to write stories. So I'm glad to have that background to draw on. It certainly helps me in my research!

    Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I absolutely believe the arts influence each other. Painting, photography, music, theater - every single one of them is an endless font of inspiration for my own writing. I may not be a painter or a musician or an actor, but those who are influence and broaden my own artistic endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Doing anything artistic touches that part of our brain, makes us comfortable using it and at times, my misadventures have ended up on the page.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Judith! It's interesting that both you AND Lynda feel that your writing is improved through the study of acting. I wonder if acting might be a beneficial part-time field of study for all writers? Hmmmmmm......

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, Victoria! It's great that you can use music as a tool to help improve the emotive power of your writing. I'm limited in that sense - I need absolute quiet to compose my prose.

    It's cool that we both enjoy editing. So many writers seem to see it as drudgery. I like it! :)

    Thanks for sharing yourself and your experience with our cyber-community of writers.

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  14. Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. I've used music and geometry and art and photography in my latest NIP and I'm always picking up ideas.

    I, too, enjoy editing :) Which is handy...

    ReplyDelete
  15. I believe everything you experience within the scope of the senses has a chance to make its way into your writing, even things we're not consciously aware of. Anything you do artistically, music, art, acting is bound to add dimension to your work. Great post Mohamed! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a very visual person. Photography influences a lot of what I write. It both inspires me and often helps me to focus on the heart of a post. You can't fit everything into a photo. The lense must focus on the subject matter that is most important. The same is true of writing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm afraid I don't have any other artistic pursuits - writing takes up almost all of my free time. I'm always so impressed when I see writers who are accomplished in other artistic areas as well.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Mohamed...my inspiration comes from nature: waterfalls, mountains, trees, beautiful and scenic locations, bird songs. For me every experience subtly adds to my storehouse of inspiration.
    Let me confess that I too need an absolute quiet atmosphere to write. The other day heeding my friend's advice I listened to music and started writing. I hardly wrote anything during that half hour.

    Rachna

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks, Tere! Gosh, I never knew you were an Art Historian. I agree that that knowledge base will inspire and inform your writing. I made a trip to the Salvadore Dali Museum when I was in Petersburg, Florida a few years ago. The abstract, provocative and surreal imagery is often reflected in my writing. Thanks for stopping in, Tere. It's always great to have you :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. K.M.,

    I can certainly relate with your notion of finding inspiration in others' creative energies. As a literary cubist, I often take the time to study visual cubists. Picasso's art gives me inspiration both from a structural standpoint and from a thematic standpoint; create forms of expression in new ways, explore themes that others might find taboo.

    BTW, I love the videos on your blog. They're well done and the content is useful for writers.

    Happy weekend!

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jolene,

    Thanks for joining us. I howled when I read this part of your post: "my misadventures have ended up on the page."

    I often think my first novel is a twisted memoir of personal misadventures masquerading as fiction. Oh, the dangers of self-revelation in creative writing! :)

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  22. Rachel,

    I'm fascinated that you cite "geometry" as a source of inspiration for your writing. My first novel includes the quadratic equation and Einstein's E = mC2, so I can relate with the inspirational potency of mathematics.

    Wishing you a pleasant and fulfilling birthday week brimming with fun, fun, fun,

    Mohamed :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks, Nomar! BTW, I've had a number of experiences OUTSIDE the traditional 5 senses that have also found inclusion in my writing. I hope all is well in beautiful Puerto Rico :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. My music-making definitely influences my writing in that it gives me inspiration, and it makes me think about how certain writing practices apply to music (show don't tell, etc) and vice versa. I am also a little of an amateur photographer, and that helps, too.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like a lot of forms of art and they all coincide. In fact, a lot of ideas I get can be turned into different things. A painting, a photograph, a sculpture, a piece of writing.... all about the same thing.

    I like your blog a lot!!

    Today I tagged you in a dare for good. Maybe you can achieve it. :)

    http://www.dorithegiant.com/2010/05/dares-for-good.html

    Thanks.
    Dori.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tabitha,

    The lovely photography on your blog certainly underscores your visual nature. I agree; writing's a lot like photography in that you need to consciously choose the imagery and composition that frames your central focus.

    Happy Sunday!

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  27. Susan,
    I can relate with the too-busy-to-do-one-more-thing syndrome. It happens to me a few times a week.
    Hey, I loved the word definitions that you made up in the latest round of Balderdash on your blog. Very creative!
    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  28. Rachna,
    It's nice to meet another writer who needs absolute quiet to compose. I don't feel so alone now :)....speaking of which, you probably enjoy and need to be alone from time to time? If so, me too :)
    Thanks for stopping in!
    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  29. Abby,

    It's great that you give yourself those additional creative outlets of music and photography. I'm impressed by how many of my fellow writers practice photography...hmmmm...maybe there's a lesson for me in there....

    I hope that you're having a fun weekend, laughing and giggling this very moment :)

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  30. wallflower,

    I think it's neat that you've chosen so many different media for projecting your creative impulses: painting, photography, sculpture and writing. It's certainly reflected in the eclectic imagery and expressions on your blog. Your approach reminds me of Picasso's approach in the sense that he was unfraid to create art from whatever he found in his environment including bicycle seats, fishbones and metal wires. Keep an open mind; resist stricture.

    Hey, I took one of your challenges :) Not only will I turn off all the lights and appliances at my home tonight, I'll also turn off the water heater (who needs hot water 24 hrs a day?). Great idea, wallflower!

    Mohamed

    p.s. - I like your blog too :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. Replying to your comment..
    You're right. Who needs the water heater on all day? Here at my home in Canada, it's always on.


    At my grandma's house in Europe, it's always off, until someone says they're going to shower soon! Haha.

    By the way, it's great that you did that but you were tagged in a different dare! You might have misread it maybe, but I tagged you in an easy Free Rice game that helps fight poverty.

    ReplyDelete
  32. wallflower,

    You know, they had the same process with the water heater in Africa that you say your Grandma uses in Europe. Small world! Apologies for my inability to read :). I'll double-check my dare.

    Mohamed

    ReplyDelete
  33. thanks for this post-
    I have a very talented artist friend who is trying to break into the official 'author' world. She needs to 'meet' you.--

    so I linked both of you in a post-hope that's ok. you can find it here: http://www.becomingversed.com/2010/08/permission-to-blab.html

    thanks for sharing your talents!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear mrs.,

    Of course it's OK. I have to admit up front that I'm a big nobody, but I'm always eager to make the acquaintance of anyone you describe as a "talented artist."

    Thanks for thinking of me and for stopping by today!

    Mohamed

    p.s. - please kiss the dog for me (yes, I kiss dogs :)).

    ReplyDelete
  35. I work backstage at a theater and I learn so much from the actors I work with every day. I think the fact that the actors I work with have the courage to go onstage every day gives me courage to write.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sounds like a cool job, Carrie. You know, being a writer is sort of like working backstage at the theater of life, recording all the dramas and plot-lines and characters and sending them back out of the world in rearranged packets of prose and meaning.

    ReplyDelete