I love absorbing advice from fellow writers – hoping I’ll find a secret...
A shortcut that will make my process more fluid.
The truth? No such nirvana exists. Everyone who writes is cranking it out, one way or another. On occasion, I’ve experienced a mountain-top moment of clarity where the journey and the destination culminate in satisfaction.
A word or a phrase. A sentence or paragraph staring back at me with delight.
Other days? I rustle and hustle around at my desk feigning at cleaning or tidying up, but I know better. My stall tactic is tidying.
For years I’ve been in awe of artistry. People who can sketch their ideas as they emerge from their creative hearts. Running parallel to a story idea or perhaps the image veers off in a new, more promising direction. Either way, when words fail, pictures can provide both relief and a nudge.
I glean benefits from staring at nature scenes, taking a break. But when I’m truly stymied, I need to doodle – even if all I come up with is a mind-map of ideas. Often circuitous and non-sensical…and yet…patterns are revealed.
Movement and motion. Connections previously unseen.
My workspace includes mind-maps and sketches…post-it notes and half-baked ideas…and I’m learning. It’s the merging that matters. Every now and then I take stock and read through the bits and pieces and begin again.
Whenever I do, I find myself sitting down to doodle. Inspired anew.
I read a terrific article recently from one of my favorite writers, B.A. Durham from the Chicago Writers Association and I smiled. A well-timed reminder to lean into my visual side because it complements my verbal, wordy head.
Durham reminds writers to sketch and doodle as a warm-up activity – without worrying about artistic talent. The point is gaining perspective. Enough to re-energize your writing practice. I love Durham’s endorsement to throw our creations up on the wall…sit with them. Regard them. Study them. Add and subtract. Look for connections…especially if you’re stymied by plot development and storyline issues. Blasted plot holes or saggy action sequences. Things you might miss if you’re mired in paragraphs. Trees…vs. forest.
I’ve got plenty of inspiration. Fellow writers who are also illustrators, like Dave Williams and Joanie Becker Goldberg. I’m an ardent fan – even though I don’t identify as an artist or a designer. I get the message.
Expand my view.
Consider storytelling from a visual perspective, especially if you’re in need a reinvigorating push.
But before I go…let me ask…do you doodle or draw to enhance your writing practice?
Vicki 😉
Lagniappe? More Writing Tips? Here you go! Hopping Genres – Victoria Ponders
Podcast Inspiration from Author and Artist Dave Williams? Episode 82: “Embrace Your Weird” with Author Dave Williams – The Heart of the Matter (sharingtheheartofthematter.com)
More about me? Check out this link for posts about my book, “Surviving Sue”, available in paperback from my publisher, Eckhartz Press and the eBook on Amazon.
Victoria Ponders 
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