This post started out on just some thoughts about finding and using your muse. However, since it seemed pointless to even talk about finding a muse if you don't know how to use it properly, I expanded the topic to include the entire creative process.
And so we have the following.
My Basic Formula
I realize that not everyone is going to, or even needs to, follow my exact formula. However, it is what works for me, so this is the framework for this discussion.
Routinely practice skill - Ask a question - Trigger the muse - Put it down - Question/Critique
Routinely Practice
Duh. Why do you think I have a blog?
Art is work. If anyone tells you otherwise, they don't get what art really is.
Not every post is muse driven. Most of my posts are driven by the simple need to practice and so I ask myself "what sounds interesting today?" and I go from there. This gives me space to be imperfect and to practice the more mundane skills like grammar, transition, and clarity. Besides, when your muse hits, it can only use what you skills you currently have.
Ask A Question
All new things started with the plausible answers to a question. Is there another way to have light besides fire? Lightning is bright. What if there was a way to capture it's energy?
I use questions to trigger thoughts that usually lead to stories that explain my answers. If practice is the laying out a fireplace, the question is the spark that starts it on fire.
All About Respecting Muses
A muse is a habit, ritual, occurrence, person, pet, place, sound, touch, thing or combination thereof that gives rise to the creative inspirations.
That's great and all, but what if you don't know what your muse is?
All I can say is, trial, error, no small degree of self awareness, and practice at respecting the inspiration when it does come. By respect, I mean taking the time to really think it out, write it down, or do something to acknowledge it. That action creates a habit and a greater awareness for future inspirations.
Eventually, you'll start to get a sense of what circumstances will usually trigger your inspiration. I say usually, because inspiration can be fickle sometimes and requires a little ground work and some patience.
Putting it Down
As I kinda already said in the previous section, you have to respect the muse by acknowledging it. For me, that's writing notes on whatever I can get my hands on. Paper, pen, phone, scraps, whatever. Then as soon as is possible, I revisit those notes and flush out the broader thoughts I was thinking in a word document.
Questions and Critique
This is the part where I may butt heads with a few people. Some people get the impression that creative words, plays, movies, songs, just kind of appear perfectly out of thin air to lucky individuals who then just tell the rest of the world about it. We "ooo" and "ahh" over the genius of it, then move on.
Reality, inspiration is rarely perfect, but it has the potential to be with some work. If practice is laying a fireplace, and questions are the spark, then the muse/inspiration would only be the tinder. Anybody who has laid a fire before knows that tinder will burn and brightly, but only briefly and with very little heat. If you want a fire, you have to build it on the tinder with small sticks, then gradually adding larger lumber till you can sit a log on the coals and then let it burn. You can't even be willy nilly with that part. If the sticks are misplaced, you can smother your fire or fail to catch anything alight. Fires are logical and systematic. They can be individual and creative, but it has to make sense.
It's the annoying part of creativity. The logic. The grammar. The rules. Realizing that what makes perfect sense and seems awesome to you, may not make sense to Joe in Atlanta. After you've got something going, you have to question it's existence a little and notice the mistakes. It's a painful, but necessary part of creativity that only makes the work stronger. And work it is. Refining takes a long time and a lot of patience. This is what separates the hobbyists from the artists. The willingness to be honest with their creations and to put in the time and the work towards making them perfect. Even this practice blog post has gone through several rewrites.
In Case You're Lost: Example
Practice
As some of you might know, I hadn't written much in the two years after receiving a Creative Writing degree. I missed it. So I dusted off this blog and started to regularly write about things that interest me. I also started studying my art by reading again. It's different than audio books because I can see the words and how they are laid out and that reminds me of some of English's more obscure rules.
Question
My current novel was entirely triggered by the questions: "If there were magic in today's world, where would it have come from? How would it have been created?"
Trigger the Muse
I've been working slowly on this novel for over a year now. I know that relaxing to music while traveling by foot, car, or plane triggers my better thinking. It's not a guarantee that those circumstances will result in brilliant creative thoughts, but it helps.
Over the holidays, I spent a good twelve hours traveling longer than I would have normally due to bad weather and airline maintenance. I took the extra time to ask myself some questions about the plot holes in my current book and boy was the creative muse on fire that day. I would have rather been with my family, but since circumstances were against me, I still consider it time well spent. The point is, it probably wouldn't have been as good if I hadn't been reviewing the project as a whole the week before.
Put it Down
I was grateful my memo pad on my phone was operational in flight mode. When I got home, I transcribed the notes into my usual storage area with additional thoughts and questions.
Question and Critique
After I get a chance to write a few mock chapters with my new ideas, I'll go over them again like a critic or a fan and see if I still have glaring questions.
If I feel like the project is almost done, then I would ask my final questions. "I really like this, but how appealing would it be to other people? Has it been done before, and if so, is it cliche or classic? If it's likable that's great, but is it relatable? If I were someone else, would I still like this?" Most importantly! "Is there anything I could change to make it even better?"
Sometimes, I feel like I'm working at Ironman's computer. I have a bunch of elements and scenes scattered in front of me. I switch, modify, rewrite, review logs, add, subtract, and play it again in my head until it feels just right. Always, I am building and cross referencing to make sure everything will fit together into a complete whole when it is done. (Note: It took many beginners novels and mistakes to learn the importance of that particular skill.)
This is the line where we cross from using the muse, to using the inner critic and the mountain of work that happens afterwords. Both are essential. The inner muse creates the heart and framework, while the inner critic notices the inconsistencies, the gaudy use of "be verbs" and saves us from regrettable mistakes reaching the printing presses.
After the muse, it's all hard work. This is what separates the writer from the hobbyist, but that's for another blog post.
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
My Biggest Struggle with Marie Kondo
Ok, I obviously love getting rid of stuff.
However, there are two deep, deep, subjects that I balk at dealing with...ever.
Most things, with years of practice and continued philosophical testing have started to come easy.
Money management, after years of practice that's easy.
Clothes, love to donate them.
Dust collectors (statues, odd n ends), VERY easy to get rid of (maybe a little too fun to smash or shoot in the desert.)
Cheap things that are easy to repurchase, why do I even own these?
As for my two worst subjects....
Books....I SWEAR, I WILL read them.
Papers....I'm pretty sure they reproduce. They are impossible to truly get rid of. Especially when I have a note of inspiration scribbled on an old receipt for a book idea that I've had.
The thing about books is I come from a book culture. My family is full of writers. My mom is a librarian. I grew up with two very tall book shelves set prominently in our living room. I've been writing since second grade. I'm an avid reader and like to quickly acquaint myself with whatever local library happens to be near by. I've always had a book shelf stuffed with books. I cry whenever I read about how the Nazi's burned books. Barnes and Noble is my happy place for spending money.
Granted, I'm not a stranger to donating books. It's just very, very, very difficult to convince myself that I will never read, re-read, or even reference a particular book. I try to think about it philosophically. Books are the absolute worst to move. They are heavy and awkward and if you're not reading them, they will collect dust. Once the knowledge or joy has been obtained, what use is it? I have a small collection currently with me and whole collection still waiting for me to sift through at my mothers house. Is it really worth it?
Yes.
Because I need them for professional reference both as a writer and as an aspiring body works expert.
What if I need reference materials when I retake certification exams?
What if this is the only reference I have to that particular inspiring myth?
It's a classic. I like to reread it.
Hello, it's The Hobbit.
I like books. I like having them. I like reading them. I like browsing my full shelf on rainy days and revisiting select passages. It makes my world complete. The only reason I'm not up to my eyeballs in books is because libraries exist.
I guess I can take comfort in knowing that I have the ability to donate books. It's just that more books than Marie Kondo would ever approve of still give me all kinds of joy. That's why, even though I love Barnes and Noble, I only visit once or twice a year.
As for papers. I do try, but I really do think they multiply. I try to revisit the subject on a regular basis for maintenance, but I'm pretty sure it's a losing battle.
We all have our struggles.
However, there are two deep, deep, subjects that I balk at dealing with...ever.
Most things, with years of practice and continued philosophical testing have started to come easy.
Money management, after years of practice that's easy.
Clothes, love to donate them.
Dust collectors (statues, odd n ends), VERY easy to get rid of (maybe a little too fun to smash or shoot in the desert.)
Cheap things that are easy to repurchase, why do I even own these?
As for my two worst subjects....
Books....I SWEAR, I WILL read them.
Papers....I'm pretty sure they reproduce. They are impossible to truly get rid of. Especially when I have a note of inspiration scribbled on an old receipt for a book idea that I've had.
The thing about books is I come from a book culture. My family is full of writers. My mom is a librarian. I grew up with two very tall book shelves set prominently in our living room. I've been writing since second grade. I'm an avid reader and like to quickly acquaint myself with whatever local library happens to be near by. I've always had a book shelf stuffed with books. I cry whenever I read about how the Nazi's burned books. Barnes and Noble is my happy place for spending money.
Granted, I'm not a stranger to donating books. It's just very, very, very difficult to convince myself that I will never read, re-read, or even reference a particular book. I try to think about it philosophically. Books are the absolute worst to move. They are heavy and awkward and if you're not reading them, they will collect dust. Once the knowledge or joy has been obtained, what use is it? I have a small collection currently with me and whole collection still waiting for me to sift through at my mothers house. Is it really worth it?
Yes.
Because I need them for professional reference both as a writer and as an aspiring body works expert.
What if I need reference materials when I retake certification exams?
What if this is the only reference I have to that particular inspiring myth?
It's a classic. I like to reread it.
Hello, it's The Hobbit.
I like books. I like having them. I like reading them. I like browsing my full shelf on rainy days and revisiting select passages. It makes my world complete. The only reason I'm not up to my eyeballs in books is because libraries exist.
I guess I can take comfort in knowing that I have the ability to donate books. It's just that more books than Marie Kondo would ever approve of still give me all kinds of joy. That's why, even though I love Barnes and Noble, I only visit once or twice a year.
As for papers. I do try, but I really do think they multiply. I try to revisit the subject on a regular basis for maintenance, but I'm pretty sure it's a losing battle.
We all have our struggles.
Living on $35 A Week Pt 2
As expected, the second week was not nearly as easy as the first week.
On top of the second week doubts, I went from a wonderful holiday Thanksgiving where I had my evenings free back to night school where the only easy food is the local over priced gas station.
I try to plan for these moments, but for some reason apples and carrots do not sound that filling at 8 o'clock at night, especially after a full work day.
I spent a total of 14.95 on gas station junk. As for the rest of my money... I actually have no idea. It had to have gone somewhere else because I only had three bills in my wallet by the end of the week.
It's not easy to budget.
If I've learned anything over the years, it's to keep trying anyway. When it comes to recording and planning my budget, I've gone from ledger, to Excell, to cash envelope, and back to ledgers in the last five years. It works for me. Each week I like to re-evaluate and if I need to tweek what I do or how I do it, I do it right then. This makes it easier to keep regular records that fit into my current lifestyle instead of feeling locked into a method that doesn't fit anymore. The point is, it doesn't matter how the information is recorded, so long as it is recorded and you keep your priorities straight.
This week, I also learned that even if you have good intentions to keep all of your receipts, they do have a habit of getting lost, hence the missing twelve dollars.
So, this next week I'm doing a couple of those tweeks. I'm going back to ledger. What I like about ledgers, is that you just take a notebook, make customized columns for your expenses, needs, income, total value, etc, and then update it every week. It keeps me honest and I can see how well I'm doing at a glance.
I'm also going to keep a small notebook in my purse instead of a pile of receipts. Small notebooks are only a little less likely to get lost. Instead of hoping my bag retains all of my receipts, I will write down the purchase before I even leave the store. This will help me to keep better records.
I already feel really good about this project.
Even though my rent situation is less desperate now that I know where I'm going and that I can afford it, I like knowing that I can handle emergencies. You know those rainy days where your car needs a sudden $500 dollar fix, or those moments when you're slapped with the knowledge that you'll be without a roof over your head if you can't come up with at least $1,000 in two months? This is why savings is amazing. When you have an egg that can handle things like that at the drop of a hat, the world feels so much more secure.
Some people might chaff a little at the restraint of only $35 a week as I did this last week. Really, I do like the restriction because it fits my goals. At this time of my life where I'm moving at least three times a year, I want to be able to just throw everything I own into my little Subaru and go. Buying stuff would be counter productive to that goal. I like the feeling of letting go of stuff. I like not having to dig through piles of "someday" usefuls to find the one thing I really need. I like my shelves, boxes, and drawers to have only what I love and use, not regrets.
When you think of it that way, $35 a week is really just buying me food and the occasional need like toothpaste. That's it. $35 could surely stretch that far and then some.
Then again, I'm not like everyone else. Stuff really is the bottom tier of my five love languages, while for other people, giving and getting gifts is their very top love language.
I guess, it really is just all about what you value the most.
On top of the second week doubts, I went from a wonderful holiday Thanksgiving where I had my evenings free back to night school where the only easy food is the local over priced gas station.
I try to plan for these moments, but for some reason apples and carrots do not sound that filling at 8 o'clock at night, especially after a full work day.
I spent a total of 14.95 on gas station junk. As for the rest of my money... I actually have no idea. It had to have gone somewhere else because I only had three bills in my wallet by the end of the week.
It's not easy to budget.
If I've learned anything over the years, it's to keep trying anyway. When it comes to recording and planning my budget, I've gone from ledger, to Excell, to cash envelope, and back to ledgers in the last five years. It works for me. Each week I like to re-evaluate and if I need to tweek what I do or how I do it, I do it right then. This makes it easier to keep regular records that fit into my current lifestyle instead of feeling locked into a method that doesn't fit anymore. The point is, it doesn't matter how the information is recorded, so long as it is recorded and you keep your priorities straight.
This week, I also learned that even if you have good intentions to keep all of your receipts, they do have a habit of getting lost, hence the missing twelve dollars.
So, this next week I'm doing a couple of those tweeks. I'm going back to ledger. What I like about ledgers, is that you just take a notebook, make customized columns for your expenses, needs, income, total value, etc, and then update it every week. It keeps me honest and I can see how well I'm doing at a glance.
I'm also going to keep a small notebook in my purse instead of a pile of receipts. Small notebooks are only a little less likely to get lost. Instead of hoping my bag retains all of my receipts, I will write down the purchase before I even leave the store. This will help me to keep better records.
I already feel really good about this project.
Even though my rent situation is less desperate now that I know where I'm going and that I can afford it, I like knowing that I can handle emergencies. You know those rainy days where your car needs a sudden $500 dollar fix, or those moments when you're slapped with the knowledge that you'll be without a roof over your head if you can't come up with at least $1,000 in two months? This is why savings is amazing. When you have an egg that can handle things like that at the drop of a hat, the world feels so much more secure.
Some people might chaff a little at the restraint of only $35 a week as I did this last week. Really, I do like the restriction because it fits my goals. At this time of my life where I'm moving at least three times a year, I want to be able to just throw everything I own into my little Subaru and go. Buying stuff would be counter productive to that goal. I like the feeling of letting go of stuff. I like not having to dig through piles of "someday" usefuls to find the one thing I really need. I like my shelves, boxes, and drawers to have only what I love and use, not regrets.
When you think of it that way, $35 a week is really just buying me food and the occasional need like toothpaste. That's it. $35 could surely stretch that far and then some.
Then again, I'm not like everyone else. Stuff really is the bottom tier of my five love languages, while for other people, giving and getting gifts is their very top love language.
I guess, it really is just all about what you value the most.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Living on $35 Dollars a Week
Week One Report
This week was really more about testing my self control and seeing if $35 a week was even possible.
Granted, I wouldn't be so motivated if I didn't have a lease ending in January with little to no hope of renewing it and no savings to speak of for another down payment. The living on $35 dollars a week experiment was really born out of desperation. If I can manage it, I should have enough saved up for a new apartment by the time January rolls around. Cross fingers.
$35 a week is impossible for many people. I considered it possible for my individual circumstance for several reasons: where I live, the fact that I am single with no dependents, I hate stuff anyway especially when I'm about to move, I work at a place that often feeds me for free or at least majorly discounted, and I wasn't going to include the obvious gas and rent bills that are set standards for my checking account anyway.
Food for thought; I only try to get gas once a week and only pay $20 for however much I can get. It seems to me that whether full or almost full, my tank will still a refill every Thursday for $20 so does it really matter if I fill it to that last gallon at all?
The $35 experiment will only work in cash. If I try to use card, it's too easy to forget that what savings I do have is not for paying taxes or buying stuff that is "almost in budget." If I'm going to succeed, it has to be cash. There is nothing more strict, or final, than cash.
Week one I did succeed. I only went shopping three times. Once at Smiths ($26.38), twice at Walmart (total $7.30). Spending a total of $33.68.
In the end, I got a really good sense of determining what I need vs. what I will actually use within a week period. This includes actually eating what I buy vs. buying what I have good intentions to eat. Every item I considered was weighed against what I had left in my wallet because it's embarrassing to realize I don't have enough cash to pay for what's in my cart and it would be too easy to finish a purchase with my card.
I won't say it bought the healthiest food, but it bought what would go the longest. Suddenly, $4 dollars for only six snack times in a week really didn't seem worth it compared to a bag of carrots.
Trying again for $35 next week. This seems to be working.
This week was really more about testing my self control and seeing if $35 a week was even possible.
Granted, I wouldn't be so motivated if I didn't have a lease ending in January with little to no hope of renewing it and no savings to speak of for another down payment. The living on $35 dollars a week experiment was really born out of desperation. If I can manage it, I should have enough saved up for a new apartment by the time January rolls around. Cross fingers.
$35 a week is impossible for many people. I considered it possible for my individual circumstance for several reasons: where I live, the fact that I am single with no dependents, I hate stuff anyway especially when I'm about to move, I work at a place that often feeds me for free or at least majorly discounted, and I wasn't going to include the obvious gas and rent bills that are set standards for my checking account anyway.
Food for thought; I only try to get gas once a week and only pay $20 for however much I can get. It seems to me that whether full or almost full, my tank will still a refill every Thursday for $20 so does it really matter if I fill it to that last gallon at all?
The $35 experiment will only work in cash. If I try to use card, it's too easy to forget that what savings I do have is not for paying taxes or buying stuff that is "almost in budget." If I'm going to succeed, it has to be cash. There is nothing more strict, or final, than cash.
Week one I did succeed. I only went shopping three times. Once at Smiths ($26.38), twice at Walmart (total $7.30). Spending a total of $33.68.
In the end, I got a really good sense of determining what I need vs. what I will actually use within a week period. This includes actually eating what I buy vs. buying what I have good intentions to eat. Every item I considered was weighed against what I had left in my wallet because it's embarrassing to realize I don't have enough cash to pay for what's in my cart and it would be too easy to finish a purchase with my card.
I won't say it bought the healthiest food, but it bought what would go the longest. Suddenly, $4 dollars for only six snack times in a week really didn't seem worth it compared to a bag of carrots.
Trying again for $35 next week. This seems to be working.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)