tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post1042260477134967886..comments2024-02-02T00:22:18.479-06:00Comments on Okay, Listen Here: "The Artist's Loving Hand..."Stephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03023631488715031414noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-72151459082274118782011-04-06T07:22:27.487-05:002011-04-06T07:22:27.487-05:00Cheryl, this post is so relevant to what I am unde...Cheryl, this post is so relevant to what I am undergoing as a writer today. I have been to all the workshops, plotting classes, pacing classes, grammar classes, and more. I've read countless books about the craft of writing, but I've come to the conclusion that my writing is first and foremost about telling the story. I am in the middle of a revision, a total scrap of my original premise and hook for a request. I was floundering with writing the rest of the story--which is completely new--and bogged down with trying to tell it perfectly. I finally gave up, went back to my original first draft methods and my roots in writing. Now the story is flowing because I've released myself from the "rules."<br /><br />Great post! And for the record, I've been to the Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. A master, a troubled genius, who also had an amazing and loving brother. I often think about the brother watching his talented brother succumb to madness. In the end, if our craft destroys us, what is it worth?Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-20945157521357825102011-04-06T06:09:48.506-05:002011-04-06T06:09:48.506-05:00Sorry everyone, my Internet went down along with m...Sorry everyone, my Internet went down along with my land line - Arghh!!!<br />Got me a MiFi which is great for just such emergencies!!!<br /><br />Crystal - I like the idea of reading it aloud so you can hear the lyrics of your voice. That is exactly what I was saying. We need to listen to what we write so we can remember what was so wonderful about what it.<br /><br /> I love Van Gogh Kathy. He never ceases to amaze me that all those wildly painted strokes can come together to make such a beautiful painting. Yes, artists try to get others to see their perspective of the world and most of the time no one gets it. I studied painting under Nall Hollis (he's from Arab and is world-renowned now). He taught me to see things as I see them, not as others do. I think that also applies to writing - we need to let others see our world and enjoy it.<br /><br />Dannielle, yes you can step back and look! Remember the story that you created and know that it is a wonderful thing! How many people can do what we do? Sit down and create? You don't make mistakes - you are creating and that is never a mistake!<br /><br />Ok Jean, cutting your ear off? LOL Van Gogh had a LITTLE problem. Honestly, I don't see it with you. Pure genius is all I see in your and Stephanie's writing!Cherylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-17940525334576075732011-04-05T21:37:40.229-05:002011-04-05T21:37:40.229-05:00Uh, that should read I'm wishing you a life wi...Uh, that should read I'm wishing you a life with perfect hearing... ;)Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-86630299664695492842011-04-05T21:37:14.789-05:002011-04-05T21:37:14.789-05:00Crystal, you have a way with words! I love how yo...Crystal, you have a way with words! I love how you use them and good luck with your revisions. I KNOW this book is good! ;)<br /><br />Danniele, when we're so invested in our stories, it's hard for us to see the big picture, just like it is for us to see what one year from now will bring when we're faced with problems today. Concentrating on pieces of the puzzle will always lead us to the whole. :)<br /><br />LMAO, Jean! Remind me not to overwhelm you. ;) Here's wishing you a life without trouble and perfect hearing. ;)Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-57948399191571829642011-04-05T20:53:36.084-05:002011-04-05T20:53:36.084-05:00When I am feeling overwhelmed, I cut my ear off. I...When I am feeling overwhelmed, I cut my ear off. I can't afford to get overwhelmed many times, considering the number of ears we are allotted. <br /><br />Sorry. I am punchy.Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13844329805282121486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-3942167391915818232011-04-05T19:18:15.766-05:002011-04-05T19:18:15.766-05:00Very cool, Cheryl! And so very true. I, too, strug...Very cool, Cheryl! And so very true. I, too, struggle to see my work as a whole. So many times, I think the whole is just made up of all the little mistakes. :( Stepping back and gaining that perspective really isn't possible for me with my own creations. But at least I can start to see each small part as more than what I did wrong. :)Dannielehttp://www.writingplayground.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-26572663786754150362011-04-05T13:51:11.245-05:002011-04-05T13:51:11.245-05:00Ah! Van Gogh! He was a tortured soul, to be sure...Ah! Van Gogh! He was a tortured soul, to be sure. The problem with artists is we feel too much. Too much? Yes, we are in sync with the world. We cry when the world cries, we scream when others scream (or our characters scream at us!). Empathy. Artists are full of it. And what a wonderful thing to be filled with, right? Expressing the joys, fears, vision of our world helps us to deal with the world as it is. Maybe that's why I love history so much. As an outsider looking in, I have the benefit of knowing what happened inside that era but also can see the consequences.<br /><br />When I went to art school, I met people of every persuasion. But we all had something in common, we had a vision of our world and we worked hard to bring that world to light. No matter what you do in life, you can offer the world a glimpse of your soul by sharing your passions of art, reading, music, etc... <br /><br />The fear of being misunderstood may stand in the way, but Van Gogh taught us something we should never forget, to soldier on. Though his genius went unrecognized until after his death, he taught us that perseverence is key. Someday, someone, somewhere will understand the world as you see it. ;)<br /><br />Great post, Cheryl!Katherine Bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14701961380138616355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-54406892205383634942011-04-05T10:56:11.543-05:002011-04-05T10:56:11.543-05:00Cheryl, this post has come at an interesting time....Cheryl, this post has come at an interesting time. I'm reading through my book yet again to make sure the full sings as much as possible, but I have grown weary of its constant presence in my mind. However, I'm reading it aloud while alone, and getting the words "out there" gives me the step-back perspective I need to love it again. I can hear the melody that originally inspired me to tell the story, and that keeps me from casting it aside in favor of a fresh canvas.Crystalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-90839224330750332282011-04-05T08:50:23.644-05:002011-04-05T08:50:23.644-05:00Mary, I too go through the "everything is awf...Mary, I too go through the "everything is awful" and glance longingly at the delete button. But I at least have my story down and that is definitely a start. I love the quote because she's right. You can't fix it if it's not there. Keep painting your picture, I know it will be a masterpiece!!!<br /><br />Exactly Stephanie! I think we tend to only see the small things and not the entire picture - the blessings. The way we view things, our perspectives, is what makes the difference. I guess what I was trying to say is we don't need to lose sight of what we are doing - telling a story. The same holds true for our lives - we may do all those frantic things but in the end we should appreciate how wonderful our lives really are!!Cherylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-49841062922318208252011-04-05T07:42:25.123-05:002011-04-05T07:42:25.123-05:00When I am feeling overwhelmed by things I try to s...When I am feeling overwhelmed by things I try to step back. I thought about that when I was reading what you wrote about the Pink Roses painting. Like the painting, when viewed up close and in detail my life is usually frantic and feverish but if I can step back the perspective changes and I can see the joy and beauty that my life is fun of!Stephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03023631488715031414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2018633413564074437.post-69931903785385889042011-04-05T07:30:52.440-05:002011-04-05T07:30:52.440-05:00Funny you should mention this Cheryl--I just had t...Funny you should mention this Cheryl--I just had this moment this week. I am at the end of the story (finally) and finishing it off really has me throwing up my hands. Now is the time to wrap things up, add in new info for the next story...and I am thinking everything I write is awful.<br /><br />But, paraphrasing Nora Roberts, you can't fix a blank page. I keep writing because I know if I don't its easy never to pick it back up. The hard part is working through these tough spots and finishing the painting...:)<br /><br />And I'm a tenacious sort.M.V.Freemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11680136284255619758noreply@blogger.com