True! Genuine! The Bizarre Workings of a Writer's Brain
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 04:51PM ;)
click on image for more wierdness;)
click on the image for more strangenessIn search of insight about my "creative process" (why does this phrase always make me think of cheese?), I went through my papers and found these scraps. They are papers where I wrote down ideas as they came to mind.
You may take them as evidence of insanity - or at the least a very mixed up mind - and you may not be wrong. However, I'm a fiction writer. Disorganization, angst, confusion, and messiness are sometimes my best friends. In the creative process (ugh, that phrase again), I often jot down ideas as they come to me - and if they come in a wild rush, that's fine. In fact, that's usually the way they show up. All of a sudden my brain is teeming - and then, a few minutes later, it's blank again. Now there's a mystery. Where do ideas come from? And where do they disappear to? Hmmm, maybe that's another blog post. ;)
click on image for closer look
Anyway, I kind of like the way these look. They show the inner workings of a writer's brain. Come to think of it, I really don't want to have a "creative process" which surely has to be square, compressed and hard like a brick. I'd much rather have a creative moment - or a succession of creative moments. Moments are loose and free and alive. When I'm writing something, I have a LOT of creative moments. They start with crazy pages like these.
P.S. Two of these pages are brainstorm/doodles from when I was writing Abby Hayes; the other is from Spilling Ink.
Anne | 14 Comments | tagged creative process, fiction, ideas, writing | Share Article | Email Article
Reader Comments (14)
Yay! I'm da first one 2 comment! Wow! Messy but nice! LOLZ! Luv da cute doodles all around da page!!! A true writer is creative & artistic @ his/her own pace!!! All writers are talented!
~Aishah
Second person to comeant! Yes! Anne, I never knew your ideas would my MESSY! But who cares, I'm messy too with my ideas! LOL, thanks for showing us your brainstorm (they sure look like storms)!
Aishah, I like the way you link writing and art. I like to doodle because it sets my mind free. When I write, I try to imagine everything visually. Not all writers are like that, but I am. The important thing - as you said - is to be creative at your own pace - and to do the things that jump-start your imagination. That could be doodling or listening to music or day-dreaming or acting out an idea with your friends.
Faria, I loved what you said about brainstorms! I agree 100%! That's what a brainstorm is!
Thanks to both of you for the great comments.
Wow I Thought Authors Just Sat Down And Started Writing!
But Its Really All Just Doodles And Ideas On A Blank Piece Of Paper?
It Must Be Kind Of Weird To Have Ideas Just Come To You Like That
Well In The End You Always Have A Great Book Anne:)
Thx 4 da compliment, Ms. Mazer!
Your welcome, Ms.Mazer! I love to comment on your posts! It's like I'm free to let my mind go! On a paer you might to that too! Speaking of papers, I better start my Project!!!!!! Later XD!
Faria,
I Know I Love Making Comments On Annes Post
The Thing Is When Im Talking Im A Bad Explainer But When Im Typing My Mind Just Goes And I Could Type Forever:)
Mine are even worse than yours, Anne! And no, AbbyFan, writers don't just sit down in front of the computer and write a story immediately. It takes months, sometimes years, of planning. I've been planning to start a story for ages, but for now, I think I will just forget about it. The planning part is really hard because it gets, yes, boring. But without planning, I can't just sit in front of the computer and start typing. It's impossible.
I love this. It's so comforting to anyone who writes to see the Behind-the-Scenes crazed scribblings (if I may be so bold) and to know that others let words flow in such a free-form way first time around. I've always been too ashamed to share mine but you may have inspired me to 'fess up the shocking truth, too!
Hi Crystal! I'm always happy when I see your name pop up...:-) Check out my newest entry on 5 Best Things I Learned About Writing, While Asleep for some ideas on starting writing.
Thanks, Tristan. I've always been sort of proud of my "crazed scribblings" - love the way you put it - to me, they look like strange artwork. If I were a better artist, I'd collage them into something really intriguing. But I'm glad my post inspired you to feel less ashamed of your free-form scribbles! - Anne
Wow I Never Knew It Would Take That Long. Thanks For The New Knowledge Cyrstal!
Hi Anne ,I`m in seventh grade and I have a project to do on you ,so I went on this web site.It Is interesting to me that your parents were a writer then you continued on the chain ( by the way good idea).In creative Writing class my teacher makes us write something , quick storm about anything ,and if you don't have anything in your mind then you have to write in your notebook I don't have anything to write about over until something comes into your mind.Also in class we read about your books, and we love them ! Can I ask you one question , its that can you come to my school ? If you have time,of course,the address is ave T and east 17 street . We would be so happy if you came please comment back as fast as you could!!!!!!
Hi Olivia, Thanks for your great comment. Have you seen Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook written by Ellen Potter and me? I have a feeling you might like it. It's full of writing advice, tips, funny true stories and more. Here's our website www.spillinginkthebook.com so you can check it out.
I wish I could drop into your school and say hello. But I'm pretty sure that we're not in the same area. Your address looks like Brooklyn, which is five hours away from my home. Thanks for the lovely thought, though. Happy New Year!
-Anne
Those look like my notes!