Books for kids, teens, & those who are young at heart

Category: Art (Page 6 of 9)

Confessions of an Author: Creative Gap

Confession #7: The creative gap that exists between what an author imagines in her head and what ends up on the paper inevitably leads to a certain level of failure.

As a writer, I have certain images, ideas, nuances, themes, characters (and any number of other things) in my head when I create a piece of writing. It’s not that I necessarily have a set agenda–this is especially true when drafting and the story and characters are still taking shape–it’s more that I have a clear vision for a piece. I wouldn’t call it a message (because who wants to read a message-heavy piece of writing)…for a lack of a better way to describe it, let’s call it a creative vision.

Inevitably, the words I use to try and achieve my creative vision never quite live up to what I see in my imagination. This has nothing to with my ability as a writer; it’s more a failure of the medium of the written word. Writers have to rely on words to paint a physical and emotional landscape for a reader. We create not only worlds and characters, but ideas and feelings that need to come alive through words because a reader can’t see into a writer’s head.

Even now, trying to explain this creative gap is a frustratingly futile attempt. The words you read here are not exactly what is going on in my head. There is a creative gap between my brain and what you’re reading.

English users even try to steal words from other languages to help overcome the creative gap. A word like “umami”, taken from the Japanese, is roughly a pleasant savory taste (tomatoes are said to possess this quality), but really it’s a taste or sensation that can’t really be expressed in our language.

Then there are words that are so complex and subject to a person’s individual experiences and emotions. Success. Peace. Love. A writer can use these words, but has no control over how a reader will interpret it. Words are simply an inadequate form of communication sometimes.

And this creative gap isn’t unique to writers; it crosses all types of creative media. Films, though more visual, lack in different areas than books. When watching a film, a viewer can’t be in a character’s head and hear his/her direct thoughts (except for the occasional voice over). Artists can paint or draw what they see in their head, but there is no commentary to go with it. A person looking at a painting has to draw his/her own emotional context out of it.

So what’s a writer or creative person to do? Give up because our creative vision will never be fulfilled. Create a failure and despair over it. Nope! We accept that the creative gap exists and use all the tools we possess to convey our creative vision to the best of our ability.

Because something magical happens when our (inadequate) words are read. The creative gap works in reverse. Readers brings their own creative visions to the writer’s words. And they fill the gap, not as the writer would have filled it, but with their own imaginations.

In the end, the creative gap does not create a failure, but a piece of work that is unique to each individual who consumes it. A work that is full of images, ideas, nuances, themes, characters (and any number of things) the creator never could have imagined. And that is certainly a wonderful exchange.

Exploring the World of Elixir Bound

Blog Tour Banner-page0001

In case you missed it yesterday, I was featured on the Where Writers and Author Meet blog. Here’s your opportunity to ask me ANYTHING! Post your question in the comments and my answers will be posted next Monday.

The fun continues with the Elixir Bound in paperback blog tour (full schedule here)! Today I have a very special reveal *drum roll* … the official map of the world of Elixir Bound! This map includes not only Faway Forest, with the Three River Split and The Sleeping Giant mountain range, but also a look at the entire Great Peninsula.

Places like the cities of Skimere and Lughorn, Blanchardwood, and Drim will play very important roles in the next Elixir book, Elixir Saved. Check back in all month long for more cool reveals, including a sneak peek of Elixir Saved at the end of the month.

Enough blathering! Let’s get to the map! 🙂

Elixir Bound Map

“The Bedtime Knight” Is Born

Today marked the day my picture book The Bedtime Knight, illustrated by Erika Baird, originally released with a company called MeeGenuis. While it’s no longer available there, you can now buy the ebook or signed copies of the paperback on the Purchase Books page

You also find it at BookshopAmazonBarnes & NobleKobo, or Book Depository (for international folks). Listen to the audiobook on ChirpBarnes & Noble, Kobo, Audible, Libro.fm, Scribd, Audiobooks.com, and Google Play.

When the lights turn off at bedtime, a young mouse’s imagination runs wild. Daddy Knight charges in to the rescue and sheds light on what the shadows really are. Then he empowers his daughter to turn the scary shadows into fun imaginings.

THE BEDTIME KNIGHT is a gentle way to face the childhood fear of the dark. Perfect for a bedtime story or as a read-aloud any time of day.

Celebrating Elixir Bound’s Release Day

Did you even wonder how an author celebrates the big release day of her debut novel? You might think it’s all caviar and champagne, but it’s generally more subdued than that.

Here’s a picture essay of how I celebrated the release of Elixir Bound.

The celebration began early when Elixir Bound showed up on Amazon a few days before the official release day.

On release day, I had to work at my office job in the morning, but then I got to hang out with The Boy for a little while before it was naptime. Time with The Boy is always my favorite time of the day.

The hubby presented me with flowers when he arrived home after work. The Boy had turned one a few days before and really liked when we said in a high-pitched voice “Happy Birthday!” So all day the hubby kept saying “Happy Book Release Day!” in a funny voice, much to the amusement of The Boy.

My 13-year-old nephew and my twin-not-twin sister threw me a surprise party, complete with a framed copy of Elixir Bound’s cover. I was tickled pink that my nephew was so excited for me!

And there was a festive ice cream cake!

Proud mama with her book baby!

I also had a special post about how I became a writer on fellow Muse author Meradeth Houston’s blog. Thanks to everyone who has shared in my journey of becoming a published novelist. I appreciate all the well wishes and support. And keep buying those books!

Fruit of the Earth

This time of year in New England the heat and drought of summer has not yet set in and the earth bursts with the tastes, smells, and colors of the season.

This is what happened when I set out a bunch fresh strawberries to dry after washing and hulling them in preparation for freezing. I call it “Deconstructed Strawberry Patch.”

In the last month I have plucked sun-warmed strawberries straight from the fields; harvested sweet peas from my own backyard; and washed, prepped, cooked, and savored a myriad of fresh fruits and veggies from my local CSA (community supported agriculture…basically a farm share).

 The sweet aroma of the honeysuckle permeates the air. The cerulean hydrangea blooms match the sky. The butterfly bush has grown to epic size and is abuzz with bees and butterflies. While on a walk with the hubby and The Boy last night, we spotted a bunny with a cotton-ball tail hop by.

The days of summer may be lazy for some, but I find them to be the most fruitful of the year. What are you looking forward to this season?

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