Writing and Waiting

Recently, I’ve been writing on my collection of short stories, so I’ve not been posting as much on this site. My apologies. However, that is not the only reason. I’ve often wondered what makes one a writer, and the writing life that is involved. Such as, consistency, place, and inspiration. I know that waiting for inspiration is not the way to write, that consistent pursuit each day toward a goal is how a writer meets creativity . . . but, oh how I wait (too often) for the inspiration, or clarification of my ideas instead of just writing them down. So, my apologies. Kindly, Lane

Thoughts (& fiction page deleted)

First, I am working on my novel (receiving good feedback), and revising two short stories for upcoming deadlines. I’m really hitting my stride and it feels great. Apparently, 2010 is a good year for me on the creative front and that feels nice after a long, very long, period of downtime –although i view that time as needed for development of new ideas of future works, and move in new direction on old works. Read more

all authors are not vain and ego driven . . .

I recently attended Anastasia Hobbet’s reading of her novel, “Small Kingdoms.” I will be reviewing it on here once I work my way through it thoroughly.

After her reading, Anastasia and I discussed our methods of creativity and I told her about my novel I was writing, the premise of novel. Now, I get a lot of fake and feigned excitement over my creative ideas, but I do believe her excitement and interest in my story of love between an amoeba/bacterium and a scientist was authentic. I told her once I picked up a copy of her book, that I would write a review.

So, She was kind enough, once she returned to California, to send me a copy, with a a personal note to me as a writer. This kind gesture reminds me how important it is to meet and network with more writers. I will not say that I’m necessarily intimidated by published authors, but I certainly normally do not approach them. I had the chance to me Jonathan Safran Foer, and I was not interested in meeting him, nor wading through the crowds of people who are awestruck at his prestige as an author. Also, I think his novels, while innovative in narrative constructs, are pretty pieces of shit.

However, I’ve read about a chapter of Hobbet’s novel, and I am impressed with her lyrical narrative style and clear imagery. I will not say more until I finish the book and review it. No this is not a marketing message; yet, I do encourage my readers to run out and buy this book. One, because it’s a great read and I’m caught, and two, this author holds a belief that was important once, mentorship between the experience and inexperienced in the arts, and how meaningful encouragement can be from those who have traveled the road before you.

 

Kindly,

Lane

 

Economics and Art: What?

I was having a talk with a friend last night and she was telling me about arts and economics (she being quite the brilliant artist and fascinating intellectual, herself). She was enlightening me on The Bloomsbury group and their manipulation of economy. Sure, I could see this, as artist we our focus should be the manipulation of any system to make a point.  But, (as I understand her point) the Group actually manipulated the use of material resources through such endeavors. I thought this was interesting and had never considered art and economy this way before; and more importantly, the empowerment of having the ability to pull it off.

Obviously, people know where my thoughts on my personal aesthetic and philosophy on writing.  Perhaps I am naÔve with such matters. Iíve always thought of the separation of art and more worldly matters, such as economics; not to say I believe artist donít consider such, as many artist do with politics. Granted, I probably paid much more attention to the Bloomsbury as artist liberating the populace from Victorian social norms in regards to sexuality, gender, and political thought. So, why not economics, too! As my friend pointed out, John Maynard Keynes was a member, and was considered an influential economist of the time. Iím sure this is not news to some of you who read this blog, but I really never considered this as a point.

Of course, I believe all art exploits upon the emotional, spiritual and intellectual norms of society, so why not so with economy? Perhaps, because I manipulate ideas through written, and do not actually manipulate concrete mediums, I never considered the process of manipulating actual raw materials and systems of wealth material.

In the end, she and I did not discuss the total end result of this experiment carried out by The Bloomsbury group and I certainly do not know much more. But I found it interesting and hope you might, also.

Then again, I might be totally off base with this thinking, but itís just personal thoughts, anyway.

 

Kindly,

 

Lane