Barbara, what you say about being on automatic pilot instead of really being present, makes me think of one of the yoga sutras I was reading today… it is only somewhat related but it was about listening with or without full attention and hearing the truth. Not multi-tasking but just really listening to one person, or could it be be reading or just doing one thing?

It was all about reality without conceptualization, verbal delusion one translation calls it. Well for fiction (and art work) conceptualization can be a good thing, so interesting… Under the five kinds of modifications of the mind; Sutra I.9… I know I am stretching it’s conceptual meaning here but this entry and comments sure makes me think deeper about it.

Creativity just fascinates me, we can each go so far and do so much! It really shows how individual and beautiful every one of us is…is it the exploration of the deep memories of our past and then our individual interpretation?

I wonder if I will make sense to anybody out there, with this comment, LOL! Oh well if I remember to exhale, it won’t matter all that much huh?

Thanks Barbara, love your Blog!

Helen

Reenie, exactly. Without inhaling life, there’s nothing to write.

Violetismycolor, I find that creative pursuits help me see the whole world in clearer detail. It’s like the difference between black and white and technicolor.

Susan, I think maybe the best creative work comes from that unconscious place.

Eric, yes, observation is a key. I think too many people (and I get into this mode too) go through life not really looking, not really experiencing, on automatic pilot. It seems that any creative effort helps wake us up, opens us up to the world around us. I know it makes me feel more alive.

I don’t know how anyone could write sans inhaling and exhaling. My first book was so dark and used up so much of me, me, me – I was panting at the end. I happen to love the story despite the catharsis, but maybe that’s why I love it, respect it, and thank it.

My second book is richly infused with my humor. I swear to you, I laugh myself silly – catching my breath for all the joy. xoxo

Here’s to a great new year of great creative experiences!

Then too, what we experience to begin with depends on what we observe. At any given moment there is more going on around us than we can possible take in and different people absorb different things (well, there’s your point of view) It probably helps, if you write, to be able to pick out interesting things that wouldn’t necessarily be the first thing most people would notice.

I’ve always wanted to get published — and the measure of that is getting paid. But the vast majority of my writing, for fanzines, mini-comics, text adventures, club newsletters, and blogs has not had publication for money as it’s goal in any way. But people who are solely fixated on “publication” will denigrate writing like that. I don’t know why. I also ran in road races with no expectation of even being good, but just for fun, for the experience.