The Place For My Writers Notes

Original posting 20 Dec. 2009

This is just a little plaything. The other day on one of the lists I read someone was commenting about how people who haven't read older fiction sometimes don't recognize that what they think is a new piece is actually just a rehash of something older. I was turning this over in my head and said, "That's the literary equivalent of those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." Then I started playing with how to phrase that.

Those who do not read historical fiction are doomed to regurgitations of it?
Those who do not read historical fiction are condemned to read repetitious recapitulations of it?
Those who do not read classic fiction are doomed to experience reenactments of it?

Repetitions, recitations, resurrections?

I'm not sure what's the best way to phrase it. But I thought you might want to play along?

original posting 13 June 2009

Writers' Digest, August 2006, pages 30, 32 and 33, have an article by Joe Ortiz with some discussion of creativity followed by six -- a half-dozen! -- exercises. The title of the article is, "Supercharge Your Creativity."

From painting: Monet and the Stick

Claude Monet attached a brush to a long stick to avoid using comfortable, well-rehearsed methods. By breaking up his habits, and deliberately trying out new mechanics, he let himself play, experiencing impulse and expression.

Your task: "This game combines Monet's device with a Zen practice called 'walking meditation.' Take a passage you're having trouble with from your current project. Grab your notebook and a pen and take a walk. Let your mind bounce between your passage and the scenery around you. When a thought strikes, stop wherever you are and write one sentence. Then walk around again and repeat the process, allowing your mind to run free. When something pops into your head, stop again and write the next sentence. Continue walking and writing until the paragraph is completed. Take just five minutes."

Don't just sit there, get up and write!

Dancing in the light...