organic art
You know that bump on the upper inside corner of your middle finger, the one you got as a kid from all the cursive handwriting in school? Do you still have it? Did you ever? Experts now say that the ‘writer’s bump’ or callus is almost completely disappearing, what with the rise of computers and the fact that students no longer seriously learn the Palmer method of cursive handwriting in school. Which got me to thinking-has the rise in using computers to type affected the quality and/or output of creative writing? In what way has it changed what we write and are there benefits to switching back to longhand?It seems that the switch to keyboard writing has actually changed the way we think. The act of typing accesses both sides of our brain-the creative right side and the analytic left- equally, allowing our words to come more quickly and efficiently. While this might be great for writing an essay or transferring notes, something is lost in translation when typing creative work directly onto a computer or typewriter. Now, I’m no luddite-well maybe I aspire to be one one day, but not yet-I appreciate the computer as much as anyone-obviously. I like the ease in which I can edit, the quickness with which I can copy down the thoughts flowing from my head, but I do think adopting longhand again can be a powerful tool in your writing repertoire.
Writing longhand is slower and accesses primarily the creative right side of the brain. When organically writing, thoughts come slower and we are more deeply connected with what we are writing. The words tend to come from a deeper, more emotional place in our psyche.
While writing my last novel, I naturally devised a method of switching typing with longhand writing that allowed me to write ten hours a day. I would begin the day with a cup of coffee (and a cigarette-I was still a smoker then) outside on the porch with a spiral notebook. I would take thirty minutes or so (sometimes it turned out to be two hours) and just jot down notes about my characters, descriptions of scenes, back dialogue, dreams-ideas that I wasn’t necessarily going to include in my manuscript, but that were useful for building atmosphere. Then I would go back inside, sit down at the computer and write. Whenever I got stuck and didn’t know where to go next with my writing, I would take that notebook and go back outside. Miraculously, the words seemed to flow when I was writing organically-sometimes a whole scene would suddenly spark to life on the page. After the words petered out, I would go back inside and type them out and continue on. I would sometimes alternate between the writing styles up to ten times.
So many of us never write longhand anymore (or never really did for the younger set) that it is an act of novelty that can shake you out of writer’s block. I highly recommend, as I’ve said before, taking a small notebook with you everywhere since you never know when creative inspiration is going to hit. Practice using that notebook and suddenly your subconscious becomes primed for the creative stimuli all around you. Ideas will begin to emerge from the most random places, I guarantee.
Finally, I think there is something sacred about the permanency of the written word. It’s an organic process. Seeing the words we write with our own hand connects us more deeply with the ideas and images that we are trying to convey. Many professors of mine warned against taking lecture notes on a computer. Sure it’s easier and faster and you get every word, but what you lose is the cognition that comes with longhand. The slightly slower brain process of writing by hand allows the material to be processes as you write and input into long term memory. It’s been shown that people who take notes by hand retain more information for a longer period of time.
The same, I believe, is true for creative writing by hand. A novel or even short story is a complex structure of symbols that evolves as you go. Being able to process what you are writing and remember it easily is extremely important in piecing your story together. It allows more flexibility and a deeper understanding of your work.
So go retro. Get a notebook. Buy a journal and just write. Your grandmother would be proud of you.
Writing Tips and Exercises Blog
Editing Help
Organic Art Work ’08 VJ01
|
|
Wilton Chocolate Pro Electric Melting Pot $23.17 WILTON-The Chocolate Pro Melting Pot. It’s easier than ever to melt large amounts of chocolate or confectionery coating! With the Chocolate Pro it takes only minutes! With this you will be able to mold lollipops and fancy dipped-center candies. Dip things like fruits; pretzels; cake; and so much more! Create flavored chocolate sauces for ice cream or silky ganache glaze to pour over cakes. Feature… |
|
|
Gourmet Food Writer Edible Color Markers (10 color set) by AmeriColor $15.99 Use this super ten-color set to dazzle up your cookies or cakes. Use these edible color markers just as you would an ink marker. Draw fun designs on cakes, write messages on cookies, and highlights to icing decorations. The tips are fine for detail work The Gourmet Writer Food Decorating Pens are great for a fun, fast way to add dazzle to fondant cakes, cookies, and all kinds of food. &nb… |
|
|
Finum 100 Tea Filters, Large, Brown $3.95 Unbleached natural tea filters. These large filters are perfect for brewing loose-leaf tea in a pot or cup of your choice. Simply open the filter and place your favorite tea or blend inside and enjoy! 100 filters per box…. |
|
|
Organic $9.98 … |
|
|
Nasty Jazz $99.99 NASTY JAZZ Official Release Date: April 12, 2011 Retail price $99.99 Long Glance Media presents Nasty Jazz – Chicago Skyline Fluid Stills* digital art by Doug Siefken scored with Chicago Jazz artists GMG Trio featuring Greg Spero *Fluid Stills(r) by TransLumen Technologies, LLC.1 Single Panel – Digitized Fluid Stills(r) Art based upon sequenced photographs (c) Doug SiefkenThe Nasty Jazz DVD creat… |
|
|
The Boys Are Back (with Bonus CD) $44.95 Includes bonus disc with 5 bonus tracks! The Boys Are Back…back wtih an all-new album…back to the traditional-four part harmonies on which they were founded…back to the “rootsy” recording styles of the outlaw music days on the Row…and back to their timeless ability to stay on the cutting edge. That cutting edge has partially been honored by Los Angeles-based, acclaimed pop producer Dave Co… |
|
|
3M R6211 Low-Maintenance Half-Mask Organic Vapor, P95 Respirator Assembly, Medium $25.99 PAINT SPRAY & PESTICIDE RESPIRATOR Low profile for visibility and to accommodate safety glasses Lightweight to reduce pressure on neck and nose Soft pliable facepiece for comfortable fit Easy breathability Comfortable, lightweight, easy-to-adjust Low maintenance, only cartridge and prefilter to replace Easy-to-clean between use Peggable card… |
|
|
ART-DNe – Adjustable Cycle Timer $64.99 The ART series of adjustable recycling timers control any application requiring a device to be turned on and off at precise intervals. The ART-DNe Digital Adjustable Recycling Timer, has a 5-20 minute on and 12-480 minute off intervals. 5 amp @ 120 vac…. |
|
|
Kids Line Willow Lamp Base and Shade $44.95 Kidsline LAMP BASE AND SHADE – Willow (Organic)The Willow Lamp Base & Shade uses a 60 watt bulb maximum, which is not included.The base measures 6.5″ x 6.5″, and is 11.5″ tall. The shade is 4″ wide at the top and 10″ wide at the bottom, and is 6.5″ high…. |
|
|
Moom Nourishing Hair Remover With Moom, you are not ignoring your skin while removing unwanted hair. Moom is hair removal and skin care in one!Shaving and depilatory creams are not the answer for hair removal since they only cut the hair at the surface of the skin. The hair grows back quickly and coarsely. Although waxing removes the hair from the root, it damages the skin and is extremely painful. With waxing, you need pre/p… |