Noticing Newbies
This week: Steal Like An Artist Edited by: Tornado Dodger More Newsletters By This Editor
1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
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Google everything. I mean everything. Google your dreams. Google your problems. Don't ask a question before you Google it. You'll either find the answer or you'll come up with a better question. ~ Austin Kleon
I bought a great book last night. You can scroll down and see it in the link below this editorial. It said, in no uncertain terms, that the term 'original idea' is basically unoriginal.
Your favorite writer, comedian, artist, movie star, or whatever person you're stalking interested in is a mixture of their favorite things and people. Has anyone ever told you that you write like Stephen King? Does that mean you're a thief and you've stolen his phrases, voice, or writing? No. It means your voice is similar to his and because of your interest, your voice is developing in his likeness - and probably the likeness of a handful (or more) others, usually lesser known, that you enjoy as well.
Nobody is born with a style or voice. We don't come out of the womb knowing who we are. In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be our heroes. We learn by copying.
We're talking about practicing here, not plagiarism. Copying is about reverse-engineering. It's like a mechanic taking apart a car to see how it works.
Write what you know LIKE.
You are a combination of your environment, your parents, your interests, and your friends. All of those experiences combine to create a unique perspective that makes the way you think, write, draw, ... create ... unique. It's your voice, your own personal style. Surround yourself with decent, interesting, talented people and develop your passions, ALL of them. If you have an interest in music, explore it. If you have an interest in writing, explore it. If you have an interest in art, explore that. Don't give up on any of them until they don't interest you anymore.
As a writer, we all have had that moment where we stare at the blank screen waiting for that magical moment when inspiration hits.
Then it doesn't.
Remember the phrase "Garbage in garbage out"? Why, you ask? If you have to, you're not listening. You are a sum of the parts around you. If you are sitting in the same spot watching the world go by, you will become your surroundings. Get up. Get out. Surround yourself with talented people and things that interest you. Fill your mind with what interests you and never stop learning. Your work will thank you.
Visit this TEDx Talk with Austin Kleon and see what I'm talking about. He can explain it much better than I can.
And I'll leave you with a great quote from Austin:
If I'd waited to know who I was or what I was about before I started "being creative", well, I'd still be sitting around trying to figure myself out instead of making things. In my experience, it's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.
You're ready. Start making stuff.
Write and Review on! ~ Brooke
You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself.
That’s the message from Austin Kleon, a young writer and artist who knows that creativity is everywhere, creativity is for everyone.
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[Related Links]
This month's links are to some groups around the community.
"Poetry Forms" by Bianca
Poetry Forms Easily Explained - a work of Bianca with additions by kansaspoet
"One Night in Margaritaville" by Katya the Poet
Small town bad poetry event on Friday nights.
"Poetic Insanity" by deemac
Complete the previous line and enter part of a new line of poetry...
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
Round 3 is OPEN! Submit your favourite poem—the one you are most proud of and feel is your best.
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This month I'm highlighting poetry because I find it often reflects a personal (sometimes raw) version of some of our newest authors. If you find something you enjoy, please send the author a review and share your thoughts.
Excerpt:
I'm in the background,
the silent witness.
I'm the one
that everyone sees
but no one remembers.
~ ~
Excerpt:
A seed of doubt has been planted inside your heart.
It grows and blows; well-nigh to full bloom.
The grinning gardener laughs as we are falling apart.
He is laughing at us from his wet tomb.
~ ~
Excerpt:
Trees whisper about fear
Shadows were meant to hide
Bringing them to light
Where they dance in reflection
~ ~
Excerpt:
Walking down this road alone,
Frightened and on my own.
No where to go, I got no place
Times will be hard in the coming days
You and I seemed like a team,
Now it is a distant dream.
Now that you are gone
I'm frightened and on my own
~ ~
Excerpt:
They tell us to stand out
They don't understand
We can't take our own route
We're too afraid to stand out
Society will judge us
If we're not what they want
We must impress
All those who flaunt
~ ~
Excerpt:
A shadow that is not native of this world.
A shadow whose features are not unlike of my own.
This shadow seeks to sway me, saying that “I should rage against the dying of the light”.
I grew fearful of the shadow, and thus I ignored his heed, for I will not submit to the shadow willingly.
~ ~
Excerpt:
From the moment I first met you,
peering into the windows of your soul,
I knew that you were special
because you made me feel whole.
I was hit with a sudden sensation
of floating up above.
I was filled with warm feelings
like passion and strong love.
~ ~
Excerpt:
trees
creep arcoss
the bloody stream
the warm steam rising
rising until death strikes us
gripping us by the barren soul
~ ~
Excerpt:
Very cold crisp morning
The frozen dew on the leaves
The sun peering over the treetops
Orange and pink so beautiful
Looking into the gray watching searching
For movement
~ ~
Excerpt:
His loneliness tasted like pennies.
A mixture of nickel and copper
Shoved down his throat.
Painful to swallow, impossible to chew,
Choking him like the tears
~ ~
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I don't have any feedback to share with you so I'll share a question (sorta) in the form of a quote from Austin Kleon. Think about it and if you feel like it, share your thoughts with me.
If all your favorite makers got together and collaborated, what they make with you heading the crew?
Go make that stuff.
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