Welcome
readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
We're
glad you're here! It's the first Wednesday of the month when we celebrate IWSG Day in the form of a
blog hop featuring members and guests of the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh (Thank you,
Captain!) and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a comfortable place
to share views and literary news as we record our journeys. Check out the November newsletter here.
The awesome
co-hosts for this month’s posting of the IWSG are: Diedre Knight, Lisa Buie Collard , Kim Lajevardi, and JQ Rose!
Today’s entirely optional question: What creative activity do you engage in when you’re not writing?
If I’m not
writing, I’m thinking about writing. I read a lot, too. And sometimes reading
takes me places that I just have to write about. I like to think I’m perfecting
the art of Literary Excavation for no
Particular Reason. Some folks call that rabbiting. Or, fishing without a
pole…Others refer to what I end up writing as Case Studies, unsolicited as they
may be ;-) I like to think that research, for whatever reason, is a creative
activity. Do you agree? No worries if you don’t. I’m still going to do it anyway
;-) I do it not just for my own edification or enhancement. I do it because it’s
fun – and challenging. For example, here are a couple of poetry exercises I
hope to try by the end of this week (I’ll share later, if I do):
Concrete Poetry: A poem written in
a shape representing what it’s about, such as a poem about rain written to form
the shape of a raindrop with words.
Or,
Erasure Poetry: A poem built from the words
left in an existing document, such as a newspaper article or a page of a novel,
after the poet has blacked out parts of it.
(A friend of mine calls this a Kidnapping Note – ha!)
So, what
creative activity do you get into when you’re not writing? I know we have a few
musicians. Are there any budding Picassos out there?
Can’t wait
to read what you’re up to J
Happy Writing!
Hi Diedre - poetry doesn't flow from here ... but I like your examples - and I enjoy reading it. Creatively ... like you I go down rabbit holes to learn ... thanks for being here today - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary! It's my pleasure to be here today ;-) Poetry doesn't always flow on demand, but it does seem to tarry on the fringes of my thoughts like whispers rallying a shout.
DeleteEnjoy the season!
Research can be a fun activity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Howdy, Captain!
DeleteI must say I enjoy it - nearly to a fault - ha! But I am convinced it's worth it by how often I'm inspired.
You're welcome, Alex. It's my pleasure to co-host for us today ;-)
I love when I go down the rabbit hole of research. Whether creative or not, learning is always fun and certainly an lead to more creativity. Thank you for cohosting IWSG this month!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, Liza. And after a good bout of losing yourself in research you (me) come away feeling so enriched!
DeleteYou're welcome, my dear. I'm happy to co-host today ;-)
I'm intrigued by technology. Similar to research, I end up down a rabbit hole trying to follow directions and use the features.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered ProWritingAid runs reports and offers suggestions right on my WordPress blog.
Very Interesting poem exercises. Thanks for co-hosting today.
Hi Lynn!
DeleteHa! And I'm all too often stymied by technology ;-) But I muddle through because it's (usually) such an efficient tool for writing - and research.
I'm totally not a poet. And yes, I agree that researching is creative. So is reading. Thanks for being a co-host this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to be here, Natalie! Thank you for coming by ;-)
DeleteThe poem exercises are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can come up with something just as brilliant ;-)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI agree. I too see research as a creative activity.
Thanks for co-hosting.
Shalom shalom
Good to see you, Pat! I'm happy to be here. Thank you for your thoughts!
DeleteThat’s an interesting take on the question. I think probably research *can* be a form of creativity, especially when looking for writing inspiration, but these days too much’research’is simply make-believe. Good luck with your poetry and thanks for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteHi Jemima!
DeleteYes, you do want to watch out for fiction disguised as fact.
I'm happy to be here, and glad you are too!
I loved reading George Herbert's concrete poetry. What a great creative outlet you have! https://substack.com/home/post/p-150486288
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! I do enjoy it.
DeleteI'm intrigued with what you've got going on at your place - be there soon ;-)
Thanks for coming by my new home at Substack.
DeleteThinking about writing is a good way to keep the brain engaged. Often, though, I find myself staring off into space if I get to thinking too much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting.
Ha! That does happen sometimes, Loni. I once took a book to read, a journal to write in, and a pen to the beach - only to sit there staring at the waves for hours ;-)
DeleteI enjoy doing research as well and yes, it's creative! Those rabbit holes are always fascinating, as are those two forms of poetry you mentioned. Looking forward to your follow-up. ☺ Photography and graphic arts are two of my favourite creative pursuits. Writing is more of a love/hate relationship. (Like the Dorothy Parker quote: "I hate writing but love having written".)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie! They are the best kind of holes to step in if you ask me ;-) Not that you need that with your impressive talents at photography and graphic arts:-)
DeleteP.S. Great quote by Parker!
DeleteThat is so true about thinking about writing even when you're not doing it. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteI’m the same. If I’m not writing, I’m either thinking of writing or doing a lot of reading.
If you’re interested in erasure poetry, I’ve shared a couple of how-to erasure posts on my blogs. And maybe swap erasure poems.
I LOVE research and yes, I think it qualifies!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! And thanks for coming by.
DeleteThanks for co-hosting and sharing your poetry. In the past couple of weeks, health issues have commandeered my time and energy. When I get past these - and the election - I'll be creative again.
ReplyDeletethe comment above is from me - sorry, discombobulated this morning
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear PJ, for coming by when you don't feel the best. I hope that gets better - soon! Take Care.
DeleteYes, I agree that research is a creative activity! Maybe I don't see the connection right away, but sometimes I wake up dreaming about that new info and it slides right into my current wip! And thank you for those two poetry prompts. Actually, I'm doing NaNoWriMo this month, but poetry is another way to play with words. May the coming month be good to you!
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes for you with NaNoWriMo this year!
DeleteWhile I haven't been writing, I've been reading a ton lately. I walk, bake, cook, crochet, and of course, lots of TV. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Cathrina ;-) I am happy to be here. I announced I might bake something for Thanksgiving this year. I think my family members are worried...
DeleteWhat an interesting post. I've never heard of 'rabbiting' or 'fishing without a pole'. Love those terms. I'm not generally inspired by my surroundings but I am the rare exception so you have a lot of company in those creative endeavors.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jacqui!
DeletePoetry has always been a challenge for me. I admire your innovative approach to poetry.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard of concrete poetry but not erasure poetry. It sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI plan to try both, but I think I might find erasure easier ;-)
DeleteI honestly feel like all my creativity goes into writing. I might write a different thing, try a new form or something, but it's all just writing. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I love the idea of the poetry challenges and am definitely going to try them out myself. Thanks for pointing the way there.
ReplyDeleteYes, reading is definitely research and a creative activity.
Thanks for being a co host for the IWSG this month.
Thanks, Kalpana. I think I'll enjoy these exercises too.
DeleteYou're welcome, I'm happy to co-host for IWSG!
Experimenting poetry is interesting and fun! I too search for different poetry-types online. I think I'll try Erasure Poetry. I'll come back to see if you've tried it!
ReplyDeleteI'll look forward to sharing notes with you, Anastasia ;-)
DeleteI wish I had more time to go down research rabbit holes. I used to, and it was fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's always fascinating.
DeleteResearching can really suck you in, but it is so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it can - and is ;-)
DeleteNever could be a poet. I like my sentences and paragraphs - but I do have an admiration for those who work to master it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the challenge, though it can be elusive if my heart's not in it.
DeleteI've never thought of research as a creative activity. I've always thought of it as something which takes away time from my creative activity (writing). Thank you for helping me re-frame my mindset about this! And for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI love those poetry exercises! I will have to try them! I like the idea of research being creative, I never quite thought of it that way though!
ReplyDeleteMy creative passions other than writing are figure skating and cooking/baking! Thanks for hosting!
I enjoy poetry and often resort to reading, writing and even listening to poems for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHi, Diedre! I'm still visiting around. I like to do research too, not just about what I am writing or taking photos of. I refer to it as indulging in curiosity and lifelong learning. Definitely, it is a creative activity. You never know what may spark your imagination or come in useful later on. Thanks for co-hosting on Wednesday. I hope you are enjoying a relaxing weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting take on the shape of a poem, Diedre. I write poetry, too. Have you tried The List Poem? This is a list of objects, feelings, or places. I tried this when I facilitated writing workshops at assisted living places. It was easier for residents. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDelete