The creative process isn’t a thing that’s visible because it’s created in our own minds. So we shouldn’t expect it to be understood by anyone else.
We have secrets, us creators, but the truth of the matter is,
Category: on writing
Uncategorized Writing
I write to get it of my chest
To experience my thoughts as a mirror
To experiment thoughts I haven’t quite thought
I write so you aren’t alone
So I’m not alone
To have something to reflect on
And to prepare myself for the worst
To get myself through the worst
It’s truth
It’s fiction
It’s both
It’s a collection of so many things that can’t be categorized
It’s my art
-Saschia
In The End
I could die before I finish my book and no one else can finish it for me because at this point, I don’t even know what’s coming next. I do hope I’ll be kickin and breathin long after I finish this book and that I will continue to have more books to sell, but keeping life in perspective helps
I Want To Write Novels
…there’s just too many moments in life left to gather dust that should have been handled by writers. I plan to capture as many as I can…read more
“Time To Let Go”
“Time To Let Go” by Saschia J https://link.medium.com/NL15hzkX06
“As a writer, letting go is part of the process. Sometimes it’s a character, or a sentence, or our favorite word, but we will always be letting go of our stories. Every time I send one of my stories out into the world it’s…”
Extracting Ideas From The Inside
This is literally what a thought looks inside the brain. But when we think, this is not what we see. Today I’d like to discuss how we get our thoughts from conception into a place where we can mold them into a story.
Getting ideas from pure thought onto paper can be a complicated thing.
But there’s a trick.
The trick is….
to just start writing. And that’s it. You’re swell-come.
No, but seriously, that’s the trick, to start writing. Write the story without limits. When I start my story, I also use journals, maps, lists, brain storming, charts, Pinterest, worksheets, whatever I need to pull all the pieces together.
I think of this process in the same way Michelangelo thought of David. In the beginning, it’s a slab of rock or a mass of words and as a writer at some point, it will be my duty to carve away at my story until I set it free. The setting free of the story happens later. So right now we are building our slab of marble to have something to carve from.
While getting these thoughts on paper it’s ok to struggle. The process of getting my story onto paper is a lot of walking in the dark chaotic recesses of my mind. It sounds complex because it is a complex thing to do. So when I struggle, which I do, it’s important to accept that as part of this extraction process.
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”
― Essays of Three Decades
Trust your own thoughts and ideas and give them credit when they show up. At this point the only important thing is extracting ideas from the inside of your mind. Stay open to your own ideas and give every single one credit. You can weed through it all later. Focus on making this a positive experience so you can get it all out. All your ideas and thoughts are worthy of acceptance.
And that’s it. Start writing the story. Write everything down without limits. It’s OK to struggle, and remember all ideas and thoughts are worthy of acceptance.
Writers challenge
Start and finish a short story within an hour. I find that I’m more forced to deal with the ideas I have when I set a time restraint. While writing your story, journal or use at least one other resource to assist in welcoming all your ideas.
Accept the story as it comes.
When you’re finished, sculpt and mold it into a short story. Then you’ll have one more piece to add to your collection
I also spoke about Why understanding the Creative Process is important and What the creative process is Click the links if you want to learn more about the creative process
Links to sites that added to the creation of this post
https://backtoroots.community/clinical-corner-articles/2017/2/8/sensitisation-primary-adaptive-vs-secondary-maladaptive -for the picture
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/creative-process -for the quote
I can’t find where I learned this about Michelangelo so if someone knows please send me link.
Conceived Ideas? -The Creative Process
The truth is once a piece is finished, most ideas conceived will have no place of origin. Plus, some things are meant to be kept as an artist’s secret, and I respect that.
However, Henry James left us a list of places that ideas come from and it’d be my pleasure to share that with you.
Curiosity
Curiosity killed the cat but created a writer. I try my best not to push away the things that I’m curious about especially when it keeps returning to me. I like to dive in and find the answers I’m looking for. Then, I find new questions to explore.
Variety of attempts
If at first you don’t succeed try try again. I definitely don’t always get it right the first time and that’s ok. Art thrives on failure. I’m not going to give up on writing because I messed up a couple hundred times. I keep writing! And If I have to scrap an idea, I don’t throw it away, I always try to tuck it away in case I can incorporate it into another piece. Or even use it to inspire new ideas.
Exchange of view points
Hearing someone else’s perspective of the world is so interesting to me. It helps to see things from outside of the box that I sometimes live in. It can definitely spark ideas after a good conversation with a friend.
Experiment
Experimenting and tinkering with different styles, plots, genres, or whatever else helps me to get out of the monotony of it all. Experiments are uncomfortable, they don’t have a home, and they take a lot of time and focus which is all great because there’s something about getting out of my comfort zone that gets my creative juices flowing. You should totally try it.
Comparison of standpoints
I love to use conflict to inspire my writing. Passion fuels a lot of my poetry and the purpose for a couple novels I’m working on. Comparison of standpoint helps to conceive new ideas because it make me want to give my audience a story that helps to explain my perspective.
So there you have it. The five places ideas are conceived.
I challenge you to try a couple of these (or all) then spend time just brainstorming a bunch of ideas. Or use them create new ideas to add to a story you’re currently working on. I’ll be doing it with you.
We discussed Why Understanding the Creative Process is important and What the Creative Process is. Now, let’s get writing!
Saschia Johnson On the Creative Process, Conceived Ideas
Where Do Creations Come From?
Where do creations come from? The creative process is my favorite tidbit when it comes to finding out what goes on behind the scenes in any creative endeavor. So I’ve decided to research and share my thoughts on the creative process. For the sake of clarity…Read more @SaschiaJohnson.com
On Writing honest characters
Sometimes I’m not being true to my characters so I make them turn around and do it again as their truest selves to fix my own mistake. 🤣
-Saschia
Question for fiction writers
I’m what is called a pantser like Stephen King. I don’t outline the story ahead of time. But I do take time to stop and think or journal on where I’d like my characters to end up. Anyhow, my two characters, a woman and a man, are growing in separate places right now. The guy’s growth is far more interesting than the woman’s. In real life this normal since women mature at a younger age than men, but in writing is this ok? Should I find more balance? Should I be more deliberate about her growth? My only concern is that she will be unrealistic if I am too deliberate. Or am I over thinking and this is how characters grow in fiction.
Fiction writers, do you find this or do this intentionally. Like, give another character more spotlight? Maybe it’s her slow growth that makes him more interesting and vibrant? I’d love to hear your strategies.
