Saturday, August 25, 2007

on beauty in two different ways

I am working on three projects right now! That's right - THREE! I am on page 90 in my book, I am working on our website and I got two amazing idea flashes in the last week or so. One of them I am going to shelve for a little while (after letting the Universe know that I accept it of course!) and one left me tingling so much that I think I might get started on it.

I have a real issue with all of this inspiration. I have a lot of trouble visualizing. I can sense my projects but I can't see them. My book has been easy because I am just writing it. It will be a novel-of-sorts. (It's sort of a grown up woman's fairy tale.) But the other two require some artwork or photographs or SOMETHING and I just can't do it. I have a whole non-fiction 'self-help/ inspirational' book written - WRITTEN - and it's just sitting on my computer waiting for me to go back and revise and edit and visually make it the thing I want it to be. But I can't do that bit. I can't get the beauty out of my head and onto the page. And I don't feel like I can send it to a publisher without the beauty. I know that they would get an amazing illustrator/ artist to do the images but I don't want my words to be rejected because I can't illustrate what they mean to someone. The beauty is instrumental.

So I continue to sit down and write the books and the pieces and then I leave them in files where no one reads them. My latest idea could be incredible. It involves a book and a website and helping people to create concrete evidence of who they are and how they got there. It could be a cool workshop as well... sigh. I have some artistic ability, but the link between brain and output just isn't there. I can't SEE what I want it to be, I can only SENSE what it already is. Does that make any sense at all??


(I meant this post to be about something entirely different today but the post took on a life of its own. Michelle put a link to a site on her blog and I went there. Please read Michelle's instructions and her fabulous post about it and then go to this website. It's absolutely incredible. You will be amazed.)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow - so much energy and inspiration and effort. I'm impressed. Is it wrong to say that I kind of think that it might be okay if you are the words/ideas/vision person and you find a collaborator who is the visual/design/look person? If you know how you want it to look, then maybe it is time to find someone who can hear your vision and help you translate it.

I better email you I think - find out where you are and WHY I can't get to see you next week. x

Kirsten Michelle said...

it sounds like you're bursting at the seams with creativity, my love!!!
i'm so excited for all your amazing ideas!!!
i know for a fact that you have friends with extraordinary talent in art and photography. perhaps, you would feel more comfortable asking one of them to help with adding the beauty you are seeking to your book?
i can't offer up my talents in either art or photography, but i am a really good listener and would be more than happy to act as a sounding board or help to brainstorm ideas if that would help. i'm can cheerlead, too ;-) and i'm really good with small details.
you know where to find me if there is anything, ANYTHING at all i can do to help!!!
keep creating, girl!!!
love,
k
xo

Anna said...

Well, I can't *quite* claim to understand the thing about seeing vs. sensing... but I'm very intrigued! It sounds like you have some amazing ideas that would add more light and sparkle to the world~ and I know that there are people who would love to help you to make those ideas real. I'm going to boldly give you the same advice that I, myself, need to follow: Ask for the help that you need! :)

Julie said...

I'm with Kirsten Michelle. I know that you have people in your life who possess the very skills you're looking for and somehow, SOMEHOW, you could relate to them what your vision holds.

Me, I'm on a thinking hiatus at present, so I'm in awe of all your ideas.

I hope your wedding plans are coming along nicely. :)

Jessie said...

oy, grrl! i hear you because i seem to have taken on 3 major projects as well. are we crazy? well, maybe, maybe not...but i do believe that wonderful things are just beginning to happen--for both of us in our own ways. :)

as for you lack of images...just a tip, but i've heard that publishers often prefer finding their OWN illustrators. perhaps you could use words to describe the images that have not yet been created to get your idea across to the publishers? just a thought.

in the meantime i am sending you well wishes and lots of love. i've been thinking about you often and have been wanting to send you a letter. soon! i promise. ;)

Unknown said...

I am so glad that creativity is flowing within you. You are inspiring!
And THANKS for the link...those airbrushed images are crazy...We all need to be vigilant about bringing attention to how wrong this is!

daisies said...

you sound so energized and full of creativity ~ its all going to work out just wonderfully :) xox

Giftbasketworldwide said...

Such a wonderful post. Thank you so much!!