Above my work area hangs a picture of Central Park's Strawberry Fields. I love this picture for many reasons. First, the Beatles are my all time favorite band. Second, I love New York City and getting to visit the site was on my life's to do list. Note that for this particular item it only took one trip versus seeing the Hollywood sign took multiple attempts and ultimately ended with us backing into a stranger's house. Lastly, that one simple word pretty much sums up everything that I am about.As a child I was often called imaginative. This of course was my own doing. My nose was either stuck in a book reading or in a notebook writing. We performed plays on the front porch of my grandfather's home. It was a perfect stage. My imagination was vivid and exciting and thrives on today.
This beautifully written word entices me to create just about anything. As writers, we use our life's experiences and turn them into works of art. We manipulate a simple incident and imagine it to be much more.
Imagine with me for a moment. A friend of mine who plays hockey meets this amazing young man who also plays. They date for a short while, but end up going their separate ways. Years have passed since this relationship and although in the format of time it was relatively insignificant, she will tell you otherwise. This time-trapped relationship is laying base for my current project, The Heart of Jerseys. In deciding to pursue this, I had to ask myself the question, "Imagine if they had stayed together? What would their worlds have been like?" I want to take a second and think those of you for your encouraging words to go ahead and pursue this even through my crazy busy time of the year. You were all right. I shouldn't stop the creativity from flowing.
With that one word though I could change it all up in an instant, but then choose to manipulate it the other way. I'm sure once I begin writing that the characters will turn it in the direction they choose, just like always.
I encourage all of you this week to use that word while trying to come up with your next great project. Take that small minuscule moment in your life or someone elses and imagine it to be different. Who knows what you'll come up with.
You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one.
I could just imagine those plays on your grand-father's porch. Mush have been something. I have a vivid imagination myself, it's the writer in us, I tell you! Anyhow, I can basically make up stories on any given item, word, relationship. It's something, isn't it? I'm sure 'The Heart of Jerseys' will turn out great! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteokay... don't laugh at the 'mush'... typing fast!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for the encouragement. It's much needed in anticipation of NaNo.
ReplyDeleteI love the picture! I could use some inspiration about now.....
ReplyDeleteShelley
:) Ur grandpa's porch stage sounds FABULOUS! We used to put on plays in the attic when it was cold. The floor was wood, and we'd tack sheets up to make a curtain and even a "dressing room"! It wa so fun!
ReplyDeleteJohn Lennon knew what he was talking about when he wrote that song! I used to listen to it over and over-it's beautiful AND inspirational! Us writers need that EVERY DAY!!!!!
This was a beautiful post. Reminded me a lot of my own childhood where my reality was just a fantasy but my imagination was my home. A writer's imagination is a gift because how else could we create stories about experiences that we never personally had.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love the sound of your project sounds like a very interesting tale.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts :)