Creativity

Discussion in 'General Writing' started by HellOnEarth, Apr 17, 2007.

  1. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    Are you saying you have an actual learning disability?
     
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  2. Malisky

    Malisky Malkatorean Contributor

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    Very interesting article. Thanks for the link. :) I began to notice a difference in my thought patterns, when I got more accustomed in speaking English. When I am alone and in no need to communicate my thoughts, I do not think in words. I'm still not sure about which of my senses are used to form my thoughts. Maybe, they switch depending on the categorization of my thoughts. Sometimes they may be images or colors, others sounds or notes, while others a blend of all of them. When I'm thinking about my stories it's very clear that it's a mix. Only when I start writing, I begin thinking with words, but that comes with a great deal of concentration, meaning it's not a natural flow of thought. (That is why I struggle so much when I write). When I'm with company and I have to communicate my thoughts, body language and habitual sentences kick in as well, so the flow of thinking in words comes more naturally. But still, I think that the primal form of thoughts are something like a sixth sense that is difficult to monitor because of their speed and complex subconscious nature.

    An interesting book I read about linguistics that is dealing with such matters is Umberto Eco's "Semiotics and the Philosophy of Language". Not exactly about the pattern of thoughts, but for example it may refer to meanings and changes in language (and specific words) and how a culture (and sometimes common knowledge) is influenced by that. I believe that a language is constructed under the basis of a philosophy and that's why it influences us in a deep "psychological" (I'm not sure if that word covers what I want to say. Maybe "mental"?) level.
     
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  3. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    I haven't read any of Umberto Eco's other works, particularly his non fiction, but The Name of the Rose stands as one of my 10 most favorite novels of all time.
    Indeed both the book and the movie based on the novel have inspired some of the story I'm working on (but will have to write in collaboration), specifically how he deals with corruption and redemption in The Name of the Rose. What he does with two curious Monks, I wish to do with a convent of wayward Nuns. Though honestly, my nuns are a bit nastier than William and Adso.;)
    I don't want to bludgeon religion, just show it within the confines of a godless universe; that even without the engine of a real God driving it, it can, and sometimes is the worst/best we can be.
     
  4. Malisky

    Malisky Malkatorean Contributor

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    I've seen that film too. Funny thing is that before I saw the film, I wanted to read the book, which I had, but it was written in Greek with tiny letters and the old poly-tonic system, so I couldn't... I just couldn't. Got to read it sometime though. I like Umberto Eco as a writer.

    :superagree:
     
  5. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    If you decide to read the book you may want to search out the Folio Society edition (which is the edition I read).
    Aside from being a beautiful production of the book, the translation to English is about as good as it's going to get. It's not an easy read, especially the first quarter of it.
    It's sort of like a caged animal in that regard. You first poke it with a stick, pull its tail... than throw caution to the wind and climb into the cage with it.:)
     
  6. Malisky

    Malisky Malkatorean Contributor

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    That's exactly how I like it. Hard, and as good as it can get. :p
    Now, I'm even more intrigued.
     
  7. writingone

    writingone New Member

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    Yes. I didn't understand grammar but now I do. I can write short posts but with long post's I loose creativity. I am thinking I should give up writing. I have dementia it's better I unsubscribe. Thank you for your understanding. writing one
     
  8. TheWriteWitch

    TheWriteWitch Active Member

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    Please don't give up! Writing is a wonderful way to note your thoughts, form patterns, and draw out memories. Writing forces us to slow down and consider what we are trying to say and I think it is a great exercise for everyone.

    There is strength to be found in going back over what you have written and trying to find the core of what you wanted to communicate. Read your sentences out loud before you worry about grammar. Think about who might read your words and what thoughts your sentences will bring to that reader's mind. Then group sentences on similar topics together into paragraphs. Think of a new paragraph as a change of topic or a new perspective on what went before.

    And there is beauty in short posts! This forum has great places for flash fiction and even six word stories.
     
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  9. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    I can deliver on the hard, but the good as it can get got up and went a decade ago.o_O
     
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  10. Shadowfax

    Shadowfax Contributor Contributor

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    NO!

    There is evidence linking mental activity to lower incidence of dementia, so keep writing, keep thinking of things to write, keep learning!

    You know the old song, One finger, one thumb keep moving, you'll live 'til you're 99?
     
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  11. writingone

    writingone New Member

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    I heard that as well. Thank you. writing one
     
  12. EdFromNY

    EdFromNY Hope to improve with age Supporter Contributor

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    Absolutely. Keep doing what you're doing and understand you are doing it for yourself.
     
  13. writingone

    writingone New Member

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    I love to write and see my words written. But I hear so many writers write about how to draw each reader into the writer's thoughts. Most of it comes from experience. That thought draws my attention as well. But I as a writer cannot read the readers mind. Ever writer and reader has there on opinions. I write from my experiences in my life. In writing, I am trying to communicate with others so I can understand better how to draw the readers attention.

    I have been drawn watching a movie at home or in a theater, and have asked myself if I could write like that, then I could say I am a writer. To communicate with another people it takes knowledge, like drawing a reader to their writing and where they could not stop reading. I am nowhere that closer to being a writer are a general writer than when I attempted to be one. I sense I am just rattling and thinking I can write.

    In my extreme state of, thinking I can write, I believe I cannot and it's just my alter ego pushing me on what purpose, I do not know. The word to impress others comes to mind, and the question, is why? Why do I try to impress others when I rattle (as I am doing now), the word psychology plus my ego come to mind. I am now rattling trying to prove a point that is unattainable for me? I call this piece rattling outside of knowing what I am talking about here. critique this, please. write one
     
  14. TheWriteWitch

    TheWriteWitch Active Member

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    I love your use of the word rattle. "Why do I try to impress others when I rattle (as I am doing now)" has a very poetic quality to it.

    I think you should write to entertain yourself. Don't worry about readers, other writers, or the rules. Some days I'm lucky enough just to get to enjoy the act of writing and I have to remind myself how great that is.

    "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison
     
  15. Cave Troll

    Cave Troll It's Coffee O'clock everywhere. Contributor

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    "1...1...1...sure this thing works? I think chat is down, better call tech support on that one.":superlaugh:

    As long you give it your best shot, and write what makes you happy.
    It is not easy to tell a good yarn. The more you enjoy the content you
    are writing the better the story will be. I am sure you will find your
    audience in time. :supersmile:
     
  16. Millamber

    Millamber Senior Member

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    Hi All,

    I'm just wondering, has anyone here done any short creative writing courses in the past, and if so, did you find them useful?

    I'm only really starting out in novel writing and really enjoying it, so I signed up for a short course that looks at plot development, character development, etc... I'm just wondering whether people have found them useful in the past, even if just for help on structure and development?
     
  17. Infel

    Infel Contributor Contributor

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    Hey there! Welcome to the forums.

    I took two creative writing courses in college as electives, and I have to say they were fantastic experiences. The first one, a novice course, really boosted my confidence in my own writing, and the second, which was focused on critique, helped me become comfortable with receiving criticism--something everyone here will tell you is essential (within reason) to get used to! The assignments were, since it was a class, a great way to force me to write. I found a way to apply every prompt to the things I wanted to write anyway. It also gives you a chance to be around other writers in person, which is hugely beneficial just to spur that creative thought process.

    So if you're thinking of taking a class, I'd say go for it. I look back fondly on mine!
     
  18. Millamber

    Millamber Senior Member

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    Hey Infel,
    Thanks for the reply :) I have enrolled on a 10 week course that starts on Tuesday, so I was just wondering what I could expect from it really. I'm glad you found it useful, hopefully mine will be the same, even if i only get out of it things to help with character and plot development!

    Starting to look forward to it now!
     
  19. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

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    Welcome to the site!
    Absolutely :) My favorite so far has been the Great Course "Writing Great Fiction." Even taking it the first time was worth every penny, but I've taken it twice because once you pay for a Great Course, it's yours. And who knows, if I ever find myself in a rut again, maybe I'll even take it a third time.
     
  20. Millamber

    Millamber Senior Member

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    A course you paid for was so good you've done it twice? Wow, that definitely sounds good and maybe something worth looking in to once I've got through this 10 week course starting Tuesday!
     
  21. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    I did a year of post-grad scriptwriting. In retrospect, it didn't do much for me. But I'm one of those people who read voraciously in any field I pursue, so I was mainly looking for connections and most didn't really panned out. The few that did, I wasn't ready for ATT.
     
  22. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

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    I actually started out as a fanfic writer, so my favorite homework was the assignment where you re-write a famous scene with a different setting

    My first was the Dark Knight bank robbery as a Swords/Sorcery
    My second was the Dr. Watson coming back to London from fighting zombies in Afghanistan​

    But all 24 lectures were good (12 weeks if you give yourself a Tuesday/Thursday schedule the way I did, 8 weeks if you give yourself a Monday/Wednesday/Friday accelerated schedule), and after forcing myself to spend 12 weeks writing homework assignments about a wide variety of prompts (one of which accidentally turned into something publishable :D ) before getting back to my own work, that momentum allowed me to obliterate my previous writing records

    I averaged 1,970 words/month over the course of my Doctor Who fanfic
    I averaged 6,775 words/month before taking a break from my vampire novel

    I averaged 65,000 word/month writing the YA horror novella (23,500 words in 11 days) that I've been editing since.​
     
  23. Millamber

    Millamber Senior Member

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    Wow, that's really encouraging! I think I'll definitely need to look into this once I've finished the course I start on Tuesday.
     
  24. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    I think the most important part of a writing class is who is teaching it. It's always a good idea to google a potential instructor and read some of his or her writing if you aren't already familiar it. I've taken many writing courses both online and in person, and I can't say I've ever had a bad one. I've always learned something and come out a better writer. If I had more money, I would take more writing courses. And I say this as someone who has gone all the way in school and has a terminal degree in creative writing.
     
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  25. Millamber

    Millamber Senior Member

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    Good idea to Google them. Good idea, if only I'd thought of doing that before I booked ha. However if I feel this helps me and I get a lot out of it, i'll likely do another one, you can never stop learning and developing can you
     
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