Words of Wisdom

[Kev H]

When I read the thread about the funny/wise woman on Oprah (sorry, too lazy to look it up), it made me think of a conversation with my own personal wise man.

I was struggling with my own creativity (or lack thereof), complaining over the phone to my good friend (who happens to be a well-respected professor and an artist-philosopher). I lamented how it seems that there truly is "nothing new under the sun." It has all been done before, thought before, sung before, etc. This puts a real damper on someone who strives for unique creativity and insight. A lifetime of "I have a really great idea that has already been done" can put an emotional freeze on my writing.

He agreed with me, but reminded me of what is really important. "It's not necessarily that something is new, but that it is new-to-me. Our personal and creative journey is very important to us, as individuals. And it is our unique moment in time and insights that give us artists our individuality."

And while this philosophy seems to work better for painters than writers, I took his words to heart, content with my short time on the stage rather than thinking so universally. It helped me refocus on my writing.

Just wanted to share this with you; if you have similar meaningful words (not your own), please share.

Happy writing.

Kev

 

[Guest]

 

[CharleyH]

When I read the thread about the funny/wise woman on Oprah (sorry, too lazy to look it up), it made me think of a conversation with my own personal wise man.


Kev

Oprah? Happy erotica.

 

[TxRad]

Oprah? Happy erotica.

Charley.... Put the little newb down and stop nibbling on his toes.....

 

[rgraham666]

"Once is a philosopher, twice is a pervert." - Voltaire

 

[Stella_Omega]

"Once is a philosopher, twice is a pervert." - Voltaire

But the third time's the charm!

 

[Guest]

But the third time's the charm!

It only seems kinky the first time.

 

[Guest]

Charley.... Put the little newb down and stop nibbling on his toes.....

BWAH!

Bad Charley. Bad, BAD Girl.


Kev - those are indeed lovely words. Keep that guy around.

 

[Stella_Omega]

It only seems kinky the first time.

I always gotta try it once more- just to make sure.
let's see- we're up to four now, right?

 

[Guest]

I always gotta try it once more- just to make sure.
let's see- we're up to four now, right?

I hope so.

 

[rgraham666]

If four is the best I can make her do, I'm doing it wrong.

[/threadjack]

 

[Guest]

If four is the best I can make her do, I'm doing it wrong.

[/threadjack]

Charmer.


Er, braggart!

 

[rgraham666]

Charmer.


Er, braggart!

I'm going to have a hell of a time living up to my reputation some day.

But I'll do my best.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to have a hell of a time living up to my reputation some day.

But I'll do my best.

That sounds delicious.

 

[Purple Sage]

When I read the thread about the funny/wise woman on Oprah (sorry, too lazy to look it up), it made me think of a conversation with my own personal wise man.

I was struggling with my own creativity (or lack thereof), complaining over the phone to my good friend (who happens to be a well-respected professor and an artist-philosopher). I lamented how it seems that there truly is "nothing new under the sun." It has all been done before, thought before, sung before, etc. This puts a real damper on someone who strives for unique creativity and insight. A lifetime of "I have a really great idea that has already been done" can put an emotional freeze on my writing.

He agreed with me, but reminded me of what is really important. "It's not necessarily that something is new, but that it is new-to-me. Our personal and creative journey is very important to us, as individuals. And it is our unique moment in time and insights that give us artists our individuality."

And while this philosophy seems to work better for painters than writers, I took his words to heart, content with my short time on the stage rather than thinking so universally. It helped me refocus on my writing.

Just wanted to share this with you; if you have similar meaningful words (not your own), please share.

Happy writing.

Kev

I don't think this philosophy works better for painters (I am one); in fact, I'm not impressed by it at all. Certainly part of being a painter or writer is discovery and process, but frankly if you're still discovering and processing the same crap that everyone else already has, it's not that interesting to me. What is interesting is if you do it better. If you can't, go ahead and reinvent the wheel, but keep it to yourself.
'Better', of course, has a pretty loose meaning in creative endeavors, but I think we know it when we see it- or, especially, when we don't. Steve Martin remaking The Pink Panther looks like something we could have lived without. On the other hand, Humphrey Bogart remaking The Maltese Falcon is something we really needed. Good ideas aren't really that hard to come by- even pretty original ones- but the combination of good ideas and good execution remains relatively rare.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Good ideas aren't really that hard to come by- even pretty original ones- but the combination of good ideas and good execution remains relatively rare.

That's true. As people, we spend a lot of time trying to be like everyone else. As artists, we have to reverse that urge and yet still communicate what we achieve. It ain't easy. That's why the most accessible art is rarely the best.

 

[Guest]

That's true. As people, we spend a lot of time trying to be like everyone else. As artists, we have to reverse that urge and yet still communicate what we achieve. It ain't easy. That's why the most accessible art is rarely the best.

But often when beginners struggle with discovering their own - style - for lack of a better word, it serves them best when they first emulate others.

This works very well for musicians, from my own experience.

Emulate, imitate, study a master's way of performance to the best of your ability. Practice endlessly. And along the way you discover your own style. Eventually. Hopefully.

If you can't find your own, the music you produce will never come from your heart.

 

[CharleyH]

Charley.... Put the little newb down and stop nibbling on his toes.....

Perhaps you have a nibble fet, Tex, but not I and never to any, but you.