Respect The Creative Process

It takes a lot of time, effort, blood, sweat and tears to create; whether it's writing, jewelry, painting, sketching, etc. Respect the creator, please.  You can use their creations as inspiration, but don't violate them by copying work. And be really careful with your inspirations. 

I've had someone plagiarize my writing and it thoroughly pissed me off. She blatantly did it and went on to try and publish it. There are no totally new ideas, just offshoots of old ones, but I would never copy someone's work. Not in writing. Not in my jewelry business. Never. I may make things in the style of someone, but I give credit where credit is due. 

That's why if I use repurposed items in my creations, I say so. If I use unconventional materials, it's stated. 

It's a matter of respect. I respect the creative friends I've made. I like being able to bounce ideas off each other and finding out how to do new things. I also know I have a set of skills that are uniquely mine; my creative friends do too. And there has to be a trust between creatives, a trust built on respect. 

Come to think of it, respect is something sorely lacking in the world today. There's no respect for life, for cultures, for differences. I've become disheartened with this crazy world. I don't know what the answer is, but I think we can start with respect. 

Thanks for reading. Blessings, love and peace. Respect each other. 

Quell Those Doubts

One of the most difficult things for me to do is stop negative self-talk. I doubt myself more often than not. That's a very difficult position for anyone who likes to create.

I've developed friendships with a few other writers. These friendships started at a local writing group. This is helpful on so many levels. Writing is a solitary activity. The interaction with people who understand this is invaluable. 

The writers I'm friends with offer critiques. And I do the same for them. We bounce ideas off each other, read our work in group, or critique hard copy for each other. I also have a network of followers and followees, if you will, that provide inspiration, information and experience. 

And as I move along in this creative journey, I find it easier to tell myself "you really don't suck at this", "you can do this", "you have a unique voice".

Quell the doubts and move on. 

You can find me on Facebook Linda Beeson Rosendale, Author or on twitter @writerlinda2008. 

My Perspective on Creativity

I started getting more interested in creative nonfiction after a writing group a couple of months ago. A group member shared a story about her life and it touched me. One of the other members started talking about a recent conference he'd attended and mentioned creative nonfiction. I'd always wondered what you'd call my writings about my boys and my life. Creative nonfiction.

Isn't that a great way to describe one's life? I'd never thought about it, but it makes sense. When I tell a story about my boys, my quirky sense of humor kicks in. The way I talk about the escapades is completely different than what I was thinking and feeling at the time. Okay, most of the time anyway. But I think you get my point. Each of us has a point of view. It's not right or wrong, it just IS. My writings are simply MY perspective on life.

I've been reading memoirs lately. It's so amazing how these people put themselves out there. I read one about a poet's struggle with alcoholism; a former football player who went out for a fishing trip with three friends and was the only one who survived when the boat capsized; a man who was sentenced to prison at a leper colony not too long ago (I had no idea such things still existed in the United States). All of these people, from different walks of life, told their stories. Is that courage, or what?

The creative soul is fragile. Each time you put your work out there, no matter what your niche is, it takes courage. You know someone won't understand your quirky sense of humor, or your cynical perspective, or (fill in the blank). But does it really matter if some people don't get you? Don't like you? Probably not. Does it still feel "wrong"? Maybe. Do you stop creating? No more than you can stop breathing. I tried. (to stop creating, not breathing) I was miserable. I'm happy when I create. I'm at peace with myself.

For the first time, I put my occupation as a writer on a form at the doctor's office. Now, that may not seem like a big deal to some people, but for those of you who've struggled with who or what you are, it is a HUGE deal. Go, me!

Until next time, blessings.