Happy New Year 2013!
I'm just coming up out of the deep hibernation of what I hope is the last big rewrite of my upcoming book. Let's just say, the holidays slid by in a blur of words, words, words. Even without the pressure of a writing project, it's easy for me to hibernate this time of year. As I look out my window right now, snow is starting to fall again. It's warmer today than it's been (it's all the way up to 15 degrees)! My cozy basement studio with its wall of windows is a pleasant place to hole up and create.
So, is the rewrite done, you ask? Uh, no. Not quite. But I'm so close I can taste it. And so absorbed and obsessed I am even dreaming about it. My morning journaling is now always about the story. More problem-solving happens in that journal than anywhere else. Even my massive story board (see below) takes a back seat to the journal.
The book is IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, a YA novel due out sometime soon from Macmillan/ Roaring Brook Press. My editor, Nancy Mercado, is coming back from a delightful hiatus of her own, and I'm looking forward to moving into the next stages of this project with her.
Here's what I do most days after the words have dried up. Lately I've been finding ways to incorporate some of my poems into my visual artwork. In this one, titled "Spring Morning," the poem is written in white and silver ink on the blue sky. There's nothing like dreaming of spring and new boots and gardening when the entire visible landscape is white and shades of grey.
 |
| SPRING MORNING (acrylic on stretched canvas 20X20") |
What are you up to these early days of this first month of this new year? Are you finishing up a creative project you began in 2012 (or 2011 or 2010 or 2009 or . . .)? Are you starting something brand, spanking new? Whatever it is, I wish you all the best with it!
What is it and how is it going? Write and tell me about it. I want to know!
5 comments:
Hi Julie! I'm so glad you're blogging again and I always like to hear how your writing is going. That is one inspirational story board. I love the yellows and oranges in Spring Morning.
Thanks, Linda! You inspired me (as you always do) -- I don't know if you noticed, but there's a link to your blog on my sidebar. I wait for it each week, knowing it's going to give me that nugget I need. I so loved your choice of the word "And" for your "word of the year." I hope everyone checks it out!
Hi Julie,
Glad to discover your blog and to see your art work and step into your creative processes. The acrylic Spring Morning is specially inviting with the winter woods out my window. At least the sun is shining today. Best wishes always to you.
Welcome back! Great to see you blogging again especially with the inclusion of your multimedia art work. My advantage is I get to see it live!
Thanks, G! I feel the same way about your haiku.
Post a Comment