Creating in a dry season
It’s important, especially in a dry season, to keep accessing the well of creativity.
Hi friends,
I’ve been going through a bit of a dry season. As you may have guessed by the title of this newsletter, I’ve not been writing very much lately. And I haven’t progressed very much on my illustration portfolio either. But that’s not to say that I haven’t been doing writerly or artsy things. I believe it’s important, especially in a dry season, to keep accessing the well of creativity.
I’ve been doing that in a few ways.
First, by reading a lot! I’m almost done reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (the second half is much better than the first, thank goodness). In addition to that I’ve been reading about one story a day in a collection of children’s stories titled You Read to Me and I’ll Read to You. Also, in anticipation of the release of Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson, I started listening to the audio book of the previous book in the Stormlight Archive, Rhythm of War. And then there’s the stack of picture books I brought home from the library recently.
Second, plenty of “art play.” Sometimes my brain just needs a little creative freedom after feeling like I’ve been pushing myself too hard in one direction. So I play! Here are a few recent pages from my sketchbook:
As you can see, each page is very different. Doing those was like doing a full workout after weeks of only walking as exercise. It woke up some muscles I had forgotten I had!
And lastly, even when I’m not writing fiction or poetry, there’s still plenty of writing to do. Writing lists, emails, short book reviews, and newsletters like this one. And there is still the work of helping other writers edit and polish their manuscripts, which can take a lot of creative effort!
I think I’m ready to get back to the work of writing and illustrating, though. My goal for the next month or so is to finish the second draft of my historical fiction novel in verse, complete the portfolio pieces I’ve been working on, and create a storyboard for a picture book manuscript I plan to illustrate.
And I’ll continue to stretch my muscles with regular creative play!
What have you been working on lately? Have you had the need to take a break with some creative play? If you need some ideas, I shared some in a newsletter earlier this year:
Some picture books I’ve read recently:
The Winter Bird by Kate Banks, illustrated by Suzie Mason. This is a sweet, encouraging story about a bird who is forced to endure winter for the first time, and how she comes through it with a new perspective.
The Upside Down Hat by Stephen Barr, illustrated by Gracey Zhang. What I like best about this book is the sketchy, loose illustrations. But it’s a whimsical, thought-provoking story that’s pleasant to read.
Goodnight School by Catherine Bailey, illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. Another one to love more for its pictures. The text is cute, but there isn’t really a narrative (except for one involving a turtle shown through the pictures). It’s a quiet book that could be nice for bedtime.