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I find it easier to “do art” than write. While I love writing and I need to write, there is something about painting or drawing or melting (that’s the hot wax encaustics) that calls to me and pulls me in, even when I’m feeling bored, uninspired, or flat-out fatigued. When I’m feeling “ugh,” I can still “do art” and feel like I’ve been creative. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t mean to imply I’ve created a masterpiece but rather simply have achieved some creativity.
Probably my inner Creativity Junkie talking.
Writing, on the other hand, requires that my brain cells line up and fire.
And that doesn’t always happen the way I’d like. In fact, often the more I try to make it happen the less success I have. So I fool myself. I do some other form of creative activity to trick my brain into getting into writing mode.
And I love it when the sneaky activity involves something with which I’ve had a love affair my whole life – books.
This month, my daughters (you remember them from their starring role in this post?) and I have worked on creating altered books. (<– Mine is still in the early stages, but I’m all for showing works-in-progress so I’ve posted a picture nonetheless.)
I love that the girls each embraced different aspects of altered books. One daughter got into the words on the page. Another folding. Another painting. Another adding feathers and other tidbits. One book features a shadow-box-like cutout. I’ve set them out around our house to serve as decorations in honor of National Novel Writing Month – this may not be what the authors thought would happen to their works, but I think it makes a nice tribute to the world of the written word.
If you’re feeling uninspired when it comes to writing, I recommend tearing into an old book (library discards are wonderful for this!) and turning it into a work of art. Or a work of creativity if the word “art” is too intimidating.
Have you created an altered book? If you have one or decide to give it a go, post a pic! I’d love to see what you come up with. Altered books not your thing? Share what YOU do when you should be writing!
Artistic Ventures: Altered Books (or What I’m Doing When I Should Be Writing **Don't forget to enter my Giveaway for your chance to win a copy of What If? Writing Exercises…
