#starting a project

[vanishedelf]

Thinking about the creative process again—in particular, deliberately putting off the start of a project, even when the creative fires are literally SURGING.

The plans are done. Everything is ready. But I'm leaving on a trip soon that is supposed to be relaxing, brimming over with idle spontaneity. I know if I start writing, the trip will become a notorious 'writing trip'...

We shall see which force prevails.

[elementalcrafter]

Hey all! I have actually begun to draw out my pattern for the full size squid and let me tell you, even doing the smaller one did not truly prepare me for how absolutely massive this piece is going to be. So since I actually have a blog at the start of this project I figured I could give you updates every other day or so on my project! So here is the pictures I have now, I will put explanations and such at the bottom.

So if you decide to take on this behemoth of a project, I would advise drawing all your pieces on wrapping paper. I saw this tip on Pinterest and its actually a lot more helpful then I originally realized.  The lines on the paper create 1inch by 1inch squares which is really helpful when trying to draw and measure a piece. I know the paper is kind of fragile but it works and saves you the hassle of taping loads of paper together. 

I put my smaller squid size piece on there for reference, if you’ve followed that project it might put into perspective how massive this is going to be. The smaller size measured in at 2ft 5inches approximately.  This piece alone is bigger than the entire other one so...yeah. I’m kind of dealing with how big my project is actually going to be. If I hadn’t already bought all my material and was any less stubborn I’d probably give up now, however both of those are not true so you get to join me on my mad scramble to get this and 2 other projects done in time for Christmas while also some how hiding this massive pillow from its intended recipient.

The only thing I have on my side at the moment is that I’m currently at college 5 hours away from home.  Bad news, I won’t be able to work on this for my upcoming Thanksgiving Break... 

Sorry for the word vomit! I hope you all have an amazing day! Also please note this is not my pattern!  

[daintykeith]

Creative Writing

Creative Writing. Creating worlds with our fingers and bringing characters to life with just our imagination.

However, creative writing it’s not a term everyone is familiarized with—so let’s see what this is about. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of Creative Writing is:

“The activity of writing stories, poetry, etc., or the stories, poems, etc. that are written.”

Now, how does creative writing differ from other types of writing?

The most remarkable difference lies in the content.

Creative writing could also be broadly defined as the pursuit of artistic ends through the written word—like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, prose poem and memoir. However, it does not include any writing that goes inside the bounds of a normal professional writing like academic, journalistic or technical forms of literature.

In other words, this is the kind of writing that explores the imagination and creativity of a writer. But creative writing is so much more than we may actually think.

The possibilities for the form that a writing and its message may take are infinite. And so can be your writing. As a creative writer, it’s important to develop your own toolbox of strategies, skills and styles that are going to define your writing and make it stand out.

However, learning to write is not formulaic, like Larry Brooks establishes in the first pages of his book Story Engineering, and so is the process of writing in general. It’s not like learning how to build a machine or how to use a specific tool like a screwdriver. There are many books that explain and help you to write a book, for example, Stephen King’s On Writing or Lisa Cron’s Story Genius, but this is a process that’s learnt through practice, success and failure.

An analogy for this process can be learning how to cook. When you learn for the first time how to cook, it could have been through three possible ways: you were taught by someone else, learnt it from a book recipe or just mixed the ingredients together in an attempt to make something from memory. Your first tries aren’t going to be the best ones (unless you’re really lucky or meticulous) and that’s something to be expected, but with practice you can make it taste fine! But then, there’s a phase when you try to make it taste different, you experiment with other ingredients and have your own homemade recipe.

Creative writing is to show emotions, to show emotions or to tell a story. Citing again the Cambridge Dictionary, a story is defined as: “a description, either true or imagined, of a connected series of events.”

But there are vast ways to define what is a story.

“Story is character. Story is conflict.Story is narrative tension. Story is thematic resonance. Story is plot.” (Larry Books, Story Engineering)

“A story is first of all a chain of events that begins at one place and ends at another “without any essential interruption.” (Randall Jarrell)

Writing is not an easy task that’s done in a day or in a few weeks. It takes dedication and effort. But it’s something everyone can do if they propose it to themselves. The reasons to write are so diverse; they go from simple enjoyment to do it for money! But it’s important to know what you are doing.

The most important things you could take into account if you are going to start creative writing are:

Motivation (or why)

Why do you want to write? For fun? To put into words the dream you had last night? Or do you want to make money with your creativity?

Of course there can be so much into motivation, but the thing lies in knowing the reason why you want to do it. Writing is a way to convey or feelings and dreams, it’s a place where we have total control on, but think it thoroughly. 

Literary Genre(s) (or what)

Do you want to write a novel, a poem, or a memoir? Romance, drama or historical fiction? 

There are so many things you could write about. This point is closely related to the previous one, and it’s important to have it clear as day, because both will motivate you to write!

Visualize yourself (imagine)

Do you see yourself writing? Sitting in front of a desk or laying in your bed with the computer? Visualizing yourself it’s part of the process; imagining yourself doing it before actually doing it. 

It’s never too early nor too late to start learning and writing! Its always up to you when or how to begin.

A/N: I hope this post helped you! Please, reblog, kudo or comment if you can! It motivates me to keep writing articles. Thank you! (❁´◡`❁)

[echoya2]

Just hanging around 

[2nd-rate-film-school]

Hello, I've moved 6 times since middle school, and I recently graduated high school. I live in South Florida, and while I have a ton of friends, I don't know anyone interested in filmmaking that would help me make a short film or anyone that I could work alongside. I want to go to film school, but I don't have any films of my own to show. How could I get a project started?

Hello Anon!

I’ve actually made a few posts about this already. Here are the basics of making a short film and here is how you can get your friends to help! 

And if you still struggle with finding people to help you out, here are some ways you can still make a film!

Producer, Director, Actor: many of the early filmmakers (as well as some today) did most of the work themselves. They used their own money, wrote their own stories, and starred in their own films. It’s a lot of work and puts technical limitations on the project, but you have all the creative control.

Themes that work well with only one actor: Man v. Self, Man v. Nature, Man v God, and Man v Isolation.

Script to Screen: Have an idea for a film? Write it down! A script format is best, but even an outline or short story would work. If you have nothing on paper, your concept is useless. Writing it down gives it shape, allows you to refine the idea, edit, and show proof of a developed concept to others who could potentially help you. Once you have it in writing, you can begin filming. And even if you can’t film, you have written material that can be added to your portfolio.

Nature and Emotion: Don’t want to be in front of the camera? Take the cinematic approach and film your environment instead. Try to capture the tone and feel of a location using only your camera and microphone. Live in a rural area? Maybe do panning shots of open spaces, investigate shadows in a sunset, a breeze in the trees. Live in an urban area? Go handheld in the street, capture the city lights at night, small details and big sounds…

Animation: really don’t want to be in front of the camera and desperately want more than one character? Try animation! There are a ton of types of animation including claymation, stop motion (lego is popular), hand drawn, digital 2D and 3D, and puppet animation in software like After Effects. While time consuming, you have complete control of the film’s environment and are limited only by your imagination.

Documentaries: topics or issues in the real world can be great subjects of a film and all you need is a camera, microphone, and a few willing interviewees off the street. Taking your camera to rallies or conventions is also great for getting footage of large crowds and individuals willing to talk about subjects they are passionate about.

Steal-o-matic: purely creative editing project in which you take footage from multiple films and create an entirely new story.

So there you go. A bunch of ways to make a film with a cast and crew of one. Good luck and get filming!

Jules

[rhianna]

How does foreign policy affect me?

Foreign policy is a country's overall strategy for managing its relationships and interactions with other nations and international bodies, aiming to protect its security, promote its economic interests, and advance its values like democracy or human rights through tools like diplomacy, trade, military action, sanctions, and aid

. It involves setting goals (security, prosperity), choosing methods (treaties, alliances, intervention), and navigating global challenges, influenced by domestic politics, geopolitical events, and the behavior of other states. 

Key Components & Goals

Security: Protecting national borders, interests, and citizens from threats.

Economic Prosperity: Fostering trade, securing resources, and creating jobs.

Promotion of Values: Spreading democracy, human rights, or development.

Diplomacy: Peaceful negotiations, treaties, and official communication.

Economic Tools: Trade agreements, sanctions, and economic aid.

Military/Security: Defense strategies, alliances, and deployments.

Environmental Policy:Addressing global climate and resource issues. 

How it Works

Setting Objectives: Leaders define national interests and goals abroad, such as containing an adversary or opening a new market.

Choosing Instruments: They select from tools like diplomatic talks, economic sanctions, military aid, or intelligence sharing.

Considering Factors: Decisions are shaped by domestic politics, the actions of allies and rivals, and broader global trends.

Implementation: Government agencies, like the State Department, carry out the policy through embassies and international organizations. 

Examples of Foreign Policy in Action

Negotiating a trade deal to boost exports.

Deploying troops to a region to deter conflict.

Imposing sanctions on a country to pressure it to change its policies.

Providing foreign aid to build alliances or promote stability. 

[niireesu]

Starting a crochet project 😘