Writing. When I think of it I'm excited. It deserves an exclamation point right behind it. But I'll restrain myself. After all that is my theme for this month's blogger's A to Z Challenge.
I've going out on a limb lately with my writing, blogging six days a week being but one of the activities. I'm working on those four books I've mentioned as being in the fire and that's a handful. I'm also submitting to writing journals and going out for grants.
Recently, I applied for a grant wherein we had to create an artistic statement. I've done that plenty for my fine art but writing? No. So when I created one I was quite excited by what came out of me. Here's a bit of it, sans exclamation points.
I've going out on a limb lately with my writing, blogging six days a week being but one of the activities. I'm working on those four books I've mentioned as being in the fire and that's a handful. I'm also submitting to writing journals and going out for grants.
Recently, I applied for a grant wherein we had to create an artistic statement. I've done that plenty for my fine art but writing? No. So when I created one I was quite excited by what came out of me. Here's a bit of it, sans exclamation points.
My identity and
background color many aspects of my work. I have written the first draft of a
novel, which began as a memoir. I moved away from creative nonfiction when I
found fiction would allow the exploration of imagined psychological
landscapes, impossible to tap through memoir. Now I am working on my second
novel, called “Out of the Blue." Both novels have
protagonists whose lives are set back in time, living in rural areas (similar to mine) from
underprivileged and limiting backgrounds.
My protagonists are both teenagers dealing with issues of identity; sorting it out for themselves in
relation to those around them. They are challenged by superimposed limits,
which are broken during the course of the novel.
My writing features marginalized
and down-trodden main characters that go
through extensive transformation during the course of the books. I've found
fertile ground where I explore themes and motifs of interest in the genres of
Young Adult Paranormal Literary Fantasy.
The realm of my characters
contains a hefty helping of mythology, folklore and magic. Placing the stories
back in time allows the presentation of cultural information and little known
aspects of our history—histories shared by all, regardless of where the reader
lives or from which country they hail.
It
is my intention
to create fiction that enlightens and stretches boundaries. I want my readers
to understand: no matter where they come from or what challenges they face,
transformation and healing is within reach.
So my question for you dear visitor to my blog, what do you like to write or read about? Have you ever had to write an artistic statement? Did you learn from it or was it a great big pain in the butt? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Writing is the perfect W. I like to write and read about practically everything. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought so Chrys (about your writing and reading habit)! Thanks for the compliment.
DeleteI love to read but it is usually non-fiction whether it is a biography, film, art, or history.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can tell from your blog. My published books are nonfiction. I'm working on some fiction now. That's why I talk about it so much but the nonfiction is no less important.
DeleteI've never needed to write an artistic statement. I would probably struggle with that. I write to make sense of my own thoughts and feelings. I throw in a bit of paranormal, but not the obvious, currently-popular version of it.
ReplyDeleteMy reading choices are much wider - I'll pretty much read anything, apart from high fantasy or science fiction.
Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
Interesting response Annalisa. I'm about the same in my reading choices though I think they'd hook us both in Speculative Fiction, which is also a part of that broad spectrum of sci-fi and fantasy (because of dealing with the paranormal). I'm liking how there's increasing interest in cross genre and no genre these days. It's about time!
DeleteYour artistic statement is lovely even though it is a tiny excerpt Stephanie. I make out the word 'offered' in your script.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful how writing or reading the written word broadens our horizons. I love to step into an imaginary world whether fiction or not and I am right there, in the story.
Thank you for offering us this post :)
I do love how you read and write for that matter. Thanks Susan.
DeleteYou're a busy lady!
ReplyDeleteI write romance, and that's what I prefer to read. I lean toward the historical variety.
Cool! You must love research as well?
DeleteAn artistic statement... The mission statement for the artist? I have to tell you, writing a mission statement in one of those corporate-culture courses changed my life--including leaving the corporate culture :D (Bet the company was sorry they enrolled me in that course, haha.) But I never considered writing an artistic statement. Which is kind of dumb, seeing the effect that mission one had on my life, the clarity it brought, the understanding. You know what? I'm going to write one. Just as soon as April is done. Thank you for inspiring me :)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, too, for the visit over at Quiet Laughter -- loved your comment about different cultures stemming from the African diaspora. You'd love Curaçao, Stephanie :) Hope to stay in touch after the A-to-Z!
Oh my! Artistic Statements are as about as far as you can get from a corporate Mission Statement. Artists have been using them as long as I can remember. They are a carryover from the art world not the business world. I bet you'll get a lot out of it. I enjoy your blog and will be back. Thanks for stopping in.
DeleteWrite is the best choice for W! I read everything, more fiction than non-fiction except not so much into sci-fi, and I read poetry of course. Have never done an artistic statement. Yours flowed well and fluent.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Happy reading.
DeleteI prefer to read fantasy or sci fi. Although I do read a lot of other things as well. As for writing, my blog is it.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting.
DeleteBest for the book Stephanie. I love writing about light subjects, romance designed to entertain putting to light human relations.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the excerpts you post very much.
DeleteWonderful post. I love the expression and creativity of Artistic Statements. Would love to read it in more detail -- when my brain is not on fire from blogging. :). And yes, blogging 6 days a week can drain every bit of creativity out of us. We all need a break soon, I know I do. Look forward to more visits, Stephanie. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Silvia. Yes, that brain fog is settling in, so much for me that I had to skip X. If my workload isn't too great I'll be back for Y and Z, otherwise my general blogging again after a rest.
DeleteHi Stephanie - I rarely read fiction ... I get too frustrated with it - but know that I should go back to reading a plethora of books - think I'll do that over the summer ... I read a broad range of articles (mainly), tv documentaries, or historical aspects ... I'm always checking references ... and love to learn .. so all my posts include a degree of understanding on my part .. but they're real and not fiction ..
ReplyDeleteLove the thought of writing an artistic statement ... sounds much better and easier than a corporate one .. and much more fun .. cheers Hilary
You sound like you have a rich and fulfilling life doing what you do. Cheers to you.
DeleteThat's a wonderful artistic statement! I have done that in my journal, but never anything that's formal. I think it's interesting to explore why we write what we write.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tyrean. I hope you get a lot out of from creating yours a bit more in-depth. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI've never written an artistic statement. It's something to consider!
ReplyDeleteYvonne