Discomfort

What makes you uncomfortable?  I recently posted on the writersvibe blog about how children make me uncomfortable.  I don't know why, perhaps I fear they are miniature truth seekers and will reveal something I want to keep secret.  Which is silly - it's not like I'm full of dark secrets or really any secrets.  So I started thinking and decided that I'm not really afraid of children - I do occasionally avoid them but I understand the purity of their hearts and the magical wonderment behind their bright eyes.  When I was a child I had many friends and we all ran amok in our happy world.  In fact, as a child, I feared grown-ups especially men.  And there it was: men make me nervous - even more than children do.  When I compare my memories of the sweaty, air voiding panic I felt as a child toward men - I became aware of my phobia.

As an adult, I've luckily grown from my phobia but I can still remember how I felt.  An unnatural fear - I was born with but my distrust saved my life at least twice.  Perhaps as you read samples of my work you'll notice my fear tucked neatly away into a scene.

This week try writing a scene where something you fear comes to light.  How do you feel when you are under the influence of the fear - do you overcome - escape?  Maybe spend some physical time with something that makes you uncomfortable.  Listen to your body and analyse your fear.  For me, I plan on hanging out with a group of children and getting beyond my slight discomfort because the child within me yearns to play with others and I won't let this discomfort become a fear.

Masters of Light

The writersvibe March 2013 postings about different forms of art has made me think about the importance of light.

50 shades of gray wouldn’t be enough for my favorite photographer.  Ansel Adams used every shade of gray, black and white.  While teaching at the Art Center School in Los Angeles in 1941, he developed his own Zone System of photography.  This system allows photographers to calculate and control the range of gray-scale tones in their negatives by using a light meter. The objective is to obtain a negative with silver densities corresponding to the photographer's preconception of the scene. This meant, Adams utilized a mesmerizing number of distinct shades of gray, black and white. He further encouraged his students to manipulate their images' tones while developing and printing. Adams compared printmaking to a musical performance by likening the tonal values of a negative to the notes on a musical score. Like a musical performance, the print was then subject to variation and reinterpretation over time.  Once again, art recapitulates art which has been our theme at writersvibe.

 Another artist, Thomas Kinkade, has mastered the use of light.  His paintings revolve around light striking floral landscapes – a light that is symbolic of his Christian faith.  Whether you are a believer or not, all can appreciated Kinkade’s love of Light.

From the Master of the gray-scale to the Painter of Light, lighting plays an important part in art.  It sets mood and brings objects to life.  It casts shadows and allows darkness to exist.

Now as you write – think about lighting – try adding simple descriptions of lighting to your scenes.  Anything from a flickering light bulb to a sun drenched sand dune, remember to bring life to your writing through descriptions of light.

Practice a writing exercise focusing on the use of light – if you like what you wrote, please feel free to post it in the comments.