Yes, it's obvious. But sometimes we all need a reminder:
Sometimes you just never know who you're going to meet...or read. Putting aside any pre-judgements can help you discover other writers or books you might not have discovered.
On a day when you might run across leprechauns, keep your ears and eyes open.
While working on an editing project in my client's office, I started speaking with a web and graphic designer. In the chitchat that we all start with new-to-us-friends, she revealed that she was working toward her master's. As the conversation flowed, she explained that she is writing short stories to fulfill her degree requirements. That was not something I had anticipated from a designer.
As we discussed writing and the writing process, what we liked to write and how we decided to start, we fell into a conversation that felt comfortable. It was if I were in a foreign country and I'd run across someone who spoke my native language.
Because our jobs tend to keep us out of the same meetings, I could have thought we had nothing in common.
Imagine if we behaved the same way about books and their graphics? Have you ever decided to read (or not read a book) because of its cover? To illustrate that concept, there is an interesting exhibit of book art you should check out. Unfortunately, I missed seeing anything about it in 2010, but fortunately, The Independent has kept the gallery online. Take a look--first at the art--and then try to figure out what the book is about. There were some that, yet again, I was incorrect.
You just never know what you are going to find in front of you--or between the covers of the book covers.
Then look around you--is there any person or book your are missing out on because you've decided you don't have anything in common?
Elizabeth King Humphrey is a writer, editor and coach living in North Carolina.
So true!
ReplyDeleteLife is full of surprises & I am often discovering new connections of kindred spirits for writing.
Hi Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty rare but there seems to be more of us. I've been an artist all my life, owned a gallery, was a public artist, and started a graphic art business over 15 years ago. I still do magazine ads, catalogues, brochures, logos, websites, trade show booths, book covers and, of course, all the artwork for WOW! ;) I've also written all my life, but never took it seriously until a few years ago, right before WOW! If anything, I always considered myself an artist first and foremost. It's where I've achieved the most success.
There seems to be a common misconception that people can't do both or be good at both, but I beg to differ. If you're creative in one field, you can be creative in another. Writers may think that an artist can't write and I know artists think that writers can't draw, paint, sculpt, or create anything with true artistic vision. There's definitely an elitist mentality that comes from the artist's perspective, unfortunately. But technical aspects in both fields can be taught. If you have a passion for something, there are no boundaries. And as it turns out, we're not so different after all.
Great post!
Ang