The instructor for the writing workshop I will be attending later this month suggested that students refrain from writing or reading during the three weeks prior to the retreat to allow time to relax the writing muscle we have been using and to insulate us from absorbing other writer’s voices. This made me wonder if artists of other mediums have similar issues regarding the honing of their own their own unique expression. Do their instructors suggest they stay away from galleries or art-walks while they focus on finding their own vision? Probably not. I suppose the issue with writing is that losing oneself in a novel is a complete saturation in one voice whereas a trip to a gallery is a relatively short exposure—usually to several expressions.
I'm curious though, so here is my little survey:
When you are writing your novel (or creating your painting, sculpture, etc…) do you refrain from exposing yourself to other similar works? Do you find that exposure to another writer’s voice hinders or obstructs your own true expression or does it inspire?
Share your thoughts...
Robyn Chausse
