tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post8127238842629253323..comments2024-03-14T08:18:20.779-04:00Comments on Sarah Laurence: Creative InsomniaSarah Laurencehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-56643013689505740702010-02-03T16:11:49.480-05:002010-02-03T16:11:49.480-05:00Donna, as much as I appreciate the manic energy an...Donna, as much as I appreciate the manic energy and ideas, I’m relieved when my brain takes time off too.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-82298103439452214212010-02-03T14:52:35.667-05:002010-02-03T14:52:35.667-05:00Those photos are so beautiful. I enjoyed getting a...Those photos are so beautiful. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life of an author and what it's like to always be "on call"!Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10352909161587824227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-25977392610955100222010-02-01T12:53:28.622-05:002010-02-01T12:53:28.622-05:00Kathryn, I hope your insomnia was also only 140 ch...Kathryn, I hope your insomnia was also only 140 characters long. <br /><br />W2W, blogging about insomnia has cured me, but I do hope it hasn’t gone viral. I’d forgotten about the insomnia reference in One Hundred Years of Solitude. I wonder if G G Marquez was also plagued by it. His novels have such a dream like quality to them.<br /><br />Bee, that must have been interesting to hear about Joyce Carol Oates’s writing method. Maybe she didn’t have insomnia back then. No, I envy your log nights (Cynthia is right – very funny!) Creative insomnia is a bitter pill. I’ve been sleeping well for 3 nights, happily.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-78758685677689904042010-02-01T11:06:02.062-05:002010-02-01T11:06:02.062-05:00Bee, I love this:
I have been sleeping like a lo...Bee, I love this: <br /><br /><em>I have been sleeping like a log lately, but in the context of this post that doesn't seem like a good thing.</em><br /><br />Ha!cynthia newberry martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04088261237123157140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-78028443231940512232010-02-01T11:01:12.561-05:002010-02-01T11:01:12.561-05:00Joyce Carol Oates came to my university (oh, those...Joyce Carol Oates came to my university (oh, those many years ago) and I remember her talking about carrying a notebook around and taking just the sort of notes you describe here. She didn't mention the insomnia though. :)<br /><br />I have been sleeping like a log lately, but in the context of this post that doesn't seem like a good thing. I think my creative brain must be slumbering, too. <br /><br />Lovely contrast between the coloured pictures and the black-and-white ones.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-15034657107314267002010-01-31T18:35:14.842-05:002010-01-31T18:35:14.842-05:00As always, Sarah, you've taken some breathtaki...As always, Sarah, you've taken some breathtaking photos. The frozen 'shroom pic fits well with the subject of the post. Congrats on your first chapter! I hope that reading your post doesn't infect anyone with insomnia. ;) Remember G. G. Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude? A little lavender oil on my pillow works wonders when the voices speak too loudly...walk2writehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13501812375142037251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-55101440411519541272010-01-31T16:29:38.670-05:002010-01-31T16:29:38.670-05:00The only time I have "suffered" from thi...The only time I have "suffered" from this "problem" is when I first got on Twitter!! I would awaken in the night and find myself figuring out how to construct some thought I REALLY had to share (hahaha) in 40 characters or less. And now it doesn't happen at all. I think I do so many pragmatic things that allow me to be processing mentally simultaneously that my sleep time really is my sleep time--except of course for dreams. I admire that you do this, though. LOVE the photo of the steps leading to mudroom--strangely inviting in spite of the billowing snow! :)Kathryn/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-30091617611148224532010-01-31T14:49:59.204-05:002010-01-31T14:49:59.204-05:00DM, thanks for sharing your story. It’s a good id...DM, thanks for sharing your story. It’s a good idea to schedule regular time for writing in addition to grasping inspiration.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-62273080826252560652010-01-31T12:34:32.405-05:002010-01-31T12:34:32.405-05:00I plan out the work I hope to get done each week w...I plan out the work I hope to get done each week with my writing. Since my time is limited, this helps me not waste it, but it isn't always as productive as I'd like.<br /><br />This week I has one of those beautiful, unexpected creative moments when I was working on character collages. While cutting and arranging magazine photos I'd collected, I discovered two new things about two of my main characters that I didn't know before. The crazy part? I was doing this at work, on my break. <br /><br />We never know when creativity will hit us, so showing up is really important, don't worry about when or where.Dawn Mariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065998860801658132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-34564985207618249992010-01-30T18:08:15.008-05:002010-01-30T18:08:15.008-05:00Anil, thanks for the recommendation. It would be ...Anil, thanks for the recommendation. It would be interesting to see inside Steinbeck’s process. <br /><br />Ewix, you are lucky to be able to sleep when you want and still write well. In my young adult novel I borrowed the themes of As You Like It, but not the plot, in part for those pace reasons. As Shakespeare plays go, Lear is on the long side. You are right about the language; it’s what I love the most about the Bard. My daughter and I just saw the movie Young Victoria – I think you’d enjoy it too. <br /><br />Cynthia, anxiety insomnia is the worst. Even creative insomnia becomes a curse if repeated more than one night in a row. A productive night is also followed by an unproductive day. It’s much easier to deal with the day after if you have no other commitments. I’m lucky to have the flexibility in my life to tend to both my family and my muse. However, my loved ones much prefer me on more sleep. Thank you, I enjoy your blog too!Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-2133152786130654332010-01-30T16:31:35.003-05:002010-01-30T16:31:35.003-05:00Hi Sarah, love the idea of creative insomnia, thou...Hi Sarah, love the idea of creative insomnia, though I'm glad it doesn't strike me often! Actually, I'm not sure the insomnia I experience is creative at all. It's usually saturated in anxiety. I wake up early...and sometimes I'm afraid I will oversleep...so I just get up out of bed 2:30/3:30am - the goal is to get up at 4:30.<br /><br />Jamaica Kincaid also has insomnia and uses that time to write. (She wrote that in her My Garden Book.) A drama/RT professor I knew in California also had that experience of waking up all night. I wonder if she was able be productive. I think so. (Sometimes she looked so tired.) <br />The way you describe the experience of not sleeping is as kind of a blessing, especially when you are inspired.<br /><br />Love the larger size of photos you have here-so clear and sharp-beautiful.<br /><br />Also, I admire the way you organize your life, Sarah. There's time for all the people you love-and still time to be creative.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting over at Oasis and at Blogland Lane-I appreciate your readership and your inspiring artistic blog.Cynthia Pittmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12656761837022197235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-12400262774704369592010-01-30T14:51:28.304-05:002010-01-30T14:51:28.304-05:00The ice mushrooms are splendid.
I can quite unders...The ice mushrooms are splendid.<br />I can quite understand about your characters chattering at night..........<br />Insomnia must be awful beyond belief. I'm lucky enough to sleep quite well..........<br />Yes, your intended birthday present sounds excellent especially in view of your Shakespeare project.<br />I just re-read Lear and was bowled over by the language though the plot creaked and groaned.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-6918820948504518842010-01-30T12:28:25.194-05:002010-01-30T12:28:25.194-05:00Several years ago I happened to own Steinbeck'...Several years ago I happened to own Steinbeck's <i><b>Working Days: The Journals of The Grapes of Wrath.</b></i><br /><br />He kept the journals while writing his epic. While it may not apply to all writers, still it made for insightful reading.Anil Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02422187314611747278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-18511696001034001842010-01-30T11:09:32.505-05:002010-01-30T11:09:32.505-05:00All, sorry to be late to reply. I needed time to ...All, sorry to be late to reply. I needed time to unwind from my manic high. Last night I slept 8 hours plus! <br /><br />Rose, my landscape makes for good material. I found it reassuring to find authors I admire producing great works at irregular hours. <br /><br />ACIL, London Calling is the best. I entertain both the artist and the writer muses. Sometimes a full moon or a sunrise wakes me and demands a photo shoot too. Your comment makes me realize this: my whimsical notes allow the words to flow during the day. I almost never get stuck. Good weekend to you too! <br /><br />JAPRA, what a terrific bag! You should show the contents on your blog. I get what you mean by early mornings not being a choice. The words chose me at 4AM.<br /><br />Booksnyc, thank you! I will keep visiting – both Bailey Island and your blog.<br /><br />Tina, thank you. I’m so, so excited about my first chapter. My new first sentence is a tested laughter-inducing hook. Perfect for teens.<br /><br />Cynthia, you are right about depth. After revising for 3 weeks, my perfect first sentence woke me at 4am last weekend. I abandoned the cards and any hope of returning to bed. I was at the computer rewriting the chapter at 5am. I prefer sunsets too, especially since a sunrise means I woke up too early. I’m not a morning person by choice. My husband rented Groundhog Day last weekend to see with the kids – they loved it. Back in the 1990’s, when we first saw it, I wasn’t writing novels. The connection only came now, thick in revision. I’m going to read the story you deconstruct before I comment on your post. Time to visit a bookstore – Munro’s latest story collection was already at the top of my list.<br /><br />Joanne, yes, a camera functions like a notebook too. I do enjoy research, and it sounds like you do too.<br /><br />Anil, I’d noticed the snow mushrooms while skiing in the storm and then came back with my camera the next day. I ran into my friend Alida, who coined the term. Writers are magpies – we scavenge word scraps for our literary nests. I like your door metaphor. My mind is resting this weekend after a grueling work out.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-38456790916664204812010-01-29T23:17:31.851-05:002010-01-29T23:17:31.851-05:00I liked the snow mushrooms, the picture as well as...I liked the snow mushrooms, the picture as well as the term <i>snow mushrooms</i>.<br /><br />True, inspiration can come knocking anytime, and it must be a pleasure (most times) as well as a pain (at times that is) to open the door.<br /><br />I suppose a writer's mind rarely rests.Anil Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02422187314611747278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-65974119373310744482010-01-29T21:59:20.525-05:002010-01-29T21:59:20.525-05:00Oh so true, a writer's work is never done! Not...Oh so true, a writer's work is never done! Notebooks and scraps of paper and journals and photographs ... What wonderful ways to research, recording the comings and goings of life.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-22609829086520880522010-01-29T08:09:23.471-05:002010-01-29T08:09:23.471-05:00There are so many things I enjoyed in this post th...There are so many things I enjoyed in this post that I had to open it in a separate window so I wouldn't leave any out! <br /><br />First of all the topic--creative insomnia. I know I'm really getting to a deep level with my writing when that's what I'm thinking about when I wake up at four. I remember 2 nights in a row when I was revising this novel I just finished that I woke up in the middle of the night and was able to see clearly a point of view problem in a scene.<br /><br />Second, I love the first and last photos--I much prefer sunset to sunrise and I loved seeing all that snow.<br /><br />Third, I was laughing out loud watching that clip from Groundhog Day--that is so like working on a novel! But how did you make that connection???<br /><br />Finally, thanks for the mention. And I'm off to write the last post in the series.cynthia newberry martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04088261237123157140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-1885220021859966512010-01-29T08:05:09.853-05:002010-01-29T08:05:09.853-05:00Congrats on the first chapter Sarah!Congrats on the first chapter Sarah!tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-9900995571881959862010-01-29T07:36:24.997-05:002010-01-29T07:36:24.997-05:00Sarah,
That sunset picture of Bailey Island is be...Sarah,<br /><br />That sunset picture of Bailey Island is beautiful - the sky at sunset in the winter is such a stunning collection of colors.<br /><br />Thank you for mentioning blog - I am glad you enjoy it and hope you keep stopping by!Booksnychttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11197753056299399065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-2555581184535232902010-01-29T06:49:36.186-05:002010-01-29T06:49:36.186-05:00I can relate to this, Sarah! In my bag are two jou...I can relate to this, Sarah! In my bag are two journals, a camera (sometimes two), a watercolour set, a water pen, and a variety of pens and pencils. I've started carrying my bag with me from room to room--it makes it easier when inspiration hits. It is rare that I can't sleep because of creative insomnia, but sometimes I wake up really early with something on my mind and can't wait to get started. I am a morning person, but not by choice ;-)TBMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05587580447766102705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-49276783299699578962010-01-29T04:19:50.688-05:002010-01-29T04:19:50.688-05:00Oh, great, I can post my comment now! Well, first ...Oh, great, I can post my comment now! Well, first of all, thanks for your comments on my post about The Clash.<br /><br />As I mentioned before, as much as you try, writers can't keep normal, regular working hours. And artists by extent. You're constantly observing, your mind is going places, scrutinising. You might have regular hours where you sit down and put your thoughts onto paper, but I bet you anything that sometimes you want to remember that brilliant dialogue you created for this or that scene and alas, it's not forthcoming now. Good you keep a notepad with you at all times. :-)<br /><br />Have a good weekend.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-58151778658421621232010-01-28T21:17:48.172-05:002010-01-28T21:17:48.172-05:00I love the snow mushrooms! And you have ghosts hi...I love the snow mushrooms! And you have ghosts hiding in your back yard:) <br /><br />You're certainly in good writing company with insomnia, Sarah. I can understand that when the muse comes, you must act on it, no matter the time of day.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384059342847120951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-49982012524592817652010-01-28T19:58:35.903-05:002010-01-28T19:58:35.903-05:00Angie, how nice to connect with another writer. W...Angie, how nice to connect with another writer. Welcome! I’ll come visit later. It’s a super busy week. <br /><br />Charlotte, I like the image of an idea catcher. We owe ourselves another day at Morse.<br /><br />Pamela, some wishes do come true: we’re going to As You Like It in NYC. It would be horrible to have insomnia every night. My creative bursts are followed by an unproductive crash day of recovery. I wish my muse kept more regular hours. <br /><br />Lakeviewer, although useful in a crunch, insomnia is not a good habit. You are right that it can be very debilitating. <br /><br />Barrie, aren’t blogs great company when you can’t sleep? We’ll have to add you to the list of insomniac authors. Message to Sherry: cut that out and go to sleep!<br /><br />Kelly, I’m lucky to live here. The winter is harsh but beautiful.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-56616060818617975342010-01-28T16:55:16.951-05:002010-01-28T16:55:16.951-05:00Gorgeous pictures; beautiful words. 'Snow mus...Gorgeous pictures; beautiful words. 'Snow mushrooms' ... I love that! Your home and surroundings are stunning!Kelly H-Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07324529762031928328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259325291907281485.post-18757235966901215142010-01-28T05:10:36.060-05:002010-01-28T05:10:36.060-05:00How strange to be up with insomnia and reading a p...How strange to be up with insomnia and reading a post about insomnia.:) Thank you for worrying about me. Basically, I've got too much going on, including lots of writing! But I did manage to finally get a post up this week. ;)Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.com