Tag Archives: inspiration

Jung on Creativity

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

I’m always fascinated with musings on the creative spirit. Jung wrote quite a bit about creativity. Here’s a short quote. “The artist is not a person endowed with free will who seeks his own ends, but one who allows art … Continue reading →

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I’ve been puzzling over this one?

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

I’ve read that Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders once said: “…how frequently in the course of our lives the evil which in itself we seek most to shun, and which, when we are fallen into it, … Continue reading →

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Film as Inspiration

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

Here’s something funny! It’s a case of the subconscious playing tricks on me. For sure, watching a movie can be a huge inspiration for writing. So much so that you can worry about unwitting plagiarism. I just posted a short … Continue reading →

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Music as Inspiration…

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

I wish I knew far more about music than I do. I love to listen, but cannot play. I love to hear all kinds, but like everyone, I have my favourites. Music speaks directly to the soul without the need … Continue reading →

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Looking Skyward for Inspiration…

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

How can a painting inspire a trilogy of novels? Have you ever been in an art gallery, or leafed through an art book and been riveted? Something in the artist’s work, in his vision reaches out and “grabs” you, saying … Continue reading →

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Edward Hopper: Capturing Private, Solitary Moments…

Posted on December 8, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

AUTOMAT, by Edward Hopper Can painting be an inspiration to a novelist? I certainly hope so. I have a fascination with the paintings of the American artist, Edward Hopper. Somehow—whether by technique, imagination or subject matter—he is able to create … Continue reading →

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A Romance: How a place gets into novels…

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

Venice is filled with canals and Squares surrounded by ancient palazzos—perfect places to linger and reflect. Narrow fog-ridden calles run like silken spider-webs connecting the Squares and taking me ever onward in exploration of the city and myself. I am a writer and a photographer and I am in love with Venice. Continue reading →

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Things to Think About Before Leaving—Still in Toronto…

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

As you know, I’m a great fan of the writer and thinker Alain De Botton, and particularly of his book The Art of Travel. In that book, he makes an excellent point which is relevant to my musings. Why is … Continue reading →

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Writing to weave the spell…

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

One of my favorite authors is the Canadian writer, Robertson Davies. So, when I’m looking for inspiration and ideas, I turn to his articles on writing. One is entitled simply Writing, the other Reading. What makes a novel good or … Continue reading →

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Where do characters come from?

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

I’ve been talking about The Drawing Lesson, but I’m now thinking back to my very first novel, Conduct in Question, the first in The Osgoode Trilogy, where I worked hard to produce my very first evil character. Have you ever … Continue reading →

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