Tag Archives: writing

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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Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

Who would agree with that statement today? With all the emphasis on design and the importance of visual imagery, it seems very unlikely that, as purchasers of books, we aren’t going to be attracted or repelled, impressed or unimpressed with … Continue reading →

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The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

The Architecture of Happiness and writing. I first became a real fan of Alain de Botton’s writing in 2005 when I was visiting Paris by myself for about two weeks. I stopped in at Shakespeare & Company right by the … Continue reading →

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What’s Wrong with this Story?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

Vence in the south of France where Jonathan Pryde lives.           Ever had that feeling that something’s wrong with the manuscript even though you’ve been through it a hundred times? And you don’t know what it … Continue reading →

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Where am I? Is this the Second Draft or the Third, or does it matter?

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Mary E. Martin

Still working on redrafting! Here the lines get blurry and I get bleary-eyed. When can I say the second draft is done and I’m onto the third? Or does it even matter? Maybe I should trust the “flow” and let … 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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The Art of Travel and the Art of Writing…

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

I’m always delighted to read anything by the philosopher, Alain de Botton. In his engaging book, The Art of Travel, he distinguishes between the anticipation and recollection of travel versus the reality of actually traveling. When we anticipate, we study … 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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Description in Writing: What Details Do You Prefer?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Mary E. Martin

I really only have one rule when it comes to settings in novels. Don’t write [at least not extensively] about a place you have not been. The reasons are obvious. To create, for the reader, a sense or a “feel” … Continue reading →

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