Comments on: Words, Pictures, Memory

By: prue batten

prue batten — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:02:32 +0000

I read the article, Juliet, and had a look at the picture. Instantly I had an image of Asian culture . . . the terracotta tiles, the moongate, the blossom, and yet moving further into the frame, I saw the building to the left and realised it was Italy.

The way you described your New Zealand childhood resonated like the most delicate bell . . . I have grown up in Tasmania on the east coast and the light and shade of a kelp forest or the whispering of a seabreeze through pine trees that edge a beach, the chuckle as waves push and pull at shell-grit: even now, those are the sounds that ground me when I am slightly worn out.

I like the way you ignore the elephant, the way you enter into nature’s rhythm and allow it to draw you away into the minds and actions of the tenth century. I am looking forward to your novel, but I can wait if necessary.

Best wishes.

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By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:52:17 +0000

I love being inspired by images too, especially old ones like tintypes or paintings.

Sending good vibes your way, Juliet.

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By: Martin LaBar

Martin LaBar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:35:10 +0000

“Our childhood landscapes are embedded in our psyche.” Interesting thought. I’m praying for you in your illness.

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By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:22:12 +0000

Juliet, if you’re interested, here’s a link to audio clips of Raising Sand:

http://www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com/site.php?content=store

The two songs inspiring my wip are Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us and Nothin’.

I’ll check out Doch — thanks for the tip!

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By: Satima Flavell

Satima Flavell — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:12:47 +0000

I listen to medieval music: sad pieces for romance, plainsong for Serious Matters and dances for social stuff. I like to look at pictures, too, but I usually have a pretty clear idea of how my characters look so I have to hunt for pics that fill the bill. Finding the right face with the right period costume is well nigh impossible. Perhaps I should start a doll-dressing file with cut-out clothes!

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By: Juliet

Juliet — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:59:30 +0000

Thanks Rowena. I am still enjoying writing, just being less efficient at it, and more angsty!

It surprises me that I don’t use music these days to help conjure the world of the book, since there’s so much music in my background. These days I write in silence mostly (apart from the inevitable barks, yelps and growls in this household.)

Therese, Raising Sand sounds great, I must look it up. You might like the music of Doch, a gypsy orchestra based in Australia. I love their sound, in particular the unusual rhythm patterns of seven beats, eleven beats and so on. Keeps the listener on her toes!

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By: Rowena

Rowena — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:57:06 +0000

So sorry to hear you haven’t been well, Juliet. Hope it all settles down and you can enjoy your writing again.

For me it is images first, then music. I think because I was an illustrator. My daughter is a jazz singer, and I suspect she dreams in music. I dream in really vivid, colour with back story. Sigh. Sometimes I don’t want to wake up!

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By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:42:07 +0000

Like you, I visit the place of story if I can; in fact, I just returned from a research trip that I’ll describe next week. More than anything, I think these journeys can inject a story with authenticity, since not only can you breathe the air and touch the grass (or snow, or rain) for your characters, you can speak with the people of that region and get a sense of their history, their manner of talking, and their now.

I also use music to draw me back into story. The haunting orchestral and piano melodies of Roberto Cacciapaglia’s Atlantico became the soundtrack for The Last Will. For this second book, I’m listening to a selection of songs from the album Raising Sand, with Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. Two of the pieces–gypsy music, quirky or dark–really speak to the story.

I use pictures, too.

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By: Ronda Levine

Ronda Levine — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:51:34 +0000

I tend to tear out images from magazines that depict characters or settings I want to write about. I also love to listen to music while I’m writing. It really helps to get me into that place where I feel complete focus. What do I listen to? It really depends upon the story, characters, or setting. I listen to whatever helps me feel like I’m there, watching the story unfold.

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