A quasi rant, ramble, and reslove.

Image via WikipediaThe past week my preoccupations have clouded my ability to focus on my science fiction writing. Some have told me that is justified because work and family are the essentials, but what many fail to understand is that being creative is also essential to me and my well being. It is not the first time I have heard this throughout my life in regards to my visual art as well as written works. I have learned to take the advice I feel appropriate based on if the person has knowledge of the creative process or not. So I reviewed some books and watched some sci fi shows without any luck. It did not spark any creative ideas. I have my story pretty well mapped out in the direction and tone I want to take it, the characters are basically defined, and the story is being written, I have just hit a wall, so to speak.
I decided to go back and read the writing of one of my favorite professors who greatly influenced my writing, Kate Braverman. I also kept my notes from the time I studied under her back in the 1990's for approximately a year. What an experience that was! She told me to toss out the television and stop listening to the radio and if there had been internet then, she probably would have said don't read the net. I looked at her in disbelief and told her she had to be joking, throw out the tv set? No way, I love television, especially my science fiction shows, how can I be inspired? She said to read books and I said I have been reading since I was old enough to do so but what was wrong with watching television? She never stopped insisting and each class was the same, "Have you thrown out the set?" she would ask. Her stance was extreme but made me understand that I should watch popular culture with an objective viewpoint and not allow myself to be influenced by it. Instead, analyze what I watch or listen to, and appreciate or criticize the ideas in a show. That provided a way for me to enjoy what I watched without using similar ideas and expressing them in the same worn out way that everyone is used to. I know her stance was extreme, but it made me acutely aware of how powerful mass media can be and I should use my own brain to choose what I feel is accurate and appropriate as creative writing. Reading through "Postcard from August" a collection of poems by Braverman, brought back so many memories of attending poetry readings, studying geology, teaching math, and writing like a fiend, as well as that excitement about writing and the feeling that there are not enough hours in the day to do all the writing I can in addition to all the other aspects of my life.
I am glad I saved the notes from that time because now I can apply to a greater degree what I learned then.
So I have had a quasi rant and some rambling but most importantly the resolve to continue with more fervor my own creative experience.