Why we create
  Another review out, and a recommended read as well. Click the Dark Divas image to visit the review page. Do we create art to get admiration? One might wonder if that's the case, but I believe it's only the case "after" the artwork has manifested in the world. Prior to that manifestation, there is this urge to create. Why? I am following Oprah's on line workshop with Eckhart Tolle and, the day after, I visit Oprah's site to download the transcripts and MP3 format of the weekly broadcast. (Here's a link for you.) Of course, there are always interesting links to the sides. Today, I followed one to a page on creativity. I quote Julia Cameron: But what we are actually talking about is that any time that you are engaged in a creative act, you are engaged in a spiritual act. And that's probably the single most important sentence: Any time we're engaged in a creative act, we're engaged with an inherently spiritual act. And I offer a link to the article: http://www.oprah.com/spiritself/beliefnet/200802/know_create_b1.jhtml Back to my take on things. After the creative act is done, we promote a product; hence reviews, chats, book signings and what not. Beforehand, it's a spiritual act. I can attest to this. Oh, perhaps some of you might not think I can, since I write erotica, but let me remind you that the act of love can transcend the physical mechanics. Eroticism can lead to spiritual awakening. But sure, if pleasure ain't for you, you can find some way to suffer to awaken spiritually instead. Creation is an act of pleasure, from starting a writing project, to starting a child in the womb. (If it's not an act of pleasure, something else is involved in the scene that has nothing to do with creation.) Back to my erotic writing. Almost all of my stories--well, perhaps all the stories, actually--have in them a theme beyond erotica, beyond relationship, action or adventure. So far, I always delve into the concept of faith, immortality, spirituality, ethics. Sure I write to entertain, but I also write as an act of faith. When I read the article on Oprah's site, I felt validated, recognized as a being and as an artist. I'm sure others will as well, whether they write, paint, quilt, work with wood or whatever medium that suits. |
posted by kmfrontain at 3:46 PM
Comments on "Why we create"
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M.E Ellis said ... (3:49 PM) :
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kmfrontain said ... (5:51 PM) :
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Leigh Russell said ... (7:37 AM) :
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kmfrontain said ... (9:35 AM) :
post a commentI agree. I wrote solidly for the first time in ages today. I felt myself coming back together. I know that'll make sense to you. I found a piece of me that has been missing. I must write more often.
:o)
Coming back together. There it is. I feel that way too: more there as the process is allowed to continue. :-)
Are you trying to present your commercial erotic fiction as something rather more elevated than it is? I can't see anything spiritual about writing erotic fiction!
I write crime fiction. I hope it's commercial. It's great fun to write, and I hope it's well written, but I don't make any claims to be writing great literature...
Be proud of what you do for what it is. You don't need to dress it up in borrowed robes.
I think you missed the point of the post. The act of creating any work of art is one of spirituality. It just so happens that your art and my art is prose. It just so happens my current interest is erotica; yours is crime fiction. It also happens that I believe eroticism can address spirituality (I'm not the only one who thinks so) and that I write with themes involving spirituality. If I were to write a crime fiction story, I'd probably have some spirituality theme in there as well. That is theme I tend to explore in any story. On top of that, like you, I'd aim for a story that entertains. I don't need to dress my work up in borrowed robes. My art is what it is and resulted from a spiritual act.