2/28/11: Since my original posts, I placed the 'five easy pieces' outside the blog for a tuneup.
***
I'm late in wrapping up. I waited to gather feedback, incubate my own thoughts and got swept up in the next big thing (which is very good, this added new perspective). My immediate thoughts were that some strengths and weaknesses of my vocal performance practice and discipline played out here in a 'character realization' mode.
I had an entrancing time channeling someone else, especially in another time in a city I cherish and about which I continue to learn. Having a regular routine around research and writing really helped, much like researching new music, practicing regular breathing and scale exercises and learning a new piece does. I know to continue this work whether or not it goes well, stop at an alloted time to save on strain or burnout. Yes, it turns out I can remember something on Tuesday that I failed to write about on Monday because time was up. Only it is better there is new creative input if I can hold my horses and write the next day. And I didn't get a sore throat. Limiting writing time, like practice limits, really adds to the experience, the sense of balance and the quality of the products sought.
My current (and lifelong) vocal downfall is that after lots of work to deliver a song arc (the line and lyricism), I sometimes drop out before the finish line. Literally it feels like I can see the finish line before it sees me and I peter out. So work on volume and intensity gets my voice to the last row, but not always for the duration. That was a definite truth about my last post on Inga's behalf. She was too glib, not really as good as the penultimate piece because the artist behind her gave up before the filly came into the final post. At least I am consistent. I suspect I will gain value in my song practice before I can complete this learning as a writer.
Please let me know what you think.
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3 comments:
Don't know if the following comments are useful or on the mark, but here they are.
1. "Wrapping up." Useful in that the effort nails down some learnings for future reference. These easily get lost along the way. Over time--they will be mostly...gone. Also brings something to completion.
3. "Next big thing." You as writer may know what it is, but your reader may not. [Perhaps a bit too general or vague]
3. "Vocal Performance." A worthy and helpful analogy, with strong linkages that elaborate your points.
4. "Channeling." Interesting way of going after character development--a very relational concept.
5. "Alloted time." That seems wise to me. It preserves energy, keeps the "horses" in check and in good form.
6. "Hold my horses." Reminds me of an Ernest Hemingway method. When he finished for the day he stopped midway in the last sentence. That way the horses were ready to run the following day.
7. "Sore throat." Clever, but the image does not seem to fit with the flow of the paragraph--the thrust of its movement. Does this image seem to stick out to you? Was that intended?
8. "Finish line." The notion of pursuit--so many things are connected to it: a thought process, rhythm with its potential corollary of intensity, the writer's own character development.
Loved your idea of "artistic vacation." Thanks for sharing the trip.
Now I have to practice what I just preached. Oh my goodness..........
this sounds to me like an intriguing glimpse of something that's happening at the motivational level, not strictly to do with stamina or any such "hard skill".
perhaps there is something you associate with delivering your best performance from start to finish, something that produces conflicting emotions in you? i have seen that lead to paradoxical midstream loss of motivation before...
I would need some context from "anonymous" - not sure if this is meant for me or for Donna's commentary, but midstream loss of motivation is a topic rich with possibility.
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