The creative space in between

A rather odd connection between writing and flower arranging happened for me today. The tutor said to leave a space between the two different colours of gladioli. He referred to it as the creative space in between.

It made me think of the pauses in music, which the artistic director of my choir, says are just as important as the notes, if not more so.

However, it also made my brain veer off on a wild tangent to the writing of Michael Reilly, a young Sydney action writer, whose latest book The Five Greatest Warriors has topped the best seller list, even beating New Moon.

Although not the type of author I would usually read, I was introduced to Michael’s books by my brother. The first thing that struck me was Michael’s highly visual style of writing - a tribute, which unbeknown to me then, book reviewers ascribe to his work. What stands out in my mind is the description of a race in Michael’s novel Hover Car Racer. The writing went something like this:

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and so on.

This creative use of space was far more powerful and effective than any piece of dense prose he could have written to describe the race.

To see a review of Michael Reilly’s latest book The Five Greatest Warriors, go to my website.

How far would you go for love?

Taking a break from the 40 degree heat today, I went to see a Franco Zeffirelli production of Puccini’s Turandot filmed live at the Met in HD. As you may know, the Met has been showing a series of operas since last year throughout cinemas around the world. Cinema goers may be in different time zones but they see each opera as it goes out live. There is a VIP who introduces each opera, and who also interviews the stars and other members of the production team, in between acts. For example, today the person in charge of making severed heads, for operas like Salome, was interviewed. The young Latvian conductor was also interviewed. He said the thing he liked best about Turandot was the fact that Liu, a slave girl, sacrificed her own life to save the man she loved. He felt this act surpassed any heroic feats of war. It actually has echoes of the novel I’m attempting to write where the heroine, a Western girl, is coerced into working for the intelligence services and making sacrifices, to save the man she loves, who is a Uyghur.

The boys are back

Was really going to post this as a review on my website but that still needs a bit more building - well, quite a lot actually.
Last night I went to see a preview of the film, which is the title of this post, at my lovely art deco cinema. It was directed by Australian Scott Hicks, famous, among others films, for 'Shine', and 'Snow falling on cedars', and who was present for a Q&A session after the film.
This film is a must see. It is based on the true life memoirs (can memoirs be anything else but true - yeah I guess so) of Simon Carr, a New Zealander, who was widowed in his 30s, when his second wife died of cancer leaving him with a young son to bring up. He also has a son by his first wife, who both live in England. Don't stop reading now guys - this film has everything: humour, emotion, sport, a bit of fisticuffs,(sorry no sex to speak of) but really is one for the boys as well as the girls. As Scott said he likes stories which draw on family and complex relationships, an undying source of material to which we all, as writers or filmmakers, have access. It also showcases the music of Icelandic band Sigur Ros, who normally refuse to allow their music to be reproduced in any context. However, Scott took the film to Iceland to show them, forewarned by his son that these were "the coolest people on the planet", so in other words don't stuff it up! The band loved the film and agreed to let Scott use their music. The screenplay was set in Australia and filmed in South Australia - Scott's home state, although he now spends most of his time in the US. It is an Australian and BBC co-production, and stars that gorgeous hunk of a British film star Clive Owen, with his just off posh London accent and plenty of close-ups of his deep eyes. The cinematography is a visual feast. One comment by Scott, which really resonated with me, was that he wanted to show emotion without sentimentality, which he certainly achieved. More than can be said for the screen version of the book 'The Time Traveller's Wife'. I was sooooo disappointed with this film - it was pure Hollywood, and although Australian Eric Bana, who played the lead, is good eye candy, there really is only so much of him in the nude a girl can take. What does Hollywood do to our talented actors? They become plasticised and their work becomes souless, cf Nicole Kidman. I remember Eric Bana in the Australian film Romulus my father,a far superior film to The Time Traveller's Wife, as is The Boys are Back.

Click to listen to interviews with Scott Hicks.

If you would like to read more reviews of movies and books, go to my website in a couple of days.

Editing assignments getting you down?

Who likes editing? The answer to that is probably editors! Editing can be the bane of a student writer's life (and I suspect an established writer's life). Having just completed a particularly onerous assignment, where I and my peers were required to edit a book project about the humble apple, I can honestly say this took the prize for being the pits! I never want to see, smell or eat an apple, or anything remotely to do with apples again(oh, except maybe my new I-phone!).
So how do you relax, wind down, come down or whatever after a particularly gruelling and frustrating period of edting, re-writing or just plain writing that didn't go so well? Would love to hear from you!
What works for me?

Going for a swim at the beach.

Listening to music, and last but certainly not least

Going to flower arranging!

When I walk in the room and hear my tutor's soothing, calm voice; see, smell and touch the gorgeous blooms and foliage he has chosen for us, not to mention coming out with something half resembling an arrangement, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling and all the tension disappears. If only the writing process were that easy. But do you know what the trickiest bit is? Getting the flower arrangment safely home in the car, or even just into the car, not to mention up the stairs to my flat!

If you're interested, today's effort (pictured) consists mainly of white and purple-pink orchids, a special type of baby's breath, Albany woolly bush from Western Australia, Philodendron leaves, Leucandron from Argentina (it feels like stroking a pussycat!), Nandina, and I've forgotten the name of the silvery-grey leaves at the front. The professional florists among you may despair, but I feel good!

Would you take 'supplements' to enhance your creativity?

While watching a fascinating episode of Insight - described as Australia's leading forum for ideas - on SBS TV this evening (when I should have been doing coursework) about IQ, Emotional Intelligence, the brain and memory, I was both horrified and intrigued to hear that some perfectly healthy people take not just herbal supplements, but medicinal drugs, such as those used in the treatment of Alzheimers, to enhance cognitive ability and memory. One was a young man who wanted to get better grades. So, as a writer, or student writer, how far would you or do you go to enhance your creativity? I'm not talking about recreational drugs (and don't want to hear about those), but herbal or vitamin supplements and medicinal drugs with claims to enhancing creativity. Do such things exist? And if so, is it cheating to take them?