***I have a number of writing
deadlines coming up over the next couple of months so I have decided
instead of stepping away from my blog completely to concentrate solely
on my writing, I will bring back an encore performance of my WRITERLY
WISDOM series from three years ago. WW is 52 glorious posts by authors,
agents, and editors from around the country providing writerly wisdom in
categories from why even become a writer all the way to how to publish
and market your books.
There
will be two posts loaded per week...Mondays & Wednesdays...so be
sure to stop by and check out all the encouraging information given by
my lovely writerly friends! I hope you enjoy the encore presentation of
my WRITERLY WISDOM series and I will return with shiny, new posts in the
fall!***
Generating ideas:
Thinking like a child
By Russ Cox
“If growing up means it
would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I’ll never grow up, never grow up,
never grow up! Not me!” ― J.M. Barrie
When Donna contacted me
about writing an article on thinking like a child, I was excited to tackle this
subject matter. Having reached the mid-century mark, it has been a long time
since I was an actual kid in the physical sense. But if you ask my wife she
will tell you I never grew up. She reminds me of this almost every day.
So what is it to be an adult
and still think like a child? I believe to work in the children's market,
especially books, not only do you have to think like a child, but in many ways
you need to act like one. No, not in the "I did not get my way so I would
throw a tantrum or hold my breath until I pass out" way, although I have
tried that with my wife and she will just step over me. To be child-like, one
must still enjoy doing kid things.
Here are some things that I
try to do to keep that inner kid active:
Don't be perfect or afraid
to fail - A child does not worry
about being perfect. Not every circle or square is exactly right. To exaggerate
things is to see them in a new perspective. A different viewpoint can lead you
down an undiscovered road, full of new ideas. Try to see things that are not
there or do not make sense in the adult world. Look at drawings done by
children. They show an eclectic
mix of characters and scenarios that would make even Freud scratch his head, in
a good way. Where would Picasso be if he created his paintings in a more
traditional style?
Pretend – The only time adults really let loose and pretend
seems to be on Halloween or at a costume party. Why not dig out a mask or
tennis racket and pretend you are a monster playing the guitar in a rock band.
I would make a banjo reference but not many of us would imagine playing the
banjo with a mask on. Reenact the “worm” scene from Animal House. The alcohol
is optional.
Be silly, let loose - Okay with this one, it is confession time. I have
different voices for our four cats. Yes, I have become that crazy cat person.
My wife is as well by proxy. Doing silly voices for the cats has lead to story
and illustration ideas. Just stepping outside of adulthood for a brief moment
and letting loose, feels good and gives you a good belly laugh. My daughter and
I came up with this silly dance that we do whenever we are in bad moods. You
cannot help but laugh at us. It is pure silliness. I can show you sometime if
we ever run into each other.
Try something new - I think as adults we get so stuck in our ways and
routines it is hard to break out of that rut. Kids are always up to doing
something they haven't done before. It is the freshness of a new discovery that
keeps them exploring new adventures. So do something different. Go into a music
store, pick up an instrument that you have no idea how to play, and attempt to
play it. Strum, blow, bang, crash, etc.! Yes, you could clear the store and create
a ruckus but you could be an undiscovered Mozart or Jimi Hendrix.
Play - As adults, especially creative ones, we must keep
the want to "play" alive and healthy. We need to loose the
self-control restraint that ones with age. I still enjoy going to toy stores
and playing with the toys, watching cartoons, running amok at amusement parks
and playgrounds, flying kites, and chasing my wife around with a water pistol.
And yes, I do squirt her!
Practice – Practice? How does one practice being a kid? If
you apply or try a few the ideas above, your inner kid will come flooding back.
Maybe to the chagrin of your partner or family but the payoff in the end will
be worth it.
As we become adults, we tend
to loose that creative free spirit. With jobs, families, and various
responsibilities, a seriousness enters our lives, pushing out the inner child.
Keeping that child alive is the key to not only success, but to lots of laughs
and a happy, creative life.
“Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso
Russ Cox was
raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the back woods of Tennessee. Without
much in the way of modern conveniences, like a television set or running water,
he spent his time drawing and whittling away the hours. After dismantling his
grandfather's lawn mower engine, and without a clue on how to get it back
together, he soon realized that he did not have an automotive bone in his body
so he kept drawing. After graduating from art school, with a portfolio in his
hand, he ventured into the world of design and illustration. He opened his own
studio, Smiling Otis Studio, where he presently specializes in illustration for
children. When not drawing, running amok in the snow, or training their four
cats to sing Bohemian Rhapsody, Russ enjoys some quiet time, working on his
picture book stories. He also enjoys playing the banjo but his wife would
prefer him to play the triangle or build a sound proof room.
Website: http://smilingotis.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SmilingOtisStudio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@smilingotis
That is really great advice!
ReplyDeleteHi Erik! You can learn a lot from Russ...;~)
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!