writing secrets and Sponsor: Amy Bogard (and giveaway)
When I tell my writing students that there are 2 major components to writing well, they wait expectantly for me to part the Red Sea of Writing so they can sashay in before it closes. I smile and tell them the 2 most important things I know about writing:
Read a lot and write a lot.
Then we spend the next 8 weeks talking about metaphor and opening lines, about the importance of a likeable narrator, about showing not telling, about omitting needless words and listening like a writer. But if you’re not reading and writing a lot, the rest is just theory.
But really, this news is exciting, because anyone can read and write a lot. And this translates to whatever discipline you seek (art, cooking, gardening, not yelling at your kids, forgiving your parents): practice a lot, be willing to stumble, get up and practice some more.
New 6512 and growing sponsor, Amy Bogard, is an artist and art teacher, who has decided to make one small sketch everyday for a year. She too knows that practicing your craft daily is key to improving. But that’s not all. She says, through the act of drawing, we learn to slow down and really see what we are experiencing. This is exactly how I feel about writing, because most of us will earn approximately $.000374/hr writing, but slowing down to really see what we’re experiencing? Priceless.
This is practice; practice is everything. Follow Amy’s sketch-a-day on her Facebook Page
Amy Bogard is offering you 2 things today. (the first is an invitation, the second a giveaway)
First, a spot in her June 2013 Taos, New Mexico 3rd annual sketching and journaling workshop.
In Amy Bogard’s words:
A few things happen in this workshop. With just a few days’ practice, you begin to fill up a blank book with images YOU have made. Many of us have picked up a lovely handmade journal only to tuck it in a drawer, almost afraid of it. I know I used to! With practice, I’ve learned that with each drawing, I create a time capsule of my days walking this world.
By Amy Bogard
We live in a very frenetic world. I have found that drawing in a sketchbook is the key to this escape, even in my own day to day. The Taos trip is a shot in the arm to get this process started. Taos, NM is full of interesting and beautiful things to capture the imagination and the spirit for the experienced artist, as well for those new-to-drawing. With the simple tool set of a small watercolor set, a pencil and pen and a book with some nice paper in it, you can open the door to this process for yourself .
I’d love a little set like that.
I want to hold that little paint set in my hand! cute/artsy attack!
I have gotten into an almost groove of writing a little every day. There are definitely days (and clumps of days) where I get off track, but I’ve been writing more and more consistently in the past eight months than I have probably in the eight years (or 18) that preceded it. I’m reading a lot too, though I find it hard to read a lot and read closely.
My kids would be begging for Altoids with that paint set, though I bet they wouldn’t mind sitting down to paint with me once they saw what it was.
That workshop sounds like a dream! Seeing all of Amy’s lovely paintings in this post is inspiring!
I have been water coloring a lot more lately, since all of our acrylic paints frozen on the move out here, and I have been loving it. A little set like that would be perfect to take along on our hikes!
Thanks for the chance!
What a cool idea. I would love to win this, but I would make one as well. What a great idea for the grandkids that love to paint us pretty pictures..
I might be more motivated to journal with a cute little set like that! :)
I would love to give this little set to my fiance who is just finding his way back to his art again after an injury.
omg, taos, nm, writing/drawing workshop? yes, please!
thanks for all the encouragement. it’s true about practice. one of our great yoga gurus always said, “do your practice, and all is coming.” it’s so true!!! xo
Would be thrilled to go to Taos! Her sketches are beautiful.
I set out this year to do the occasional watercolor sketch of the day to day during various seasons, and did make three that capture something of the moment they were made–dolls left out on the patio where apples were falling from the tree, three blue chairs in a grove of golden cottonwood trees, and pumpkins sitting on my desk. I’m going to check out her workshop now and see if maybe that is a getaway waiting to happen.
My soon-to-be ex-husband would love this…and, since we’re trying to be amicable, it would be a great peace offering.
I do love that paint box!
I love, love the idea of an art/writing journal. I have several that I have collected over the years, and like you am almost afraid to even use them….they are so beautiful! I would love to know how to paint and draw, I have three grown adults kids who graduated with Art degrees, but alas….I don’t know how to paint OR draw! :) But, I do love the paint set you made and I love to write (even though I don’t do it nearly enough!). Taos is a beautiful place to go to be creative. Have fun!!!
Ingenius!
slowly started to take up drawing/sketching… scary world! these are beautiful, and i am always looking for ways to improve my writing. thanks for sharing. :)
Your mini paint set is awsome. My little sketchbook is screaming for something a bit more adventuresome than pencil.
Lovely idea. My 16 year old daughter could use this idea to practice her skills.
Wow! What lovely comments! Thanks to all of you! It’s been great to sponsor such amazing writing. I just love the community Rachel has created here on 6512 and Growing and I look forward to more of the same!! Hope to see you in Taos!! :)
what a treasure — thanks for the giveaway opportunity
Read. Write. Read. Write….it’s my mantra (or at least it should be). How fun to spend a week in Taos! Are you going? Something to save up for…in the meantime, I love the mini paint set. I have an Altoids tin just waiting for me to get around to making one of the same.
how lovely! I am following her on facebook now!
i admire the discipline that both of you have, in practicing your craft daily. such beautiful images!!! what a cute, fun giveaway. i am going to check out the tutorial. i already keep my watercolors in an altoid tin, but they are still in their tubes- maybe that one more step needed to obtain access is holding me back. :)
Love her beautiful artwork!
I love this idea! I am always working with the children in our program on creative journalism and I think that it is one of the best ways to get the children connected with what they are doing artistically as well as verbally. We have many children that do not care to write lengthy entries or just do not feel confident in their writing skills so I always encourage creativity whether they use a camera to document their findings and interests, drawings or gather leaves etc. to tape into their journals. This is great :) Thanks for sharing.
Superb site you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same
topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Bless you!
If so, owning a automobile may also be any liability. The difference is how the
aspect of Time is rendered in the formula. Pick the sale you feel best
about after which call your individual agent and
see what they have to sell you.
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your
blog and look forward to new posts.
So while it’s possible to pay less up front, only do this if you
really need to. It’s not the end of the world but what is the best car insurance for teens.
For Seattle Car Insurance the education is
the important factor.
Then one is able to make an informed decision about insurance based
on this extensive research. Higher limits are usually
available and always recommended – it’s wise to consider the worst case scenario.
Many people choose to drop their collision insurance and keep only the liability when their car is loan free.
The days of trying to reduce your premiums by calling individual companies is over you can save
a lot of time by simply seeing msny prices from the one spot.
Thhe main secret to finding discount car insurance is taking the time
to compare several insurance companies’ rates and policies.
If you are a car owner in the New York City, it iis
essential to look for the options forr bhying auto insurance coverage, which iis important and a compulsory formality.
Some of the cars that meet those requirements are the Merceddes Smart, the Volkswagen Beetle and the Ford Fiesta.
Another thingg that you nesed to ensure in order to avail the car insurance policy at
a cheap rzte iis to install a anti theft alarm in your car.
Always choose a hikgher deductible to pay befire yourr inssurance
policy gets activated as it will give you
a policy you need to pay relatively less for.
This is often the most expenive part of
auto insurance and, therefore, much thought must be given
to choosing coverage wisely. The amount will increase as per the aage annd condition off the car.
Now, iif you have a classic car, it is much cheaper to insure this
from one of the specialty car insurance companies like Haggerty, Grundy or the AARP than with regular car insurance companies.
It is best for teen drivers too only get behind the wheel with their parent in the
front passenger’s seat. You will need the work release to show your
employer that you were injured. The information required will usually be around things like name , address, occupation,
driving history, age, type of vehicle, type of cover required etc.
I am really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility
problems? A handful of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer
but looks great in Opera. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
One other profit with gaming is group work.
You have to wait for it after which reboot.
It will possibly make you much less lonely.