An author recently expressed regret and concern to me that she'd stopped writing songs. A longtime songwriter, used to working with music producers and other musicians, this author hadn't written any new songs in quite a while and was wondering whether she was a fraud if she continued to define herself as a "songwriter" if she wasn't performing at various gigs.
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| "song writing" machine designed by Oliver Jeffers |
"Wait a minute! Here's the thing, though," I said to her after a moment. "You've spent the better part of the past two years writing an epic fantasy in which a girl writes songs as part of the journey she's on to find love and her place in the world, the journey she's on to find her true voice. You've been writing a story that's coming from the very same place from which you write your songs."
We got to talking about artistry and creativity, acknowledging that there are many forms of creative and artistic expression, all of which stem from essentially the same place...and in this author's case, writing a story about a girl seeking her voice and songwriting itself are so very closely intertwined in this author's own heart and craft that they just can't be considered separately. The author is absolutely using many of the same artistic muscles to write her story as she uses to write songs--because she's a writer. Period. Performing songs for an audience becomes an essential goal for the songwriter and such performance can and does give some form of validity to the artist; so, too, does sharing a story with readers give the artist some form of validity. But what's critical for any artist to remember and embrace is that the crafting of the art itself can and does also validate the artist and the art.
To my mind, the bridges between and among writing, singing, painting, sculpting, and any other form of artistic expression are all forged from the same steel that is storytelling. In whatever ways we craft, express, and share our art, we craft, express, and share our stories and ourselves. There are no frauds here.(c) emma d dryden, drydenbks LLC
Oh my goodness... this is *why* I write. This post really touches me. For years, I was a ballet dancer--danced with a professional company for 7 years. And after I stopped, I was lost... until I found writing. For some reason, words tap into that same part of my soul that dancing did. And now I'm writing about dancing--so it's like I'm completely fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteAnd what's interesting is the more writers I connect with, the more I discover they have other creative outlets... whether with pasts in music, theatre, etc. It does come from that same place--wherever that drive is formed. Such a lovely post! Thank you for this, Ms. Dryden. Such a fascinating topic. :)
Morgan, thank you for your lovely comment.
DeleteThanks for the validation! Writing and creating art are what feeds my soul, but I've had to take on a "real job" now that my oldest is in college. Listing my new occupation on a form I filled out made me so sad, as if I was settling for and labling myself as something less than what I was meant to be. Though there is honor in any work well done, I'll take it to heart that I am still an artist and not a fraud!
ReplyDeleteSo many of us have to balance our art with other jobs and all aspects of life. As long as we don't lose sight of the art...
DeleteMy daughter is studying performance art and I am impressed at how many times our thoughts & work overlap. SO happy to have met you in person this week, Emma!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! And wonderful to meet you, too.
DeleteThank you for this wonderful post, Emma.
ReplyDeleteI shared the link with singer/writer Rosanne Cash, who said
she didn't write any songs in the last year of writing her book.
:)
Maybe the medium doesn't matter so much. As long as the muse visits—or maybe I should say, as long as we keep inviting her in. And doing the work.
Thank you again.
As long as we keep inviting the muse in - yes!
DeleteSuper thoughtful post, Emma; love pondering the link of story-telling that binds all artists. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love the notion of storytelling as story-binding.
DeleteThanks for expressing this so well, Emma. I think a love of storytelling flows over to all parts of our life - career, raising a family, hobbies, volunteer work, play, and even caring for family members and pets. Stories are always spinning around in my head, and they make all aspects of my life more beautiful. I find so many creative ways to make experiences more worthwhile, memorable, and fun! It comes from within, and should never be denied or suppressed.
ReplyDeleteJo, I couldn't agree more! Thanks for your comments.
DeleteUsing our voice to tell our story, confirms who we are and where we belong in the world. These stories we tell and share with others remind us of our gifts and how we have evolved. For me, understanding the story I have told about myself and the sharing of my story is how I found my place in the world. Your post was perfect for me to read today. As always Emma, your words inspire me and always right on time.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Melanie. Keep finding your stories and yourself!
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