I’m introducing you to Laraine Herring’s approach to writing because she includes attention to both text and image, anchors creative work in the body’s breath and movement, and most importantly, has a solid vision of helping writers create from progressively deeper sources within.

It is to her credit that for most of the book I could replace “write” with “make a picture” and use her advice well. For example, her exercises moving back and forth between journaling with words and specific images helped me fairly rapidly move a planned piece forward in unexpected, and yes, deeper, ways. Of course, some of her references are particular to writing (e.g. creating dialog); however, when I translated her particular points about point of view in storytelling into point of view for the images I make, some new ideas popped right up. What she has to say about learning the tools of your craft is applicable to any medium.

Her writing style and metaphors are so rich in themselves, it is hard to summarize what she has to offer visual artists; picking out either the concepts or practical hints would leave us with dry lists. I can say that, if creating is a central part of your life, translating her guidance for writers into guidance for visual artists will be worth your while.
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III. Friends in Print: When you feel like reading
Writer’s Market and International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses. Annual.
One reason some magazines are compelling is that they connect us to those who love what we love. Since we don’t always live with tribes who share our passions, the right magazine can provide that missing sense of community. I leave it to us all to speculate on how the internet will continue to forge similar connections and possibly supplant such magazines. Until then you might want to take a look at these two sources. They are mainly used by writers to guide their submission decisions but offer a goldmine of connecting offline to tribes whose existence you may not have suspected.
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IV. Creative Links
www.linkism.com/artist_resources/art-news.htm  and www.zeroland.co.nz/art_ezines.html
To broaden your view of the new art e-zine kids on the block, try either of these sites, realizing that fanzines and e-mail newsletters are included and all may be thin veneers for marketing products. I advise skipping the many e-zine directories which are hatching like summer swarms, and tend not to separate out art, let alone the making of art. As those of your who already receive this specialized newsletter know, it is also efficient to do a web search on the words for any passion you have and follow the clicks to other folks, their newsletters and, now, their blogs.
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V. E-mail changes. To change your e-mail address, subscribe, or unsubscribe please e-mail connect@dianereardon.com. If you use a spam filter, please add this e-mail address to your list of approved senders. This material is included on the breakTHROUGH Creativity Coaching (website www.dianereardon.com) All material is copyrighted ©, 30 June 2008, Diane Reardon. All rights reserved. Visit the website for back issues and details on scheduling a complimentary one-hour coaching session.
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