Category: Blog

In the realm of creativity, possibly the most persistent question artists ask themselves is what will become of their legacy – what will it be that people see in the work they leave behind? The real reason anyone gets anything done is a question as timeless as art itself. It’s a query that delves beyond the overdone narrative of overachievements and success stories. The real reason is far more profound; it’s rooted in the very essence of why we create.

Speaking as a guest lecturer on video games at Aalto University, Davey Wreden talks about the innate contract within all of us — he describes it as “this contract inside you that tells you why you’re really making whatever it is that you’re making. Just as it was praise and validation for me, perhaps for you, it’s the need to prove yourself to someone who thinks you won’t make it. Or a self judgment that the only people that are valuable in this world are the people who are churning creative content all the time”. In an era where it might seem like nothing gets done anymore, the exploration of one’s legacy becomes not just a reflection on personal achievements, but a beacon guiding us through the intricacies of the creative process. Wreden continues to impart on the matter that “even though you didn’t get to decide whether to get this contract, you can decide how you get to respond to it if u keep asking yourself [questions]”.

As we navigate the vast landscape of artistic expression, we often find ourselves looking up to the enduring legacies left behind by iconic figures. Whether it’s the elegance of a songwriter, the enduring beauty of a painter’s eye, or the timelessness of a photographer, each artist’s body of work tells a unique story about their beliefs, philosophies, and the common motifs that shaped their creative journey.

In the world of music, Taylor Swift, for example, has taught young women to embrace girlhood and all the nuances of growing up through her incredible knack for storytelling. Paul Simon’s body of work reflects a musical chameleon who constantly ventured into unknown territories, re-energizing himself with new sounds and ideas constantly and bearing the fruits of a long prosperous career as a result. The music of Joni Mitchell reveals a toughness, resilience and an almost frightening show of vulnerability that had Kris Kristofferson famously advising her, “Save something for yourself, Joni!”. In the world of visual art, Van Gogh’s vibrant colors and swirling brushstrokes leads its audience to reflect on the tumultuous mental landscape of the painter, while Rembrandt’s mastery of light and shadow reveals a profound understanding of the human condition. The photography of Vivian Maier, a name almost entirely unknown in her time, captures the life of ordinary citizens of 1950s and 60s Chicago and New York in extravagant and unique ways. What is especially intriguing about Maier’s legacy is that she was almost completely unknown in her time — her body of work was discovered in 2007 by a historian who acquired a box for her negatives in an auction. She was never able to see the fruits of her labor — she was simply creating and capturing life for its own sake.

Their legacies transcend time, inspiring artists to explore the depths of their own creativity. Delving into a musical body of work is to step into their shoes and see life through their given lens — the intricacies of human relationships, a connection to nature, a search for identity and many other themes that may be communicated. Consider critically reflecting on your favorite artists and what concepts, ideas and messages can you take away from their body of work? Think about how each album or photograph or painting plays into the narrative of the larger picture. How can you look to these artists for inspiration with, not just your own art, but demeanor? What beliefs, philosophies, and common motifs do you see run through, again not just in your creative outlets, but in your way of life?

By: Isla De La Cruz

Feeling stuck? Staring at a blank page? Is creativity standing you up…again? Here’s a secret: Originality is overrated, so quit striving for it. They say “Write what you know.” The easiest way to write what you know? Re-write what you know. The foundation is the most crucial part of any process, so let’s repurpose it. 

Re-writing stories is about honoring tradition while embracing innovation. Through re-writing creators can pay homage to classics while introducing new concepts, storylines, and ideas. From adapting Shakespearean plays to re-imagining folklore, the process bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. The modern re-envisioning of classics is found in beloved movies like “Clueless” (a modern adaption of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’) and “10 Things I Hate About You” (a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of The Shrew’). Both adaptations share plot points and character arcs while leveraging modernity to revamp the storytelling. Recreating liberates writers from the constraints of original plots and encourages them to follow and explore new paths and possibilities. It challenges creators, sparks the spirit of experimentation, and promotes pushing creative limits and boundaries. There’s no need to feel stuck if part of your new story has already been written. Storytellers can delve deep into characters’ psyches by redrafting ideas and offering unique and fresh perspectives. Take the Broadway musical “Hamilton” as an example; while the musical does its best to represent an accurate portrayal of Alexander Hamilton’s life, it allows the audience to experience Alexander and other historical figures in a new light by infusing fresh perspectives into our understanding of U.S. history. Re-writing also inspires adaptability. Humans must always learn to adapt to the ever-changing landscapes of life. Re-writing teaches creators invaluable lessons of resilience as a reminder that using resources available is not failure but a stepping stone to growth. Writers can be encouraged to face uncertainty, confront challenges, and transform setbacks into new opportunities for reinvention. Re-writing stories is a powerful tool. 

Here are some questions to spark new intentions with preexisting work:

How can I expand on these characters? What would happen if the setting of this story was different? How can I reinvent my favorite song into a story? What if the events of this story took place in 4 days rather than two years? What would happen if these characters were younger, older, had powers, or were ordinary? What if this character lived? What if this character died? How can I share this hero’s victory differently? 

In the tapestry of the human experience, rewriting serves as a thread between the past, present, and future. It transcends boundaries and ignites the imagination. As creators and writers embark on their creative journeys, we should embrace the transformative power of retelling and re-writing. Endless possibilities are waiting to be discovered, shared, and celebrated within pages already written. Take your something old and borrowed and make it something new! 

by: Tara North

It seems unfair that actually writing a piece is only half the battle, but it’s true–for your work to get in front of an audience, it has to make it through a publisher’s editorial gauntlet first! Fortunately, there are some things you can do that will significantly improve your chances.

Proofreading

Venues all seem to have one thing in common: too many submissions. An editor’s time is precious, and they expect publication-ready works. If your submission is riddled with typos, poor grammar, and misspellings, the odds of it disappearing into a bottomless ‘maybe’ pile increase exponentially. 

Ideally, have a friend review your work before you begin submitting it for publication. If you’re flying solo, dramatically changing the font, point size, and spacing of your final draft can help you spot errors you missed on previous read-throughs.

Pick the right venue

Many venues are, fortunately, pretty up-front about their preferred genres and length. Don’t waste your time submitting poetry to a publisher that only takes a few poems per issue. If the submission guidelines say that works above or below a certain length will be a hard sell, believe them.

Many venues are, less fortunately, prone to rhapsodizing instead of getting specific about the tone of what they’re looking for. Instead of trying to puzzle out what constitutes a heartbreaking work of staggering genius, check the venue’s recent archives. Most literary journals will have the editors’ favorites or their most representative pieces available to read for free as a way of increasing buzz (and subscriptions).

Play the odds

Getting an acceptance is frequently a numbers game, and you can expect to submit your piece to several venues before one says yes.

Once you have your list of venues, decide what you’re looking for from a publication. The highest readership? The most money? The fastest response time? The best chance of being accepted? Prioritize the venues that can give you that.

Follow the directions

The default manuscript format for fiction venues is the Shunn standard. If the submission guidelines don’t mention things like font, spacing, and indentation, they’re most likely expecting you to follow Shunn formatting. 

If the guidelines do mention specific things, make sure to follow those instructions! Many editors, fairly or un-, see an author’s lack of care in following submission rules as a red flag. If the author didn’t bother making the font 12-point Arial, what critical steps did they skip with writing and editing?

Many submission systems are also heavily automated. Send your piece to the wrong email, or without the required subject line, and it will land in a spam folder. Writers have wasted months waiting for a reply only to find that their story never made it to a human.

Going through these crucial steps won’t guarantee an acceptance, but it will help get your work out of the slush pile and give you the best shot at getting an acceptance.

Good luck!

by: Beatriz DeMelo

Everyone’s an author. We all have a story to tell. We can all share something with others that can impact their lives. Allowing readers to experience events from someone else’s view.  Everyone has a narrative to tell, even if it may not seem like it.

The process of writing a story or narrative can be scary or overwhelming. A great place to start is to just begin writing out words that connect with the story you are trying to express. Once you’ve done that, use those words to form sentences, then paragraphs, then chapters; in the end, you have a story. You may be surprised by the significance of what you have written.

Authors will include a theme or lesson in the story they write. The power if the theme, though, lies with the reader; it is up to them to interpret the author’s intent. Think of your favorite piece of literature and how you have learned from its theme; how its, maybe, gone as far as changing your view on life.  A literature piece that has done this is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; a piece famously known for its intellectual imprint on readers. Themes of family, social class, and more obviously pride and prejudice. Allows for reader to interpret these themes in ways that connect them and their lives to the narrative.

So, start off by writing those words on a page, and create sentences; you never know the impact your story will have on someone who reads it. Focus on creating connections with people through your work. Everyone has different opinions and interests, but storytelling can unite us in amazing ways. No matter what your topic is, you can send a powerful message, don’t sit in silence: make your voice heard. What’s your story?  

By Matt Fuentes

In the present-day world, the field of academia has been noted for promoting the creation of written works on subjects that may not necessarily arouse the writer’s passion or inspiration. This phenomenon can often lead to individuals feeling hesitant about engaging in writing as a whole. However, I implore you to ponder on something that you hold dear to your heart and attempt to create a written piece about it. What is that one aspect of your life that you deem irreplaceable? What is that one topic that you can discuss for hours on end and educate others about? I am certain that it would not be a difficult feat for you to pinpoint this particular aspect, as each person possesses that one passion or hobby that they would love to write about in the absence of any academic constraints.

For me, personally, the subject of music holds a special place in my heart. Although it is true that music is a common love among most individuals, it occupies a particularly vital role in my life. I am constantly listening to it, playing it, and even producing it. It occupies my thoughts for a significant portion of each day. I am certain that you, too, possess that one thing that you continually think about and would prefer to be doing in place of school or work.

It is important to note that you need not conform to a particular set of guidelines or format. Rather, simply allow the words to pour out of you with the ease and fluidity that often characterizes people when they are in their “zone”. This may entail writing about your favorite pastime or even your most beloved passion. In sharing what you love, you will find that it can be a therapeutic experience, while simultaneously inspiring others to take up your cause. Who knows, you may even succeed in influencing someone to take up your passion themselves.

Write down the initial thoughts that come to mind without giving in to the temptation to overanalyze the process. Then, at a later time, you can revisit your work and modify it to your liking. Rest assured that this undertaking should not pose any difficulty since you are writing about something that you adore, rather than some unexciting topic. This exercise may even engender an enhanced appreciation for writing in its entirety and may be the starting point for a newfound passion. I am eager to read about your interests and hopeful that they may spark a newfound appreciation within myself as well.

By Marley Churchward

Often the intensity of a book’s storyline or theme can be so gripping you cannot stop turning the pages, despite knowing it is much past your bedtime. Does this ever make you think “how do writers do this?” “What gets the reader to keep turning each page?” Some of the most crucial factors of a theme are the characters, as well as key events, character development, and how the writer can create helpful plot points to keep things moving.

Let’s look at the Divergent series as an example of how the author expands on theme. The series is about a dystopian society divided into five factions that everyone should be able to fit into, except for one or a few. This develops into a theme of “you should always make decisions for yourself, rather than allowing society to make decisions for you.”

The main character, Tris, throughout Divergent really drives the development of the theme by making her own choices, despite her fear of what others might think of her for possibly defying the five factions. But Tris doing this was for the greater good of everyone else without even knowing.

A remarkable thing to take away from this is not only the character development through conquering her fears, but these moments through the story that drive to theme. This brings me to how these events keep your audience interested. When key events occur, it should bring character development with it as well as the development of the plot. This gives the writer the ability to expand the theme.

Diving into another example, where the key points involve the main character(s), Tris chooses dauntless rather than the faction she grew up knowing. Tris continues through with her choice when she realizes how physically demanding and scary the faction she chose was. The faction made her get on moving trains and jump off, and even fight peers to get accepted. The Dauntless faction is for protection because those who are willing to protect are brave enough to do so.

Furthermore, these choices bring about new characters, adding more development to the story. These characters also aid in building the main development and theme! Also, worth noting is understanding how your characters would act/behave in various different circumstances, this can aid you in creating helpful plot points that can drive a character into an action that supports your story’s theme.

An example of this is, when Tris meets Four not only adding another character but also adding more development. Through Fours character development you find out Four is like Tris and does not just fit into just one faction. Whereas Tris fits into all the factions, but four only fits in a few. With Four by Tris’s side he is able to give her new information about a developing plot to overthrow the current governing faction.

Using the main or developing characters to help plot points throughout the story not only gives further development of these characters, but also theme. As in the example above there are other developing characters that have other motives unknown yet.

In conclusion, you should be able to not only develop your main characters but also the key points developing your theme, giving room for expansion in many ways. Making sure to understand how your characters will respond in many situations can help understand how they respond to big “life changing” or key points in your storyline. All the more allowing you to develop your theme.