Art is both human creative skill,
and the results of that skill. The arts are different
branches of creative activity. (Painting is an art,
a painting is a piece of art, painting is one of the
arts.)
The word can also be used to
describe a skill or talent which doesn't produce a tangible result.
For example the art of not being around when there's work
to be done.
It's the first Wednesday of the
month, so time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group post. You can
sign up here if you're a an insecure writer, and/or would like to
support those who are.
February's optional question is –
Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it
and did you finish it?
No – not a single one, but many.
My grandma was a good amateur artist and my husband is a professional
photographer, so naturally I have an interest in these two arts.
In my novel Paint Me A Picture, the
main character learns to paint – which saves her life. She and I
were both inspired by a trip to the National Gallery. (The cover
artwork is by my husband.)
I've attended two writing workshops
with a connection to modern art and sold the stories I started at
each of them. One of my few historical works centres around a
(fictitious) painting, several of my contemporary short stories
involve paintings and painters.
I also use photos for, and in, my
work. Leave Nothing But Footprints is a romance novel about photographers, and
photographers appear in quite a few of my short stories. I also take
photos when researching, to remind me of facts, views and feelings.
For this short story competition from Parsec Ink, you're asked to write a story of up to 3,500 words on the theme of forging. Good word – I can think of several ways to interpet that!
