A couple of blog posts ago I wrote about setting myself two creative goals - writing 15,000 words of my new book by the end of November and completing my Sketchbook Project.
I managed to write 10,000 words of my novel (when I realised the competition I was entering it for only required that amount to be completed I stopped there so I could get on with the sketcbbook content!). I'm happy to report that I finished my sketchbook on Saturday and it should now (hopefully) be on its way to New York...
The sketchbook took four weeks to arrive so I wanted to get it sent back a good few weeks before the January deadline which meant an intense creative past couple of weeks and I have to say it was the best thing I could have signed up for. Even when I wasn't working on it I was thinking about it, excited to have the chance to get on with some sketching. It reminded me of creative projects I used to spend hours on as a child (like building a house for a collection of ornament frogs I had and illustrating 'novels' in jotters and blank notebooks).
When it did arrive my first thoughts were 'Eek, it's so small, how can I fit in what I want to do in this?' and then 'Eek, there's 32 blank pages...where do I start??' As soon as I silenced my inner perfectionist critic the enjoyment began!
The title of my sketchbook is 'Getting Lost' (divided into three sections, Getting Lost in Words, Getting Lost in Paris and Getting Lost in Art & Beauty). I chose this title to represent the feeling I get when I 'get lost' in drawing or art. I stop thinking and just 'do'. I found it really freeing working on a creative project that was just for me, one that wasn't for a competition or a submission for a specific publication. My day job also hasn't been the most enjoyable the past couple of months so this also helped keep me sane.
Working on this reminded me of the reasons I engage in creative things. It's because I love the process and even if the results don't turn out 100% perfect it makes me happy to have given it a go.
With this sketchbook project I also love the idea that complete strangers from a different part of the world will get to connect with my work - they might hate it but who cares; at least my writing will be getting read and my art work will be getting viewed rather than hiding in a drawer somewhere.
The image at the top of my post is a sneak preview of one of my drawings. As my blog is called 'Through the Looking Glass' I thought it was appropriate to include an Alice themed one! You'll need to wait to see the rest when it's digitised online sometime next year.
In amongst completing my goals I found out I won 3rd prize in a flash fiction competition. My story Stolen can be read at multi-story.co.uk
All in all the past couple of months have been a happy end to 2012:) And now I can't wait to get back to writing the rest of my novel...
I'm so glad your sketchbook arrived and that you've had such a fantastic time creating the content. It looks lovely from the picture, really magical. And I love the expression on the White Rabbit's face. Congratulations on finishing it. What an absorbing project it must have been. I'm really looking forward to seeing it all next year.
ReplyDeleteWell done for completing 10,000 words of your novel as well. That's a huge milestone and good luck with the rest. I think it flows well once that first few thousand words are written and the tone of the book, plus the characters of course, feels well established. I think that first 10,000 is possibly the hardest part.
I've popped over to read Stolen and loved it - beautiful images that I shall carry in my head all day, especially the arrival of Ella at the door.
Hi Joanna, Thanks a lot for the lovely comments and encouraging words. I agree that by 10,000 words the book starts to get a bit easier as the characters fall into place! Still got a long way to go but looking forward to getting stuck into the rest. I hope your own projects are going well.
DeleteGreat post, Vikki, and I know how much work you've put into creating a fabulous sketchbook project. I love your drawings and can well remember your brilliant creativity when younger! Good luck with that new novel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mum! I've always appreciated your encouragement in all of my creative endeavours:)
DeleteGood luck, Vikki, with your sketchbook. I think that it's wonderful that people in New York will be learning all about you from it. Well done also with your 10,000 words!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean! It's been an intense but enjoyable few weeks:)
DeleteVikki - I've given you the Very Inspiring Blogger Award if you want to accept it!
ReplyDeleteWow, Vikki. I love that sample you put here, your sketches are wonderful. So creative and the smallest details you can notice are brilliant. Congratulations on your short story! Where can I subscribe to your blog posts? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Uuganaa! I'm not sure how you subsribe? If you're on blogger you can add me to a blog list I think? Can you please give me the link to your blog too. Thanks x
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