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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Around the Town

I wanted to link to a couple posts I found fascinating this week.

First is Elise Fallson talking about writing and depression.  Do we really need to be depressed to write?  Is depression the natural offspring of writing?  It was a fascinating read. 

Second is Stina Lindenblatt discussing the emotion behind the scenes and how to show it.  Great read. 

Hope you enjoy them!

32 comments:

  1. I saw a bit about that depression one. I don't think full on depression is necessary. I'm not convinced an author has to experience things first hand so much as have real empathy and expose ourselves to what the world has to offer in terms of emotion--a few dark episodes will give enough realism to that empathy to make it realistic. I saw a different article about artists and mental illness and that one, too... I mean I think the drive of manic episodes can made a person super productive, but I don't think that is NECESSARY. Likewise, the wonky brain of schizophrenia can put some punch in creativity, but there are creative people without it (obviously).

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    1. Like you, I don't believe you need to be depressed to write. In fact I think for some people depression would block creativity. But I do think that the writer's life can lead to some depression, if they don't stay grounded.

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  2. Thank you Sara for the mention, I appreciate it. I'm off to check out Stina's site now. (:

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  3. Two of my favorite bloggers!

    And I read both of those posts... definitely worthy of mentioning, Sara. You are awesome. :D

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    1. Guess I'm old news. I thought there was good chance everyone had read these but I enjoyed them so much I wanted to share anyway.

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  4. Stina's posts have been extra fabulous this week! The other blogger I haven't visited--but will.

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  5. Thanks for the links! I'm off to check them out!

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  6. You always pass on such informative links - I'll take a look. Thanks, Sara.

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  7. I have been following Stina's posts and they are awesome!

    Thanks for all the new links.

    Nas

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  8. I don't think it matters how long one has been writing, these types of discussions are always invaluable. Thanks, Sara.

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    1. Yes, there's some things it's always good to keep in mind.

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  9. I read both of these great posts earlier this week too, Sara. Thanks for the reminder. :)

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  10. I visited Elise's post and commented that writers and artists tend to be a sensitive bunch and how our ability to feel things more intensely can sometimes contribute to moodiness. To elaborate on that comment, let me add that I don't believe being moody and depressed are the same thing, although people use those two words interchangeably. I don't think you have to be "depressed" to write. I do think having strong access to your emotions and what's behind them, which can come from being sensitive, can possibly help. I hope all this rambling makes some sense...

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    1. I agree that you don't need to be depressed to write, but that having access to your emotions is essential.

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  11. Both excellent posts. And I found a new blogger that I've never followed before. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I have a hard time writing when I'm depressed. I usually just watch a lot of TV.

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    1. I couldn't comment on your post earlier so I put it down at the end. Sorry.

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  13. Thanks for the links! I saw Elise's post. I think writers often go through extremes of emotion - especially when we are so involved that we live vicariously through the ups and downs of our characters. But having had a brush with depression aged 20, I know I couldn't do any writing then. Depression is an illness, although I'm as guilty as any of using the term flippantly sometimes...

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    1. So true, we often use the word too frivolously. Depression isn't anything to joke about. I do think writers do have a lot of emotional roller coasters though.

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  14. Thanks for the shout out, S.P. :)

    I used to struggle with mild depression. I just didn't realize it at the time (the cutting should have been my first clue, but it wasn't). I don't regret that period (mostly). It has benefited my writing. But I'm not sure I would have been able to write if I had been depressed. At least not for publication. Rejections are depressing enough as it is without adding that stress when you're depressed. :P

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    1. I'm glad you were able to learn from it and find yourself. I too suffered from mild depression and didn't realize it at the time. I wrote a lot of poetry but that was about it. And you're right, it's hard enough to stay positive in the face of rejection without adding a true depression.

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  15. Just stopped by to say thanks for commenting on my blog. :-)

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  16. I'm having problems commenting on each person's comment so I'm going to have to do the rest of them here at the end of the line.

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  17. Jenny, Me too, though more often then not if that's the case I end up just staring at the wall.

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