Creativity Friday: Inspiring a Novel*

As I work on The Novel these days (which is just about up to 71,000 words, hooray!), I’m finding inspiration in more places than I can keep track of. I know I’ve mentioned my semi-recent trip to Montreal to view the Waterhouse exhibit, which has several paintings that figure prominently within it. While art seems an obvious inspiration to someone such as myself, I’ve also been finding inspiration in music. In particular, Schubert’s last string quintet, D. 956.

Never heard of it? Even for hard core classical music fans, it’s wouldn’t be surprising if you hadn’t. It’s not one of the composer’s heavy hitters, like his oft-performed Trout quintet or Death and the Maiden quartet (which also makes a cameo appearance in the novel). But there’s something so transcendent about this quintet that I decided that it had to play a part during an important scene for my main character, which takes place at a concert.

Aside from the gorgeous music, the history of this quintet is touching. First off, it was one of the last compositions Franz Schubert wrote before he died in 1828 at the age of 31. Maybe I’m reading into it, but while listening to this quintet I get a sense of the composer railing against the limitations of life, especially in the exquisite second movement adagio — there’s a slightly schizophrenic quality in the way the music ricochets between sweet melody and over-the-top all hell breaking loose. Another interesting fact about this quintet: Instead of the usual two violas and one cello, this string quintet features one viola and two cellos, which gives the music a dark verocity. Also, the quintet wasn’t performed in public until 1884 — just three years before when my novel is placed. This made me consider how my fictional characters might respond to hearing it for the first time.

The quintet is such an intense piece of music that it reminds me of a scene from E. M. Foster’s ROOM WITH A VIEW (the book, though it’s also referenced in the Helena Bonham Carter movie). I’m paraphrasing here, but someone comments that playing Beethoven stirs the heroine Lucy Honeychurch up too much — ie: bad Victorian lady.

You can listen to a recording of Schubert’s string quintet, D. 956 here, courtesy of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (another radiant place of inspiration). Warning: the quintet is a good 45 minutes long, but you download it to listen at your convenience.

Here’s an excerpt describing it from The Novel:

The quintet began with several chords which promised tranquility. Alas, this was not to be — the instruments lurched into a passionate declaration of purpose that took my breath away. The double cellos offered a primal roughness. As soon as I’d girded myself for more of the same, the violins emerged from this chaos with a Viennese waltz-like song that suggested pure water burbling along a twisting stream. This theme continued for some time, interrupted periodically by chords that teased with the intensity of the opening, before dissolving back into a sharp fugue…. The fugue now built to such a climax of such intensity and speed that I could hardly stand it….

Next up was a plaintively slow adagio, to contrast against the previous movement. This music spoke of regret, of lost opportunities. Yet there was acceptance within it; as if it affirmed, Yes, life is finite. But it is worthy. This musical theme was reinforced by slow pizzacato plucking against long, low somber tones. It sounded like someone being comforted as they wept.”

I hope this music carries you away, dear reader!

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* This is part of an ongoing occasional series of posts about inspiration for the two books I’m working on right now. The first is a novel set in Victorian England during the Aesthetics Movement. The second book is a follow up to DOOMED QUEENS.

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An A-Musing Journey

Forgive me the punning headline – I simple couldn’t resist. But this is the only way to describe my recent trip to Montreal to view the John Williams Waterhouse exhibit at Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. As readers of my last blog entry know, I’ve been in need of serious muse time for my new books-under-way. So I took what Artist’s Way author Julia Cameron would call “an artist’s date”.

This was the first major exhibition of this late Pre-Raphaelite artist, as well as its only North American presentation. And a plot point in my new novel is oriented around the Lady of Shalott. And Montreal is one of my favorite cities. How could I resist?

So I took a weekend alone — my first away from my daughter since her birth — to travel up to Montreal in the dead of winter. Though I considered inviting a friend along, I decided that inspiration might strike more cleanly if I was traveling solo. To facilitate it, I even brought my laptop with me, so I could write during the eleven-plus hour train trip from New York. And I did.

I had forgotten that Waterhouse had created three versions of the Lady of Shalott. I was greeted by one of them as I walked past the museum gift shop.

And there was this behemoth draped over the entryway. Plus lots of displays inside. Alas, no photography allowed within the exhibit itself.

Inside the museum, all three versions were shown together for the first time, set within the centerpiece room of the exhibit. Nearby, Waterhouse’s personal copy of Tennyson’s poems was displayed. He’d drawn on every page, probably to record inspiration before it flitted away. Some of these intimate pencil sketches eventually were transformed into the magnificent paintings on view.

I was fortunately in time for the guided tour, which offered much that I did not know about Waterhouse. For example, he was the son of painters; his wife was also a flower painter. Alas, none of his journals or letters survived his death — the tour guide conjectured that his wife destroyed them — so not much is known about him.

Here’s more information, courtesy of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts:

In his search to rediscover the beauty of the medieval world, Waterhouse also found inspiration in classical literature and mythology. Often associated with the Pre-Raphaelites, who aimed to recapture the beauty and simplicity of the medieval world, Waterhouse was also a classical painter. The exhibition will show how Waterhouse’s paintings reflect his engagement with contemporary themes like medievalism, classical heritage, spiritualism and the femme fatale. Born the year the Pre-Raphaelites first exhibited at the Royal Academy, he inherited their taste for Alfred Tennyson, John Keats and William Shakespeare and was fascinated by beauty, the underworld and myths of enchantresses. His paintings reveal a romantic fascination for female passions: among his subjects are the Lady of Shalott, Cleopatra, Circe, Lamia, the Sirens tormenting Ulysses, and Mariamne condemned to death. Inspired by Romantic literature, he also drew from classical myth as interpreted by Homer and Ovid.”

With little else to go on, we’re forced to learn about Waterhouse through his art, rather than through his biography. (In a way, isn’t that the way it should be?) Once the tour was over, I spent several hours in the exhibit, going through it in detail. The overall impression I was left with was of a man who was passionate about mythology, beauty, and women. He was also fond of scattering numerous mystical symbols in his paintings. For example, he often used circles within overlapping circles; objects often number seven (as in seven crows or seven sirens). From this evidence, some believe that Waterhouse may have been involved with the popular spiritualist movement, one reason his wife may have destroyed his letters.

Alas, the exhibit closes this weekend. All the Ladies of Shalotts will depart back to their respective homes, probably never to meet again in one room — at least in my lifetime.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had my encounter with them.

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On a somewhat unrelated note, it’s now February — and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! With the help of my friend and publicity assistant Diane Saarinen, I’ve put together an amazing week of what I think is our most romantic content yet. Just call it the most romantic week on the blogosphere!

From February 8th through 12th, I’ll be joined on this blog by the beloved best-selling author Sandra Gulland (Mistress of the Sun), urban shaman Donna Henes (Queen of My Self), tarotist extraordinaire Ruth Ann Amberstone (The Secret Language of  Tarot), and acclaimed historian Holly Tucker (Wonders and Marvels, Blood Work) for a week of love-themed posts and special giveaways. The daily giveaways will include autographed romance-inspiring books, Amor art prints, and free downloads of the Love Tarot app. To be entered to win, all you have to do is comment. Easy-peasy.

Also on tap: A Valentine’s edition of our popular Tarot Salon. This takes place on February 12 starting at 7:30 pm at my studio-gallery; this month I’ll be joined by Donna Henes, Golda Poretsky, and Fran Dunston. For more information and to view other events and workshops, click here for our events page.

So I hope to see you here — and/or there!

• Filed under be-mused, creativity, giveaways and raffles, iPhone apps, lover's path, new projects, the art world, the world around me, travels | 6 Responses

Hibernating with the Muses

Ever noticed how years seem to take on themes? Here’s a quick look at mine (at least in regards to my business):

~ 2008 was a year of expansion for me. After a whirlwind of hard work, DOOMED QUEENS came out, received a lot of attention and even won a rave New Yorker review. I moved my work studio into a commercial storefront that would double as a gallery. As you can imagine, this was a big change after several years working from a windowless 7 x 9 foot hallway in my apartment.

~ 2009 was the year I solidified my business within my community (both local and global), to create a stronger platform for future growth and security. My studio began to offer events, workshops, and art exhibitions for adults and children. To  help me, I hired a part time studio assistant and publicity person. I created and sold four card decks, two which for DOOMED QUEENS. I made the big leap into digital publishing with iPhone apps. I also set up an art licensing site and created promotional videos for my books and much more.

Though I did begin work on the New Book follow up to DOOMED QUEENS, it felt as though business-related projects took precedence. In retrospect, I think much of this work activity was my response to the transformation of publishing as it lurches into the digital age.

Brave new world indeed!

~ * ~ * ~

And now it’s 2010. (How did that happen?) Just over two weeks into this new decade, I sense that 2010 is turning into a year where creativity will take the lead — at least for now.

No doubt this is in reaction to all I did in 2008 and 2009. Much as I love everything I worked on during these years, I’m feeling the need for serious muse time — time when I can just be creative and see where it takes me, rather than worry about deadlines or bottom lines. Time to allow myself to replenish my well, so I can grow as an author and artist.

I experienced some of this creative freedom with my participation in November’s NaNoWriMo, in which I wrote a very rough 50,000 words first draft of a novel. It whetted my appetite for more hibernation with the Muses. Fortunately, I think/hope that I’ve set up enough of a healthy business structure that I can allow myself this necessary luxury — at least for a little while.

So in the coming weeks, I’ll be focusing on writing two new books, including revising my NaNoWriMo novel (which has become a bit of an obsession, in the best sense of the word). I’ll also be researching history and other things to inspire me along my way. I’m even planning travels to places that will feed my creativity — Montreal this month, London in the summer.

To celebrate the start of this new cycle, I’ve even bought a new work table. It’s large enough for me to grow into.

New work table, ready for action!

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What the heck is NaNoWriMo? And is that why this blog has been quiet?

Answer #1. NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month, which lasts from November 1st through November 30th. Or, as they plug it on their wonderfully inspiring website, “30 days and nights of literary abandon!” (Yes, they include the exclamation point.) The idea behind NaNoWri is to write a novel — 50,000 words — in a month. Thousands of people join together in this collective writing marathon.

Answer #2: Yes — that’s why few blog posts this month. I’m using NaNoWriMo* to force me into writing the first draft of a novel which I’ve been mulling over. The only thing I can say right now about the novel is that it’s historical fiction, explores two separate time periods, and is mildly revisionist/feminist. Oh, it’s also not set in Venice, as The Lover’s Path was.

And yes, I am officially out of my mind, with everything else going on here. I already have another book underway, new iPhone apps in development, a gallery to run, and a daughter to raise.

But, as NaNoWriMo asks, if not now, when?

So new blog posts will be coming soon — December 1st is around the corner, which is when NaNoWriMo ends. After that, I’ll hopefully have a *very* rough draft of a novel that I can edit and expand as I see fit.

I hope you’ll wish me luck at reaching my 50,000 words! Right now, I’m up to about 33,000. Between holidays and travels and so on, this is going to be a squeaker of a finish. If I can get in 3,000 words a day, I should be able to do it. Since I’m of a decidedly non-athletic bent, this is as close to a marathon as I’ll probably ever get.

And, on a related note, I wish my U.S. readers a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I know that this has been a complex year for a lot of us, but there’s still much to be grateful for.

See you all at the finish line!

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*If any of you are also doing NaNoWriMo, please feel free to buddy with me. My user name is artandwords — you can also check my word count progress there!

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New Fall Publishing Workshops! And Tarot Salon!

September’s Tarot Salon is already almost upon us. Also hot off the press: new workshops! Here’s the info:

Friday, September 25, 2009 ~ 7 – 10 pm
TAROT SALON

Our most popular event! As featured in Time Out New York, CNN.com, Yelp’s “On the Radar”, Brooklyn Based’s “Tip Sheet”, and internationally in La Libération.

Gear up for Autumn with a reading on the question of your choice. The readers at September’s Salon will be Kris Waldherr (creator of The Goddess Tarot and Lover’s Path Tarot) and urban shaman Mama Donna Henes. They’ll be offering readings at a variety of prices. We’ll also have Fran Dunston of Fusion Therapy Spa on hand for massages at $1 a minute.

Refreshments will be served. Free admission.

FALL 2009 WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS No prior professional experience required.Class size limited to 15.

Saturday, October 17, 1-3 pm DIGITAL FRONTIER: E-books, iPhone apps, and Blogs $25. Includes materials fee. This workshop offers an overview of what’s involved with publishing online, and making money doing so. Special attention is given to creating, distributing, and marketing e-books and iPhone apps.

Saturday, November 14, 1-3 pm PUBLISHING 101 $25. Includes materials fee. This entry level class offers a comprehensive overview of the publishing industry. Topics covered include manuscript submissions, book proposals, literary agents, self-publishing, book acquisitions, and marketing.

Saturday, December 12, 1-3 pm CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS: The Big Picture $25. Includes materials fee. Ever wondered what’s involved in creating a children’s picture book—and getting it published? This workshop demystifies the process, taking you from inspiration to publication.

Publishing workshops are taught by Kris Waldherr. Kris has over twenty years of publishing experience on both sides of the editorial desk. She began her publishing career as a children’s book designer at a major New York publishing house. As an author, illustrator, and designer, Kris has created numerous illustrated publications for children and adults, ranging from children’s picture books to tarot decks. She is also a successful iPhone app developer and writes extensively about publishing and creativity on her blog.

FALL 2009 WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN Children ages 3-7 welcome. Class size limited to 8.

Thursdays, Time TBA (October 22, 29, November 5, 12) KID’S ART HOUR Come play, think, and create with us! 45 minutes of art and 15 minutes of story time taught by the ever-popular and talented Jessa Lowell Clendenen-Hellman. Parents are welcome to drop off or stay and play. $15 per class, drop in rate. All art materials included. About Jessa: Jessa is well known in the Ditmas Park area for her love of combining fun, creativity, and children. Jessa graduated from Bennington College in 2005 where she studied photography and documentary video. She has worked in several galleries, taken many art classes and has about 10 years of childcare experience.

Have questions? Contact us: e-comment at artandwords dot com or 347-406-5811.

• Filed under events, new projects, news & muse, publishing, studio and gallery, tarot and oracles | 2 Responses