By Eros-Alegra Clarke
I personally have never met a writer without an addiction to office supplies; that is, anything involving paper, the organization of paper, tools that produce words and organize those words, or the paraphernalia that might loosely be associated with either words or paper. And by loose association I mean items such as; a beach front property that has the perfect office space to house the perfect writing desk. If it means our words will return home to us, we will go to any end to make sure they feel welcome.
You see where I am going with this? New toys are always about inspiring and supporting our craft.
One of my challenges in writing this novel is that it takes place on the central coast in California – roughly half a planet away from where I live. I lived in the area for nearly two years but I have the memory recall of a gnat. Or, let me rephrase that, I have the memory recall of a gnat with ADD, meaning I can retrieve vivid splashes of details but I am unable to connect them together without making up a whole lot of ‘Alegra-isms’ to fill in the gaps. I will put buildings where they have never belonged, totally reorganize geography, and repaint entire landscapes to suit the needs of my imagination. Obviously, I can’t do this unless I am going to write my novel on a planet that exists only in my mind.
I recently returned to the central coast to visit my parents for two weeks; I had big plans to write at least forty thousand words while I was back there. The reasoning behind my grandiosity was that I wanted to get as many detailed scenes as I could so that when I returned back to New Zealand it might assist my crafting of further scenes. It was obvious halfway through the trip that I was not going to achieve this.
One night, in a state of panic, my friend Greg suggested that I purchase a hand-held recorder and walk around describing the area. I kicked this up a notch and decided that what would really suit my purposes was a digital camcorder. Now, being a graduate student/writer means I don’t have a great deal of cash to fling around but I found exactly what I needed and at a price that I could justify: Insignia NS-DCC5HB09 – Camcorder.
This camcorder allowed me to record anything that might serve as a potential scene for my novel while recording my thoughts and impressions. Now, I have hours of visual material to review when I am struggling with a scene creation for the book.
One of the unexpected perks of using this tool is that it is the equivalent of dabbling in a different artistic medium—that of director. As I was wandering the streets of Cambria and San Luis Obispo, I began to visualize potential scenes in my mind as I filmed. It has added a new dimension to my way of approaching both plot and description; I am excited to see how the continued use of it shapes my writing.
The camcorder is now a ‘must have’ just like I once rated the need to have a pen and a paper on me at all times.
You can follow novelist-in-the-making Eros-Alegra Clarke here.
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Just bought a Flip Mino HD to dapple in the video production aspect of things. So far so good.
Wow,nice write-up. I thought I wanted a new stapler, (I just love hitting that hinge when I get stressed,) but your glowing testimonial has given me a big yen for a camcorder. If I had one I could go to coffee houses and record live coffee foam readings. Then I could sneak around the Cathedral and do some research for my para-normal nun mystery. I’m excited,,,craigslist here I come!
This is pretty interesting. I just bought that same camera for a friend who was backpacking in South America. He needed something lightweight to carry along and document the adventure. It turns out that the quality wasn’t good enough for his needs; so he gave it back to me and borrowed my Sony HD camcorder (better quality, bigger & heavier camera). Now I had this great little camera that fit in the pocket of my jacket and, until now, no idea what to do with it. In fact it was probably a day or two away from being a gift for my 8 year old son (which would have significantly shortened its useful lifespan).
Well, my camera thanks you Alegra; for this new lease on life, this discovered purpose in the world, and this snugly warm spot next to my
squishy love handlesrock solid six-pack abs.Best,
Sid.
Sid:
You got me to laugh out loud on the ’snugly warm spot…’
Robin:
You have just inspired ideas I had not even considered! Uhoh…
Asoldier: I am still working out the fine details of use but this camcorder makes it really easy on me and has a great deal of bang for the buck (says she who knows very little about these things ;o)! )
So, I’m less about justifying the camcorder purchase as any means to resume writing as I am about justifying it as a means to preserve moments. From that perspective, we have similar intents and purposes despite ultimately different goals.
Ironically I bought two cameras over the summer, one Sony HD that is probably like Sid’s and one Canon still that is pocket-size. I can shoot video on both and stills on both, though as you’d expect each is better at what it was “for” than the other.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, in which case a movie has to be priceless. Something else to consider, rationalization or no, is that your memory may be foggy but the camera does not lie — and the camera can re-visit the scene later and capture the differences as trees grow or businesses change ownership or houses change color. Lends a different sort of historical accuracy to anything you’d care to document in some other medium. Plus, if you’re filming a place that actually changes with the seasons, you don’t have to wonder what it would look like in winter if you’ve got visual proof.
Alegra, your comment about the camcorder allowing you visualize potential scenes reminded me of something Joyce Carol Oates mentioned in one of her essays in “The Faith of a Writer”. She write that she does little creating while typing. Rather, when she is out and about, often while running, she is creating her story and the time at the typewriter (perhaps word processor by now, who knows) is spent remembering it.
It seems your camcorder may serve a similar purpose. A good find.
Thank you KjM -
I love hearing how writers work, not only for insight (and a possible clue I might be able to ferret away) but also reassurance. Oates is one of my favorite authors, so any glimpse into her working mind is a treasure.
I find inspiration and work habits a fascinating subject. It seems to be a general rule that whether our calling is to be manager or a sculptor, we all fall back upon an inspiration we can’t quite define and a unique way of utilizing it when it lands in our mind.
And I am pretty sure my imagination is enticed by shiny, pretty things ;o)
I’ve never seen anyone peg writers as office supply addicts before, but your analysis is dead on. Can’t get enough of ‘em, personally.
I don’t use video, but I do take lots of pictures to help me remember scenes. The advantage of video, I suppose, is that you can add narration for context. Good idea.
To help visualize scenes for places you have not been to I recommend a virtual walkabout via either Google Earth or Live Search. Google Maps’ Street View is also useful. Lots of options out there for places you just can’t visit in the flesh.
http://earth.google.com/ Requires a download and installation.
http://maps.google.com/ Enter an address, then click on Street View in the pop up box.
http://maps.live.com/ Navigate to your area of interest. Then click on the Bird’s Eye button.
I’ve also found wikimapia useful for all the local annotations that add context.
http://wikimapia.org/
Can’t tell I’m a map geek, can you? ;)
~jon
Enjoyed reading your post this morning. I’ve been using the Flip Videos for a similar purpose. For whatever reason your post inspired me to write my own so I thought I’d say thank-you.
http://vikk.typepad.com/down_the_writers_path/2009/03/tempting-the-muse.html
I too just bought a video camera. I like your idea and will have to give it a go. Thanks for the inspirational idea.
Jon – A map geek? Not at all…*whistles* :o)!!
Geeks are my favorite type of people.
That is an excellent idea – I am going to have to check it out. I am slowly becoming more effective at researching and any tips are helpful. I was originally using a lot of photographs as well. My husband has an amazing eye so I would ask him to take a visual diary of places for me and I found the pictures really helpful for inspiring first entry into a scene. But the ability to capture movement, sounds, all of that, takes it to an entirely different level.
Vikk – Thank you. How have you been finding the Flip Videos assist you? I will check out the post.
Randy -
That was the flipside of my justification! I brought it home and handed it to him saying, “Hey honey, look what i bought for our family!”
Of course I knew that this would achieve multiple things other than making him very happy that he had yet another toy to play around with. We have been needing a camcorder to record our kids, so that was a bonus, but also, I knew Dan would figure out how to use the camcorder to its fullest potential.
;o)
I hope it works for you Crystal. It has been a great new world for me.
Bah, I told you to buy a tape recorder. Now you think you’re Cecilia B. DeMille.
That’s it Greg. No more cookies and Fritos for you my dear curmudgeonly friend.
oops…Randy – I meant to insert ‘husband’, I brought it home to my HUSBAND not some undefined him…but I am sure you translated on my behalf ;o)
Writers, like artists, it seems are prey to the fleeting whims of the mind. I can’t begin to think of the number of times that I’ve had the most inspirational idea of my life…prompted by a drop of dew on a leaf in the sunlight, the perfect refraction of light through the green glow of the leaf…certain I’d remember every detail in excruciating clarity only to have it float away in the fog a few hours later. Where was I going to take that idea? What was I going to make out of it? What was that perfect line that went through my head when I saw it?
Your little camcorder is a good tool for recording those moments! I hope it will help to jog your memory for those perfect thoughts that came upon you as you walked in the woods, or looked out over the ocean, or sat in the coffee house picking up bits of conversation and the subtle flavors of the world. And, of course, the kids…
Or maybe, just maybe, Emerson was right…the tangible creation of art can never truly reflect the original concept in the mind of the artist for its beauty lies in the fact that it is a fleeting thing and can never be captured or contained.
Our job as artists is to portray our visions to the world in such a way as allows the viewer to create their own vision from within.
Hey! I think I’m sold on the camcorder! Did you ever think of going into marketing writing?
Jusk kidding! Stick with your art, it’s better for the soul.
;)
Ha! (on the marketing – that would make life oh so much easier, unfortunately I don’t think its my fate)
This was an exquisite post and you touched upon some things that reminded me of Elizabeth Gilbert’s talk on creativity that is on TED – if you ever get an opportunity, watch it. She tells this great story about Tom Waits driving and having an idea land in his head but there was nothing he could do about it so he looked up to the sky and said something like “Hey, if you really want a home, if you really want me to do something with you, hold on until I can get someplace better – can’t you see I am driving???”
I loved that.
Some of my most alive ideas have come when I am exhausted and just on the edge of sleep. The temptation to believe I will remember the idea in the morning is great but I have learned that I have to be obedient, get up out of bed, and write until the inspiration is done with me – otherwise, I will miss out. Although sometimes I sleep because sleep is a good thing :o).
On that subject, I have often wished I had a camcorder in my sleeping brain; I don’t know how many times I have woken up from dreams in which I had written entire stories.
Thank you for your insightful thoughts!
I had to let you know that I went and found Elizabeth Gilbert’s discussion on creativity on TED.
Keep showing up and doing your job!
Ole!
I am so glad you found it – I chose to take on Ole’ as my tagline after watching it. It gave an entirely different meaning to my foot stomping, hands on the hips declaration.
:o)
I have been in the market for a camcorder, partly for reasons you suggest and partly to preserve the memories of my children as they grow up (and who knows, I may include their antics in forthcoming writings).
Of course, you are spot on about the office supplies, and I’ve always said the same thing: that you can spot the good people by the mound of office supplies they have stashed.
You should let me see some of that video my friend. I wish I could have visited you while you were here, because from all the writing you do, and all that I read that you send me, I can almost see the trees and hear the wind blow.
I used to use a tape recorder years ago, but it was too small and I kept losing it (much like I lose my cell phone on a daily basis). I clicked the link, but alas that camcorder was temporarily out of stock. Woe is me.
However, as with all your ideas my dear PSM, this one is superb. :)
Yes, office supply addiction is an instant flag for potential kindred spirits in my mind.
This camcorder is a good price and good quality – both my dad and Dan were surprised at the picture quality and the range of things you can do with it. The other camcorders are great for other needs but were, of course, pricey and had a lot of options I currently don’t have use for. Plus, this one is about the size of one of the old hand held tape recorders and it works with as much ease.
I too once tried to do the ‘record’ thing but I found it really difficult to talk out loud like that; it made me very self-conscious. I used to do a lot of commuting and would have dialogue running through my head, so I stashed the recorder in my car but I never used it. Ah well.
Keep looking for it – they had a great deal at BestBuys when I bought mine.
And yes, I wish we could have met up when I was in California! I will definitely try to post some video footage in the near future. (you know me, it will take me a period of concentrated effort to figure out that next stage in technical skill…’Oh wait, all I had to do was press the upload button?? Oh…wow.’)
What an inspiring idea – I immediately thought of wandering around my own backyard with my handheld recorder and my son so I can capture both the terrain and the experience of exploring with a 3-year old. Excellent idea, timely and pertinent blog. Thanks, Alegra!
I guess I never really shoot for buying the reusable long term items. A camcorder would no doubt be useful, not to mention entertaining, but I think the behind the scenes of my writing process would be either a whole lot of procrastinating or a whole lot of me trying to be Bukowski. Your camera, however, will provide nice special features for when the DVD is released.
That is definitely the potential trap with writer ‘tools’, all of the organizing and planning can put off the actual writing. It is probably safest to get a good chunk of material down and take a trip to the store as a reward. But hey, I firmly believe in the underestimated power of procrastination – I think all kinds of productivity can come from it.
Thanks PJ.
Deborah K. Clark, don’t underestimate those “whims of the mind.” Study marketing techniques and attend workshops till the cows come home and you could (probably) never think to produce a YouTube channel like Fred. With an average of FOUR MILLION viewers per episode, who has time figuring out how he does it? And does anyone want to learn how and then to copy this “Fred” technique?
To act juvenile and acquire such a following. Marketing only T-shirts at the present time, ….
I’ve thought about doing the digital recorder thing, and the video camera thing. I think the main problem is that I’ve been so brain-dead by the time I get off work I don’t want to do or write anything.
Speaking of work though, I love my highlighters, paperclips, weird metal clamp things that came with my desk, and I always have a sharpened #2 wooden pencil sitting on my keyboard between the function and the number rows. It has to be wood, not too fond of the mechanical pencils.
I think my favorite thing camera-wise was giving my old one to my nephew. I want to see life through his perspective. Heh, his perspective included washing the camera after the dog licked it. Makes sense, he has to wash his hands after they’re licked… Let’s just say he got a lesson on how some things aren’t cleaned by massive amounts of water. Camera came away undamaged so I still get to see his perspective!
Debbi
That is what I love about this particular camcorder is that it is so easy to operate because at the end of the day I often don’t have the mental energy or patience.
I love the story about your nephew – it sounds like something my daughter would do!
I have to admit that pencils, unless they are the soft lead type, give me the heeby-jeebies. I am an instant devotee of any writing tool that glides effortlessly across the page – so I love a pencil that writes with a soft touch, there is something very comfortable and familiar about it. And, I love the ability to erase and edit ;o)
It’s weird, but I like the scratchy-roughness of the wooden pencils. I don’t even mind that they leave a callous on my finger because it’s the same creased callous that crocheting leaves. Mechanical pencils have lead that squeaks and that’s never sounded right to me. I’m also particular about my pens. I’m not fond of gel-writers because they cut out at the oddest moments, making me go back and retrace my words and it distracts me from what I was writing. I can’t leave a word with cutouts from a faulty pen. I finally found more of the style I like when I was down to my last two and panicing that they may have been discontinued. I bought three boxes of the pens. Last time I bought them my stash lasted about four years. We’ll see how long this supply lasts.
Four years?! You are better woman than I am. I’m notorious for losing pens and using them (when I had longer hair) to keep my hair up out of my face – this usually resulted in me forgetting that an uncapped pen was in my hair so I had way of leaving ‘marks’ all over the place when I leaned up against anything.
Once my hair is grown back out I will once again resume this practice – it means that no matter what I have a pen on me at all times.
I liked your description of using a pencil – that is what it comes down to, the sensation of writing and all that is involved with it. I choose notebooks for the most part in the same way, by how the paper feels, how the notebook weights in my hand, etc. Although, sometimes I simply get entranced by something pretty and can’t resist.
:o)
Heh, mine are the clicker pens that fit perfectly into my uniform’s pen-holders. It’s not hard to make them last. I’m pretty much the only one who uses my type so I have no qualms about making people return them. Granted I bought around 100 pens so it’s really no surprise they lasted that long. Like I said, they can be hard to find so I really stock up. They have grips so they don’t work well in my hair, but I have been known to stick a wooden number two in to hold the hair back!
Very clever!! Now I need to find a legitimate reason to use a fun gadget for my thesis!! the most exciting thing I’m suspecting I’ll need for my thesis is a few hundred dollars worth of programming software, which is fun, but will require classes to learn it…. I would be interested to hear how much you Alegra-ize place you caught on camera.
I have been considering writing software with my ‘allotted’ research allowance – the problem is finding the time to go through all the steps to get this. I might write the department today.
Ha, I would put money on me being able to “Alegra-ize” just about anything put in my path!