David Boden is Down News blogger who lives in Castlewellan who was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome when he was younger and shares a few thoughts on words and creativity.
The joy of writing and reading, and getting immersed in a world of words, by David Boden.
Writing and its counterpart reading are first off essential skills for daily life. But there is something fascinating about the power of words – and indeed images – which words convey that inspires many of us to try creative writing for ourselves.
Once the fundamentals of basic grammar have been grasped, there are no boundaries beyond that of limited imagination… and therein lies the beauty!
The mind becomes compelled in testimony to the ancient invocation which of ‘Abracadabra’ – an Aramaic translation which means ‘I will create as I speak’ .
There are many platforms that one can choose as a mode to communicate – not just conversation or written words but also through music and pictures. One image can evoke thousands of words.
All my life I have written for both necessity and pleasure. Words are everywhere and you simply cannot escaped them! In my early years of education I wrote with pet capitals and on occasion back to front.
Once that hurdle was conquered, I developed a freakish talent that meant I could spell long and obscure words and tell teachers what these words meant.
The sad thing is that whilst such a skill is by all accounts useful, the tedium of day-to-day life means there are limited scenarios where such talent is called for and, furthermore, there are many unique individuals who do not actually reach their full potential.
That is when the humble pen and notepad become a source of sanctuary.
All experiences good, bad or indifferent can be documented.
Many counsellors and psychologists will suggest writing a diary as a useful, practical method of self-help and reflection. I can attest to the benefits of this as it is included among many of my daily activities.
You may ask how it helps ?
- Torment can affect memory so it helps to keep a record.
- One may have doubts so if a note is made , a friend can be a sounding board and can offer advice
- When hope appears to be lost, past notes can be called upon to offer solutions.
- It is a sounding board for reflection.
Words are a great form of escapism and prose of the greatest depth has no direct theme or meaning… they’re more intended to be open to the reader’s interpretation.
The greatest and most prolific writers in the history of literature are master architects in building suspense. It is this suspense which lures the reader into intrigue. Ironically it begins with telling a mundane reflection of daily life.
Here is an example: ” It was a foggy Monday morning in January and I was driving to work”. If a story opens with a basic line like that, it paves the way as a typical setting and we may yet also foresee an occurrence of a less typical and more dramatic nature taking shape.
The example I give resonates with a broad audience because we’ve all had that experience of driving to work on a foggy January morning. It is also likely we’ve been anxious of the journey due to the fog and would much prefer to be tucked up in bed.
Considering the month I mentioned is the beginning of a new year, we are likely to not be in the most upbeat of spirits and in a bit of debt as Christmas has just passed. Therefore extra sleep isn’t an option and that fact offers an insight to the characters sense of responsibility and determination.
There are other vital ingredients in stories from the location to its inhabitants and their peculiar traits. Animals are also very important in fiction providing charm and metaphor.
In an age of evolving technology, it is welcoming to find there is still a market and demand for the traditional hardback and paperback books. There is something tangible about a very simple pleasure in words.
Just as the body needs food, rest and exercise in order to function, the ego needs passion for spiritual growth, books are the portable classroom offering limitless education on one’s chosen subject.
As passions grow, the individual gains more experience and from documenting their experiences. That is how a reader transitions to a writer but for passion to be maintained it is vital that one never ceases from reading , particularly when an author encounters writer’s block. It is inevitable all expressionists will lack inspiration from time to time.
When that happens I recommend doing anything other than writing. A country walk could trigger a memory and creative flow. That is when you remember who or what inspired you to try in the first place. When inspiration is reinstated, confidence is also reinstated and that’s when the best works are created.
