Lately I was thinking about how artists, writers, and photographers observe. Of course, Mary Oliver gave the Master Class on observing. I remember the first time I drew a good image of my dog, my teacher said to focus my eyes to see the details in his chocolate lab face and, wham…suddenly I could SEE and my hand holding the graphite just knew what to draw. Training our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our souls to receive is a gift. Pre-ordered your book. Yay.
Congratulations! I have a friend whose newsletter is micro-fiction attached to a photo he's taken. I love the idea and have pre-ordered the book. Sending good book sales mojo!
As I was reading this, I imagined the photos you chose to serve as a tarot reading of sorts. Divination as narrative!
Good metaphor for the process. It was a type of divination. I've always loved to use tarot cards as writing prompts.
Have you seen the deck created by the Corporeal Writing Squad? It looks dreamy, and each card is meant to be a writing "portal".
I haven't seen that. I'll check it out!
I like the connection with photography - always the observer. Stealth photos, those that aren't deliberate are, for me, the best.
Lately I was thinking about how artists, writers, and photographers observe. Of course, Mary Oliver gave the Master Class on observing. I remember the first time I drew a good image of my dog, my teacher said to focus my eyes to see the details in his chocolate lab face and, wham…suddenly I could SEE and my hand holding the graphite just knew what to draw. Training our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our souls to receive is a gift. Pre-ordered your book. Yay.
Love this story! It is so much about training our eyes to see, etc.—and receive!
I am so excited about your new book! Love that cover photo.
Thanks so much, Dustye! Thanks to my trusty collaborator Gail for that photo on the cover. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement.
Very cool. Congrats.
Thanks, Barbara!
Congratulations! I have a friend whose newsletter is micro-fiction attached to a photo he's taken. I love the idea and have pre-ordered the book. Sending good book sales mojo!
What a great idea for a newsletter! Where can I find it?
And ... big, big thanks for pre-ordering! I really appreciate it. Let me know what you think.
I will let you know! And here is the link to my friend’s newsletter. Thanks for asking!
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnesimpson/p/a-far-horizon?r=1whrm&utm_medium=ios
I dream of writing a book like this! And am curious to read yours. Congratulations on getting it out in the world soon!
Thanks so much, Claire! It really is the best way to write, so I hope you do. I want all of my books to be like this.
Hey Grant would it work to post an excerpt?