All Around Us

We have to learn how to find inspiration in the small things that are around us. Often times we wait for a big burst of creativity in order to be inspired. The most insignificant things are the ones that hold the most amazing secrets. Often times, people reject what is ordinary and they don't try to innovate and make something their own. Do not wait until you see the shinning light so you can start creating - create simply for the sake of it.

The Habit of Creativity

Creativity is not a moment of the day where you stop and you decide to bring out of your mind your best ideas. Creativity needs to be a daily habit, like getting a drink of water or even breathing. The reason why some are faster to create and bring forth their own little worlds is simply because they are used to creating.

If you are one that needs to stop everytime you need to create, you will never have the habit of it. Think of creativity not as a visitor but as something that is a part of you. It never leaves you or abandons you. It is there, inside, all you need to do is bring it out. Sure we all get a creative block every once in a while but not to worry, those are just frustrating moments that will amount to amazing ideas!

Destiny...

The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot.


If one is not fulfilling his destiny, he is simply taking up space in the place that he is acting upon. How do you assume would we be able to discover the destiny that is set for each one of us? Are our strongest gifts our most powerful weapons to use in the battle to discover our destiny? 


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Are you ever going to finish what you started?

 

 If a creative person has no perseverance, you might as well throw away your creativity. So many people start to read a book and never finish it, some want to start learning something but never go through with it. That is the reality of many that do not know how to press on their goals.

If you want to create something with significance, know that there is a process to go through - a process that will most likely require a great deal of time. If one has the urge to create, that person must also have the will to finish.

By finishing your goals, you are placing value upon yourself and your dreams. One of the key qualities of any person of influence is that they are willing to fight for that which they long to achieve.

Keep dreaming, but keep fighting!

Water

Was going through my old files and found this drawing. I made this in 2006! Hope you guys enjoy it.

A Culture of Creativity

Art shapes lives, changes cultures, and touches a generation. If we are to look back, we will see the many artists that impacted a season of humanity. Some never even dreamed that their names would live on up until this day. For example, Leonardo DaVinci - born on April 15th, 1452. Through his art his name still lives on and still carries the authority and power that his work gave him.

Today we see many artists shaping our generation. Some are doing a great job and are actually leading us to higher places; others are digging a deep hole where many will fall and lose themselves in. They might preach freedom and liberty, but the truth is, even freedom has limits and certain "boundaries". What some call art and expression may actually be a hidden darkness that is about to come forth from the art that is being created and advertised.

Creativity is a gift that must be used wisely. It is with creativity that we destroy and build. It gives us the power to bring out of the mind that which we desire to see in real life. But the question is, in the end, what do we want to see materialized in our midst?

An Editor's Letter

I have promised you all that I would be giving you details into this "adventure" I have embarked. Tonight I post a letter I just received from my editor. I hope this may encourage those that are willing to step out of their comfort zone.

Viewpoint: 
Through the whole story, the viewpoint comes solidly through Isaac’s first-person viewpoint as he interacts with the other characters. You do a great job with his insights and observations. Not many new writers understand the importance of this element, so I commend you for choosing a solid first-person viewpoint character and sticking to his perspective through the entire novel.

Scene Development:
You have a knack for dramatizing your scenes with good characterization, dialogue, action, and conflicts. The drama pulls the reader into the events on a personal level. For example, when Devin begins to interact with Isaac after saving him from Cyro, the reader experiences Isaac’s doubts and fears about Devin, while Devin races against time to get the diary and take Isaac to safety. Another good action scene occurs when Adawnas stops the dinner celebration in order to warn Isaac not to drink the poisonous wine. Just as Isaac is not always sure who to trust and believe, so the reader experiences the doubts and confusion that Isaac encounters, wondering what he should do, wondering who is lying and who is speaking the truth.

The dramatic scenes flow smoothly from one to another with good transitions. Events often end on a note of anticipation for what is coming next.

By using scene dividers to separate your scenes when events move to a different time or location, you can give a sense of pause to allow the reader time to adjust to the new event.

Physical Setting: 
The setting details, such as weather elements, the buildings, the landscapes, and the terrain, are colorful and smoothly woven into the scenes. There might be a little more of this in some of the other scenes, but in general, the reader has a good sense of the locations and surroundings.

~~~

Here’s my assessment in a nutshell: You’re a good writer. You have a knack for storytelling – something you were born with – and you have an engaging narrative style. You need to learn how to see your story through the reader’s eye, but you’ve got what it takes to succeed in this business if you want it badly enough – i.e., if you’re willing to work hard enough to make it happen.

Yes... I Am Releasing a Book...The Secret Cover....

Every step of the way, every detail that comes my way, I will be sharing it here on this blog. I wanna record the whole journey. From getting it reviewed and edited, to getting it to a major publisher - it will all be recorded here!

Criticism

I have recently submitted my first book to Bill Greenleaf in new Mexico to have it professionally edited before sending it out to publishers. The feeling of having my four year work being sent out for revision is something that falls short on words to describe. I guess we are all afraid of criticism, even if it's for the best. To have these characters that I have molded and shaped for so many years in the hands of another, only to be revised and criticized is something overwhelming.

But on the bright side, criticism makes us better. It allows us to see different sides of something that we have been so focused on. Criticism broadens the horizons of those who are willing to accept it. I for one, have never been to fond of it, but as the years go by I discover that criticism is often the best teacher in our lives.

In all that we create, we have to be sure that constructive criticism is brought to the table - even if it may hurt a little. If a story is worth telling, then it is also worth being written and molded!

Moving Art

"Any form of art is a form of power, it has impact, it can affect change--it can not only move us, it makes us move."--Ossie Davis


Every person that has the gift to create is in constant movement. It is a necessity, like breath, like food. We have to constantly be searching for something new inside and there is a deep need to bring it out. A desperate desire to share the sleeping idea that slowly becomes a thought and then - reality. 


As creative beings, we are responsible to use this moving force that dwells inside each one of us. In order to impact others with our creative ideas, we must have purpose for each one of them; goals that will help them achieve their rightful destination.


A life without purpose is a like a long road that one takes. It is long and hard, but in the end, it leads nowhere. 

The Angel in the Marble

"I saw the angel in the marble and 

carved until I set him free."

Michelangelo

Light and Darkness = We All Have A Little Bit of Both

As humans, we will always be fighting inside against our wicked nature.Trust me when I say that if we were all light or all darkness, we would no longer be here on this Earth! It does not matter how good your deeds may be or how fallen your nature is. Our creative power is so strong that out of our good and bad experiences, we can create amazing things.  Regardless of the form of artistic expression one might be using, there will always be light and darkness involved. It is crucial - the essence and the balance of everything today. How would we know good if there was no evil?

I often stop and think about how the best expressions of art came about. So many artists have crafted their most beautiful work in the midst of suffering and trials. Others have created something so powerful in the midst of so much joy and love. Both of these forces may cause us to create beauty out of ashes. There is creative power in both forces, but they must all be balanced.

It is up to us as people to decide which one of these will be stronger in us. We have been given free will - something no one may touch or take away. Whatever our choice may be, we have to remember that we are the ones that choose. One might blame someone for their choice, but the real blame is inside every single one of us.

Waiting For Inspiration...

“You can’t wait for inspiration, 
you have to go after it with a club.”
 Jack London

Time

After you've had that revolutionary idea, then I believe, comes the biggest challenge of all. TIME. How do I find time to develop it? When am I going to actually do it? These are questions that we all have. We do tend to procrastinate, saying to ourselves that some day or some time we will do it. But the truth is, when you love your idea, you find time for it.Just like work, it also becomes a priority.

We all need to find TIME to run with the things that matter the most. Your idea will only be developed after you have put things in order. Chaos may be beautiful, but also dangerous. It can stir up great things, but it can also bring massive destruction to some.

Manage your time wisely. Remember, time is ALWAYS against us. We are the ones that run with it.

J.deOliveira

Sparking Creativity

The Genesis of it All

I decided to start this blog in the hopes of sharing something of value to those that read it. In here I will be sharing about my experiences in the various types of artistic expressions that I do. I think there is no better way of starting this than by discussing the very foundation of any art. 

IDEA:

You never know when a good one will strike you. Some are random and meaningless, while others can be life-changing. The best ideas are those that are worth giving your life to. For example, when a writer has an idea for a story, song, or any other work, that writer needs to love its work so much to the point that he/she are willing to spend a great deal of time developing that idea. Ideas might come as rough diamonds that need to be lapidated. 

Ideas bring inspiration and stir up our creativity. When you have an idea for a story, your mind immediately wants to know who the characters are, what are the conflicts, what is behind that intriguing character that moved you so much.

Never think of your ideas as a waste of your time. Be watchful and find one that you love and are willing to spend time with. An idea is like a friend, the more time you spend with it, the more you will know its secrets.