Interesting, Maple… the brain science behind flow.
Writing definitely requires my whole brain— no room for extra stimulation. It’s a relief when I get to the stage when I can listen to something. And it has to just right… no irritating reader, it has to be interesting but not TOO interesting, etc etc.
Next time when we recommend podcasts and audiobooks to each other, we have to specific at which state of our creative process would those be suitable for. ("Is it a good one?" "Are you inking? Coz if you're inking, it's perfect.) 😉
So this proves again what the professionals always told us: "Inking is thinking." It's thinking about the light source, about line widths, about texture, shadows, depth of field... up until the deadline hits. Then it's, "Don't think, just ink!!"
Great thoughts Maple (including murder BAD, haha!) - I love hearing how your brain does with the process. Very similar for me! Certain stages need silence, then music, then podcasts or TV. Like you figured out, not too interesting or learning. I watch a lot of trash Reality TV because it's bad enough to keep my eyes on the paper, but the drama or competition keeps me entertained while I work.
Love reading what everyone listens to while working on their books 😄 I do something really similar! When I’m inking or coloring, I love putting on audiobooks that match the vibe or genre of the story I’m working on.
Lately my projects have been rooted in Chinese mythology and a story set in Taiwan, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Chinese audiobooks in Mandarin. Somehow hearing the language keeps my brain connected to the cultural setting of the stories and gives me just the right amount of creative energy while I work
I love learning about brain stuff! I also found that I need either complete silence or just instrumental music (that I'm already familiar with, new music and some classical music is too interesting to be background music) for scripting. For audiobooks and podcasts I also found that I need the distance of history. I'd something is too current my brain needs more space for it for some reason.
"The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks mistakenly made me think I wanted to be a neurologist. Instead of pre-med studies, I wish I had realized that his stories made me want to be a writer:) I'm working on my first graphic novel now. Still figuring out my process. Thanks for another interesting post.
Ooooo! Now I want to read that book! And good luck on the graphic novel! KidsComicsUnite.com is a great place to learn more about the process! A great community!
I agree that when you are writing the story you need all your concentration but when I'm inking anc coloring I listen to the Classic Tales podcast . Great literature read perfectly by B.J. Harrison. I especially love the old Sherlock Holmes stories and the PG Wodehouse stories are hilarious.
Interesting, Maple… the brain science behind flow.
Writing definitely requires my whole brain— no room for extra stimulation. It’s a relief when I get to the stage when I can listen to something. And it has to just right… no irritating reader, it has to be interesting but not TOO interesting, etc etc.
(Also… murder BAD 😂 very bad)
Next time when we recommend podcasts and audiobooks to each other, we have to specific at which state of our creative process would those be suitable for. ("Is it a good one?" "Are you inking? Coz if you're inking, it's perfect.) 😉
Hah! Good idea 😉
So this proves again what the professionals always told us: "Inking is thinking." It's thinking about the light source, about line widths, about texture, shadows, depth of field... up until the deadline hits. Then it's, "Don't think, just ink!!"
Great thoughts Maple (including murder BAD, haha!) - I love hearing how your brain does with the process. Very similar for me! Certain stages need silence, then music, then podcasts or TV. Like you figured out, not too interesting or learning. I watch a lot of trash Reality TV because it's bad enough to keep my eyes on the paper, but the drama or competition keeps me entertained while I work.
Hahahaha! I don't think I've watched any reality TV though. I might get invested very easily... 😆
Put on some Chillstep or Melodic Dubstep and get in the groove!
Love reading what everyone listens to while working on their books 😄 I do something really similar! When I’m inking or coloring, I love putting on audiobooks that match the vibe or genre of the story I’m working on.
Lately my projects have been rooted in Chinese mythology and a story set in Taiwan, so I’ve been listening to a lot of Chinese audiobooks in Mandarin. Somehow hearing the language keeps my brain connected to the cultural setting of the stories and gives me just the right amount of creative energy while I work
That sounds really fun! Way to keep yourself in the zone too!
I love learning about brain stuff! I also found that I need either complete silence or just instrumental music (that I'm already familiar with, new music and some classical music is too interesting to be background music) for scripting. For audiobooks and podcasts I also found that I need the distance of history. I'd something is too current my brain needs more space for it for some reason.
Hear, hear. Sometimes, I'd put on movie soundtracks. The familiarity gives me comfort.
"The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks mistakenly made me think I wanted to be a neurologist. Instead of pre-med studies, I wish I had realized that his stories made me want to be a writer:) I'm working on my first graphic novel now. Still figuring out my process. Thanks for another interesting post.
Ooooo! Now I want to read that book! And good luck on the graphic novel! KidsComicsUnite.com is a great place to learn more about the process! A great community!
I agree that when you are writing the story you need all your concentration but when I'm inking anc coloring I listen to the Classic Tales podcast . Great literature read perfectly by B.J. Harrison. I especially love the old Sherlock Holmes stories and the PG Wodehouse stories are hilarious.
Envious that you can do that. I'll get too into the stories and won't be able to ink. 😆