Meta! What a list. I have to tell you, I once ran a fundraising event in the home of Mark Rothko's son Christopher. He was lovely, and he gave our patrons a tour of his attic, which was full of never displayed art! I'm tickled that your post contains one of my absolute favorites. That night certainly sparked me.
Aside from that, I always come back to the song "Move On" from Sunday in the Park With George. I consider it my guiding light.
Great question and a great list. The book I was reading that gave me a figurative V8 moment (in the vein of the headsmack "I shoulda") was A. S. Byatt's Angels and Insects. Not even my favorite book of hers, but I could sort of feel the craft of it. It felt to me, when I read it in the mid-90s, like a book whose nature -as- a book was very apparent. It had a moment of realizing how much I had always wanted to -make- something like this. More recently, I get that way when listening to certain bits of music. Often, Thomas Newman's soundtracks will just -get- me with the chord progressions he uses.
I've read other books by A.S. Byatt but never that, so I'll get hold of it! And I didn't recognize Thomas Newman's name, but I looked him up, and American Beauty and Shawshank have such great soundtracks - thanks for the reminder to check them out again!
Thank you for reminding me of some thing I love--especially THE GOOD MOTHER. And Rothko is one of my favorites. Here's one of my tricks for inspiring myself: 're-reading' a favorite book by listening to the audio version. This week , when I wasn't deep editing my manuscript, I listened (am listening) to SILVER SPARROW by Tayari Jones. One hear so much new on these 'reread.'
Meta! What a list. I have to tell you, I once ran a fundraising event in the home of Mark Rothko's son Christopher. He was lovely, and he gave our patrons a tour of his attic, which was full of never displayed art! I'm tickled that your post contains one of my absolute favorites. That night certainly sparked me.
Aside from that, I always come back to the song "Move On" from Sunday in the Park With George. I consider it my guiding light.
What an incredible experience! Plus, wonderful choice of song--thank you.
ADORE that poem! Also love, by Henry van Dyke:
These are the things I prize And hold of dearest worth: Light of the sapphire skies,
Peace of the silent hills, Shelter of the forests, comfort of the grass,
Music of birds, murmur of little rills, Shadows of cloud that swiftly pass,
And, after showers, The smell of flowers And of the good brown earth,-
And best of all, along the way, friendship and mirth.
That's beautiful. Thanks goodness especially for friendship and mirth!
Great question and a great list. The book I was reading that gave me a figurative V8 moment (in the vein of the headsmack "I shoulda") was A. S. Byatt's Angels and Insects. Not even my favorite book of hers, but I could sort of feel the craft of it. It felt to me, when I read it in the mid-90s, like a book whose nature -as- a book was very apparent. It had a moment of realizing how much I had always wanted to -make- something like this. More recently, I get that way when listening to certain bits of music. Often, Thomas Newman's soundtracks will just -get- me with the chord progressions he uses.
I've read other books by A.S. Byatt but never that, so I'll get hold of it! And I didn't recognize Thomas Newman's name, but I looked him up, and American Beauty and Shawshank have such great soundtracks - thanks for the reminder to check them out again!
I know he’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but I just love what he does with chords. Check out Finding Nemo and the title music for The Newsroom :-)
Ooh also the soundtrack for Revolutionary Road. Tension unresolved for the entire film.
Will check these out, esp since soundtracks make for great writing accompaniment. And Revolutionary Road is one of my favorite novels!
Thank you for reminding me of some thing I love--especially THE GOOD MOTHER. And Rothko is one of my favorites. Here's one of my tricks for inspiring myself: 're-reading' a favorite book by listening to the audio version. This week , when I wasn't deep editing my manuscript, I listened (am listening) to SILVER SPARROW by Tayari Jones. One hear so much new on these 'reread.'
I love your idea of listening after already reading something. More relaxing (while also inspiring) than focusing in on a new book!
I remember reading The Good Mother years ago. Easily 20 to 30 years ago. I bet I would enjoy re-reading it!
She's such a great writer!