Falling Out of the Habit of Writing
August 2, 2012 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
Not that I'm running out of things to talk about ... quite the contrary, my mind is often full of ideas and thoughts all competing to get out. Sometimes in conversation I am so internally focused on the discussion that the conversation has moved on by the time my bit is ready to go ... other times I hear someone talking, think 'that sounds interesting I should listen to that' only to find it is in fact me talking! Thankfully that weirdness doesn't happen too often.
Writing, I find, gives me an opportunity to focus, to concentrate, to refine in a way that conversation doesn't. The poems, the haiku, the questioning and searching ... it all makes more sense when written down rather than floating as abstracts in my head. That once I chose a subject to write about the rest just flows ... it's the choosing I find difficult. Like what image to post next(?) ... that is the hardest decision for me with regard to this blog. There are so many to choose from but which one conveys what I'm trying to say now? Once I decide I can find something to write about it. I do like those blogs where only the image is placed ... sometimes no text at all. They have a minimalism that I admire but still I sometimes wish I knew more about the thoughts behind it. It lends a level of understanding of what the photographer is trying to say ... what did they want you to see by placing this image in a place where you are going to see it? Why put an image up if you didn't want people to 'see' something in it.
Today, it's a picture of a mesh fence, the background fernland dissolved into a warm bokeh. The fence for me is that barrier to my mind ... the filter that lets thoughts in and out ... it's a little rusty like my writing skills of late ... I've fallen out of the habit of writing you see.
I can feel myself falling back in too ... thankfully.
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
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Our delightful male guest today is Geoff Dunn from Canberra, Australia, whose website is Lushpup Images. His Pictures with Words are a perfect fit for us here at Vision and Verb! Thank YOU, Geoff, for joining our own ride...and allowing us to join yours. I have a feeling we all can identify.
Geoffrey Dunn, writing
Reader Comments (23)
I can only agree that writing gives you the opportunity to focus and concentrate - sometimes I need to sit down and write down my thoughts to get a better understanding. I feel how writing - if I really get into it - touches the depths in me and brings out things/thoughts I hadn't known before or wasn't aware of.
For me writing is a bit like painting - there are times when I just can't get into it. I have thousands of ideas and visions, but suddenly there is only emptiness. Once started though, I get into it and usually it flows...
And images without words? I love them - although I have to agree with you, there are times when I want to know more - why this particular image? What is the story behind it?
I have a grin on my face from ear to ear, Geoff, for many reasons...one of which is that you said YES to being our guest here, and one for the fact you speak my own mind...and probably the mind of most of us here. When I first read this piece at your own blog, I immediately said BINGO. You really do fit in here. THANK YOU!
Geoff's images are always a joy and a delight and frequently say much more than the 1000 word allotment. It was a thrill to follow him over here and find out a little more about it. Thank you so much for inviting him to participate, and thank you Geoff for agreeing. Megathanks all round.
Love how you've tied the image of the rusting fence and the rusting that happens to your creative mind when unable to put words to paper. For me - too - writing is an opportunity to slow things down...to clarify and express my thoughts in a more carefully thought out way. I'd be lost without it...
Thank-you Geoff for joining us here today! Your post is a true inspiration and a reminder to myself to continue on with my writing...
I love the image here of that fence being a filter, how appropriate for what you have written.
Your statement about writing ... "an opportunity to focus, to concentrate, to refine in a way that conversation doesn't..." really resonates with me. That sums up what happens in my mind when I begin to put words on paper or type them on the screen.
Falling out of and falling back into that habit of writing. So glad that your "fall" brought your words and image here!
Perfect image for your perfect words! Welcome and thanks for joining us!
I was just telling Marcie the other day that 'writing does not come easily for me, but the practice of being part of Vision and Verb has helped me grow a little along those lines.' And...I agree with you that 'Writing gives us (me) an opportunity to focus, to concentrate, to refine.'
Thank you so much for joining us today, Geoff. Hopefully you'll share your thought provoking images and words with us again...
a beautiful post for all the reasons everyone has articulated. thank you for sharing your thoughts, your process, and your vision.
Thanks for joining us here at V&V today. I love your image of the rusty fence, it so perfectly illustrates your thoughts and words.
Love the image - so perfect on many levels. And the daily writing of blogs is a discipline and practice I've found helpful for my writing too.
Hey Geoff, so happy that you found your way here ~ I really like what you had to share about writing & photos. All so dear to our hearts!
What an inspiring post, I really like the juxtaposition of text and image
Thank you Geoff, and I'm glad you took to habit to Vision and Verb. Fantastic photo! Warm bokeh indeed.
have enjoyed looking at this image all the while it's been a draft geoff, i'm a huge fan of using a shallow depth of field. i wish i could have more regularity to my writing, sometimes i find it easy, the ideas and words flow, other times my brain is sludge and i have no words; much the same for us all at times i think. i want to be a better and more prolific writer but photography is more of my comfort zone thus easier.
Welcome Geoff! Excellent sentiment about writing and how it allows you to focus and to "refine in a way that conversation doesn't".
Absolutely my experience as well!
Wonderful picture, I wish writing could give me the things you say it gives, it is a struggle for me, in my own language as well as in yours, but I like to learn. I'll think of this post when it is my turn to post. Thanks for sharing
My bugaboo about blogging is that when I am in the midst of an experience I find myself deciding how to write about it instead of just living it. That can't be good for the depth of my writing.
Thanks for getting me thinking about my writing thoughts. Oh my, that's just what a self-absorbed writer would say, isn't it?
Absolute wonderful picture. Love your words with it. Ginnie told me about you when she saw the pictures you take with the oculus. The most difficult thing for me, is to translate my thoughts into words. Most of the times I like my camera to speak for me. I have the habit of using too many words. I admire people that can say in a few words, what they want to say.
I visited your blog and a true piece of art.
I love the way you have described the difficulties of writing. I always struggle to decided what to write about, but once I have an idea and put the first word on paper everything comes into place.
I like the way you matched your image to the words.
Oh, it's a lovely image... What I like best about images and poetry are that we all see our own interpretations, what we bring to the piece is mirrored back to us in some small way.
Welcome to you, and yes, falling back into writing is always a wonderful journey!
So interesting to read the comments here, and your post. They're filled with words I've never heard, like bokeh and oculus, and concepts I can't quite grasp, like "depth of field".
i'm at the other end of the spectrum, you see - I'm a writer rather than a photographer, and have never set out simply for a day of taking photos. The images in my blog are meant to complement my words, rather than the other way around.
Still, writing as a discipline of focus is important to me, too. Perhaps writing is analogous to "cropping in the camera" - a way of cropping the internal conversation that always is taking place.
The photo is perfect for the topic. or at least I believe so as I wrestle with my fenced in thoughts that don't seem to want to be let loose to paper lately. Lately all I want to do is read others work in books, which isn't all bad either. A feeding of the mind so to speak. Thanks for joining us here at Vision and Verb!
Hi,
firstly let me say how chuffed I was to be asked by Ginnie to be a guest blogger here at Vision & Verb. Thank you :-)
Thank you also to everyone who left thoughtful and lovely messages in response to my post. These wonderfully composed replies illustrate the talent and depth residing within your group. I enjoyed reading every comment and they in turn have provided me with inspiration and good thought.
Thanks also to the readers who trekked across to my blog at Pictures with Words and took the time to leave comments there too :-)
Yours,
Geoff