Unveiling the Mystery of Writing: My Journey as a Newbie

As a newcomer to the world of prose writing, I have been bombarded with a common piece of advice – read, read, and read some more. But here's the thing, I have a bit of a problem with that. Let me explain why.

Reading and Subconscious Plagiarism

They say that when we read, our brains become a treasure trove of information stored in the hippocampus. The more we read, the more we absorb, and all this knowledge intertwines and lingers in our minds. It's like a mental library waiting to be accessed with the right key. The way we retain this information depends on whether it's reinforced positively or negatively.

Back in my university days, I used this phenomenon to my advantage, thanks to my photographic memory. I could breeze through textbooks and regurgitate the information during exams without breaking a sweat. However, this conscious recollection wasn't the best way to truly learn.

With repeated recall and positive reinforcement, the information we've absorbed can become a part of us. It's like they find a cozy spot in our brains and start to feel like our own thoughts. And before we know it, we might unknowingly incorporate these ideas into our own writing.

It's a subtle form of plagiarism that I like to call subconscious plagiarism.

The 'Allergy' to Reading

After years of intense reading as a student, I found myself developing what I call a reading 'allergy'. Every time I tried to dive into a book, I would suddenly feel a wave of drowsiness washing over me. This posed a significant challenge, especially now that I find myself reading at a snail's pace. A 100k-word novel could easily take me a month to finish!

Finding Inspiration Beyond the Pages

But fear not, dear reader, for my inspiration to write doesn't solely rely on reading. In fact, my creativity is fuelled by a myriad of other sources. One of my main wellsprings of inspiration stems from observing the world around me. Delving into the intricacies of human behavior and personalities provides me with rich material for crafting my characters. Exploring diverse cultures adds depth and vibrancy to the worlds I create. And let's not forget my love for philosophy – the essence of my storylines often reflects my profound understanding of the great philosophies that shape our world.

So, while I may struggle with the traditional advice of drowning myself in books, I've found my own unique path to creativity. And isn't that what writing is all about – finding your own voice amidst the cacophony of advice and expectations?

Cross-media Inspiration

Let's dive into the realm of cross-media inspiration, where creativity knows no bounds. This concept revolves around finding inspiration from sources beyond the medium we typically work in. For me, this means drawing creative energy from the captivating worlds of art and architecture.

Imagine this – beautiful architecture and mesmerizing paintings serve as the muse for my writing endeavors. Each building and artwork holds a unique narrative within its walls, sparking a symphony of ideas and emotions within me. As I delve into these artistic creations, my imagination embarks on a journey to uncharted territories – some bathed in beauty, others cloaked in shadows. But every experience, whether light or dark, serves as a rich tapestry of inspiration for my writing ventures.

Join me as I unravel the magic of cross-media inspiration, where art and architecture converge to breathe life into the stories that unfurl within the pages of my writing.