Is that artist, or Artiste?

I’ve been working on several projects lately, most of them writing-related. I’m plotting out a new series, which is always interesting. I love getting to know new characters—it’s so much fun as they reveal themselves—but since when have I needed a flow chart to keep all the plot details straight? Maybe part of the problem is that I’m not only plotting book #1 in the series, but tying in the next 2 projected books to follow. Sometimes it’s tough to work out some of the fine details of the plot until I get to know the characters better; even when I think I know them pretty well, they tend to throw surprises my way (one of the neat things about writing, definitely!).

I’ve also been immersing myself in PR projects. Designing postcards and excerpt booklets lets me indulge my inner artiste. You know—that artsy-crafty person hiding beneath the fact that, though I can create blueprints and copy well-known cartoon characters, any attempt I make to draw is pretty well doomed to failure.

Once I entered the world of computers, however, I realized I do have artistic abilities . . . just not painting or sketching. I like designing a postcard, or doing a layout for a booklet cover. I guess these type of things incorporate design and words—and I don’t have to physically draw any designs I might use (this is a good thing, since my feeble attempts would likely resemble those of a particularly inept 2-year-old).

Much to my surprise, this is fun! A nice change from my usual “art”—knitting (I’m a knitting fool, and a yarn addict). I think I’m going to do more of this kind of thing. Could be therapeutic, and useful, as well.

By the way, my inner artiste has recently discovered scrapbooking. I think I’m going to like it—cool papers, all kinds of neat gadgets . . . I’m already realizing that could be as big an addiction as the knitting.