Art for Art’s Sake
You know, I’ve never really considered ‘writing’ a form of art. To me, art is well…. artistic. It’s creative, it’s colourful, it’s thought-provoking, it’s…timeless. So, for a more objective point of view, I called on the advice of my sage, Wikipedia, who wisely informed me that ‘Art is a diverse range of human activity and its resulting product that involves creative or imaginative talent generally expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas’. Quite a mouthful, but also, a rather broad statement. It continues by telling us that the three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture, and architecture, and to be honest, that would align with my initial statement. However, it also goes on to say that ‘Theatre, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature, music, film and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of the arts.’
Ok, cool. Thanks Wiki – I’m going to go with that for the purpose of this offering. You see, I’m a ‘writer’ – again, a very broad term – but, in recent years, I’ve written and self-published a novel. A fiction novel (with a bit of reality thrown in), which had been simmering in the labyrinth of my mind for at least 20 years. I’ve always enjoyed the written word. I’m a voracious reader – always have been, always will be. My writing began as an angst-ridden teenager; poems about unrequited love and unrealistic expectations. It progressed to seemingly endless academic essays about random intellectual guff as part of my, ironically titled, Bachelor of Arts degree. From there, many a personalised poem or tribute at birthdays, weddings and yes, funerals. More recently, I’ve excelled (?) at ironic and (hopefully) thought-provoking commentary on social media. But that was all just a warm-up. For years, friends and acquaintances had asked ‘When are you going to write a book?’ I’d laugh good-naturedly, coyly even, responding - ‘One of these days. When I have time.’
Aha! Be mindful what you wish for good reader! During Covid, I was working a stress-free part time gig from home, and with spare hours in my days and a less-cluttered mind, I decided that I did have time. As soon as I made that decision, I started to stress. What if I can’t? What if I start and I can’t finish? What if I run out of ideas? What if it’s crap?! I made a conscious decision. I would write my book, even if it took me the next ten years (I’d read somewhere that it took JK Rowling 8 years to write her first Harry Potter book, and look where she ended up!) I wouldn’t put pressure on myself to finish it. If I felt like writing, I would. If I didn’t, that was ok. There was no deadline, no expectations. My story, albeit fiction, was a rather personal one, so I also knew that I was really only writing it for me – and my family. It was a tribute to my brother who lost his life at a young age. So, it didn’t really matter if it didn’t sell, or if people didn’t like it. It was going to be a personal acknowledgement to the love and grief I felt for him. Something that would be part of my legacy, for want of a better word.
So, I started. And wow! The words just came. Seemingly they’d been whirling around in my sub-conscious all that time, just itching to find their way to paper (well, to a computer screen). I couldn’t stop. My poor husband wondered what had become of me? This fast-typing tyrant who barely looked up from the screen had moved in with him, and he didn’t quite know what to do. Thankfully, he was supportive and would place a coffee or wine beside me, depending on the time of day. Before I knew it (well, let’s be honest, I did have other obligations as well) my first draft was done. It had taken 6 weeks. I was so proud. So, so proud! I decided to self-publish as I just wanted it ‘done’. I didn’t want to wait to see if a publishing company deigned to accept it. That eventuality was unlikely I figured. Instead, I worked with a local company who helped me through all the steps, and within a year, my book was edited, published, printed and ready to go. I held a launch with family and friends - it was one of the most thrilling experiences I’ve ever had. My book is now (and forever) held in the national and state library, and if nothing else – no matter how many copies I sell or don’t sell – I am a legitimate ‘published’ author.
So, what does all this mean for you? Nothing really, but if it resonates, my message is this. No matter what type of artist you are, there are no boundaries, no restrictions. There are no deadlines, no right or wrong aspects, no good or bad. The appreciation of your art is subjective. Some will like it, some will be mesmerised by it, and some may loath it, but at the end of the day, it’s still art. And it’s yours. So, don’t procrastinate. Do it! Be an artist. Be your own self. Oscar Wilde, also a writer, (LOL @ me aligning myself with Mr Wilde) said ‘Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known’. So be an individual. He certainly was! Create your art in whatever form you desire. Your art is YOU; it gives voice to your deepest thoughts and feelings. And that, my fellow Artiste, is a truly wonderful thing.
Dani McDonnell
Oh, and if you would like to support a fellow artist, my book is available here - Nowhere Else to Go : McDonnell, Dani: Amazon.com.au: Books
