I constantly have this urge to write about the arts or places I've visited in the past. If I'm looking through my memory box of my travels, I feel like creating a story out of it. For example, my amazing trip to Washington D.C in 1995. But once I open that word document....there it is -- the blank page. The hardest part about the blank word document is actually writing something worth reading...in the first sentence. I know for some, a blank page is more of an inspiration to create something out of nothing. But for me, I need something amazing in the first sentence to start off with a great story.

As a Journalism student, I'm trained to come up with a lead -- a sentence summarizing the story in 25 words or less-- after I write the actual story. Sometimes I have this urge to write the lead before the story is written (which is the difficult part.) But most of the time, that doesn't work, for me at least.

I need creativity. Sometimes it comes to me and sometimes it doesn't. I need some sort of inspiration. When I look back at stories I've written for the campus newspaper, I've noticed some of my leads were boring, and some were good. I want great! I'm aiming for great.

So here goes...

Back to the blank page. I think writing this blog helped just a little.

Labels: blank page, fear, inspiration, stories

I'm not a painter, sculptor, or a muralist. I have no name for this.

I love to draw with charcoal and sharpies. They're two completely different mediums. One is a permanent marker and one is...charcoal. It's not as boring as it sounds. I love the smooth shading effect charcoal provides and I love the scent of sharpies. (Kidding.) I still haven't figured out why I love drawing with sharpies. Maybe there's not much to figure out. The finished result just looks nice -- sometimes.

I am so proud of a drapery I drew with charcoal in one of my college art classes...3 years ago. I believe it was called a Drapery Study. I honestly feel as if I can't exceed my own drawing. Sad isn't it? Oh wait, but I have! I drew my cousin's little boy when he was only 7 months old with a piece of charcoal. She has it framed in her house and apparently visitors think it's awesome. Proud moment. Point is, I need to continue drawing. I've waited much too long and it's time I take out the charcoal...and maybe a sharpie. What if I created something where I used both? Ideas!

I can go on forever but I need to find some charcoal.

Labels: charcoal, inspiration, sharpies

Los Angeles Times is hosting its annual Travel & Adventure show at the Los Angeles Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 p.m. Tickets are $10 a piece (Not bad if you're a travel junkie on a budget!) Travelers shouldn't miss this event. 

Labels: adventure, budget, convention center, los angeles times, travel