Ray Bradbury’s Illustrated Man lit a creative spark within me.
It’s been many years now, but I can still remember the moment… standing in the library of my high school and seeing the book’s cover “The Illustrated Man” by Ray Bradbury.
The cover intrigued me. But the writing fascinated me as the book’s narrator meets the Illustrated Man– his entire body a living canvas of exotic and magical tattoos.
I was intrigued. I picked the book for my Creative Writing class assignment and fell in love with the idea that one could write something so magical – so mystical. I was fascinated by not just the book, but by the author. I thought “what a lucky man” to be able to be so creative and published.
I had forgotten about this book and its author for some time… until last night. I found a video of Ray Bradbury (see below) on YouTube — and Bradbury once again sparked a creative ember.
Ray Bradbury spoke of many truths — about life and about writing — particularly intuitive writing, such as:
Intuition, this powerful thing… all of my books have been surprises. I’ve never known where I’m going and that’s the great fun.”
Within the video he talks about his life and his passion for writing and many of the wonderful circumstances that brought him to print.
But most of all, I love what he says about creative writing — intuitive writing in particular:
Surprise – you don’t know what’s in you until you test it… You’ve been writing self consciously – intellectually for too long. The deep stuff – your true self hasn’t had a chance to come out . You’ve been so busy thinking commercially – what will sell, what will I do? instead of saying ‘who am I? how do I discover me?”
It’s a fascinating video – and I urge you to take the time to view it – for I trust his words will inspire you in your intuitive writing.
