Musicians get all the play. I can’t blame anyone for the way things are because music holds a special connection for all, but I will say that sometimes the literary arts are underrated. That’s why it’s so important that organizations like online literary + arts project The Latent Print exist. The San Diego-based project offers an online platform for budding writers and artists to submit and publish their work, whether it’s creative writing, short stories, poetry or photography. It’s been around for a while, but the gals at The Latent Print have just put the finishing touches on a site redesign and are planning all sorts of events for the new year.
So if writing, photography and art is yo’ thang, you’ll want to check them out or follow them on the FB. They will absolutely be getting a submission from yours truly – let’s just hope I’m up to snuff for discriminating tastes. Seriously though, I’m glad this exists. If you’re like me and writing is your therapy, you know what I mean.
Random but somewhat associated thought: I keep thinking lately that there’s got to be a way to make written words come alive on a platform like YouTube, but not in a spoken word way. More in a visual way to keep to the idea that written words are read to ourselves and good creative writing brings images to mind. Like if an artist, photographer, illustrator, or animator collab’d with a creative writer. The words wouldn’t be spoken so that a person ‘watching’ could just sit back and listen to something play out for them like a short or a movie — a person watching the video would have to be engaged with reading the words and complementary design/visuals/typography.
Something to add to keeping our own blog or submitting to sites like The Latent Print. If Indie musicians can make names for themselves on YouTube, there’s got to be a way that writers can, too. You know?
Awesome – thanks for sharing, Kiran. I will definitely be taking a look see.
Really appreciate the comments HM. @Christine, actually we’re one step ahead of you! We’re working on ways to approach writing visually, which we think will allow viewers to be receptive of how words shape our perceptions!
“They say they understand, but how do I know? Because words are inert. They’re just symbols.” – Waking Life
The word is power. I make music for a living, but my passionate hobby is writing. I do hope he culture for reading and writing never diminishes. I believe there will always be those who seek it.
I hope books survive, too. Real, physical books. I love the internet and e-readers and all that, but there is something special about and smell of an old book, or the stacks at the library. I hope we don’t lose that.
So support the writer, the artist in any medium. T’aint an easy life.
~j
@LP – Of course, digging what you guys do!
@Jon – Right on! There’s nothing like the escape a real book provides from our digital world. While e-reading is great sometimes, I’m a huge fan of disconnecting. That’s when all the magic happens.
perfect word!
disconnecting.
@LP: I’m a writer and all I can think to say is, “oooohhhh.” Can’t wait to learn more about it! I trust you will share info on the site as ideas shape?
@Christine – absolutely. Actually, you’re spot on to mention typography which is an excellent way to engage with words! And collaborations between artists and writers is pure harmony for the senses
thanks for sharing, I easily spent an hour reading different stories. Check out Dylan Slocum’s Therapy.