Writing vs Drawing

Frost Mage · Post by **Frost Mage** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:24 pm

So last night I stayed up and tried to draw a pony. And because I have never drawn or even had the desire to draw until recently, I failed pretty badly, but of course I did learn some skills by recognizing my mistakes. However, what I got to thinking about was this: Do I want to try so badly because I can't? I can write pretty well, and I'm sure I could come up with something fairly easily, but I've always wanted to draw, since I always have different ideas in my head, and admire so many works of art over the course of my day, and I'd like to participate in that. But alas, I think part of it is the "grass is always greener on the other side", and I don't quite have the natural ability. While I could pursue getting better at it, I think I'll stick to writing for now.

So now that that life story is out the way, if you could choose to either be extremely gifted in either writing or drawing, which would you choose, and why?

Avron the S'wit · Post by **Avron the S'wit** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:28 pm

Writing and drawing are very similar skills, but slightly different. Drawing requires some special hand-eye coordination and spacial reasoning skills, whereas writing really demands a vivid imagination and real sense of empathy. But they're both very creative skills and relatively easy to learn - just not that everyone can do it well.

I'm lucky enough to be pretty decent in both, but my real strength is in writing. If I could be a better artist, I would certainly love to be!

Mauin · Post by **Mauin** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:35 pm

I already do both. Writing isn't really an issue for me, since I've been doing it for so long. I just wish I could do better art work on the computer. Digital drawings have never been my strong point. I guess I just prefer the old pencil and paper method of doing things. Well, and the occasional bit of ink. And pencil crayons. But mostly a pencil.

Witchery · Post by **Witchery** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:07 pm

I would love to be a better writer. I enjoy it more than drawing, at least, but I'm not very good at either.

Dohva. · Post by **Dohva.** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:53 pm

*phhhht* Witchery! You are a really good writer and your stories are always full of character. Toot your own horn!

Sometimes I wish I could draw...but I think I can tell a pretty rockin' story so writing is my love. Like anything else, I've gotten better at it over time. A good book/story evokes more emotion in me than a painting or drawing. Just my liking.

skullclutter · Post by **skullclutter** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:42 pm

I don't see why I would have to choose. If you put in the effort needed to refine your skills, there's no reason why you can't become skilled in both writing AND drawing. I don't like the term "gifted" - drawing and writing well aren't things just handed to you in a box - you have to work at it to get any good.

Personally, I'm the opposite from you; I've always focused on drawing and painting and I've been wanting to develop my creative writing skills. Haven't gotten very far yet but I'll keep working at it!

DarkEastwood · Post by **DarkEastwood** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:47 pm

I'm not saying that writing doesn't appeal to emotion; in fact, I've borderline cried while reading some books. But when I'm reading a comic or see an image that is complimenting words, the image is what makes the scene much much stronger. So I'm going to go with drawing since I feel that I could conjure some pretty awesome stuff.

Post by **BetaB17** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:54 pm

I have no skill in drawing, though my doodles in the past were master pieces. I prefer to write stories when I have motive, enough said

POMC S117 · Post by **POMC S117** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 11:58 pm

I think what makes words in a book so beautiful is that they leave what is written open to the interpretation of the reader. It allows the reader to see different things, to look at the words and imagine a scene. Images can take away that individuality, in my opinion. Although, in many cases, images help the reader to see clearly what is happening. I think that's why movies are so good. Because they involve both speech and image.

That said, I prefer to write. I love writing (although, I rarely get round to doing it because I don't have the time or I'm in a state of writers' block). If I could draw, I'd love doing that too. It would be good to be able to draw the characters and places and events I have imagined for my stories.

Post by **Kerr** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 12:55 am

Writing is always good fun. I suck at drawing so I would rather just be better at writing.

Daring Fieldmajor · Post by **Daring Fieldmajor** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 9:42 am

Suprised to see more writers than artists.

I'm always writing myself, never even tried art, I'm atrocious at it.

Avron the S'wit · Post by **Avron the S'wit** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 2:01 pm

skullclutter wrote:I don't see why I would have to choose. If you put in the effort needed to refine your skills, there's no reason why you can't become skilled in both writing AND drawing.

I think that's true - to a point. I do believe that there isn't always necessarily a reason to call someone "gifted" just because they possess these skills: in fact, I think a successful artist and/or writer is more intelligent than gifted, because the bulk of success in any field is being able to not just create but to maintain an audience, and to do so you have to be able to cater to your audience in a subtle way.

Take writing. I worked as an editor and a language tutor/instructor, aside from being a writer for fun (and a pretty good one, having secured many prizes, awards, scholarships, and a few publications with the written word). I notice a lot with students learning English that they are overly focused on being so grammatically correct that they don't realize it's the content of their written works that is lacking. (You notice this in most students learning another language; and, we won't get into a discussion about the differences of the written word across cultures - let's concentrate on English, as it's the lingua franca here.) Similarly, even native speakers think that in order to be a successful writer all you have to have is a good idea, a good grasp on grammar, and a place to put it. Wrong. Writing is a process, and part of the process includes audience design. Who are you writing for? How can you adjust your work to appeal to them? What moves them? What keeps them going? And so on and so forth. I see a lot of talented writers fail because they can never get to this part of the process. I don't care how deep, diverse, and creative your original world is - you have to sell me on the emotions and things that move me.

Art is similar: you have to be flexible, and you have to serve your audience and grow with them. A "gifted" person is smart enough to see all the processes - and excel at them.

That's why horrible works like Twilight sell...and some great writers always remain in the shadows.

Dohva. · Post by **Dohva.** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 4:23 pm

Avron the S'wit wrote:Who are you writing for? How can you adjust your work to appeal to them? What moves them? What keeps them going? And so on and so forth. I see a lot of talented writers fail because they can never get to this part of the process. I don't care how deep, diverse, and creative your original world is - you have to sell me on the emotions and things that move me.

That's why horrible works like Twilight sell...and some great writers always remain in the shadows.

^^Authors should definitely write from their passion, but keeping that seed of suspense/thrill/enrapture alive within the readers is the goal of storytelling. Lately, I've really been into fleshing out scenes (for my WIP and roleplay stories) and getting good ideas from thinking about what emotions I like to experience as a reader. Granted, not everyone is going to like my work--in fact--I think most people that read it probably won't be in the audience for experiencing the type of journey I aim to create. I write what strikes me and the audience will come to me.

Same with Twilight. I detest vampires but I have a sister in love with the series. When I asked her why, she said it was because it made her feel something like she was in this romantic fantasy world. Point is, that's who she is...in lala land most of the time so that sort of writing bonds with her.

I find art to be the same. My husband and I have Alex Grey work all over our house. Some friends like it, my parents were like WTF.

Its all about personal style.

PS: I just wanted to add that as a reader, if the author fails to produce feelings of "I need to turn just one more page" then I lose interest. If my writing creates feelings of intensity in the readers, then I think I've accomplished something through it.

Mucro · Post by **Mucro** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:24 pm

I enjoy writing so much. Right now I am planning a huge project which could end up seeing quite a few books written, it is very exciting! I have never written anything this good before.

the Savage Hippie · Post by **the Savage Hippie** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:25 pm

My horrible drawing is no good to anyone. But I do it anyway... I am surrounded by kids all day...

Dirty Spaceman · Post by **Dirty Spaceman** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 6:37 pm

Writing's definitely my thing. Even if I'm not that great at it, I still enjoy it. I just find inventing stories and creating whole characters and worlds to be incredibly fun to do. I have this huge over-arching fictional world spanning several planned stories, the only obstacle is finding the time and motivation to finish writing it down.

As for art, well, I'm probably better at drawing in MS Paint than with a pencil and paper.

tornadokirby · Post by **tornadokirby** » Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:20 pm

I like doing both. I'm not a great artist, but I think it's fun to draw little doodles.

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