Are you stuck in your rut or open to new points of view?

People are twice as likely to choose to read information that supports their own point of view as they are to consider an opposing idea. Those with close-minded personalities are even more reluctant to expose themselves to differint perspectives.

People are most resistant to new points of view concerning political, religious, or ethical values.

People with low confidence in their own beliefs are less likely to expose themselves to contrary views than people who are very confident in their own ideas.
 
This article reviews 91earlier studies:
“Feeling Validated Versus Being Correct: A Meta-Analysis of Selective Exposure to Information,” 
Dolores Albarracín, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; William Hurt, PhD, Inge Brechan, PhD, and Lisa Merrill, PhD, University of Florida; Alice H. Eagly, PhD, Northwestern University, Matthew J. Lindberg, PhD, Ohio University;  
Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 135, No. 4 at http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/bul1354555.pdf.)

Classic Larry Ragan on saying it like it is

http://www.ragan.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=5AA50C55146B4C8C98F903986BC02C56&tier=4&id=A2A7714B2C7B40C187806FA25DF0BBF8&AudID=3FF14703FD8C4AE98B9B4365B978201A

Visual language, a new tool

As for future development of plain language, I think we would benefit from what Dave Gray of VizThink describes as “cross-pollination between visual thinking disciplines like information design, information architecture, data visualization, geographers, graphic facilitation/graphic recording, comics/graphic novels, architecture, etc..”   Plain language needs to incorporate "visual language" but first we need to learn what it is.

The standards, rules, and definition of visual language is under development right now.

Take a look at the work of Neil Cohn of Tufts University. Start with his video, What Is Visual Language?, available via http://www.emaki.net/blog/ for a hint of what is to come from the visual language movement.

Also, at Brains on Purpose a blog post by Stephanie West Allen offers many other points of access to this field: http://westallen.typepad.com/brains_on_purpose/2008/04/images-paint-an.html

Unleash Your Inner Muse

Violette is a folk artist who has created a community through her blog at www.violette.ca 

I recommend to you Violette's new book, Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric, that you can buy from Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/lxg9ug  
 

Violette, thank you for agreeing to talk to us non-artists. Most of my readers have lives focused on the written word. Getting visually oriented may be an intimidating idea. Yet, many express a desire to get in touch with their creative sides to refresh their capacity for original thinking.

Wow.......well this is an exciting opportunity to share what knowledge I have with them. Thanks for that Cheryl.
 

You mention in the book how relinquishing the left-brain's constant control allows the right brain to do some creative work. This would also apply to releasing some creative thinking, wouldn't it? 

Yes - for sure!  Across the board - when you look at problems with "soft eyes" without the left-brained, intense focus you can see things more clearly.  That is when solutions and innovative thoughts pop into your mind.  Don't discard these so called "gems" which are probably lining up to find some form of expression whether it be in writing, creating art, dancing, or creating music. 

The magic happens when you let go of control and go into flow, or some folks call it riffing (to make stuff up on the spot).  It is similar to the brain dump of the morning pages  that Julia Cameron (of Artist's Way) recommends in order to mine the mind for the gems from your thoughts.

What do you think of visualizing thoughts as a way out of writer's block?

I'm a big advocate of visualization - it so powerful.  If you can picture yourself as successful, writing effortlessly, seeing yourself at your book signing or seeing your article in a magazine using different modalities, then you are much more apt to realize and manifest the dream. Imagine yourself, see yourself but also smell the smells, hear the sounds and if it's appropriate feel the feelings (such as the feel of book pages or magazine pages). 

I read somewhere that creative people are creative because they believe that they are.  That is the number one determining factor. Visualization helps you to get to the place of believing.  It's like practicing playing the guitar - the more you play the better you get.

Visualize many, many times and you will believe that you ARE a very prolific writer with countless stories waiting to get out. 

Another thing you can do is create a Vision Board for yourself - clip images from magazines which to you symbolize writing and creating effortlessly.  Clip words or phrases that support your vision.  Assemble all of these images on a large piece of poster board. You might even put a picture of yourself in the center of the board.  Put your Vision Board somewhere that you can see it every day.

I appreciate that you provide some simple instructions for some basic art techniques in your book. What do you suggest that beginners buy for a basic set of art supplies?

You really don't need very much.  You could buy a coil-bound sketchbook or do what I do - buy cheap card stock from the office supply store and clip the pages together with a bullclip. 

You'll need a couple of good fine-tip felt pens (I prefer Micron Pens), a water colour paint set, gel pens, acrylic paints (folk art paints are fine), water colour pencil crayons and assorted paintbrushes.  I think that's basically all you need....oh and I cannot forget mod podge for adhering your collage items.

You wrote about having a doodle box, even storing flourishes there. What
else goes in a doodle box and tell my readers what it is?

I suggested you store your doodles or doodles that you find in magazines and online.  I had suggested you create a file for inspiration so that you can practice your own doodles and flourishes which will enhance your journal pages. 

My doodles and inspiration are stored in numerous places:

• I have an inspiration drawer with brochures, art and cards that inspire me.

• I have several books of my ideas with doodles and flourishes and ideas for art projects. 

One of my coil-bound books is called "imagine" and the other is called "The Idea factory" I created the covers for these two books. 

• I like personalizing and funkifying everything to encourage myself to use the items.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Violette. You are my own muse.

Thank you Cheryl!  You are an inspiration to me, too!  I have enjoyed a different line of questioning.  Creativity works in all disciplines - we simply need to tap into it and give ourselves permission to have fun and cut loose.

Another Perpective on Plain Language

Click Media discusses proposal writing, adding:

"Plain language, especially English, is not always simple.  Not only do your words need to be efficient and easy to understand, but they need to be warm and engaging as well.  Your words need to compel your reader to carry on."