That first line—
That engaging, poetic first line is my anchor point.
All I need to begin writing is an engaging first line. I know and you know that the line will probably be changed one day, but for now . . . it anchors my story.
Letters and words are my shapes. I toss them across the empty Word document, my artboard for the time being. This one isn’t right, this one could be stronger, these two say the same thing . . . my fingers add, delete, merge, and change just a slight beat behind the racing of my brain.
Rewrite. Resize.
Save. (Don’t forget that part!)
Someone once said that a first draft exists so you have something to edit in your first draft. This is true for both writing and graphic design. In writing, you need words. In design, you need objects and text.
Every great thing started out as nothingness. Now, my dear friend, you have a preliminary masterpiece.
I keep editing: does this sound right? Does this look right? Is the right feeling being evoked?
This is the synthesis of my two crafts: they truly sing together. Writing taught me to not fear harsh critique; design taught me the importance of visuals in carrying a story. Both require discipline and curiosity.
I close out of the document. Tomorrow, another blank page will be awaiting me. And, just like before, I will find that anchor point deep within that keeps me coming back to these two loves of mine.
Amanda Michelle Brown 