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Shirin Dubbin | Making Good, Casting Well
January 18, 2011
My mother made me an addict. She introduced me to comics and forced me to read
books. My enrollment in drawing and photography classes came with my discovery
of motor skills. The woman was relentless in immersing me in theater and
symphonies. Now I visit libraries and bookstores as if they’re dealers. I roll
Playbills, light them and inhale. I’m a woman who pumps art straight into her
veins, and finds joy in sharing her drugs of choice. I first expressed my addiction through a career in graphic design. Inspiration
came from color, fonts and illustrations. Art movements were translated into
graphics, and when a client was happy I was thrilled. Design is storytelling,
like all the arts I grew up loving, but it is flash fiction—a tale told in a
glance. I craved more. Much later I began writing screenplays and poetry, which led to prose. Before
then I’d been talking about writing. My words never equated to more than
“I can start whenever I want to.” I didn’t, though. Not until—in true
addict-style—I hit rock bottom. I couldn’t regroup until I’d turned tears into
ink and emptied myself onto the page. Once I’d written through the pain fiction
flowed. Then, I really got high. The stories I write require inspiration much like my designs do. They’re built
on soundtracks; produced by mythology; take their aesthetics from visual art,
and are enacted by mash-ups of actors and friends in the roles of characters. I
don’t think I could write without my addiction—this gift from my mother.
Yesterday was her birthday and I finally feel I’m making good on her artistic
investment. No more meaningless chatter but written words to thank her for
playing the biggest role in my life: mama and muse. ~Shirin Dubbin GIVEAWAY: In honor of my mother’s birthday I’m giving away all three of my
books, DREAMS’ DARK
KISS, DUSK TAKES
DAWN, and KEEPER OF THE
WAY—I’ve chosen casts for all three. Leave a comment telling us which actor
you’d cast as your all-time favorite fictional character, or tell us who plays
the role of muse in your life. Fresh Fiction will choose a random winner and
I’ll send the books!
Comments
30 comments posted.
Re: Shirin Dubbin | Making Good, Casting Well
There is never any fun without the good and bad in life.
(Anthonia Sharp 10:36am January 18, 2011)
My kids are my muse these days. I am always trying to do
better and be better so they have someone to look up to.
(Leagh Christensen 11:03am January 18, 2011)
My father, who said I would never amount to anything since I was real little. That just made me want to prove him wrong along with everyone else. My Husband is my Muse he goads me on and I am the light in his eyes.
(Cj Swier 11:31am January 18, 2011)
Growing up, I never had a muse, outside of my teachers. When I had dreams, they were pretty much shot down, so unfortunately, I never followed through on them. Later in life, my Aunt turned into my muse. She gave me support and strength when I thought I had none. She's always been there for me in ways a Mother should be, and will support me to the death, so to speak. I also have a girlfriend who is an artist, who is like a sister to me, who gives me support in my outside endeavors. I don't know what I'd do without either of them.
(Peggy Roberson 12:29pm January 18, 2011)
My animals are my muses because I can tell them my ideas and they never laugh at them.
(Sue Farrell 12:42pm January 18, 2011)
My dear Mother read to me every evening. What a heritage!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:15pm January 18, 2011)
You are very lucky to have a mother like that. I always wanted a career in art, but my mother took me out of school early and I had to work and bring in some money. Sigh. Still, I say you are never to old to achieve your dreams so I am not giving up...even though I am old now.
As to that special actor I would cast...that could only be the very delickable, darkly handsome, sinfully sexy Gerard Butler...sigh!!!!
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 1:20pm January 18, 2011)
Wow, I didn't know you were pushed into reading comics, I thought it was something to naturally gravitate toward when young and on Sundays. Writing your way out of trouble is a way to learn more about the inside self. Thanks for sharing your zigzagged path.
(Alyson Widen 1:29pm January 18, 2011)
My father has always been my muse. He was reading romance and western books to me before I started school. Whenever I read a good book, I think of him and of how he always encouraged me. He looked and sounded like a big rough man, but was a hopeless romantic underneath it all.
(Janet Shook 1:45pm January 18, 2011)
Thank you all for sharing your muses. It's good to know we are each blessed with our inspirations--even through adversity and hurt. Cheers to your grandmothers, kids, husbands, aunties, animals and moms!
@Valerie, Go for it! Some of us bloom late but the blossoms are no less spectacular. // Gerard Butler is always a good choice but which character did you cast him as? ^_~
@Alyson, My mom didn't push me to read comic books but she did introduce me to them. I think it was because I loved both drawing and storytelling and comics blend the two. With books there was no negotiating--I would read them and like it :)
(Shirin Dubbin 1:55pm January 18, 2011)
I had somewhat serious eye problems growing up. I would try to do my
homework and fall asleep exhausted from the effort. Things resolved
themselves when I turned 35. I haven' had a book our of my hands since except
to seeing to necessities for my family. So many book to catch up on. I'm reading
as fast as I can.
(Sandra Spilecki 2:03pm January 18, 2011)
No one had to push me to read comic books. But my Dad did bring them home from the city for me.
(Sandy Giden 2:31pm January 18, 2011)
My muses are my teenage daughters they get into the strangest
situations. It really takes serious imagination to help them
through it. My imagination wasn't that great until my girls
reached their teenage years.
(Tanja Haack 2:45pm January 18, 2011)
Sounds like a great read. Would love to have it!! Tks,
(Clio Teixeira 3:35pm January 18, 2011)
I remember when my mom read to me.........still wish I was that little girl sometimes.........
(Joanne Bozik 3:53pm January 18, 2011)
First Congrats on your success!
My dad pushed me to read more, then when I did he had to force me to leave my room LOL.
(Candy Gorcsi 5:01pm January 18, 2011)
Love the title and the cover. Would love to read it. The premise is pretty intriguing too.
(Maria Antunes 5:17pm January 18, 2011)
I can't say that I have a muse. My mother perhaps. She is incredible.
(Mary Preston 5:32pm January 18, 2011)
My son is my muse. He has gone through so much and keeps going. Whenever I feel like giving up on something, he encourages me.
(Debbie Penny 5:55pm January 18, 2011)
My daughter is my muse, she is so accomplished but has been through so many hardships to get to this point. I admire her stick-to-it-ness.
(Kathleen Bianchi 6:05pm January 18, 2011)
I don't really like to think about actors portraying fictional characters from my favorite books. I usually don't like the movies.
(Leni Kaye 6:57pm January 18, 2011)
All time favorite fictional character - unfortunately favorites tend to switch with what I am reading. At the moment, I am quite taken by Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews). When I think of an actress for this role, I think of Angelina Jolie playing Lara Croft. Except now you would have to find a younger equivalent.
(Carol Drummond 6:58pm January 18, 2011)
My mother helped me since I was a sick child and spent a lot of time in hospitals I grew to love reading. Letting my imagination soar when I couldn't made me feel better. Reading made me a sponge for more information. Leading to an appreciation of art and music. I have grown rich from all of these formats and now my children are the same.
(Cindy Olp 7:07pm January 18, 2011)
My Mom loved to read and I think that is where I got it. She had us to library's once a week when we were small to see such a smorgasborg of books! I know I always took home more than I could possibly read during the week, but as time went on that was no longer a problem because I would sneak a flashlight into bed with me to finish off whatever book I was into finishing at the time.
(Brenda Rupp 7:21pm January 18, 2011)
My husband is my Muse; he has so much more patience than me and keeps calm even when stressed.
(Diane Sadler 7:40pm January 18, 2011)
My mother too taught me to love reading. I am Never without a book. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
(Lisa Garrett 8:03pm January 18, 2011)
My Mom and I shared a love of reading and used to walk to the library together. She shared her love of mysteries with me and it is still my favorite today.I guess my boys are my muse and they both think I have too many books.LOL! Thanks for the contest!
(Teresa Ward 10:14pm January 18, 2011)
Librarians the world over are my muses and my colleagues. It is so much fun to match a reader with the right book. Your books look fascinating.
(Patty Franz 10:08am January 19, 2011)
right now Jamie Oliver is my cooking muse. I love his book Jamie's Food Revolution.
i don't know that I have any other muses in my life. I tend to decide to do things that will surprise my family. Such as training to run a half marathon, fencing still shocks them. Maybe I am the muse for them?
(Heather Pearson 12:32pm January 20, 2011)
The muses in my life are my family who keep needing me for various emergencies and I get to reteach customs and likewise they teach me more about a different generation and what's hot now.
(Alyson Widen 11:34am January 26, 2011)
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