Racking Focus
In film, to rack focus means to shift focus from something in the foreground to something in the background. I am a filmmaker. I imagined the movie, wrote the script, gathered the actors, dressed the scenery, chose the wardrobe and called out the word, “Action!”
My world came to life – this house, this marriage, this family, and this career. And then my blog came into being simply because I imagined and created it (with a lot of help). My two worlds mingled forming a lovely web of joy, space and gratitude.
I am the filmmaker of my life.
I intend it, dream it, write it, create it, assign meaning to it and see it as only I can. Likely, it looks very different to you, to my husband, to my child, to my friends. I can only see it through the lens of my own experiences and memories. Despite a few missed cues, a couple of retakes and some errors in continuity, I am content with the picture I’ve created. It is my work of art however imperfect or still developing. It is my first film – my first go at this thing called life. Filled with dialogue and scenes where light, water, writing, peace and creativity flow together, I love watching it play out.
The foreground is lovely and crisp. In fact, it has been so lovely and crisp this past year that it has diverted my attention from something that lingers in the background, faint, slightly out of focus, but there nonetheless. There, waiting for me to shift my attention from the foreground to the background is an unfinished novel I began two years ago.
It is time for me to rack focus.
Lately, I’ve been catching fleeting glimpses of the characters and hearing odd snippets of conversation from their lives. That novel is pulling at me, beckoning me to look in its direction. It is the pull of a deep desire and a life long dream. I can hear it in the confident hum of the twin-engine plane flying over my house this summer’s eve. It’s the sound of freedom and exploration. I can feel it in the words of Henry David Thoreau who wrote, “Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.”
My gut is telling me that it’s time to rack focus — to linger with the those characters, finish those conversations, lift those words off the page where they’d been left to fossilize, and turn them over in my hands, take a closer look at them and unearth what’s there in those bones — in those pages.
I’ll be back. Have a great summer. I’m off to write.
To be continued …
With love,
P.S. In the meantime, check out my new joy list or try one of the delicious recipes below.
75 Responses to “Racking Focus”
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I loved this post! “Rack Focus” is such an apt phrase for what I am going through right now. And I loved your joy list. Am inspired to make one of my own! Thank you Katie! I always look forward to reading your blog.
Thank you so much, Vidya. It is amazing to me how life’s commonalities strike us at the same time. Yes, create a joy list. It feels, well, joyful. Thank you for reading.
Way to go, Katie! I love the image of life as film, as art…and of paying attention to where the camera’s turning next.
Look forward to hearing more about your book
Caroline, thanks for the support. I often see life playing out visually. I even see my novel like I would a movie. Likely the real filmmaker in me coming out. It’s what I did for a long time and still do as a day job – directing and writing. Have a wonderful summer. It has been lovely getting to know you and watching your blog grow.
Hi Katie
Great post, really enjoyed it. Your writing is always such a joy to read.
Good luck with the book and I can’t wait to hear how it goes. I hope you will still be posting over summer though? I wasn’t sure if you were taking some time off or not?
Off to read your joy list.
Cheers
Thea
Thea, thanks for the very sweet and supportive comment. It is most appreciated. Likely, I won’t post until late summer, but I’ll see how that goes. I’ll do what moves me, but for now, I need to focus on this one thing. Enjoy the joy list!
Katie,
Go and enjoy yourself -dream – do – be – create!!
To your summer of exploration and joy.
xoxo,
Angela
Thanks Angela. You’ve keyed in on exactly how I want to spend my summer. xo
I have to smile as we both move into summer. My book has been finished, edited and there it sits. I too am taking the summer to move my book along and enjoy the spoils summer brings. Have a great summer Katie.
Way to go, Michelle. Such a triumph of determination to get your book to that stage. Enjoy your book and summer. See you in the fall or whenever I flow back to this home away from home.
A very exciting announcement, Katie! I’m rewriting my young adult novel this summer (the one I wrote for NaNoWriMo), so I can relate. Send me an email if you want to be novel buddies this summer. (Though I completely understand the need for solitude. Writing a novel is such a personal, life-changing experience.)
Either way, happy writing.
xoxo
Melissa
Yes, I am excited. Good for you for kick-starting a novel with NaNoWriMo and sticking to it once the month was over. Yes, buddies would be great. I’ve emailed you about it. Solitude and companionship are both essential I think, to writing and to life.
Katie – I love this concept of “rack focus.” And disappointed that I just met you and you’ll be off for a while. Have an awesome summer writing in a different form and forum!
Cheryl, thank you for the support. I’m hoping the time off also brings me a wealth of experiences to share when I come back. I’ve shared a bunch of my favourite books, videos and posts in my new joy list (top right menu) so do look around and do come back in the fall. Have a terrific summer.
Katie, I’m so looking forward to read any novel you write. You have a gift of storytelling and using metaphors and words to paint a picture. Take all the time you need
One of my favorite posts of the year, not because you are taking a break, but because of the way you relate film making to life. Go get your background!
Thanks for all your support and kindness, Marci. I’ll do my best to not get lost in the background for too long.
hi Katie,
a filmmaker?! wow!
i’m about to read a script of a future movie – it will be one of the best movies ever! so i’m pretty interested in your novel… i would like to read it when it finished!
Sapir, yes I’ve been very fortunate to makes films in this country. Why are you reading the script? Is it just for fun or part of your job? Thanks for the support on the novel.
now it’s just for fun. but who knows…
Ahhh lovely Katie, thank you. What’s an example of an ‘error in continuity’?
Good luck on the novel, I admire your perseverance!
Good question, Amanda. In film, continuity errors are usually small errors or mistakes in how the film plays out – could be a prop out of place, a person in the background who wasn’t there a moment ago, or plot errors. Metaphorically speaking, I really meant that I’ve made mistake and sometimes my values or friends or even where I lived was out of place or off balance with who I really was. Make sense?
Thanks for the support on the novel. Perseverance is definitely key when writing something in such solitary way – very different from blogging so it’s nice to know you all have my back.
Thanks, Katie! Certainly makes sense now, I can relate with my own continuity errors.
You know, I really like the way you say it. That you are the filmmaker of your life. It’s very interesting.
Thanks for the kudos, Andrew.
Certainly in the western world we’re taught we should base our decisions on logic and rational thinking, not on something as vague as a ‘gut feeling’. But over time I’ve learned to trust my ‘gut feeling’; following it almost always turns out to be the best choice, and not following it has lead to some rather unpleasant results.
I believe that a ‘gut feeling’ is really a nudge from the Universe, trying to get you back on track towards your Life Purpose. So if your ‘gut feeling’ is telling you to continue working on your novel, then do it Katie! I’m absolutely convinced that it will work out fantastically!
Jeroen, I am convinced of the same thing. I’ve not trusted my gut on many occasions and it hasn’t worked out well, but each time I’ve learned how right my gut always is. So now I am learning slowly and gently to follow it without worry or fear. Thank you for the encouragement to be who I need to be right now.
I like it when you said that you are the filmmaker of your life. While I’d like to believe that my life is a huge canvas and I am the person who fill in the color.
Hey John, lovely metaphor for life — a canvas, a film, a poem, all of it artful living. Have fun with filling in the colours of your life. All the best, Katie
Love the term “rack focus.” Amazed that I haven’t come across it before. Great post. Definitely sounds like it’s time to listen to the siren’s call.
Vikk, thanks for the kind comment. Yes, listening to my heart is something I need to do more of. Thanks for stopping by.
Katie, you definitely have the gift of writing. It’s perfect then that you discovered blogging, or blogging has discovered you. I am, unfortunately, more of a talker. The thing with being a talker is I can’t really keep a documentation of my life experiences. Sure I can take videos and record myself talk, but there’s nothing quite like being able to put those words on paper (or your p.c). It is, in my opinion, the best way to let others take a glimpse of your so called life. I agree with Johnwantutri that you are a filmmaker. Life indeed is like a movie, and yours is destined to become a box-office hit.
Hi Roro, thank you and I really like how you put it — a way to let others take a glimpse of your life — I suppose that’s what I’ve been doing by blogging – creating something for others to picture and hopefully get inspiration from. Thanks for the lovely support.
Thank You for this post, Katie. It has inspired me to pursue blogging and put emphasis on use of words to illustrate my life experiences. People like you see life with uncanny clarity, where the simplest things become works of art. I’m with Sapir, looking forward to a novel from you as well. If this is just a movie trailer, then I’m lining up to get my tickets for your movie. Keep it up and continue being your life’s filmmaker!
Rod, wonderful comment. I’m so glad to have inspired your blogging journey. Join A-List Blogging Club, if you’re not already a part of the club (there’s a link in my joy list). They’ll guide you with a steady and supportive hand as you begin blogging. Thanks again for the terrific support. It makes the lonely task of novel writing that much more doable and worthwhile.
Thank you Katie for zooming in on this and drawing it to my attention. What a joy it is to be the film maker of our own life. I love the words of the dear friend of one of my dearest friends Mr Emerson as quoted – “Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.” I am in the pursuit of this journey myself and am having a ball while racking focus.
Hey Peter, so happy to hear from a fellow traveler … sounds like you are truly enjoying your journey. Wonderful!
I loved reading your post. I can’t help but feel frustration that I came across your blog just as you are about to takw a break; but I can certainly empathize with you. I hope you enjoy racking focus.
Patricia, I do hate to disappoint and promise to be back in August sometime. Check out my joy list and other articles in the meantime. Have a great summer.
I LOVE this concept, Katie. Our life as our own film and us the film maker. We can take all the creative license we want with our own film! As someone once said (I forget who) – our own life is our greatest work of art! I can’t wait to read your book when it’s published.
Leah, thank you for your enthusiastic and loving comment. I am writing away (well, actually lounging around a bit too, if truth be told), but I am hopeful that one day the novel will be published or shared in some way. Thank you for your support.
I like the idea. It reminds me of The Secret. Too many people just let life happen to them. Life is short and it helps to become the “filmmaker” to get the most out of it. Very inspiring!
Carly, it’s the empowerment of creating your life, believing it can be whatever you want it to be that harkens of The Secret. Quite an inspirational book. So glad you have been inspired by this post. Happy summer.
Good luck with your book. As many others have said, being the filmmaker of our life is a wonderful description of what we try to create each day. Enjoy your summer. I know many will be waiting for your return.
Cathy, I love that this concept is resonating with people. Have a great summer and thank you for being here and taking the time to let me know you’re appreciative.
I believe we are all the film-makers of our lives. We all cultivate our world with what we do, how we think, what we say, what we believe is true for US etc. We must start to believe ANYTHING is possible for either of us, because it can occur. It start with having a vision for one’s life then working towards it non-stop!
Hey Jonathan, you are so right. We are responsible for what we do today and tomorrow. And I like what you’ve said about a vision for one’s life. I think once that vision is clear, nothing is impossible. Thanks for sharing your empowering thoughts.
Hey kathie,
its really a very good idea of making the your life into a memorable site with your experience sharing for people who love to share even their life moments. I would really love to bookmark and read it completely and reward the site to my friends.
Hey there John, thank you for your kindness and for sharing your thoughts and my site. All the best to you.
I’m excited for you and your novel-in-progress. Good luck with the writing!
Sam, appreciate the support and well wishes. Cheers!
Best of luck on your break! Self fulling destiny is a product of imagination. We should all remember to imagine bigger!
Jared, I really like that expression; imagine bigger. Thanks for the support.
Wow, good luck to you… i also believe that we are all film makers of our lives… we are the ones responsible for our actions and the choices we make depends upon us
Czar, so true. And once we accept that responsibility we can really begin to soar towards our potential.
Great post,I can take videos and record myself talk, but there’s nothing quite like being able to put those words on paper,i just wanted to apply this to my self.thanks!
Marie Joy, sounds like you have many talents. I wish you much happiness is exploring your many selves through various mediums … video, writing, speaking.
Come to think of it, i think I really need to rack focus too….
This post just gave me realize something that i have been neglecting all my life…MYSELF!
Brewster, we all need to rack focus once in a while. I think it’s a little like re-setting ourselves so we can begin again with a clear head and a clean slate. Focus doesn’t necessarily narrow our focus, but can clarify and sharpen our lives and our selves. I wish you much love as you journey towards finding and focusing on your self again.
In doing our work we need to have time that we should focus so we don’t get any mistake.i learn something from this post that we need to value our life.thanks for sharing.
Jezza, valuing our lives is a wonderful way to put it. Thank you for that insight.
Just like what Shakespeare has said “All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:” It is not different if you perceived your life as a stage or a movie, it only signifies that we are actors and we have a designated part to play.
Shanensantos, there’s an element of disempowerment to Shakespeare’s words. That we have no choice and that we are somewhat insignificant. I suppose there is truth to that, but I like the idea that we can take over and direct the play or movie if we so choose.
I’m thinking of you and wishing you well following your heart and writing your words. May you have every success and pleasure.
Thank you Sandra for your well wishes. I hope your summer has been successful and happy too.
That phrase filmmaker of my life really does sum up the way I see things as well. It’s interesting that you are a writer and yet visualize things in terms of a film. I wish you luck with your writing and look forward to finding out how your summer unfolded.
Jim, actually I am a filmmaker too which is why I see my writing — I learned to write visually. Now I think visually too I suppose. I’m often writing my novel and thinking of “scenes”. Thanks for the well wishes.
wow.. you really have a gift in writing.. i had fun reading your post.. it really has such a great content and i am deeply inspired with it thank you so much for sharing this one..
Ana, thank you so much. Inspiring others to find their way is such a wonderful reward of writing. I appreciate your comment very much.
In film to rack focus means to shift focus from something in the foreground to something in the background. I am a filmmaker. I imagined the movie, wrote the script, gathered the actors, dressed the scenery, chose the wardrobe and called out the word, “Action!”
Thanks
Gil marie, you’re welcome.
Wow…What a comparison…really loved your post!!!
Thank you Rashmi. Most appreciated.