fiction

Writing as an ambivert…

~ tinaaltman ~ Leave a comment

People have always assumed that I’m an extrovert due to my friendly nature. Truth be told – those who know me on a deeper level, know I’m actually an ambivert (an ambivert is a combination of a extrovert and introvert personality).  However, when I am in the writing zone I become very introverted and live in my own world.

I spend lot of time on my own – imagining my story lines and characters, jotting down random strings of words which come to me and observing the world around me whilst remaining detached.

Thing is, I have to come out of my self imposed exile and connect to people when I want to get my writing out there and communicate it to the world.

For me writing means living in two separate worlds and hopefully my ambivert personality can continue to have a foothold in each, as for me that is the perfect balance needed for my creativity.

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Validation

~ tinaaltman ~ Leave a comment

Was thinking about my fears when it comes to my writing and I have realized I have worked through a lot of it thanks to some great advice.

I always used to fear not being validated but then I realized I dont need it!14189202599_fcc3da396d_b

The best piece of advice I have received from my mentor this year is:
To not give a #%$@ when people don’t support you and never share with them because its not worth it.

Its made me more confident and creative, enabled me to write more so that I have completed more work this year than ever (even with my bouts of not being able to write for various reasons).

 

 

My inspiration: Keep Dancing from Paloma Faith

~ tinaaltman ~ Leave a comment

A few days ago I got to meet Paloma Faith after her concert. I thanked her for her music as its helped me in various ways…she thanked me in turn and told me to keep dancing.

This is a song which has resonated with me and has inspired me with the contemporary novel I am currently writing:

 Beauty Remains

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get it right
My eyes are always open though my heart is blind
But something’s different this time ’cause it’s me and you
Everything’s changing for me
When people say they’ve heard me say it all before
I don’t think they were listening ’cause I feel it more
The angels must’ve sent you ’cause they heard me cry
Waiting so long for this time to arrive
So I make a dress from my sorrows, and shoes from my sadness
And dance all the way into love
Trouble passes and beauty remains
And though I know this could turn tragic
It’s alright, it’s alright, ’cause I am willing to take more hurt if it’s from you
Oh baby
I’ll take the pain from you
I know there’ll be no love unless I just let go
I’m standing here before you turn my tears to gold
I’ll leave my past behind it’s such a heavy load
I put my dreams into you, they’ll grow
So I make a dress from my sorrows, and shoes from my sadness
And dance all the way into love
Trouble passes (Trouble passes), and beauty remains (Beauty remains)
And though I know this could turn tragic (Could turn tragic)
It’s alright, It’s alright
‘Cause I am willing to take more hurt if it’s from you
Oh baby
I’ll take the pain from you
Oh yeah
And oh and know that trouble passes (Trouble passes)
And beauty remains (Beauty remains)
And Oh I now this could turn tragic (Could turn tragic)
But it’s alright, it’s alright
‘Cause I am willing to take more hurt from you
Oh baby
I’ll take the pain from
Oh yeah
Trouble passes (Oh Trouble passes)
And beauty remains (Beauty remains)
And though I know this could turn tragic (I know this could turn tragic)
It’s alright, it’s alright
‘Cause I am willing to take more hurt if it’s from you
Oh baby, I’m willing to take more hurt from you (Beauty remains)
Oh yeah
I’ll take the pain from you, Oh yeah

by Paloma Faith

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Perspective and my writing

~ tinaaltman ~ Leave a comment

The cliche which keeps running around my head at the moment is hindsight is always 20 20 (ironically its what has clouded my vision of late).  Flashes of specific images of the past which tap into dark emotions have driven me to a standstill.  I’ve had to turn that around and use it to propel me forward once again instead of making me feel like I am drowning in a sea of words which need to get out of my head.

What has helped me is that I have found myself drawn to photos which I have taken which stimulate my imagination.  The more introspective I become with regards to my writing, the more I love looking at the beautiful places and people who have inspired me on this journey.  This is what is helping me get the things I need to say out….this is what has helped me get on with it.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words….well I’m using that to my advantage.  I am looking back but also looking forward.  Not only am I looking at the photos which have inspired me but I am taking pictures of things which are inciting my creativity to move into the direction which feeds my story.

This post was inspired by my friend Michelle L…thanks for reminding me that I am an artist.

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Sometimes mundane work brings benefits

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Been working really long days in my day job at the university (I was seconded to the arts faculty publishing team).  I spend my days reading journals and books and its opened my eyes up to all the associations out there for creative writers.

I have discovered and decided to join “Writers Victoria”.  I hope it will bring new opportunities which include: competitions, submissions to member newsletter, access to various writers services, networking and commercial publishing opportunities.

Here is a list of some Australian associations I have discovered over the last few months which I have been perusing:

http://www.australianstories.com/australian-writers-organisations.html

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