One of my favorite books is Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The following quote resonates for me when it comes to creative writers…
poetry
What Inspires Me: Travel
Validation
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!
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).
What inspires me: Quote by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
What doesnt kill me makes me want to fight harder to have what I want and need…
“Bone by bone, hair by hair, Wild Woman comes back. Through night dreams, through events half understood and half remembered…”
― Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Women Who Run With the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype.
Melbourne Spoken Word
Just discovered that an old acquaintance helped set this up which is a new organisation revolving around poetry and spoken word in Melbourne:
http://melbournespokenword.com/about/
Perspective and my writing
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.
Sometimes mundane work brings benefits
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
What inspires me: Quote by Sylvia Plath
Digging deep to use certain feelings and emotions I felt in past situations. Those which I have suppressed or ignored for years to put into my work. I am reminded to never forget who I am…
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
What inspires me: To Live the Life by `Abdu’l-Bahá
To be no cause of grief to anyone.
To be kind to all people and to love them with a pure spirit.
Should opposition or injury happen to us, to bear it, to be as kind as ever can be, and through all, to love the people. Should calamity exist in the greatest degree, to rejoice, for these things are the gifts and favors of God.
To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and to help them, through kindness, to correct their faults.
To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, look at the ten and forget the one. And if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.
Never to allow ourselves to speak one unkind word about another, even though that other be our enemy.
To do all of our deeds in kindness.
To cut our hearts from ourselves and from the world.
To be humble.
To be servants of each other, and to know that we are less than anyone else.
To be as one soul in many bodies, for the more we love each other, the nearer we shall be to God; but to know that our love, our unity, our obedience must not be by confession, but of reality.
To act with cautiousness and wisdom.
To be truthful.
To be hospitable.
To be reverent.
To be the cause of healing for every sick one,
a comforter for every sorrowful one,
a pleasant water for every thirsty one.
a heavenly table for every hungry one,
a star to every horizon,
a light for every lamp,
a herald to everyone who yearns for the kingdom of God
Hello world!
This is my very first post and with that I bid you welcome to my writer’s blog.
I plan to share with you my writing journey and the various things I experience along the way.
You can also follow me on –
Twitter: Tina Altman Twitter
Facebook: Tina Altman Facebook Page









