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!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).

 

 

Need my space…my writing space

 

 

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I realised several months ago whilst having a Skype session with my mentor that I didn’t have my own space for writing.

Every writer needs to have their own physical place for working and for far too long I’ve been writing in all sorts of places without my own base.

Dont get me wrong – inspiration can hit me at any time and anywhere but I need somewhere I can come back to which is mine and only mine.

So I put it out there that I wanted an antique writing desk and it came to me.

My friend Queen B lost her mother several months ago and was selling some of her antique furniture.  I asked my friend if she had a writers desk and she did so I organised to have a look at it.  Its what I needed and wanted  and after instinctually finding the key and opening it up, I knew it was meant to be.

The thing which has stayed with me is after I purchased it, Queen B told me that her mother would be so pleased a real writer was using it.

Now I just need to give it my own touch and I wont have any more excuses for not having my own private space for getting on with the task at hand…

Pictures taken by Queen B at her mum’s place.

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My inspiration: Keep Dancing from Paloma Faith

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

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

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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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

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