Barrie I feel for you. There was a time when I thought I would be a writer, I love the process and could scribble stream of consciousness with no trouble but when I came to formalise my writing I froze, I was deeply triggered and felt ill. I felt like someone with something to say but no means of saying it only feeling it, so I splashed paint and colours around instead. I explore now, without expectation, a kindness to myself!
I read of wonderful writers, great storytellers who sit and write every day at least X number of words or for X hours. Terry Pratchett wrote without judgement anything, from lists to pretend newspaper articles (he was a journalist) knowing that sooner or later some gem would tumble out of those words. His judgement kicked in when he was crafting something specific.
The ability to play with words is beautiful, and if you can combine it with playing with ideas too then it’s even better. You have such a way with both, so maybe for a while set your target (time or words) and be random about your subject matter (scour newspapers, local news sheets, social media posts, writing prompts) and play. Play with the serious, the funny, the bizarre, the sublime and always be curious.
Paul Gallico was a hard nosed sports journalist, very gruff and grizzly, but his novels are the complete opposite. They are full of poignancy and magic. Maybe write for Olivia for a time, find the magic in her world?
You’ve got this, you just have to jump off that cliff to find out if the wings are working, they will be! I look forward to finding out where unleashing your curiosity takes you! ❤️
You are always so generous and encouraging, dear Jan. It means a lot that you would not only take the time to give me a boost but that you would do so in such a revelatory and personal way. I was just reading about Pratchett yesterday - the anecdote was from another writer who was exploring taking a break. He swapped notes with Terry who noted that he was exhausted and about to take a proper holiday, a 6-month break. When Pratchett returned, his fellow writer asked “what did you do on your holiday?”. “Wrote two novels!”.
I think sometimes I need to tell myself to put time aside for words and not see it as selfish. I have a plan for a space - something simple ... a desk, mostly ... but somewhere to go to think and scribble and play with words and ideas.
Thank you so much for the boost. Your words come across beautifully as you describe your life in nature. Your art is beautiful and interesting and if a brilliant payoff for your withdrawal from the formality of aligning words.
Yes, Pratchett was prolific and my favourite writer. He had a knack of taking the seemingly ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary. He was obsessive, ruthlessly curious and single minded which helps if you want to write!
It’s not selfish, it’s discipline. If you were running a marathon you wouldn’t regard training as selfish but wise and necessary. So without expectation and with considerable self compassion dedicate a part of each day to writing. But do it to explore, to be curious and for fun! Whatever the outcome do it for fun!
Barrie I feel for you. There was a time when I thought I would be a writer, I love the process and could scribble stream of consciousness with no trouble but when I came to formalise my writing I froze, I was deeply triggered and felt ill. I felt like someone with something to say but no means of saying it only feeling it, so I splashed paint and colours around instead. I explore now, without expectation, a kindness to myself!
I read of wonderful writers, great storytellers who sit and write every day at least X number of words or for X hours. Terry Pratchett wrote without judgement anything, from lists to pretend newspaper articles (he was a journalist) knowing that sooner or later some gem would tumble out of those words. His judgement kicked in when he was crafting something specific.
The ability to play with words is beautiful, and if you can combine it with playing with ideas too then it’s even better. You have such a way with both, so maybe for a while set your target (time or words) and be random about your subject matter (scour newspapers, local news sheets, social media posts, writing prompts) and play. Play with the serious, the funny, the bizarre, the sublime and always be curious.
Paul Gallico was a hard nosed sports journalist, very gruff and grizzly, but his novels are the complete opposite. They are full of poignancy and magic. Maybe write for Olivia for a time, find the magic in her world?
You’ve got this, you just have to jump off that cliff to find out if the wings are working, they will be! I look forward to finding out where unleashing your curiosity takes you! ❤️
You are always so generous and encouraging, dear Jan. It means a lot that you would not only take the time to give me a boost but that you would do so in such a revelatory and personal way. I was just reading about Pratchett yesterday - the anecdote was from another writer who was exploring taking a break. He swapped notes with Terry who noted that he was exhausted and about to take a proper holiday, a 6-month break. When Pratchett returned, his fellow writer asked “what did you do on your holiday?”. “Wrote two novels!”.
I think sometimes I need to tell myself to put time aside for words and not see it as selfish. I have a plan for a space - something simple ... a desk, mostly ... but somewhere to go to think and scribble and play with words and ideas.
Thank you so much for the boost. Your words come across beautifully as you describe your life in nature. Your art is beautiful and interesting and if a brilliant payoff for your withdrawal from the formality of aligning words.
Bx
Thank you Barrie!
Yes, Pratchett was prolific and my favourite writer. He had a knack of taking the seemingly ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary. He was obsessive, ruthlessly curious and single minded which helps if you want to write!
It’s not selfish, it’s discipline. If you were running a marathon you wouldn’t regard training as selfish but wise and necessary. So without expectation and with considerable self compassion dedicate a part of each day to writing. But do it to explore, to be curious and for fun! Whatever the outcome do it for fun!
Raising a glass to curiosity