Finding acorns

Read to write well

Reading to write well is nothing new. Many writers recommend reading as a way of learning what works and what doesn't.

Lately I've been devouring books - a novelty for me in a busy world. Those moments on the train when the carriage ebbs along the track from the bayside to the city are my place to disappear between the covers of a good book; so much so that on occasion I've almost missed my stop!

In the past, I confessed to being a fickle reader, but lately that hasn't been the case. I've been reading everything from chic lit to award-winning non-fiction and finally read Eat Pray Love for the first time.

I read for all sorts of reasons - to be entertained, to switch off my brain, to learn, to be inspired, to immerse myself in another culture and simply for the pleasure of curling up on the lounge on a rainy day with a good book (a rare treat).

I don't think as writers we need to read the genre we write all the time. Reading other genres can open up new ways of approaching our writing and perhaps inspire us to try our hand at something new.

I believe that writing is a constantly evolving form and we should push the boundaries to tell our stories in new ways. Sure there are proven formulas for writing stories, but where's the challenge in that. It would sadden me to think that until the end of time we would continue to follow the same formula and books would look and read the same as they have for centuries.

Fortunately the digital age presents new opportunities and whether we like it not, readers are demanding new ways of receiving information, or at the least - multiple ways.

Take Sibella Court for example. Court has perfected the art of creating a tactile reading experience and allowing her work to live beyond the page. She has 10,000 Instagram followers (@sibellacourt), 3079 Pinterest followers, a store The Society inc, a blog, some very cool Vimeo clips and more. Watch this clip to find out what her new book is all about.

Bowerbird by Sibella Court from Sibella Court - The Society inc. on Vimeo.

Obviously Court's work lends itself to these visual platforms and while it could be perceived as purely marketing, it's also authentic story-telling which is why it works.

However we tell or promote our stories, there are some things that will always remain true:

• Write with honesty - tell it like it really is; the gritty stuff and all.
• Discover your own writing voice - we all have a unique way of seeing and describing the world and a right to express that.
• Release your fear of being judged - accept that you will be and there will always be people who don't like your work. Think of it like primary school all over again!
• Read, read, read! - for whatever reason.  
• And one for the digital age - experiment, explore and create new ways of telling and promoting your stories.

 

Rain, storm and cyclone...I still love Straddie

Australia Day 2013 was shaping up to be the best ever! My sister had organised a long weekend at North Stradbroke Island with the whole family - Mum, sisters, brothers-in-law and kiddies.

With beaches, inland lakes and a beachhouse at Point Lookout, what could possibly go wrong?

I planned to spend quality time with my two kiddies and family, soaking up the surroundings that just happens to be the setting of my first novel.

In my mind, there would be morning walks along Cylinder or Main Beach fossicking for shells, a day trip to the tea-tree stained Brown Lake and a swim in the pristine Keyholes.

Straddie has always had a special place in my heart. I remember camping there as a kid (though admittedly it rained the entire time - stay tuned...). There were also weekend beach escapes with friends as a teenager and in recent years, camping at Flinders Beach with my sisters at Easter.

I love the relaxed pace of Straddie. The fact that when the wind whips across one beach, you can find shelter on another or else head to the inland lakes. 

Understandably, I was excited to be going to Straddie for a long weekend.

By about Thursday, my hopes of a sunshine weekend were beginning to dampen - literally - as Cyclone Oswald made it's way down the coast of Queensland.

Not about to let a little cyclone (and predicted flood) ruin my weekend, I put on an optimistic face for the 6am barge to Dunwich.

Moreton Bay was gloomy. There was drizzle on the windscreen.

But inside the car we were geared up for a fun weekend - rain, storm or cyclone!

We stopped off at Amity Point and this wasn't quite the image of my daughter I thought I'd capture at Straddie...

The rain didn't abate that day or the next, but this didn't stop our determination to have a good time. So we piled into the 4WDs and headed to Brown Lake for a swim, and a BBQ under a giant tarp!

  

Sheltered Semi-sheltered in a spot by the lake it drizzled, rained, then poured.

We swam, cooked a BBQ and I scouted around the edge of the lake, looking for the beauty in all this wild weather.

  
  

Later, the weather worsened as the storm travelled down the coast. We watched the news coverage from the shelter of the beachhouse as the lights overhead flickered.

Barges stopped running, campers were evacuated to the community hall and Straddie was engulfed by the storm.

At this point I must say that were we not staying in a beachhouse, I wouldn't have braved the weekend at Straddie knowing the forecast. But thankfully we could still enjoy the comforts of hot water, electricity and shelter.

On the final day, the storm eventually passed and we enjoyed what Straddie is famous for...

Rain, storm or cyclone...I still love Straddie and her gentle reminder that life doesn't always turn out the way you hoped. But you can make the most of the way it turns out.

My word for 2013...

I don't know about you but I love a new year. So much so that I started bidding farewell to 2012 about a week ago! After a cracker of a Christmas with my family, as soon as Boxing Day rolled around, the Christmas decorations were down and I was welcoming the space to think about all the things I wanted to achieve in 2013.

2012 was a bumpy year for me and those who read my blog will know that my creative writing took a backseat.

Life's like that sometimes.

So rather than push against it and force my writing, I decided to focus on what I needed. Time to settle into my new home; my new life, time to grieve the loss of someone special to cancer, time to work, time to raise my family on my own and time to have fun (my word for 2012).

In all of that there was one constant - my yoga practice. As the year went on, I also got stronger, unravelling to let go (of a lot!) and finally mastering headstands on my yoga mat.

It was the first year in a long time that I didn't attend the Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) or creative writing workshops/masterclasses.

But what I did do was listen to what I needed. And sometimes what we want and need are two very different things. It was difficult to force myself to anything I didn't want to do after leaving my yoga mat where I'd tuned into my heart.

I've had the past week or so to reflect on my word for 2013. I've tried on a few different words for size but ultimately I've chosen... INNER PEACE. 

(Collage images from: Australian Yoga Journal)

I'm pretty sure that will come about with the balance of yoga, creative writing, being a great Mum and working. Of course I know that life isn't always as balanced as that. And I guess that comes back to 'learning to dance on a shifting carpet'- finding inner peace in chaos.

What about creative writing?

I'll be returning to classes, attending the BWF and setting aside time each week to write (however small).

If the only way I could master a headstand in yoga was with hard work, regular practice and focus, then these are the qualities I'll bring to my creative writing.

You can follow my creative writing journey here. I'll try not to get too distracted with other fun things I discover along the way!

 

Unravelled...

I mentioned in a recent post that I was "unravelling". Well...after 8 weeks I've reached the end of Susannah Conway's Unravelling e-course. 

As Carla Coulson says in Italian Joy...

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."

This is so true of how I'm feeling right now.

My goal when I started unravelling was to clear out all the baggage from my past, so I could start fresh and embrace my new life.

8 weeks of photo assignments and writing exercises have done just that...and much more!

Here's a photo I took at the beginning of the course from a bridge overlooking Southbank and the Brisbane River.

The night I took this photo I stood on the bridge and looked out in awe at the world around me. So many memories came flooding back - uni drama days, theatre performances at QPAC, art classes and yearning to travel; yet knowing I wouldn't travel until I could see the wonder of my own city.

This was taken at the end of the course (week 8) after a Saturday morning kayak from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs to Southbank, on the Brisbane River. It feels good to be stepping out into the world again.

I also realised that I don't just have one passion in life. I love writing, yoga, photography, drawing, running...and much more.

  

   

And I intend to explore all of them. So you'll probably read about more than just writing here from now on.

There are 26 things on my to do list! Everything from paddleboarding to zine making, holidaying at Byron Bay to painting with watercolours, dragging out my un-loved Canon SLR (the non-digital variety!)to headstands in yoga and of course...pursuing my first novel (that turns out is filled with all the things I love).

It also turns out that I'm a big fan of the little things...so I'll be sharing more of these too. I love capturing the little moments that can so easily slip by...like this pink sunset...

I'll leave you with a thought - 'what if the little things turn out to be the big things'...

'mia culpa' - Mia Freedman

It was an interview in the latest Dumbo Feather (Issue 32) that drew my attention to Mia Freedman as a writer worth reading. I remember Freedman from my Cosmopolitan reading days when she was the youngest editor. In the interview, Freedman talks to Dumbo Feather about building her women's blog 'Mamamia' that covers headline news, politics, gossip, fashion and opinion. 

Much like her blog, where her opinions have often caused controversy, nothing is sacred in 'mia culpa: confessions from the watercooler of life'.  

'Talking about issues in women's lives is nothing to be ashamed of,' Freedman told Dumbo Feather (p87).

'Mia culpa' is like having a conversation with your girlfriends. One topic leads to another and you are discussing everything from bikini waxing to botox and tattoos to female vanity; in a chapter titled 'Does My Bum Look Old in This?'

Although Freedman draws on her experience at Cosmopolitan to give inside knowledge of the beauty industry, she also writes about sex, being single, the truth about motherhood/parenthood (hooray!), careers, money, partying (or unashamedly lack thereof Mia confesses), being 'uncool' and everything in-between. 

Freedman's self-deprecating humour is interspersed with quotes from other women presenting a rounded take on all the topics you and your girlfriends have ever discussed.

Freedman's honesty and humour is refreshing and her book reads like modern social anthropology, covering relatable topics; particularly as a fellow Gen X in the chapter - 'I Used to be Cool Too'. Not sure if you're a Gen X, Y or Baby Boomer? Perhaps you're a GRUPS instead... which Freedman explains in humourous detail. 

It's a book I'll read again when I feel like a giggle and a reminder of what life's really like.

Penguin Group (2011) RRP $29.95

More...

Check out Mia's blog

Read interviews with other 'extraordinary people' in Dumbo Feather. 

'this i know: notes on unraveling the heart' - Susannah Conway

The moment Susannah Conway used the word ‘crap’ on the second page of her book 'this i know', she won my heart. I knew in that moment the honesty so prevalent on her blog would equally be contained in the pages of her first solo book. 

As I continued, I found myself smiling and nodding as I read her honest and truthful words.

She doesn't shy away from the 'real' bits. On her blog, you'll know when she has PMS or when someone has pissed her off. You'll also see her vulnerable side.

Although Conway's book and her blog; that she began in 2006, grew from the death of her partner, she clearly states in both:

‘This is not a story about grief... This is a book about unraveling the layers of our lives and exploring what we find in order to better understand ourselves, our relationships, and our path.’ 

An ex-journalist, Conway has the ability to connect with the reader on an emotional level and paint a very clear picture through her vivid descriptions. Like these...

'Those first few months were raw and bloody, but the waves took me out of myself, the constant motion kneading me back to the present moment.' (p29)

 'Poetry is the scent of your lover's skin; it's standing by the ocean during a thunderstorm.' (p86)

Also a trained photographer, Conway provides an extra layer to her book through dreamy, emotive polaroid shots. 

At the end of each of the nine chapters are what Conway terms ‘reflections’; creative exercises to help you think about the ideas and stories in each chapter.

While I didn’t do all the exercises, some I found interesting as a blogger were: write a letter to your childhood self sharing wise words and reassurance; write a letter to yourself at your current age from your wiser self and some photography exercises that led to these...

  

  

I’ll also be sharing ‘10 things you might not know about me’ in an upcoming blog post as encouraged in Conway's book.

It’s clear from her blog following that Conway has the ability to connect with women around the world, and this is perhaps one of the most exciting things about blogging.

Also exciting is the growing popularity of ‘blog books’, probably attributed to the fact that successful bloggers establish a commercial audience by already winning the hearts of their followers and potential readers.

Blogs also provide a community and a ‘life’ after the book that fiction books don’t, bringing a whole new dimension to the way we read and connect in the modern age. This makes embellished hardcover blog books a not so risky venture for publishers. Interesting times. 

If you’re in a sensitive place, 'this i know' will make you question many aspects of your life, both past and present. As you work your way through the book it comes out of the shadows of the past and encourages a brighter future.

It was one of those books I couldn’t wait to curl up in bed at night and read, then re-read just to ensure I soaked up all that Conway had to share.

You can read more about Susannah Conway's books, e-courses and life on her blog.

 

Other blog books I love/am loving:

'My Heart Wanders' - Pia Jane Bijkerk

'mia culpa' - Mia Freedman (currently reading...stay tuned).

 

Rediscovering creative writing

While a cathartic process to write about not being able to write creatively, my last blog post also got me thinking about the things I love about writing.

Mostly I love escaping into a fictional world and following my characters on their journey. I'm not a planner when it comes to creative writing; I much prefer to free write and see what comes out.

This approach sometimes makes editing and re-writing a challenge but I think it would take away my creative writing joy to approach it too formally.

I also love the way writing evokes all my senses, both on and off the page. Suddenly the world around me becomes more vivid and I notice little details.

  

  

Without the pressure to force myself to write, I've been enjoying rediscovering my connection to writing again.

Here are some things I've been doing this week to encourage my writing:

• Re-reading a favourite book. The Lambing Flat by Nerida Newton is a book I loved the first and second time I read it. What better way to be inspired than to read good writing. 
• Reading my collection of free writing - prose, journal entries and previous drafts of my first novel made me realise that I can write...sometimes. It might not all be great but there are good bits that I can work with. 
• Carrying a tiny notebook with me to jot down the things I want to include in my first novel - ideas about character, setting and structure.
• Yoga, yoga and more yoga. Yoga helps to clear my mind, re-focus my energy and open pathways to explore new ideas with a fresh perspective. I practice here and sometimes here. 
• Re-arranging my desk. Come on we've all done it. Though I must admit I took it one step further and rearranged my entire room!
• Compiling a mix tape of creative tunes - perhaps you like mellow tunes, or upbeat. Mine is a combination of happy tunes and world music. 
• Discovering a new place to write. Lucky for me a lovely new cafe opened in my area; Dramanti Artisan Roaster - an inspiring space to tap away on my laptop for a couple of hours on the weekend. Of course it was also a good excuse to enjoy a great coffee and homemade chocolate brownie! 
• Re-writing from the beginning. I can't guarantee I'll continue writing each chapter in order but beginning the process of actually writing again is a start. 

How do you rediscover your writing?

 

Welcome to my new blog home!

Yes, you've come to the right place. Finding acorns just looks a little different on the outside, thanks to a blog makeover! 

A huge thank you to the talented Michelle at Shelbyville for turning my acorn story into a blog banner that's a true reflection of what Finding acorns is all about. 

Finding acorns is about the potential for our creative ideas and words to grow. It explores how to generate ideas, how to get the words on the page, and most importantly - how to keep the writing going.

Blogging about creative writing

I'll still be blogging about creative writing, the books I read and inspiration that fuels my creativity. I intend to blog more, now that I have a new home here and in the real world. That ever needed space to create has opened up, and for me that means inspiration!

So expect to hear more about finishing my two manuscripts as I warm up my writing muscles again. It's been a while since I dusted off the manuscripts so no doubt there will be some tentative first steps and cringing at the words on the page. But don't worry - you'll hear all about it!

Knowing me, those tentative steps will very soon give way to diving head first into whatever I'm doing!

 

Adjusting to change 

I've had a little break from any serious creative writing or editing while I found my new home and adjusted to my new life. I've continued writing - journalling and free writing in small bursts, and I've also taken "research" to a whole new level! 

Now I'm ready to write and edit again, knowing that I'm in the right frame of mind and space to write well. 

 

My new home in the 'real' world...

Now you've seen my new blog home, here's a little sneak peak at my new home in the real world.

 

This is where I write...

(perfect rainy day writing weather!)

and this is where I feel inspired...

(fresh air and bush surrounds).

Meet my lovely book collection...

(only 26 unread books + two from this morning's second-hand bookstore visit!)

This is where I love to write, read or walk when the weather is sublime...

Welcome to my new blog home! - I look forward to sharing more of my creative writing journey with you and hearing all about yours.

'Start small' approach to creative writing

If you're like me, it's now March and you've yet to establish a creative writing routine for 2012 (so lovingly highlighted by the arrival of the March issue of WQ).

Rather than punish myself with a gruelling (and perhaps unachievable) creative writing routine, I'm opting for a 'start small' approach.

There are certain times in our creative writing life when for whatever reason (life, work, family), finding time to write is a challenge. Rather than abandon your creative writing altogether, here are a few tips to help you keep your writing going.

1. Start with your easiest creative writing project - the one you feel most connected to.
2. Set aside 20 minutes a day to write (easily do-able on the train, before bed, in your lunch hour or in the quiet of early morning).
3. Enlist the nagging of a friend who can ask you if you've done your 20 minutes writing each day.
4. Give yourself the creative freedom to write what you want. One day it might be your novel, the next it could be prose or a poem.
5. Get back to basics with creative writing exercises - an easy way to fill 20 minutes if you're feeling uninspired.
6. Celebrate the small wins. A new scene in your novel or a piece of prose is still creative writing and worthy of a pat on the back.

The writing life is full of ebbs and flows. Rather than abandon your writing, why not take 20 minutes a day to keep your creative writing going. The results may surprise you.

Feel free to share your tips on writing routines that work for you.

Welcome 2012!

For someone who wasn't going to set any New Year's resolutions, I have an ever growing list of things I'd like to do this year. 

Thanks to a lovely blog post by Susannah Conway, I too chose a 'word' for 2012. It's a tiny word, with a big intention - FUN. 

After a bleak last half of 2011, I'm looking forward to brighter days, which is why I resisted New Year's resolutions and the weight of expectation they bring. 

Instead I'll be travelling more (to places relatively near and hopefully far). And lucky for me, creative writing falls under my definition of fun too!

Novel writing

I have a couple of unfinished manuscripts that I'd like to work on again. My untamed first novel set in one of my favourite places - Stradbroke Island and my 'Nano' novel. They both need a lot of work but I'm keen to tackle them.

Nature writing

As if that wasn't enough to keep me occupied this year, I've also added nature writing to my list of fun things to explore.

My interest in nature writing came from a combination of sources: Mark Tredinnick's book The Blue Plateau: A Landscape Memoir, researching Moreton Bay for my first novel, Inga Simpson's recent WQ article - Coming to grips with nature and my morning walks along the bay.

I'm fascinated by the relationship between landscape and narrative; character and place, which is why I'm keen to learn more about nature writing.  

Unlike previous years, I'm going to go it alone. No writing courses, no workshops, just writing.

Of course I'll be blogging about all things writing here and I have a little design re-vamp coming soon. I'd love to hear about your writing experiences too.

What are your writing plans for 2012?

Merry Christmas

 

Wishing you and your families a joyful Christmas

and a peaceful 2012.

Nature inspired lino print designs

For a little while I've been looking for lino print design inspiration. 

After reading Handmade Living: A Fresh Take on Scandinavian Style (Lotta Jansdotter) and Printed Pattern: A guide to printing by hand from potatoes to silk screens (Rebecca Drury and Yvonne Drury) I decided to go in search of my own nature inspired designs.

Top on my list was a field trip to my local mangrove boardwalks (I'm lucky to have two nearby). 

Finally today, armed with nothing more than my iPhone and two energetic kiddies, we started our journey at the Lota Mangrove Boardwalk.

Although mangroves don't usually conjure fond memories - a result of their putrid smell at low tide, they are home to an ecosystem of tiny fish and crustaceans that grow to support the larger ecosystem of Moreton Bay Marine Park. 

These are just a few of the shapes I found in nature at our next stop - Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk (a 5 min drive away). Already I'm starting to think about how they can translate into lino print designs.

What I loved most about this field trip was the connection I felt to the Bay. My family moved to the area when I was three (not much older than my daughter in the pictures here). Our house was the first home I remember. I'm now raising my own children here and I'm accutely aware that Manly feels like home.

When it comes to art, writing or any other creative endeavour I think it's important that it comes from this sort of place. One that is a true representation of who you are.

A little more about the books:

Printed Pattern, by mother and daughter Yvonne and Rebecca Drury, walks you through the process of finding inspiration, developing ideas, composition & layout and printing basics (materials, ink and colours). It then provides step by step instructions on a variety of printing techniques from potatoes to silk screen; as the title suggests. It includes a section on lino printing and other printing mediums I hadn't even considered, along with project inspiration. You can see more of their work at MissPrint.

I love the simplicity and functionality of Scandinavian style and I've long been a fan of Lotta Jansdotter. Her book Handmade Living is a peek into how she lives and how she has decorated her space both at home and work (Brooklyn, New York). Yet her simple, often nature inspired designs are throughout the book and you get a taste of how her creative mind works through the places she finds inspiration and pages from her sketchbook. There are projects throughout the book and design stencils in the back, but it's so full of inspiration that perhaps like me, you'll be inspired to discover your own designs in nature. 

Creative writing inspiration

I'm the first to admit that sometimes I write often and other times I don't write at all. While my experience has proven that writing routines work, sometimes life has other ideas.

Here are the places I've found inspiration this festive season...

Writing Queensland - Motivation Issue

Just when I was starting to lapse into a comma of post-festive parties and absorb the distraction of all things glittery this time of year, along came the latest issue of Writing Queensland.

Very thoughtfully the November issue focuses on the one thing writers need most - Motivation!

It contains articles on everything from project management for writers, to re-labelling writer's block 'writer's pause' and this advice from Dianne (Di) Bates, author of more than 110 books:

'Superglue: that's the answer I give when people ask how I motivate myself to write day after day. Apply it to the seat of your pants and face the screen.'

We're all looking for a secret formula, but in truth, Bates is right. If you want to be a writer, you just have to sit down and write. It really is that simple.

Other advice I took away was from an interesting article by Alison Goodman about how 'the fear of digging deep' can stop you writing. She suggested free writing to overcome this fear. Goodman also suggested breaking down your writing into scenes rather than facing the entire novel. 

 

Writing and yoga

Generally I write least when I have a lot on my mind. My weekly yoga class is a good indication of how my body and mind are feeling. I can tell by the poses I can do with ease and those I find more challenging in a class, where my blocks are. 

Poses I find useful for overcoming writers block are warrior (focus) and one legged chair (endurance and stamina), and setting the intention before class to still my mind. It's amazing the inspiration that comes when your mind is free of all distractions.

If you're interested in developing the writing and yoga connection further, check out Sarah Armstrong's Writing and Yoga Retreats or pop along to your local yoga class. Here's mine.

 

Space to write

As a working Mum, finding time to write, or wanting to do anything other than 'nothing' when I do have free-time is a constant challenge. The key for me is finding the balance between writing, down-time and living. It sounds simple in theory but it's more difficult in practise. 

The reality is, we all have busy lives and if you want to write, you will. In the words of Bates: 'Superglue - that's the answer.' 

 Happy writing this festive season.

 

Penny Black Project 2

I usually composes stories with words. But a little while ago a friend encouraged me to participate in the second Penny Black Project. I was heartened by her comment that you don't need to be an artist or graphic designer to take part. A relief for someone who hasn't taken art classes since... hmmm... 2005 (I think).

According to project founder, Joanna Coltman:

'The PENNY BLACK PROJECT consists of six projects six weeks apart and gets participants to create a series of miniature artworks. Participants can follow the brief as closely (or not) as they want. Illustration, collage, crochet, sculpture, textiles, photography - make the PENNY BLACK PROJECT what you want.'

I saw the Penny Black Project as a challenge - a way to explore new art mediums and strive for a connection beyond words.

With fiction writing there's an urgency to get a lot of words on the page and develop complex characters and story structures. With visual art, all the behind-the-scenes conceptualising is depicted in one visual expression. 

Here are the stamps I created for the Penny Black Project. I didn't start out with a theme, but as I went along (much like the free writing process) a theme emerged. That theme was...

'Home'

Project 1

 

The concept for my postage stamp is inspired by vintage children’s book imagery and traditional printing methods. Using the colour of the Penny Red stamp and the dimensions and denomination specified, I hand cut a lino print of a squirrel and acorn from a 1961 Lucie Attwell Annual. The acorn image is a theme I carry through my work, inspired by the oak trees in my Nan’s front yard, that grew from tiny acorns my Grandad bought back from his homeland; England. They’re a reminder that even the tiniest of things has the potential to grow.

 

Project 2

Watercolour

Project 3

This project got me thinking about the things I collect. Of all the little treasures I collect, my largest collection would have to be my books! So for this project I designed a stamp combining motifs from my favourite books. I then applied the design to cream felt using Scandinavian needlecraft techniques (from another favourite book!).

 

Project 4

An ink sketch, inspired by my favourite photo of my Mum and I, and including her country of birth.

 

Project 5

Scandinavian needlecraft

Project 6

For my final stamp I returned to a favourite motif - acorns - that made an appearance in my first stamp.  

Collage created using brown card, ink, textured paper cuttings and tracing paper.

***

My stamps centred around the theme of 'home', represented in symbolic and literal forms. Acorns are a motif from my childhood. Even though you grow and change, you always have a connection to your beginnings. So it seemed fitting to have my stamp collection come full circle.

***

You can check out all the Penny Black Project 2 entries here. Or perhaps sign up for PBP 3. 

Truth #2: Use all your writing devices

There is no one way to write. Everyone has approaches to writing that work for them. Part of the joy of writing is discovering what writing process works for you.

For me that process is free writing. I won't harp on about it here, but if your interested you can read my previous post on free writing.

Free writing doesn't just come to me in a flash of inspiration. I rely on a huge bank of writing devices that I've collected over the years.

Here are some writing devices I've been using lately:

• Going back to my research to find something new. In my case, this was a picture of a cottage on the Swan River. The picture was simply a cue to write about the house in my story, that I hadn't actually done yet!
• Asking questions of my manuscript. I'm using a question from the Rachel DeWoskin workshop I attended at the BWF - 'If I was reading this story, what would I want to know?' It works for me because I have a lean writing style. I rely too much on white space and this conflicts with a readers need for clarity. It's a sure way to keep your focus on taking the reader on a journey.
• Writing exercises. I didn't launch back into my Nano novella on the first day. Sitting on the train I was stranded on the first sentence. After many alterations it still wasn't right and I couldn't see a way to fix it. I'd forgotten that my writing muscles needed to limber up again. Not wanting to renege on my 'write every day' commitment, I returned to basics - a writing exercise. I spent 15 minutes and one page trying to rediscover the shape, form and rhythm of sentences again. And remembering the little details - the ones that bring stories to life.

If you'd like to try some writing exercises - check out Creative Juice.

 

Truth #1: The pen is mightier than the keyboard

Since starting a new writing routine three weeks ago, I've made some interesting discoveries that I thought I'd share over the next few posts. I label them 'truths' because they challenge common perceptions about the creative writing process.

I know this first truth is a big call in the technology age (and for a self-proclaimed Mac lover!) but I've discovered a connection between 'old fashioned' pen and paper and my creativity.

Max Walker, former Australian cricketer and author of 14 books, talks about the connection between his fountain pens and creativity in this video that I first saw on the ABC Collectors show.

'The big black ribbon on paper opens up the creative gate for me,' Walker says.

If I think back to all the times I've been writing well (by 'well' I mean - staying focused) it's been just me, a notepad and a pen. Nothing fancy like Max Walker's fountain pens - just a plain spiral bound book and a papermate biro. But the organic connection Walker explains is the same.

The whole point of the 'nothing fancy' implements for me is that they provide a canvas for making mistakes, and detachment from my words. This sounds like a contradiction to the connection I mentioned earlier but it enables me to write freely and edit ruthlessly which I believe is the best environment for creating.

At highschool I was known as the girl with neat writing. But when it comes to creative writing I'm completely messy! I scrawl, scratch and scribble out all over the page in an effort to keep up with my ideas.

This leads me to another truth that I'll write about in my next post. 

BWF 2011 wrap-up

After three days at the 2011 Brisbane Writers Festival I'm feeling immensely inspired. Not just from the sessions I attended but also the conversations I had and the questions I'm now asking about my own writing projects.

Of the eight sessions I attended, the standouts for me were:

Creating Character and Conflict with Rachel DeWoskin who had some great advice and writing exercises on dialogue, character history and character motivation. DeWoskin is also an advocate of approaching the writing of a book a couple of pages at a time. This gives me confidence in my new writing routine that I'll chat about the progress of in my next post.

Another favourite was The David Unaipon Award Retrospective that raised the interesting questions for me - Who owns historical stories? Am I limited to writing about only the things I've experienced? And how much can we depend on research when creating stories? Whatever the answers I can't wait to start reading 'Purple Threads' by Jeanine Leane, winner of the 2011 David Unaipon Award for Indigenous Writing. 

A contrast to this session was Meet Kate Grenville who spoke about her book 'The Secret River' and sequel 'Sarah Thornhill' that explore what it means to be a 'white' Australian. Most interesting for me was her mention of the sealers and Maori women. While I've spoken of my father's migrant history that we celebrated last year, there are stories my mother has told me about our Maori heritage, in particular our great great grandmother. Attending this session made me want to know more. Grenville also had some interesting tips on how to capture a character's voice.

A slight diversion from the BWF was the Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary Art of the Torres Strait Islands exhibition at GoMA. It had the most amazing lino prints, basket weaving and a multi-media installation of a glass house with family photographs projected through the roof and onto the floor of the house and a soundscape of waves lapping on the shore. This beautiful quote by Terri Janke from the novel 'Butterfly Song' (2005), featured on a wall at the exhibition, sums it up perfectly: 

"They say if you live on an island for too long, you merge with it. Your bones become the sand, your blood the ocean. Your flesh is the fertile ground. Your heart becomes the stories, dances, songs... They say when you leave, the sound of the waves stays with you... The island calls to you, and your children, and their children. It will beg for you to join it, and know it, forever. No matter where you and your children travel, the island is home."

While the exhibition was unrelated to the BWF it was a wonderful spontaneous find as I'd hoped for when I was planning my BWF visit.

And what would the BWF be without a visit to the festival bookstore (ok - three visits!). Here's my collection of reads for this year:

That cute little rabbit at the back is on the cover of Katherine Battersby's new book 'Squish Rabbit' that my daughter has already read more times than I can count. I'll review these books in upcoming posts, just as soon as I finish the three books I'm already reading! Stay tuned.

After three days of writing immersion I have a handful of writing exercises, ideas to consider, books to read and questions to ponder about the drafts of my two novellas. Exciting times ahead!

 

Top 5 tips: How to get the most out of the BWF

I was going to write my usual Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) wrap-up blog this year but I couldn't contain my excitement. Besides, wouldn't you rather check out the workshops, masterclasses and seminars on offer so you can book your tickets early? (You might even grab an early bird discount).

If you're anything like me, attending the BWF requires careful planning. Arranging babysitters for my two little acorns is the easy bit; deciding which sessions to attend is more challenging.

With so many sessions on offer, how do choose what to attend? 

Here are my top 5 tips on how to get the most out of the BWF.

1. Check out the BWF program well in advance to see what's on offer and ensure you don't miss out on tickets to your favourite sessions.
2. Highlight the BWF sessions that have instant appeal.
3. Assess where your writing is at - What stage are you at with your current writing project? What are your writing weaknesses? What types/genres of writing would you like to explore in the next 12 months? 
4. Go back over your initial choices (step 2) and select the sessions that will help develop your writing (e.g. sessions that address your weaknesses or your writing interests in the next 12 months). 
5. Balance out the rest of your sessions with the fun stuff (though I happen to think it's all fun!) - favourite authors, something a bit different and plenty of space for socialising and soaking up the festival atmosphere.

So there you have it - the 2011 Brisbane Writers Festival tailored to suit your writing life.

Now you can use the upcoming festival as inspiration to kick-start your writing that may have laid dormant over the winter months. Perhaps I'll see you there...

 

A little bit of Monday joy...

Christchurch is a city in ruin following the September 4 earthquake measuring 7.1 and the February 22 quake measuring 6.3. Aftershocks are felt every day. 

According to the Christchurch Quake Map 8201 earthquakes have been recorded since September 4. On September 6 alone they recorded 324 quakes.

Entry to the city centre is closed.

Many of the churches, some dating back to 1860s, have been destroyed.

But amidst the devastation there is some joy...

A temporary footpath library fashioned out of a shop refrigerator.

 

*Photos courtesy of my Mum from her trip home to Christchurch 2 weeks ago. 

I'm reading: My Heart Wanders - Pia Jane Bijkerk

Some people use writing as an escape. When things are a little uncertain in my world, as they are now, I turn to books. I find inspiration in other people's words, rather than the fullness of my mind that simply needs a break.

My antidote lately has been Pia Jane Bijkerk's book - My Heart Wanders that I stumbled across in the blog world.

Over coffee recently, a friend commented that she loves it when she finds a book that resonates with her own thoughts and beliefs. Pia's book does that for me. 

My Heart Wanders is a combination of soothing imagery (Pia's own photography and illustrations) and gentle words, sprinkled with the hope that 'you can make a home wherever you are'.

I've read it twice so far, and I'll no doubt read it again and again.

Pia's personal journey is filled with fresh analogies to universal themes. It's about leaving home, baggage - the things we take and the things we leave behind, and feeling lost before you are found. 

I don't want to spoil such a beautiful book, so if you'd like to know more, check out Pia's blog. Here you'll find, that beyond her book, Pia has sprinkled her hope in bookstore windows around Sydney and Melbourne. Such a lovely sentiment in keeping with the tone of a 'wandering heart'.

Image sources: 'My Heart Wanders' (2011) cover and p202.