Preparing for the festive season?

Festive season by Máire Rua

Well, here we are moving towards the start of the festive season and the end of year 2019.  How was your year? I hope you’ve had a good one.

This week I was invited as honorary guest to my former primary school’s Christmas Story.  I loved it!  It was wonderful to watch the progress and development of all the ‘little stars’ as they performed this beautiful story.  I was delighted to hear the quieter children deliver lines with such clarity and energy.  How they have blossomed under the guidance and direction of hardworking staff.  
My visit to school prompted this week’s blog post.

Best wishes to you and your families during the festive season.

‘Twas the night before Christmas …

‘Psst, move over.  Let me in.  It’s freezing outside’.

They all moved over, Ma, Pa and the others. It felt good to be back inside again. It was warm and cosy in the old barn.  The straw smelled sweet, almost heavenly, if only I knew what heaven smelled like!  There were voices outside and they were making their way towards our barn! The latch on the barn door rattled.  The door opened.

‘Shhh, be quiet everyone!’ ordered Pa.  We froze, all six of us.

‘It’s the best I can do, I’m afraid.  It’s the busiest time of year and everywhere is fully booked.  It’s not very pretty here but it’s warm and dry.  At least, you’ll both have a chance to rest before you move on.’

‘Thank you sir.  This is fine.  We’re very grateful.  We’ll be just fine.’

She looked tired, exhausted and in serious need of a lie down.  He led the weary, overloaded donkey into the barn.  He loosely secured the donkey to a post, not far from where we were observing the scene. He cleared a space, took her hand and beckoned her to sit on a blanket that covered a fresh bale of hay. She smiled at him and sighed. She looked as if really needed to sleep.

‘I’ll bring some hot food and more blankets for you. You must be hungry,’ said the Innkeeper.

We all felt the chill when the barn door opened.

We watched, curiously and fascinated by the woman.  We didn’t make any noise for fear of being chased from the warmth of the barn.

He tended her lovingly, placed another blanket around her shoulders and began to unwrap provisions from the basket they had packed for the journey.

She busied herself with an old crate that lay nearby. We watched with interest as she wiped down the crate and lined it with hay.  She looked hot and tired. She groaned every now and again. He moved towards her and lovingly held her arm.  She winced as if in pain.  He tried to comfort her but she appeared to be distressed.

Several hours later, we were awoken by the cries of … a baby!

Under Ma’s watchful eye, we crept quietly towards the couple and baby.  There he was, a small, chubby, crying baby.  He moved towards the crying child. He smiled. He spoke quietly, ‘He’s beautiful’.  She nodded and then wrapped the crying baby in swaddling clothes. She kissed the baby’s head, soothed him and placed him in the makeshift crib.  She sang softly to the crying baby to lull him to sleep.  In the morning, a church bell rang out for Christmas Day.

I tiptoed closer to see the baby.  As a baby field mouse, I was too small to be noticed by anyone but I had a strong sense that a baby born on Christmas Day would be a special baby and one that would make a difference to our world.

Where did you get that hat?

Hats by Máire Rua

‘Where did you get that hat?  Where did you get that hat? Isn’t it a lovely one, I’d like one just like that’?

Okay, admit it, you did have a little sing-a-long when you read the title of this blog post.  I did.  I’ve been busy recently ‘getting hats’.

Why?  I hear you ask.  Let me explain.  It was my turn at Writers Group to host a workshop.  It’s something we do during the course of our writing year.  As writers, we all benefit from the workshops, manuscript evenings, author visits, competitions and social events too.  I particularly enjoy the variety of activities and the support and learning generously shared by members.

Anyway, ‘Hats’ was the theme for the workshop.  As I collected hats from friends, I was inspired by the stories shared as to why and how they had acquired their particular hats. As I put together my own collection, I found myself recalling and reminiscing about travels and places where I had bought my hats e.g. Spain, France, Australia and New Zealand.  My collection included a black fur hat, which I negotiated fiercely for The Man, one year at a Christmas market in London!  I’m not sure who enjoyed the negotiation banter more, the stallholder or me?  At the end of the day we managed a Win- Win-Win, everyone was happy.  The stallholder had a sale, I had a bargain and The Man had a warm cosy hat!   We celebrated with a festive gluhwein, vin chaud or was it a mulled wine?  Whichever, it was just the thing for a bitter cold evening and the celebration of a new hat!

The Hats workshop proved quite a success too. Everyone brought a hat to the meeting, which in turn provided wonderful material for writing stories.  Hats told their own stories of happiness, sadness, excitement and mystery. One hat was abandoned after a long theatrical career, another mistaken for someone else’s hat in a bygone time, and one hat ended up in a lovers’ tiff between a squaw and Tonto (of Hi Ho Silver fame!).   Calling time at the end of the meeting shortened the creative flow but I know stories will be developed over the forthcoming weeks. I believe there will be some great ‘hat tales’ to tell when the new writing year starts … and who knows maybe a new lyrics for a song about hats too?  

 

How do you spend a creative afternoon?

Photo by me … beautiful stitches on the Christmas tree by me!

‘Would you like to come to a Crafternoon?’ my friend asked.

The word ‘craft’ caught my interest. I love all things craft and the timing of afternoon worked too, not too early and not too late in the day.  A novel way to spend a day off I thought. Usually, I’m the one who admires and buys the artwork of others.  I’m always in awe of artistic flair and creative pursuits of friends and colleagues.  But the idea of making and sewing, I hesitated.  Why?  Sewing! Even now the word struck fear and distant memories of a domestic science teacher, Mrs P, from a certain Grammar school in Ireland came flooding back. Okay, I confess, I was not the A star sewing student but I could make a mean casserole dish that could stave off hunger for a day or two.

‘Sounds like fun,’ I said, but please understand that I can’t sew!’ And there it was, I’d spoken my truth and wondered if this had jeopardised my chances of joining the creative group.

‘Not a problem’, retorted my friend, ‘lots of other craft activities are available’.

With reassurance from my friend that Crafternoons weren’t all about sewing, I agreed to attend. What a great time I had with several other ‘crafty ladies’. The event was organised to raise funds for Brake, the road safety charity that supports families who have been affected by road deaths and injuries.

We created lots of beautiful cards, labels and papers using woodprints and paint.  We made Christmas tree decorations with felt and thread. I found myself sitting next to lady who enjoyed travelling as much as me.  As we stitched and sewed (yes, actual sewing!), we shared travel stories about Australia and New Zealand.  We were both writers and keepers of journals too. The time whizzed by as each of us worked on our respective craft pieces.  Tea, coffee and glasses of wine were served at regular intervals by the generous hosts.  Well, crafting can be thirsty work, you understand.  There were moments of chat and laughter. There were times of focus and stillness too.  Overall, it was a very enjoyable and therapeutic afternoon.  We raised £200 for the Brake charity.

I was very proud of my handiwork and takeaway achievements.  I look forward to sharing them in due course. I doubt if the pieces will win any awards but I think I’ve done Mrs P proud with delicate stitching on my little Christmas tree decoration.  What a great way to spend an afternoon.  What a great idea for an Artist’s Date too!

Why visit Seamus Heaney's HomePlace?

 Seamus Heaney, Man and Boy.  

Original photographer - unknown. 

On a recent trip to Ireland I visited the new arts and literary centre,  ‘HomePlace,’in Bellaghy, dedicated to the legacy of poet and playwright, Seamus Heaney. Although, his poetry was very much rooted in the land of his birth, it continues to speak to people all around the world. His literary talent was recognised and acknowledged via The Nobel Prize for literature in 1995.  He was hailed as the greatest poet since WB Yeats and awarded for “works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth”. Did you know that it took several days to track down Seamus Heaney to tell him he had won this prestigious award?  Those were the days before mobile phones and internet! Heaney and his wife were eventually tracked down holidaying in Greece. Meanwhile, in his attic study in Dublin, reams of paper spilled from his fax machine with messages of congratulations.

Heaney took much of his inspiration from the landscape around him.  He wrote earnestly of folk, family and friends.  Many of his poems captured the everyday-ness of events and people who influenced him.  Sometimes it was at the work they toiled, places he was drawn to and political events of the time. Heaney was not afraid to tackle the emotional landscape of pain, grief and loss in his writing. At ‘HomePlace’, there is the opportunity to listen to Heaney recite several of his beautiful poems as you wander through the exhibition.  You may recognise other voices reciting his poetry, people like Stephen Fry, Bono and Bill Clinton, to name a few.

There is much to see, hear and read at HomePlace.  There’s a chance to ‘release your inner artist’, work with words and should you require a little nourishment, I can highly recommend coffee with cake at the Café. 

It’s well worth the visit and a great place for an Artist’s date too.

Where would you go on an Artist Date?

Photo by me. An unknown Creative Self?

As a writer, it’s always good to have something or somewhere to write about. And even if you haven’t, it’s helpful to think creatively about something or somewhere. 
Several years ago I was gifted a beautiful book, ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron.
I just love books … a girl can never have too many books … or chocolate, although books are definitely less fattening!

The Artist’s Way was recommended to encourage more writing and to help develop my creative self. If truth were told, I had never really considered part of me as ‘creative self’. I liked the idea of more writing. I was intrigued by the term and wondered what on earth would unfold with my new found creative part!

The book suggested writing several pages of journal every morning, at least three pages about whatever comes. Sometimes, I know it can be a challenge to do that. What will I write about today? I can’t think, brain dumb, inspiration won’t come. The Artist’s Way assists and encourages the creative write. It also encourages the concept of ‘Artist Dates’. Now, readers, before you go scurrying off and regress into the realms of, ‘Oh I haven’t written or drawn anything since my school days’, I request you to stop right there. Don’t panic. The way it works is like this – Set aside one morning, afternoon or day to make time for YOU and only you to experience something to develop your creative thinking. Examples may include walking in nature; going to the theatre, seeing a film, visiting an art gallery, checking out somewhere you’ve never been before. Ideally doing something or experiencing something different or for the first time. The brave step is doing it on your own!

This week, my Artist Date prompted me to attend a local Arts Centre to participate in a new initiative called ‘Talking Tables’. The idea behind the initiative;

1. To encourage people to watch new films 
2. To invite people to stay and review the film

Welcoming and friendly staff at the Talking Tables facilitated the discussion and noted our feedback about the event. There were some great discussions about the film ‘Bait’, set in Cornwall, the fishing industry and its community and how life there had changed over the years. I highly recommend seeing it…perhaps an Artist Date for you?

As a result of this particular date, I came away with lots of new ideas about writing and creativity. The subject matter provided abundant food for thought about life, changes in communities and the impact of such changes particularly in small coastal communities.

The Talking Tables provided a platform to listen to different viewpoints. In turn, the discussions generated further film recommendations and suggestions about other Arts venues worth a visit.

On this occasion, my solo trip provided opportunity, to see a new film, review it through my artistic lens, meet some lovely people and give me something to blog about this week! I wonder how my next Artist Date will unfold?

What does it take to be a published author?

Photo: Nicola May by Dominic Martin

My Monday evenings are dedicated to Slough Writers. It’s a local group that encourages, supports and inspires writers of all genres. Their eclectic programme of events offers many writing opportunities. Last week, we invited Nicola May, a local author, to share her writing journey with us.

After many years of diligent writing, resilience and perseverance, Nicola is now an established author, fulfilling a long held dream, to become a published author. We had many questions about how she achieved this. She explained how the writing started when she tasked herself (a few years back) to run a half marathon. She kept a diary to chart and track her progress. She confessed that at the time she hadn’t considered the diary would start her writing career, but it did! She enjoyed writing. It was her ‘first and only half marathon’ (completed in a reasonable time of just over 2 hours). What an achievement! I was impressed.

I was also impressed as she took us on her writing journey about who and what inspired her writing. She talked about her characters, the situations they found themselves in and how events unfolded, sometimes good and sometimes bad.

I had a real sense that Nicola’s heart was shared with many characters in her books. She spoke passionately about how she wrote and what she wrote. Nicola shared her writing experience and tips generously and with great honesty. Being an author was not only about writing, it was about marketing, promoting and networking too! She declared, ‘Writing the book was the easy part’.

So what did I learn from Nicola’s visit to our Writers’ Group?

1. The process of writing a book is much more than crafting the words to tell the story.
2. Getting a book published is not for the faint-hearted - persistence, resistance and resilience are needed in bucket loads!
3. Marketing, publishing and promotion opportunities are key on the road to success, especially for the new and unknown author.

Nicola admitted that her journey from writer to published author wasn’t without its challenges but in spite of never having attended a writing class – she made it!

In my opinion, Nicola is woman of substance, determined, persistent and a great role model for aspiring writers. My thanks to Nicola for an inspiring evening. I wish her every success for the future and in my book (yet to be published), she deserves it!

What if you meet a lion ... in Windsor?

Sabre's visit to Windsor 

It was a fine summer's evening.   Sabre was free, thanks to the new zoo keeper's incompetence at closing time.  He  made a dash for freedom setting off lights, alarms and sirens.  His old legs ran and ran and ran until he was well into the thick of the town centre stopping only to quench his thirst and feed on some discarded leftovers. He was tired now and hungry. He didn't have so much energy these days. His fierce, fast and ferocious days were dwindling.  As he wandered, he came upon a traveller asleep in a the shop doorway.   He tiptoed quietly and gazed upon the slumbering minstrel in her dreamlike world. Surely his good fortune could not last?  A veritable feast lay before him.  He raised his eyes heavenly in grateful thanks.  The old all-knowing moon shook her head with a definite, 'No!'

The minstrel stirred and woke to find Sabre towering above her.

'Oh, spare me sir, don't make me your supper.  I'm a weary traveller in need of some rest.  My guitar has magical powers and if you request,  I can charm cheeses, wine and food of the best'.

Sabre thought to himself, 'What a treat .. a travelling minstrel and one who can conjure up food with a tune'.  For a tired old lion without any teeth this was a wonderful find.  Perhaps the minstrel and he could become better acquainted?

Okay, okay ... just a little storytelling today.  Sabre, (not his real name), I met on a recent visit to Windsor town centre. I found him not far from Windsor Castle ..yes the Windsor Castle, the location of several royal weddings over the years.  Currently there are many beautifully painted lions in the area, each one standing colourful and proud.  The Lions Sculpture Trail is a public art initiative from The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.  As well as a public art display for one and all to enjoy, the lions will be sold at the end of the viewing season to generate funds for three local charities.

What a great way to enjoy outdoor art and donate to a great cause at the same time.

Before I left, Sabre whispered quietly, 'Come back again and meet my colourful colleagues and bring your friends too!'

Not all lions are as talkative as Sabre, but a lion trail map is available (from the Information centre) for a nominal sum and a fun day out.  Enjoy! 
    

What prompts your writing?

Sometimes I sit down to write but inspiration avoids me.

Sometimes I sit and think, ‘What will I write today?’

Sometimes I sit and gaze out the window … waiting …

Like today, a beautiful autumnal morning, cold, with a little sunshine, white clouds gathering in a clear blue sky.  There’s a slight breeze, leaves dropping from the big eucalyptus tree at the bottom of the garden.  I watch them drifting slowly, gently, and softly to the ground … a flow of hypnotic and unhurried seconds from Mother Nature.

Just as I was drifting into a trance, a sudden movement caught my eye.  There he was, a huge spider weaving his web between the garden shed and an evergreen bush. I watched how he meticulously wove the shiny, silvery threads, slowly and with precision. He moved up and down, left to right, backwards and forwards creating and adapting as he went.  I wondered if he had planned the design before he started or whether or not he made it up as he went along? Every now and again the breeze blew at his work.  He stopped, secured himself safely in the centre of the web. When the breeze passed, he continued to weave, and didn’t allow himself to be distracted by the occasional butterfly who fluttered past checking progress from a safe distance.  I was transfixed by the intricate pattern he wove.  I sat.  I watched spellbound and in awe and admiration of his artwork.  I was impressed by his diligence, patience and perseverance.  I wondered if this spider had a message for me. What might that message be?  What might a spider share as he goes about his day-to-day business of web development? Maybe it’s about making something beautiful?  Maybe it’s about spending more time in the slower lane? Maybe it’s about how nature inspires us?

Sadly I was unable to capture a picture of his artwork. However, I have managed to locate something that may allow you to admire his handiwork courtesy of YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNtSAQHNONo

I’d like to thank a busy spider for my writing prompt today. Who would have guessed that he would be my inspiration? But wasn’t there someone else inspired by a spider … in Scotland … a long time ago?

Do you enjoy storytelling?

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 ... storytellers of an earlier time!

Last week I had the opportunity to join fellow writers at a creative writing event.  The event was organised to showcase stories on a local radio station (Wycombe Sound).  I enjoy the radio and I particularly love listening to stories and plays.

It was fun to be part of the audience.  As well as enjoying the literary event, for me, it provided ideas, thinking space and feedback about what makes writing an enjoyable pastime. 

·      How good it is to listen to a story

·      How valuable to hear the rhythm of the words

·      How worthwhile to savour the vocabulary expressed

·      How alive a story becomes when read aloud

·      How the story sounds in different voices and accents

·      How deliberation and intonation can make a character come alive

·      How writing and sharing stories can push us out of our comfort zones

·      How we have preferences for particular types of writing

·      How we can be seduced by new and unusual styles

·      How we can write more creatively learning from others

·      How we tell a different story from the same picture prompt

·      How we fully appreciate the pain of several rewrites

·      How joyful we can be after the final edit!

Creative writing is a great way to capture and share stories – happy stories, sad stories, stories with a moral, stories with a twist and even stories of the tallest kind!  Stories have added benefits of sharing a message.  They amuse and entertain adults and children.  Many stories allow a person to travel for miles without leaving the comfy armchair. Writing and storytelling can be very therapeutic too, in my opinion.

A note of thanks to my new writing friends for an entertaining evening.  I look forward to tuning in to hear their short stories on the radio this week (Friday).  Feel free to join me from wherever you are … invite your writing muse. Who knows what stories may unfold?