Who encouraged and supported William Shakespeare?

a little silver horse called encouragement 

‘A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse,’ cried Richard III as he lost his horse in battle. The devoted Shakespeare fans among you will nod knowingly.  The line may trigger happy school days in English classes learning and memorising Shakespearean stanzas.  Although sometimes it was a challenge staying engaged with passionate English teachers, old fashioned English and a man called William Shakespeare. My respect for the bard, his plays and writing is greater now, as I’ve grown older and wiser! And what’s this little silver horse got to do with Shakespeare, I hear you ask? 

Well, it’s fair to say that I like horses.  In my opinion they are beautiful creatures.  I don’t own one but several months ago I was gifted some horse riding lessons. It was a fun experience.  At the horse riding stables I got to know several temperamental animals and they got to know me.  Like humans, each one had its own personality.  Some were quite happy about the early morning rides along the common.  Others played deaf when I tried to wake them up and gee them along.  Several were open to bribes of sugar cubes and carrots.  I wonder if Shakespeare liked horses.

Well, this week I was presented with this little silver horse … no not for horse riding!  The riding lessons never progressed to gymkhana standard.  My Writers Group awarded this little horse to me.  It’s the ‘Progress Award’ for newcomers.  I must confess it was a wonderful and unexpected surprise.  I love it!  I’m pleased and honoured that my writing is progressing and being acknowledged too.  I can’t help wondering if William Shakespeare was encouraged and supported by fellow writers as he penned sonnets and plays?

‘A horse, a horse …  a little silver horse for an aspiring writer,’ is a very encouraging gesture indeed.    

What annoys your Procrastinator monster?

... write like there's nobody watching

Sometimes the hardest thing about writing is  ... making a start!  Have you ever noticed how the Procrastinator monster weaves his way into your thinking brain in a deliberate effort to sabotage the creative flow?  He's very good at planting seeds of distraction just as I settle at my desk.

'Maybe a cup of tea before you start?'

'Did you remember to ..?'

'What about ..?'

'Have you organised something for dinner?'

And if truth were told, I can be easily distracted.

'Focus!... focus!' screams Writing Muse.

She's been so keen since our recent trip to Ireland and our participation at the Ireland Writing Retreat. She uses all opportunities to guide, direct and cajole me into spending more time writing.  She's insisting on a 'short write' every day. And for that I'm thankful and happy to engage.

'Just write', she'll say.

The 'short writes' don't always makes sense.  I mean my paragraphs and prose are not quite Man Booker prize material  ... and that's okay for now.  Such diligence really winds up the Procrastinator. Oh yes, groans and grumbles can often be heard in the background.  He's used to getting his own way and loves to win at all costs.

The Writing Muse and I have been carefully balancing creative writing with work and play this week. There's been more work than play but a girl needs to earn a living too!

Anyone for a creative break by the sea?

a quiet spot to write ...to dream ...

The Writing Muse and I were in serious need of a break … a holiday … an opportunity to re-connect creatively, so we took ourselves off to a writing retreat.  I mean, what harm could it do?  Recently, there had been so many non-productive spells of writing. It seemed to both of us that we really needed to escape from the rat race and go somewhere peaceful and quiet.  

There had been endless conversations between us.

‘Where should we go?’

‘What about Ireland?’

‘Ireland?’ 

‘What about the Ireland Writing Retreat?

‘How do you know about that?’

‘Serendipity … he’s a good friend of mine.’

‘Emm? Where in Ireland?

‘Donegal.  Know it?

‘Know it, I love that place.  Donegal is my heart space!’

‘So we’re going?’

‘Too right we’re going! 

We booked ourselves in for a whole week with the Ireland Writing Retreat in west Donegal.  Teac Jack, Gweedore was the destination, a place off the beaten track towards The Wild Atlantic Way.  We were not disappointed.  Our hosts, Sean and Columbia had woven together a workshop of colourful and creative strands - writing exercises, author visits, storytelling, songwriting and several excursions too. The céili dancing provided great energy bursts for the restless soul and ensured both mind and body were well maintained during the week.  

The Writing Muse and I had great fun and made lots of new writing friends.  We shared stories and writing in class, which often continued over a glass of wine in Jack’s bar later. At times, it was difficult to know if it was the telling of tales or the draining of wine glasses that enhanced the storytelling as the night wore on … whichever, it resulted in some fine stories and writing by the end of the week.