To Write or Not to Write?

Procrastination Monster whispers in my ear, 

 ‘Check your emails first. Make a cup of tea before you settle down. Remember to write your shopping list. What’s for dinner? Music before you start? You can always write tomorrow, can’t you?’

True, I could but …  

In the other ear, Writing Muse, advises assertively,

‘Write, write, write!  Ignore him.  He’s such a distraction.  You know he loves when you abandon writing time.  Don’t listen to him.  He’ll boast with pride knowing that he has persuaded you to stop.

And she’s right.  Like me, she knows the master of procrastination only too well.  

Usually when we reach this point of inner conflict, she directs my attention to one of the many notebooks on my desk, a travel journal, a book of quotes, a poetry book, the latest writers’ magazine. 

‘Choose a page.  Any page,’ she shouts.

Her invitation is welcome. Writing Muse has a gentleness with her persuasive powers. 

His expertise excels in the dark act of distraction.  Not helpful for a writer.

‘A biscuit, a chocolate biscuit and a cup of tea?, he taunts. ‘Have an another break, just a minute or two before you start. Relax. ’ 

I’ve fallen for his charm in the past and the lure of chocolate is enough to distract any writer.

Her look. My hesitation. His snigger.  We’re getting nowhere fast.

‘Writing time.  Focus. Choose a notebook,’ she insists.

And I do.  My notebook of quotes.  A random page falls opens.

She giggles, as do I.

‘What’s so funny?’ he grumps.

‘Go on, read it aloud, share your writing prompt for today.’

With a little clearing of the throat, I enunciate in finest voice.

‘Procrastination is the natural assassin of opportunity’.

 

He is not amused.  He slithers off in disgust, muttering as he goes. 

  

‘Okay, let’s get started’, she says. 

I write … and write ...  relishing the opportunity to write some more. 

What makes you stop and wonder?

Walking on the Pastures of Wonder

Sometimes it takes time for inspiration to nudge my writing pen and me. I confess I’ve sat at my desk often, looking out the window, watching the fluffy white clouds move in slow motion across a bright blue sky, observing the sweeping and soaring of Red Kites and simply wonder. 

Today, I see how well the purple Everlasting Sweet Pea in my garden has stretched and grown from the straggly little stem it once was. It’s a particularly cherished flower, a parting gift from staff and children at a school where I once worked.  The extending branches and tendrils remind me how it has grown over the years and makes me wonder about those children and staff with whom I once worked.  Where are they now? Do they continue to grow and develop?  I loved being part of that growth and development. I continue to do so today albeit in a different place.  I wonder where those staff and children are now?  I wonder how their lives are the same or different?  I wonder how I have grown, developed and changed over the years?  No answers required …merely rhetorical questions at this stage!  However, I wonder if there will be a stage when these questions will be asked and shared again? Perhaps in a favourite space over a cool glass of white wine but not right now …maybe later when Covid-19 has become a distant memory?

During the ‘lockdown’, I have found comfort and solace in reading and writing.  I have particularly enjoyed one of my favourite authors, John O’Donohue. He was recognised by many (myself included) as an inspirational writer. He was a native Irish speaker, born in County Clare, Ireland and wrote several best sellers and poetry collections too, Anam Cara, Eternal Echoes and Divine Beauty.  His last work, Benedictus, was published in 2007.  Sadly John O’Donohue died at the age of fifty-two on 4 January 2008.

I highly recommend his writing.  He writes in a beautiful, lyrical style.  His words encourage thought about many things.  I particularly enjoy his rhythmical writing style and how his words and sentences weave beautifully on the page.  For me, he inspires and permits time for contemplation particularly now in the less busy times … like ‘lockdown’. I am currently reading ‘Walking in the Pastures of Wonder’ and enjoying his conversations on wonder, landscape and balance. This particular book is a collection of radio conversations between John O’Donohue and his close friend and former RTE broadcaster, John Quinn.

I think it’s good to slow down and wonder …

What are you wondering about today?

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!

What if you only had 10 minutes to write in a day?

Photo by MF

What if you only had 10 minutes to write in a day?  What would you write about? Who would you write about?  What would go through your mind as you scribble as fast as you can?  Well today I’m experimenting with this thought and I’m challenging my pen and me to a 10-minute write.

Here goes.  The timer is set for 10 minutes.  The hardest part is, what will I write about? Will it translate to something worth reading? Can a 10- minute write exercise be worthy of a short blog post?  I enjoy blogging however; I find that having to write on a weekly or regular basis is a real challenge.  I set off with good intentions i.e. to write regularly but after several blog posts I lose the momentum to continue writing every week.  Sometimes I’d get caught up in the minutia of life and living and totally forget about blogging.  Life can be very distracting at times and that’s not a bad thing in my opinion.  I enjoy life and what it has to offer, well most of the time anyway.

Six minutes in and I’m scribbling fast and furiously.  I do love the word ‘scribbling’ and often use it instead of ‘writing’.  When does scribbling become writing and when does writing become scribbling?  Emm, perhaps that’s a blog post for another day?  I particularly enjoy writing long hand and much prefer it to typing or should I say word-processing certainly in the initial stages of a piece of writing.  I wonder why that is.  For me, I like to see the old fashioned pen at work.  I’m a girl who enjoys writing letters and cards.

Brrrrrh … the timer goes off.  Wow, my 10 minutes is up already!  Where did that time go?  I’m surprised to see that despite a lack of clarity about what to write, I’ve done it!  I’ve written for 10 whole minutes without stopping.  I like this ‘write for 10 minutes’ exercise. I am going to add it to my writing routine. Like most new exercises, routines and habits I need to write more. I need to write often to strengthen that writing muscle.  Note to self – increase the 10-minute workouts and be more disciplined with my writing practice.   

I’m curious, what would you write about if you only had 10 minutes in a day to write? 

How do you kick-start your writing process?

Keep writing ..keep writing ..keep writing. Photo by Maire Rua

Sometimes I just sit and think and sometimes I just sit …

As a student many years ago, long before Internet and social media, I used to write a lot.  Writing included essays, course work, exams and the occasional letter home requesting a cash advance to see me through the academic term. I recall a wonderful poetic reply from my father waxing lyrically about how almost every cheque stub in his chequebook had my name inscribed next to it!  Today’s parents and students will no doubt applaud the speed and efficiency of smart cards.

Although communication methods were different back then, there were benefits too.  These included taking time to write letters, formal and informal.  Penmanship, the use of grammar and spelling were encouraged.  There was enough time to construct proper sentences and give some original thought to creative writing.  For me, the process of writing provided time for reflection too.  As a student that included editing letters ensuring my parents learned that I had a fair balance of academic work and play. I believed it was important for their financial support to be invested wisely!

 Today, I continue to write however; my biggest challenge is … getting started.  Once I start writing it’s fine, usually I can write for ages.  I find it easier to write in pen and ink and then proceed to word processing.  For me there is something about the movement of the pen or pencil that allows my thinking to flow alongside my writing.  I’m interested to know what is it that helps you kick start your writing process?  My latest idea is to use the timer on my mobile phone.  I set it for 10 mins and write.  Some of you may recognise this as ‘tumble writing’.  It’s great fun and helps to get over the procrastination hurdle.  Just write - no agenda, no structure and no judgment.  It’s very liberating just to write whatever comes and in my experience it’s quite surprising what comes from tumble writing.  If you are struggling this week to write something for business or pleasure, kick-start your writing process by setting a timer for 10 minutes and writing whatever comes.  You will find that by the end of the process, you will have generated a source for ideas for future articles or blog posts.

Sometimes I just sit and think and sometimes I just … set my timer for 10 minutes and write!

What are you exploring in 2011?

About this time of the year there will be New Resolutions made, Big Plans conceived and Great Actions agreed.

What's yours? What do you really want to say that you have achieved by December 2011? How do you want to feel? Happier? Fitter? Wealthier? Successful?

One of the things I want to do more of this year 2011 is to write more, to be more creative and to explore the whole creative process in more depth and detail, whatever that means. I'm very much in awe of creative people, those who can paint a picture whilst capturing the mood of the moment too. Those who can create a patchwork quilt which captures a life stories and tell it in colour and cloth. Those who can dance a tale in elegance, movement and grace ... and without uttering a word to disrupt the flow. Those who can write with diligence, fervour and passion to bring a character into being without lifting the pen from the page. Those who can trawl a seashore and catch the bounty of the waves in shell, wood and shale and capture the sound for future generations.

This year I plan to explore Creativity in its widest sense. An exploration of creativity in life, work and play.

And you? What do you want to explore in 2011?

Wishing you health, happiness and fun exploring in the New Year.

Ready for Hemingway time?

http://www.frasersfotos.com/

I've been giving some thought to Tom's comment on my blog (12.08.09) about Hemingway getting up before 5.00am to write every morning. I would really like to try that a few times to see if it would work for me and find out how it might enhance my writing. Could be interesting. Truth is, I can be a 'bit of a grump' early mornings. My Man will vouch for that, he's more of an early bird than me. I'm sure that comes from years of early morning rowing on the river Thames, before he goes to work, before everyone is awake, before most of the traffic hits the roads, before the rats in the rat race start running.

As for me, well I know that I can DO early mornings, yes even a 5.00am start! There have been the occasional early morning flights to the Emerald Isle to visit family when I've wanted to extend a weekend trip. There were times (some time ago) when I organised business breakfast meetings with a colleague of mine. Last October I completed 'The Sunrise Walk', fundraising for the local hospice. The registration time was 5.00am! I remember it well, a very dark, wet, autumnal morning with hundreds of other ladies. We walked through Great Windsor Park and surrounding areas suitably attired in black and orange tee shirts wearing gold and silver glitter wigs! What a sight that was to behold when the dawn broke. Goodness knows what the royal family thought as they viewed us from Windsor Castle over breakfast - hundreds of us, marching through their estate. Despite the very wet day and the early morning start, each of us felt a great sense of achievement when we completed the 13k walk. Delighted we raised £24,000 for the hospice. A personal achievement and one that benefitted others too.

I'm giving serious consideration to an early morning write - registration time ... 5.00am! Hemingway time. I've put a date in my diary and if you wish to join me, let me know. I may not be at my most communicative first thing but after the dawn breaks, we can compare notes. I'm sure Hemingway time can accommodate international time zones ... I'll meet you there!

How does your writing grow?

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your writing grow? Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing. At the end of last month I made a commitment to myself to form a new habit of writing something everyday for a whole month. The idea was that writing would become one of my daily habits, like having a shower or brushing my teeth. My aim is to write something worthwhile and of substance and perhaps even publish it on my blog. As you will note I didn’t commit to publishing every day, quite frankly some of the writing has been rubbish!

Today is day 13 of the daily writing and I’ve just realised that there are 31 days in August and not 30 as I scribbled initially. Don’t know how I missed that extra day; I guess that in my haste to start daily writing the enthusiasm was so great that I simply overlooked the fact that August has 31 days. How could I do that? August 31 is a celebratory day, every year, my birthday! In celebration of a potential great writer one day, (ha!), who knows …I have been told that ‘we have within us all the resources we ever need’. At present I’m exploring what ‘writing resources’ I have within me. I encourage you to try. At times I’m quite surprised about what comes about in the early morning write. For me this is a good time to write, although sometimes work breaks the early morning writing routine. I have found that when that happens, the late night scribble before I retire for the evening is just not as satisfying for me. By then my head is so full of stuff that it quashes any form of creativity and free thinking and there’s a little internal voice tweeting ‘time for bed, time for bed’.

I wonder if the great writers, poets and playwrights of today and yesteryear had these issues when compiling their manuscripts and musings. What writing tips would they pass on to us novice writers about daily writing or even writing in general?

Writer’s block

Ever had one of those days when you just can’t seem to get it together? You sit down to write and …. NOTHING, absolutely nothing comes! You’ve planned into your day to do some writing and well … quite frankly you can’t think of what to write, how to write, where to start. It’s so frustrating because you’re wanting so hard to write something worthwhile, of interest, something maybe even a little motivational. But there’s nothing. A big fat zero! The focus is gone; you’ve had several cups of coffee and nothing is stimulating the ‘writing part’ of the brain. You look at the blank sheet for ages, doodle a little in the open space, try a mind map to see where that goes but no, nothing is flowing today. I wonder if this is what writers refer to as ‘writers block’. I’m pleased that my whole livelihood is not dependent on my writings; otherwise we wouldn’t eat, perhaps not even manage beans on toast! Actually ‘beans on toast’ is not one of my favourite snacks, so I could live without it anyway.

And you know, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to be beaten, that doesn’t want to be slain by the writers block dragon so I’m going to scribble down all the letters of the alphabet and see what comes up. You may get a little of that in future blogs … we’ll see.

Perhaps you would be willing to share one two of your best tips to unblock the block and encourage the free flow of writing? All donations gratefully accepted.

Writing ...a forgotton art?

Today I received a letter in the post, one of those old fashioned letters written by hand. Remember those - handwritten letters in handwritten envelopes? Letters written with pen and ink! It’s a real treat to receive one of those particularly when it’s from a friend I haven’t heard from for ages. For me there’s something about receiving a personal letter (official letters, utility bills and credit cards statements don't generate the same excitement!). I enjoy writing letters and I enjoy receiving them too. I love to hear the sound of letters dropping on the mat and what a joy to see a handwritten one amidst the pile of junk mail, especially after a busy day at work. How lovely it is to sit down and read it, once or twice especially if there is something in it that makes you smile.

With the advent of instant communication, email, texting and tweeting, I wonder if the art of handwriting will decline over the years. Will letter writing and penmanship become a forgotten art of the 21st century? I hope not. So I encourage you this week to write an old fashioned letter to a friend, a relative, someone you know, someone you would like to know, someone you care about, perhaps someone who hasn’t heard from you for a long time. Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing and you may be pleasantly surprised by who writes back.

Go on, grab a pen and paper and scribble a few lines today.