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 re-ignite a blog?

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photo by MF

Today is the day I re-ignite my blog!  Is that a drum roll I hear in the background?  Perhaps not.  I have been really neglectful and not written anything for ages and I don’t mind admitting it that it’s tough trying to get back into the swing of things.  There was a time when I wrote something every week.  I belonged to an online bloggers’ group. I quite looked forward to the Sunday Picture prompt and the challenge it presented to the group. Every picture tells a story and I loved the pictures chosen for us to write about.  I particularly enjoyed the different takes on the same picture.  It was fascinating to see and read where creative minds flowed.  Sadly the writing group ceased … I guess everyone got busy with ‘stuff’.

A conversation with Sarah at GoldcrestPublications today got me thinking about blogging again. We both share a love of reading books, particularly the old fashioned kind of book where you can turn the pages, feel the quality of the paper, admire the cover and mark your stopping page with a elegant bookmark.  Good heavens, no, I never turn the corner of the page down - sacrilege!  I know there is a place for electronic devices and e-books but as an avid reader, well, for me, it’s just not the same. The Man loves his Kindle, however, I am happier to pack a couple of real books into my cabin baggage on holiday.  When I’ve read said book, I like to release it into the wild or exchange it for another as happened on our most recent holiday in Stockholm.  This particular transaction made two ladies very happy indeed.  I’m currently enjoying ‘Sushi for Beginners’ a novel by Irish writer Marian Keyes thanks to our lovely Airbnb host.

The Man and I enjoyed Stockholm this year for our summer vacation.  Exploring the city and surrounding areas was very agreeable and inspirational too. It was good to discover new places, take pictures, slow down, relax and read a good book too.  I’m wondering if perhaps one or two holiday pictures might make for a blog post in the future. Who knows what may unfold as my blog is re-ignited.  

    

How does a Hollyhock grow?

 Photo by MF

There he was, almost at the top of my much loved and well-nurtured Hollyhock! 

An early morning visit to the garden, just after the rain - a peaceful, relaxing Sunday morning.  There he was slowly, slithering his way along the long, tall stalk of the Hollyhock.

I tried to flick him off quickly and quietly without causing too much anger and stress (for me or him?).  But he tightened his grip firmer and firmer.  A battle of the wills ensued – his and mine!

I was determined, as was he.  I had grown and nurtured this one single Hollyhock from a small, straggly seedling in a pot.  Last year’s efforts of Hollyhocks had been devastated by his army.  They came, they saw, they ate every leaf and flower in sight.  This year I was determined to win that battle and ensure my garden would sport at least one fully-grown Hollyhock.  It became like an obsession.  I guarded the little Hollyhock seedling, nurtured its growth by staking it, watering it regularly, moving it to a sheltered part of the garden.  I checked regularly for evidence of him and his army. 

The little Hollyhock began to stretch and grow independent of my motherly ways.  It sprang up tall and independent and started to shout to the rest of the garden, ‘Look at me.  Look at me.  How tall I grow!’  Okay, perhaps her voice couldn’t be heard by everyone but on a sunny day with a gentle breeze, it’s amazing what can be heard … if you listen carefully.

He glared with an air of defiance.  I glared back.  He moved slowly.  I moved slower and flicked him off the Hollyhock!  No time to finish his Sunday munch.  He fell to the ground and ambled forlornly into the undergrowth.

She smiled and whispered quietly, ‘Thank you.  Thank you for saving me.’

‘You’re welcome.  Grow tall, my lovely’, I replied.

Slug seizing can be a tiresome job, but someone’s got to do it!

What if … we encouraged letter writing?

Photo by MF 

I love letters, writing them and receiving them.  I’ve got two penpals – proper pen pals, those who write old-fashioned letters with pen and ink and go to the post office, buy a stamp, stick it on the envelope and send their letters to me.  Thank you penpals; it’s very much appreciated.  Long live letter writing of the old fashioned kind.

What I like about letter writing is the way a person writes, how they express themselves and share news and ‘goings-on’ of family and friends.  I enjoy hearing stories about nieces and nephews particularly as I don’t see them regularly. I enjoy hearing of how events turn out, who was there and what happened.  It’s lovely to be able to read a newsy letter again and again. Often, we don’t provide such detail and description in the speedy email or the 40 character tweet.  Too busy, busy, busy.  Not enough time.  Busy being busy.

I particularly enjoy letters from my travelling penpals, describing new countries in depth and detail.  I enjoy hearing about the various exploits planned and unplanned!  Journaling, while travelling is a pastime of mine.  It is an ideal way to recall enjoyable times and places.  I have been known to write long letters ‘home’ on my travels and read them years later!

For me, letter writing is an excellent form of communication.  I’m planning a ‘Bring Back Letter Writing Campaign’.  Care to join me? No requirement to tick the boxes just a simple note to start the process and it goes something like this:

            Dear Maire Rua

            I’m happy to support your ‘Bring Back Letter Writing Campaign’

because …

Now, over to you.   I invite you to make someone’s day and write a letter.  You never know where it might lead!

                                                                                                                                    

Where do you find time to blog?

The road ahead - Photo by MF  

From London to Belfast …

Sometimes one can be forced to write – well not exactly pushed to put something on paper but when a strong gust of ‘airplane delay’ blows its way into the airport lounge then I read it as a message from the Universe. It says, ‘I’ve stopped the hustle and bustle to give you time to blog for The Attract Readers’ Blogging Challenge’.  I mean what else is a girl gonna do when she she’s stranded at Terminal 2?  I know, there will be those among you whopping with glee having extra time to do some duty free shopping but having crammed my carry on luggage so full of ‘essentials’, there isn’t much room for anything else.  Bemused husband wondered why I hadn’t bothered to pack the kitchen sink this time. Reason - I’m flying ‘no frills’ during the Easter vacation. 

Airports are great places for people watching.  I’ve never seen such a selection of mobile devices, smart phones and i-Pads.  Occasionally, I noticed some people having one of those old fashioned conversations with each other – remember those? I guess the tablets and touch screens keep the little folk entertained, children, not the leprechauns  … for it is to the Emerald Isle I’m bound this time.

I’m watching the information board, my flight is delayed again and again but I am clam.  In fact I’m quite delighted that the writing muse has come out to play.  Others aren’t, I can see it in their eyes and actions – busy, busy, busy, - got to be there, somewhere else.

As for me, well, I’m feeling really chilled out.  For now, I’ll scribble a blog post or two.  For now, I’ll watch the guy near me take yet another ‘selfie’.   For now, I’ll stop and let the world go by.  How might you pass the time?