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.

Are you awaiting Creativity?

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Photo by MF

When Creativity comes

Will I be ready with poised pen?

Will I have the words and letters

To enrich the flow of the phrase,

And enhance the scroll of the sentence?

Will I invite the reader to follow words

Through poetry and prose?

I wonder.

When Creativity comes

Will I risk writing words and phrases

Some devoid of emotion and

Some laden with meaning,

Of sense and sensibility?

Will I trust the ebb and flow of my pen

Like a wave trying (with all its might)

To land upon the drifting sand?

Will it matter?

Who cares?

Do I?

When Creativity comes

I’ll allow the ink to flow at its will

And move to the place where it wishes to be

For now …

What’s on your bucket list?

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Photo by MF

It’s been a busy morning at the desk of Máire Rua.  Having just celebrated a ‘Big No Numbers Birthday’, I needed to catch up with thank you cards and letters.  Incidentally I’m still in the process of writing and thanking!  My little pen is scribbling as fast as it can.  I have to say that I was overwhelmed and surprised by the volume of gifts, cards and sentiments from family and friends…so much for trying to keep things ‘low key’ this year.  Sometimes ‘growing up’ can be a thought provoking business. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love birthdays and I’m usually the first one to make sure there is a cake to celebrate … irrespective of the age of the birthday boy or girl. ‘You can’t have a birthday without a birthday cake’, is my motto, even if it’s only a Danish pastry with a birthday candle!  Well sometimes one has to be a little more creative.

This year my birthday was surrounded by mystery and intrigue, meticulously planned and implemented by The Man.  He had organised for us to go away for the weekend.

‘Where to?’ I tentatively enquired.

‘Pack a bag, you’ll see’, he responded.

'How lovely', I thought, wondering 'local …or abroad'?

Questions about what to wear  … smart …casual … posh dress … jeans … were all met with vague and evasive replies.

‘Pack a swimsuit … oh and some sun tan lotion’, he mentioned casually, (agghh .. I dislike swimming, a fear held from a near drowning incident many years ago in a fluorescent lime green bikini as a student whilst swimming in Greece).

The vagueness and unhelpfulness of the Q&A session resulted in my cabin luggage being packed to capacity … just in case, if you pardon the pun!

Go with the flow, I thought and I did!  Arrived at London Heathrow, courtesy of an amazing taxi service that conjured up a Bucks Fizz breakfast with fresh croissants for the journey.   Other taxi services are available but this one was special with good friends in on the birthday surprise.  Still intrigued at the airport and heading for security when the first clue was given – my boarding card for ... Dublin city!  I quietly hoped we might manage a theatre visit to Riverdance as I’d heard they were in town.  Máire Rua was feeling very happy and excited.  Arrived at Dublin airport and appeared to be making our way to ‘Connecting Flights’ … but isn’t the EXIT this way?

‘You’ve probably guessed by now,’ said The Man.

My heart was beating quicker by the minute as I hoped (and quietly prayed) that the connecting flight would be to a very special airport … there was only one other airport that I wished to travel to from Dublin and that is … Donegal airport … and that was exactly where we were going!!! Yes, yes, yes - very excited, very happy, heartbeat even faster than before and tears of joy because for me Donegal is a special place. For years I longed to fly into this little airport.  I’ll admit now this was top of my Bucket List.  Those of you who know me will know and understand how much this place means to me, as Donegal is my heart space.  Those of you unfamiliar with Donegal and are yet to travel there, are in for a treat. Donegal airport is a small regional airport in Ireland that runs alongside a beautiful, long white beach.

Photo by MF

Well the remainder of the weekend was full of surprises, partying with family and friends.  Many had travelled miles via other airports to meet up.  I was overwhelmed with love, kindness and generosity.  Celebrating the 'Big No Numbers Birthday' was an event that will sing in my heart and soul for years to come, thanks to The Man.  Maybe ‘growing up’ might not be too bad after all?

Oh, and if anyone needs to borrow a swimsuit and sun tan lotion, feel free to get in touch!