Try something new

December 4, 2012December 4, 20124 Comments

Jelly rolls

I was having a chat with a friend the other day who was feeling a bit fed up. There was nothing particularly wrong, but the long nights, plummeting temperature and ghost-town effect on the village were getting to her.

It was one of those moments where you haven’t much to offer. The only thing I could come up with was – why not try something new? She looked a little taken aback, then thought for a moment and agreed…”I might just do that!”

Now that advice may sound obvious, but sometimes, we don’t see the answer staring us in the face. And trying something new isn’t always the right answer. Often, we use new experiences as an excuse to avoid the things we don’t want to do (if that sounds like you, see this article by Alison Wells on procrastinating procrastination).

But at other times, a new experience or skill is the tonic we need to keep life interesting and challenging. As a writer, this is something I definitely need.

I’ve had a mixed bag of one-off experiences. For instance, feeding sharks from a perspex cage in Australia (amazing), sky diving (getting out of the plane was the scariest bit), trapeze (not so good – I made weird girly squeals I wasn’t happy about) and walking on the bottom of the ocean wearing a lead divers helmet (surreal). Then there was running with bulls in Spain (exciting but hair-raising at times), parasailing in The Bahamas (surprisingly tranquil), swimming with dolphins in Jamaica (too cute) and stingrays in The Bahamas (less cute). One of the weirdest things I tried has to be marching with trained flamingos that kept pecking my head.

But don’t get excited; I seem to be mellowing. Living rurally certainly provides me with enough challenges of late. Yet even though everyday life is busy – think finding and chopping fuel, escapee calves, growing our own veg, flash floods, fishing, running a social media business and maintaining a strict writing routine – there’s always room for more adventure. For something new.

My latest adventure is making a patchwork quilt. I’ve always loved patchwork quilts – the detail, the weight of the fabric, the million hidden stories – so I joined a class with a neighbour in her makeshift barn studio. And guess what? It’s been an amazing experience.

Here’s where we started, with bits of fabric and bobbins of thread…

Like a kid in a sweet shop!

It didn’t take long for me to select the kind of style I wanted to go with. I have to live with it after all, so it had to match my idea of style. Not to everyone’s taste, I’m sure, but I’m certain it’s going to look cracking!

Some select pieces

I’ve never used a sewing machine before. I can’t drive a car and my wiggly sewing suggests there’s a link between the two. I’m still a bit scared of the sewing machine but I’m continuing nonetheless. Here’s the monster we’re using…

How do you drive this thing?

And after five weeks, this is where I’m at. It’s starting to come together nicely. Tonight, I’m sewing all the rows together and attaching the quilt to a backing with a blanket filling. I can’t wait.

Now, I could have put this blog post live when I’d finished the quilt, but I purposely chose not to wait. Why? Because all too often we focus on the end result and not the process. Whether it’s writing, growing vegetables or making patchwork quilts, the actual experience and learning we enter into are just as important as the finished product.

As I said, my sewing is higgledy-piggedly in places. Some of the patches aren’t quite straight. I think I’ve already stained a small bit of fabric by accidentally standing on it while organising the pattern. But none of that matters.

I’ve tried something different and have learned new skills. I got my butt out to the class, walking by torchlight along country roads in the driving rain, because the desire to play with fabric and improve on what I’d learned was greater than my desire not to. And it’s been invigorating.

What about you? What new experiences have you tried? What effect did they have?

The writing marathon

November 27, 2012Leave a comment

When you tell people that you just ran a marathon, they don’t ask whether you won. So why is it when you tell people you’ve written a book, they ask – where is it published?

The excitement of National Novel Writing Month inspired this post – as well as a trip to Dublin last month which saw me caught up in the crowd of the Dublin Marathon.

On your marks…

Every year, millions of people undertake the challenge to write a book in 30 days. They’re charged up with ideas, advice, pep talks and caffeine, knowing that what’s ahead of them is a big undertaking, with no ‘reward’ other than the satisfaction of having done it. And they’re geared up to help each other along the way.

The Dublin Marathon is the same. I saw people fly over the finish line, like they’d just finished a 5k race. Others hobbled or limped, but got there with smiles. Some gave up.

One of the most amazing things I saw was a pair of runners nearing the finish line who backtracked to support a man – I assume it was a running buddy – who was too exhausted to run any more. They literally carried him over the finish line.

There was also a vibrant crowd cheering the runners on, competitors turning back after finishing to lend extra support, jubilant pace keepers and roadside drummers providing a bit of inspiration. Like Nano, it was an almost tribal atmosphere.

I’ve not yet run a marathon (watch this space) but I first tried NanoWrimo several years ago and succeeded. Since then I’ve taken that model and use it to write every first draft, though not necessarily during the month of November. (Note: I’m being kind to myself there…the result is more like a draft zero, a below-par initial draft, but I find it easier to work with a lump of words.) And that’s how my novels happen.

But even though the Nano model is my standard approach, there’s no denying it’s a challenge.

Like the Dublin Marathon runners, many NanoWrimo entrants succeed, but just as many, if not more, give up. Life gets in the way or lack of motivation interferes. Sometimes the uphill struggle to stay inspired gets too much. Fair play for trying, everyone but…

What’s the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t?

As far as I can tell, it’s pure determination. We keep going when the odds seem against us. We rely on sheer will power at times. We take the knocks and merely stumble, not fall. And we do it together because that tribal atmosphere – whatever your goals – really counts.

Let’s also consider the idea of measuring success. If you’ve run a marathon, it doesn’t mean you would expect to enter the Olympics – and no one else would expect it either. Likewise, just because you’ve written a book, you can’t expect it to get published right away. Writing a draft of a book is just the first step. In fact, writing several drafts of a book is still ‘early stages’ in any writing career. There’s a lot more practice, training and improvement to get through. And if this is the first book you’ve written, it probably won’t be good enough to secure you that elusive book deal.

So enjoy the process for what it is; an achievement in itself. You got there. You wrote 50,000 words in a month. You learned something. Even if you couldn’t complete the NanoWrimo challenge this time around, if you’re serious about writing, the experience will inform your writing in the future in some way.

But most importantly, once the challenge is over, try to keep in mind that sense of togetherness.

When another person asks you about your book or congratulates you on something you’ve written, when you run an extra half mile or finally get up that steep hill, when you get shortlisted or accepted for publication, or when you shave a few seconds off your running time – doesn’t it feel better when you have someone to share it with?

Next time you’re listening to someone talk about their goals – whatever they may be – take interest, ask a question. If you’re amazed or impressed, show it! This could be all that person needs to keep going and not give up.

How will you get a step closer to your goals today? And how will you help someone get closer to theirs?

It’s the little things that count

November 19, 2012November 19, 2012Leave a comment

When you’re writing, you can feel like a lone wolf.

You spend hours typing away, hoping to produce something exciting, unique, thrilling… something special. Sometimes you’re delighted, other times disappointed. And on occasion, you’re happy if you can produce a piece that’s even readable next time you sit at the computer.

It’s no wonder that the pressures can tumble on top of you, making it difficult to see where you’re going next.

Winter seems to be a particularly difficult time for many writers. I’m hearing frequent complaints about how the inner critic is gaining in power as the nights draw in. Perhaps, like the wolf, we all feel more hungry and desperate for success as the nights lengthen and the chill spreads?

But remember – it’s up to us as writers to manage our mood and our workload. How we measure productivity, success and personal happiness depends upon our own attitude and approach.

So, don’t let the cold and dark get you down. See the long nights as a gift: a great opportunity to snuggle in and take advantage of extra writing time. And make sure you get plenty of fresh air.

Juggle your schedule to fit in as many outdoor hours as you can manage. I write full time, so it’s easy for me to jiggle my schedule to include a daily run, long walks and a bit of gardening. But just because something’s possible, it doesn’t mean it’s a given. We can all make excuses. I just make sure that I stick to my schedule because I ‘d get cabin fever if I didn’t.

Even if you work full time, fresh air and exercise are necessary. Try and squash in a walk to work, a lunchtime stretch of the legs, an after-work swim. Trust me, you’ll feel better for it. And whatever you do, don’t let the writing slip.

A good friend gave me some excellent advice the other day. She said,

“No matter what the bigger goals are, you need to get satisfaction from the little things you do every day. It’s the little things that count.”

After mulling this over, I realised how true her words were and I made the decision to try and appreciate the smaller things more every day. That means savoring the hot cup of tea, enjoying the extra writing time afforded by long nights, taking time over meals, admiring the scenery on my walks and runs and appreciating the people around me. Then unexpectedly, I got a nice surprise…

This week, I was delighted to find out that I was a runner up in the Easons Tiny Tall Tales competition. It’s not a major competition but it’s still a boost and like any other writing exercise, I learned something from it. The way I see it any little reminders like this really help a writer to keep going.

So – how will you keep your writing going and make this your best winter yet?

A truly romantic true story!

November 15, 2012November 15, 20122 Comments

Not a pirate in sight…

Today is my first wedding anniversary and although it’s not a big day for anyone else, I think the story of how it all happened is worth sharing.

In case you’re i the mood to hear a very romantic story – sometimes, I still can’t believe all the effort he went to – here’s a re-post of how my husband proposed. As the title suggest, complete with treasure maps and trowels…

Treasure Maps and Trowels: X Marks the Spot

It went something like this… Clamber into the punt, whizz around West Cork’s beautiful Goat Island and whistle for the goats, get up close to some wild seals, watch the gannets dive, circle Long Island and stop to catch a mackerel. Head to Long Island pier, visit one of the Islanders for tea and get given a cabbage three times the size of my head. Carry the cabbage the length of the island to Westerland strand, rescue some stranded jellyfish and barbecue the mackerel. The End.

Or so we thought…

Click here to read the full story…

Autumn in photos

November 12, 2012November 12, 2012Leave a comment

I’m currently taking a break in London – part business, part pleasure. But in my absence, here’s some local autumn scenes and a few things I’ve been up over the last few weeks…

A disappointing corn crop

Golden brown

Setting for my creative writing class for teens

Preparing windfall apples for Christmas

Beautiful autumnal mushrooms

Coming to the end of our harvest

Visit to Moth HQ for a writing masterclass

First signs of winter frost

Tricky (but cute) working conditions

Some garden still grows

Looking for somewhere to write?

November 5, 2012November 5, 2012Leave a comment

A favourite haunt for Yeats and Shaw…

Lately, I’ve been thinking about self development for writers because every year around this time, I start choosing which festivals and residential courses I’m going to attend the following year.

There’s lots you can do as a writer to self-improve but the best way to develop your skills is to practice. Sometimes, this isn’t as easy as it sounds – especially if you’re trying to fit a writing schedule around a hectic home/family/work life.

Inspired by a blog post by Alison Wells who went to Cill Rialaig for a writers retreat earlier in the year, I thought I’d share with you a little place that I know… A home away from home that offers the perfect setting for focused writing but without the application forms and selection process.

Although writers retreats with a selection process are both vital and necessary, there are limited spaces. As a result, many writers – particularly unpublished writers trying to break through into the publishing world – are left without anywhere to go. As we all know, a change of scenery, a break from routine is beneficial. As a result, it’s something all writers – whatever stage of their career – crave from time to time.

So where can you go?

Anywhere that offers you peace, quiet and space is perfect. It could be a room, a shed, a library or local cafe. But sometimes you want to treat yourself to something a little bit special, giving your writing time the dedication and respect it deserves.

Some of the locals!

As far as I’m concerned, this secret little writing retreat in Ireland that has served many of my writing needs in the past – and still does on occasion – needs celebrating, even though part of me wants to keep all to myself. And I’m not the first…

Yeats, Shaw and Somerville all stayed here at some point during their career (you can ask to see the guestbook) and over the last few years, I’ve seen several writers come and go. Each time, they’re delighted with the work they’ve accomplished, the warm reception they’ve received and the energy they’ve recouped – but they’re reluctant to share!

Grove House is a welcoming family-run guest house which not only offers everything a writer needs – big rooms, desks, tranquil atmosphere, lovely views, great food and helpful staff – but is designed for writers and creative sorts. There’s a homely atmosphere and Katarina and her sons are well prepared for the quirky requests and odd hours that a writer might need.

Fast becoming a creative epicentre in the village of Schull, Grove House houses art exhibitions, acoustic gigs, piano recitals (the owner of the house is an exceptional piano player as well as a writer) as well as growing it’s own veg, housing a growing family of ducks and chickens and providing everything visitors might need. Of course, a trip to Ireland isn’t a possibility for everyone.

But is it time to treat yourself to some dedicated writing space and time? Where will you go?

The wolf we feed

October 22, 2012October 22, 20123 Comments

A beautiful book of Native American wisdom

I’m not sure where my niece got this, but she posted it on Facebook last week and it struck a chord…

An old Cherokee told his grandson: “There is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is evil – it’s anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is good – it’s joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness and truth.” The boy considered his grandpa’s words and asked, “Grandfather which wolf wins?” The old man replied “The one you feed.”

I’m not one for moralistic tales usually, but this one resonated because I do believe that as people, we have power over our own futures. In most situations, our own outlook affects the outcome. External factors can place difficult obstacles in our way, but it’s up to us to make the decisions regarding how we react and how our life moves on from there.

You only have to watch or read about other people’s accomplishments and the outstanding things they’ve overcome to understand what I mean. Take the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics. Consider Nobel Peace prize winners such as Tawakkol Karman and Liu Xiaobo. What about Seamus Heaney and Kenzaburo Oe, two personal favourites who have been recognised for their literary efforts with the Nobel Prize for Literature?

All amazing examples of incredible people doing incredible things – and they’re simply human like us. Now, not everyone is going to change the world, but I do think that we have a duty to take responsibility for ourselves and our own achievements. Our happiness and fulfillment is up to us. We need to make our time on earth the best it can possibly be for ourselves and, in turn, for others. As you read this, I bet you can think of a few outstanding friends or relatives straight away who do just that.

This is also true when it comes to writing – or any other vocation for that matter – because talent will only get you so far. You achieve success through dedication, determination and will power. How you maintain this is up to you, but a positive approach certainly helps. If you’re stuck or not getting as far as you’d like, it may mean you’re setting unrealistic goals and expecting too much too soon.

But could it be that your own attitude preventing you from getting any further on your work in progress?

Take the following scenario for instance: You were expecting to write for four hours, but a water pipe broke and you had to spend an hour cleaning up the mess, securing it as best as you could. Then another hour was spent finding and organising someone to come and fix it. The plumber’s on his way and it’s going to take time to sort. You’re left with an hour of that writing time. How do react? Which of the following sounds most like you?

I’ve only got an hour so there’s no point writing now.
I’ve got an hour – it’s not much but at least I can jot some ideas down.
What can I do in an hour? Better ask my twitter friends…
I’m way too cross and distracted to write now.
At least I’ve still got a whole hour for writing.

In short, the same situation can look different, depending on what attitude you adopt. Are you procrastinating and making excuses or are you writing?

Which wolf will you feed today?

Giving Back

October 15, 2012October 15, 20124 Comments

Lend a helping hand where it’s needed

Writing is a lonely occupation and it can be easy to get wrapped up in one’s own book, marketing, self promotion, sales, etc. However, as writers we need to remember that whatever stage of our career we’re at, we owe some of our learning to others.

Whether it’s favourite authors, university lecturers, creative writing class tutors or feedback from publishers, we gain inspiration, support and guidance from others on a regular basis. And that’s why it’s important to give something back.

Even in the early stages of your career, you can help another writer by reviewing their book, sharing their tweets, or commenting on blog posts. You can encourage another writer – new or established – to keep going. You can buy their books, attend their launches and introduce them to other people you know they’d click with. Every helpful action counts.

Thankfully, one of the things I love about the writing community is its generosity. From bestselling authors to debut novelists, writers share a certain amount of camaraderie that extends to others in the same profession, whatever stage of their career. Rather than competitive, it’s supportive. Particularly online. But is there an element we’re forgetting?

There’s so much we can do that doesn’t involve clicking on the Retweet button. Are there any local writers you can support by spreading the word on their launch? Are there people in the local community that you can share your skills with? Can you help encourage local talent?

As you’ve all heard me mention many times, I gave up a great job in the city to live rurally and write full time. I probably should apologise to you for banging on about it so much, but in reality, I can’t! I’ve gained so much knowledge and have been made to feel so welcome in this small community of farms, fishing and artists, that I can’t stop saying how wonderful it is. Because it really is.

That’s why I’ve decided to give something back. It’s not much, but I know that the winter months are long and tedious for many children in this area. The weather dictates outdoor activities and the fishing and farming are both dangerous and difficult. The scenery is still beautiful, the people still welcoming and hardworking, but leisure activities are limited. So, I’m starting two children’s book clubs and two children’s creative writing classes in Whyte Books, the local bookstore.

Now, I’m not looking for praise – I reckon I’ll get more out of it than the kids in many ways – but I am hoping that this post makes you think…What can I do as payback?

It doesn’t have to be direct teaching or take up too much of your time. Recently, friend and writer Maria Duffy suggested a #onekinddeed day, where people tweeted about something nice they did for someone else, just because they wanted to. What a lovely idea – and one that was very well received.

I believe that as writers, we need to take note of Maria’s spirit and lead by example. Why? Because talent needs to be fostered. Because rejection is tough. Because we’ve all had difficult days and we’ll all have them again. And don’t forget, there’s another generation of writers on the way, ready to inspire, engage and enthrall – they just need to know it’s possible.

What will you do today?

(With thanks to Maria for inspiring this post)

Tortoises live longer than cheetahs

October 8, 2012October 5, 20122 Comments

“Tortoises live longer than cheetahs”

This was the great advice given to me recently by @Nerin_, the lovely (and very energetic) brains behind krank.ie.

One of the major problems any writer trying to establish a writing career suffers from is impatience. I know because I suffer from it in abundance and have to fight on a daily basis to keep it in check. Yes, it may seem great to be sending out multiple submissions every month and to be completing a book or two a year, but only if it’s beneficial. Could all this activity be proving detrimental to your writing career?

I’m not suggesting that you don’t keep writing. That would be insane! Writers need to write, end of story. But take a look at what you’re churning out and answer me this question: Are you giving enough time for your writing to mature?

In the beginning, I certainly wasn’t. A few years ago, desperate to get published and to have my work seen, I was throwing out submissions all over the place. Now, I’d cringe to see some of them out there. It’s a bit like the first novel you write – the one that you should pack into a drawer and attach a chain and padlock to before storing in a vault somewhere. Whatever you write needs time to develop, mature and improve, but lets face it: some of what you write is going to be bad.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but some of those gems are mediocre. Disconnected. Unworkable. Beyond saving. You will have learned something by going through the process, but not everything you write is publishable. As writers, we need to learn to distinguish between what’s suitable for publication and what is simply a useful writing exercise that’s for personal use only. No matter how well you write, not everything you produce should be shared in the public domain. But this shouldn’t be seen as a negative issue: it’s part of the process that professional writers have to go through on their way to being…well, professional.

So, if you’re worrying about a lack of submissions, even though you’re writing every minute you can, stop being hard on yourself. It’s part of your chosen profession. Put your energies into writing as often as you can, make sure that your work is of a high standard, and enjoy the process. Don’t concern yourself with the result – simply enjoy what you do. Write for you, with high standards in mind. That way, you’ll eventually end up with a store of submittable pieces, without the added stress.

Remember: be a tortoise and don’t rush to submit your work. With a little space, you’re likely to spot a few areas of improvement, so be prepared and start your work early. Mark out competition deadlines early in the year and get a head start before letting your masterpiece sit for a while. Alternatively, if there’s a theme attached, look for one of your incomplete stories or poems to edit nearer the time. But take your time and make sure you’re 100% sure it’s your very best work before sending. You may end up with less submissions circulating, but…

Won’t you feel better if the work you’re showing to editors has had the time and attention it deserves?

(with thanks to @nerin_ for inspiring this post)