Writing Lessons

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Yesterday I attended the NSW Emerging Writers Festival. The first session of the day comprised of 5 Australian authors giving their writing tips—Tom Doig, Delia Falconer, Benjamin Law, Laura Jean McKay and Walter Mason.

This was favourite part of the day. It lead me to think about what I have learnt on my writing journey—from book to blogging.

1. Begin by writing. Don’t worry about order—get your ideas down. Form and order come in the editing process. The more you write, the quicker and more naturally, form and order come.

2. Use every spare moment to write. Half of my book was written in 10-30 minute sessions on my daily train commute. I continue this habit with my blogging.

3. Believe in yourself. Self doubt can and will question your ability. I heard it and kept going anyway. I let my audience decide if my writing was good enough. So far, feedback has been positive.

4. Find ways to talk about your work. Initially, I didn’t know how to bring my work up in conversation. So I focused on it. The more I talked about it, the easier it got. Yesterday, I joined a panel at the writers festival to discuss my work and my ideas. It was fun. Afterwards I was surprised and  excited by how natural it felt.

5. Prioritise your time. There will always be a reason not to write—too busy, too tired, somebody else needs something. Find a way to incorporate everything you want to do in a day. This is where writing in short sessions helps.

The secret is—find what works for you and keep doing it. If you really want to do something—you will find away.

 

Daily Prompt: Yoda

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Someone or something you can’t communicate with through writing (a baby, a pet, an object) can understand every single word you write today, for one day only. What do you tell them?

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Yoda we loved you—although I am sure that today is not the only we have been able to communicate with you. You can into our life after the tragic loss of your first owner. You settle in and seemed to know the rules very quickly— as if they were unsaid.

Your original name was Black Kid, but that was too hard for us simple folk so we changed it to Blackie—not for long. You were always so wise and there when we needed you. You had a way about you that was welcoming and even non-cat people liked you. Not long after joining our family, one of the children decided you looked like a wise old man, so your name was instantly changed to Yoda. You answered immediately and your personality developed more.

My daughter loved you so much she thought you were her baby and together with my husband, they bought you a high chair to eat off on special occasions. Being a loving cat, you played the game—which made your mummy very happy. You never tried to eat off any other table as if you knew this one was special for you.

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As the least cat friendly person in the house you snuggled up to me and entered my heart without me even realising. It would annoy the others that if I sat in my chair, you would come, sit on me and stay for hours in the one position—leaving me to read and them to do the housework. Thank you. After all, the rule was that they wouldn’t move the settled cat because he looked so cute. They were very jealous that you never sat on them—I loved our special snuggles.

The one thing I wasn’t so keen on was you trying to help me write by sitting on my lap while I was on the computer. I tried to work with you but it didn’t work. I loved the fact that you wanted to help me and that you wanted to be a part of the family and were always around not hiding.

Thank you coming and sharing our life. Unfortunately when you came to us you were an older cat so your time with us was short. We miss you every day but we love to continue to seek your guidance in from your special place in the front garden watching over your friends in the street.

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Bliss

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I loved the Waikite Valley Thermal Pools in New Zealand. I stood mesmorized and watched them for half an hour—I found this force of nature blissful and relaxing. They were something I had never before experienced.

How high would the mud fly into the air? Where would the next bubble pop? Why does the mud change its composition? Did you see that one? These were my questions.

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Water

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Springboard, platform and show diving has been part of our world for a decade. Supporting our daughter, diving has directed our holidays for many years including taking us overseas on four occasions. I took the above photo at Luna Park in Sydney, before her performance in the dive show—Sky Pirates.

The above see-through dive tank is one of only two in the world. The other is square also owned by Aqua World. It was a different experience seeing the lower half of a dive—the part that is usually covered by the sides of the pool.

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Favourite Holiday Memory

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Two years ago my husband and I travelled to Wuhu, China. It was our first experience in China and we loved it. Wuhu, part of Anhui province is in regional China and has a population of only 2 million people—small by Chinese standards.

Few white people travel to Wuhu as it is a little difficult to get to. So, as the Chinese believe white people bring them luck—we became instant celebrities. Everywhere we went, we had Chinese people coming up to us and communicating any way they could that they wanted to take a photograph with us. We loved it. Because many were students, they also wanted to practise English, so we learnt from them about the area whilst extending their English skills.

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While I was waiting at this temple gate for the sun to set, a Chinese mother was attempting to have her three year old daughter take a photo with me.  The child however had other plans, screamed and wouldn’t let her. After a while the girl realised I wouldn’t hurt her, so she would run up to me, point at my camera, laugh and run away again—as if she was reminding me I didn’t win. She was very cute.

Another interesting part of our holiday was no access to Facebook and limited Google access. Both are regulated by the government. I actually found it a relief to not have to focus on anything from our usual world and just be present—in the here and now absorbing another culture.

Wuhu was easy to get ourselves around by taxis and walking, which gave us confidence. The city itself was old, full of history, culture and beauty. Our visit opened our eyes to many aspects of life in China that as Australians we had never considered. Travel definitely broadens your world.

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Street

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Overlooking ANZ stadium. Can you see the smoke coming out of the chimney?

 

 

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One of the many walkways in the area. Local park in the background.

 

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Street scene with lamp post.

 

These photos of my local area were taken this morning just after dawn, about 0545. I saw one person and one car during the 10 minutes I was taking them. It was very peaceful. Note to self—take more walks at this time of day—it is glorious.

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Home Sweet Home

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Home to me is Newcastle, Australia. The city I grew up in—spending nearly the first 30 years of my life. This photograph overlooks Newcastle Beach. It was taken from James Fletcher Park. The park opposite the entrance to the psychiatric hospital I began my nursing career in the 1980’s.

I loved this view from childhood. So, as an adult I couldn’t believe my luck when I got to see it everyday. Some days—it was my saving grace. I would walk up in my lunch break especially if work was busy, breathe in the view and energise myself.

Today, when I visit Newcastle, if we come in via this direction, I get a warm, welcoming feeling as I see this view again. It gently rocks me as if saying, in it’s own soft tones—you are home.

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Share Your World – 2014 Week 43

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What is your favorite time of day?

I like sunset. Hopefully, I have finished work for the day and it is the transition between working and relaxing. In summer in Australia, many people attempt to predict the heat of the following day by the colour of the sunset—the redder the hotter. I am unsure of the truth behind this tradition.

What’s your favorite charitable cause and why?

My two favourite charities go back to my childhood.

  • Salvation Army—supports disadvantaged families. In May every year, the Salvation Army holds their Red Shield Appeal. As a teenager I was a regular volunteer, knocking on doors and collecting donations, which I loved.
  • Legacy—supports families of returned defence force men and women, in need after their death. The annual Legacy collection is the first Friday in September. My grandfather was in the first and second world wars, so Legacy has always been close to my heart. I have many memories of supporting this cause from school—selling pins in the local shopping centre.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

My perfect rainy day would be spent in the countryside on an old comfortable lounge, in front of an open fire, reading a good book, sipping wine and looking out the window at the drizzling rain on the surrounding green landscape. The last time we had this experience was on the weekend of my husband’s 50th birthday a few years ago. It was so relaxing we never wanted to leave the lounges and didn’t—waiters bought our meals to us. It was heaven.

When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen?

I always write with a pen. I find them smoother and more consistent to write with. If I am writing with a pencil I find that I need to print and this does not help the flow of my thoughts. The fact that I have written with a pen since attaining my pen license in the third grade, 45 years ago helps. I am comfortable with the pen although it must not be too thin—I prefer the chunky style as they fit into my hand better.

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last Sunday I went out to purchase a new outfit for my work Christmas party. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I wanted to go to only one shop that had  a 25% sale and buy something quickly—preferably purple. Success. I left the shop 20 minutes after arriving, with a new black skirt and purple flowing top that works with my body shape.

Going to Newcastle to visit my extended family and celebrate our joint birthdays. It will also be the last time I see most of them before 2015 as we will be in Canada for Christmas.

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Daily Prompt: Survive

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What’s the best story someone else has recently told you (in person, preferably)? Share it with us, and feel free to embellish — that’s how good stories become great, after all.

Bush walking in Australia can be dangerous—even deadly. Situations can change quickly at the hand of mother nature. This is particularly true with canyoning—traveling through canyons using whatever mix of activities is required—abseiling, swimming, walking, jumping, scrambling over rocks etc to get through what is sometimes a very small space. Due to the areas where canyoning is possible, there it often only one way in and out. Without the  knowledge of these exits—you may not survive.

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Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

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Photo Credit: Google Images Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

 

Recently, on a warm autumn day, a group of experienced canyoneers where exploring some of the many canyons in the Blue Mountains. As usual, they had spent the whole day seeing no-one, just enjoying each others company and the peace, serenity and beauty of the canyons.

Suddenly as they were moving through the canyons, they came across four lost unequipped young people. They were scared, freezing from the icy cold water and had run out of food and drink.

“Do you know where you are or do you need help?” asked the group leader.

“Thank God you are here. We have no idea and thought we might die here tonight.” replied the other leader.

“If we hadn’t of come along you probably would have, if you don’t know that the only exit is hidden not far from here. There is no other way out,” he said.

“We have learnt a lot today both about the dangers in the mountains and our own life journey. A brush with death brings you into the here and now quickly,” replied another member of the lost party.

“You are all safe now. We will be back at the top within the hour before it gets to dark. Does anyone need anything before we lead the way out?”said the female of the rescue party.

“No, we are good now. We are ready to leave when you are” replied the lost leader.

And within twenty minutes the older team leader found the hidden exit using his maps as well as knowledge of the area and they began their ascent to safety, teaching the young explores about the Blue Mountains—its dangers and its highlights as they went.

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