How often do you look at the clouds?

I always thought that if I hadn’t become a writer I would study the weather.  I love the look of clouds, what they predict, what they can tell and quite possibly the concept that the sky and world is so vast.

I don’t usually get the chance, but this morning I sat in the garden and watched the sunrise, it was probably due to it being the first week back at school and daylight saving. Either way it reminded me (as I watched the gilded pink clouds surf across the sky) that where as others can just notice the world and its moments of beauty, for writers it is part of the job description. How can we write if we don’t see the small things and memorise wonders? Because surely this is what puts the depth, senses and reality into our work. Without the visual descriptions how can we paint the pictures and create a fantasy?

So, when did you last look at the clouds?

Writing Exercise

Look around you and notice one of the small wonders of our world. Absorb the moment and then write an indepth description of it. I can guarantee it won’t be long before you find a piece of writing to include it in.

Today’s Writing Exercise

Write a story that involves a Superhero, a cup of tea, a pack of playing cards and the driver of cement mixer truck.

Pick your genre, age range, writing style, it’s all up to you. Just have fun. 

And to think that the main controversy kicked up by J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series of books was the witchcraft, now it would appear that Dumbledore is gay! (Click here for the news report). Don’t you love the freedom, plotting and plain sneekiness of being a writer?

Just come back from a great retreat run by Present Perfect. We had yoga, writing, life coaching, discussions, to say nothing of amazing food and a wonderful time.

I’ve come home with no end of thoughts, but one interesting writing quote that came out of the weekend was, ‘I can’t write poetry in cold blood’. I think that puts things perfectly for so many of us who only write poetry when the emotions are in full flight. Thanks Annette for the quote, Susie for the weekend and Nikki for the great food

I was contemplating today about what I would consider as the perfect blog, in other words what would make me log into a blog everyday. The solution I came up with was one that was friendly, honest and positive. One that gave me information and updates on writing and one that encouraged me to write. All quite simple really since all these things are important to me. Therefore, guess what? I have finally found a focused direction for this blog.  

So here is a writing trigger to get you started.

Imagine you’re travelling down a road, when out of the corner of your eye you spot what looks like a journal. When you open the book only one page is written on and what it says answers a personal and burning question that had previously had seemed unsolvable.

What does it say?

How do you react?

What do you do with the journal?

How does it change things?

I found some wonderful journals the other day. They are ideal for writing, crafting, scrapbooking, gifts and who knows what else. You know how sometimes you just see things and they inspire so many ideas that you just have to buy one. In fact, I liked them so much that I am now selling them through the Life’s Inspirational Moments store.

My thoughts are that they will make an fantastic holiday journal, special birthday/occasion scrapbook, children’s project book, christmas gift, the list goes on.

So if you journal, write, scrapbook, are crafty, have children and grandchildren, or are looking to create a special memento … In fact, if you do anything, are anything or have anything I really recommend you take a minute to click on the link to my store to check these out.

Did you know that the median annual income for Australian writers was $11,700? (according to a survey done by writingWA, which was previously the State Literary Centre)

Which means most Australian writers must have a second job or a supportive family. 

Sad, isn’t it? Not the supportive family bit, but the fact that there must be some writers earning a pitance if you take into account that some are earning a truckload.

On the other hand it also shows what a determined and focused group writers can be. We know we want to write, we have faith in it and that’s what we are going to do regardless of all else - and, that I think, is the truly wonderful bit.

It’s official! The Writing From The Heart e-course is due to run again 4th October 2007.

It’s a 4 week, e-course that focus’ on writing autobiographical, publishable stories. Click here to read reviews from previous students or to find out more about the course.

Book early

Were you, or even are you, a fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five? If so, you might be interested in the this news clip announcing that the series is now going to be updated into a television series.

As somebody who grew up reading almost all of Enid Blyton’s books and having passed many of them on to my children, the news makes me excited and nervous. Yes it will be great to have the Famous Five immortalised in yet another technology, but, since I’m not convinced that our children find the stories as gripping as we did, I’m concerned about the popularity of the series and the changes that might be made to attract a larger audience. But then maybe the stories don’t need changing to attract children, maybe they just need to make the transition from ‘the books mum read’ to ’cool books’?

Do your children read Enid Blyton? 

At the beginning of last week I was discussing with ‘the man’ the possibility of running a selection of e-courses. At the time I wasn’t sure if there was a sufficient call for any.

However, in the days since the discussion I have had two totally unprompted requests to re-run the ‘Writing From The Heart’ e-course. (Don’t you just love the way life works?)

So I am now proud to announce that I will be running another, Writing From The Heart’ e-course. Details as yet aren’t confirmed but it looks like the 4 week course will be starting on 5th October 2007. If you’re interested the fee is $120, but includes $80 of critiquing in the price.

More details soon, just wanted to give you the heads up.