I don't know if other writers do the same, but I'm guessing I'm not alone in this.
I've started another book. Just up and started another one while working on one manuscript already.
Over the years I've learned to just go along with it. I am likely to either a) switch to this new one as my main work-in-progress, or I will get some kind of spirit writing beginning or frenzied few first chapters and then bottom-drawer it until I'm done the present project.
It would appear to get confusing, but everything stays surprisingly clear. And the two works are worlds apart. This new one has a distinct Traveler flavor. The color, the passion, the gypsy vibe.
I'm simply a conduit. The words will come when they choose. It has nothing to do with me.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
The Boring Bits
Some days it takes real effort to get down to the writing, even though the activity is one of my favorites.
Unfortunately all writing, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, short or long pieces, has parts of it that just aren't fun to write. Like the filing that needs to be done, no matter how much you like the office you work in.
Tedious and seemingly insignificant tasks can sometimes be the most important. Imagine the state of an office without filing anything. Or books and articles without the segues and "boring" parts that connect a story or train of thought.
I forget the importance of these tasks sometimes.
That makes me want to find the joy in them again.
Unfortunately all writing, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, short or long pieces, has parts of it that just aren't fun to write. Like the filing that needs to be done, no matter how much you like the office you work in.
Tedious and seemingly insignificant tasks can sometimes be the most important. Imagine the state of an office without filing anything. Or books and articles without the segues and "boring" parts that connect a story or train of thought.
I forget the importance of these tasks sometimes.
That makes me want to find the joy in them again.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Can Be Seen In Faces
Old pictures tell tales. New pictures tell tales, but in a different way.
I took a long look at some old photos I have of family. One picture is of my grandmother and grandfather shortly after they married. My father looked so much like the man in the photo. The same hair line, mouth, ears, hands even, holding their cigars the same way. Almost eerie.
My grandmother has an entirely different look, considering her background isn't his, that's not surprising I suppose. I could see my own features in hers, in a long-ago haunted kind of way. I saw the shape of my eyes and the cheek angles. Small details. But they were there.
I had the inscription on the back translated. It was a gift of love from her to him, this picture. The inscription faded nearly completely. The handwriting carefully formed and obviously written in a second language, not her own.
She grew up poor. Good solid peasant stock, my mother used to say. (the ease with which I birthed babies might attest to that)
Looking into eyes of the past always makes the present seem so much more here, now.
I took a long look at some old photos I have of family. One picture is of my grandmother and grandfather shortly after they married. My father looked so much like the man in the photo. The same hair line, mouth, ears, hands even, holding their cigars the same way. Almost eerie.
My grandmother has an entirely different look, considering her background isn't his, that's not surprising I suppose. I could see my own features in hers, in a long-ago haunted kind of way. I saw the shape of my eyes and the cheek angles. Small details. But they were there.
I had the inscription on the back translated. It was a gift of love from her to him, this picture. The inscription faded nearly completely. The handwriting carefully formed and obviously written in a second language, not her own.
She grew up poor. Good solid peasant stock, my mother used to say. (the ease with which I birthed babies might attest to that)
Looking into eyes of the past always makes the present seem so much more here, now.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Taking A Break is Good For The Spirit
My grandmother always told me that a break was the healing of a scratched soul. I understand what she meant and have taken a rather long break in the novel. I found myself floundering for words and holes in plots and considered it worth my while to set it aside for the time being.
It may end up living or taking up space in a drawer, but either way I needed new perspective and I'm finding it quickly. I love insight.
It may end up living or taking up space in a drawer, but either way I needed new perspective and I'm finding it quickly. I love insight.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Ink & Magic
In my life, magic and writing are part of the same whole. Both find a deep relationship with me and I with them. I can't imagine my life without either of them.
My magic comes about within my writing. I suss out the problem by writing, and then fix it with the aid of magic. That may not make sense to some, but to those who use magic as a part of everyday life, like the air we breathe, will know what I mean.
Magic is building. The energy is there.
My magic comes about within my writing. I suss out the problem by writing, and then fix it with the aid of magic. That may not make sense to some, but to those who use magic as a part of everyday life, like the air we breathe, will know what I mean.
Magic is building. The energy is there.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Writer and the Gypsy Inside
I'm gearing up to do travel pieces. We're going to be a travelling family again. We all miss it and we've been wanting to head to the Pacific Northwest again. Mr. Quill will be making the archery rounds for competition and I'll be doing travel / paranormal pieces again. We've been planning this awhile and really enjoy the idea of being a travelling writer (as opposed to a travel writer ;) )
We all have to follow our passions and two of my greatest are writing and travelling. I will always do readings, but these are a few of my favorite things. (bursting into song, etc)
Don't get me wrong, nothing ever goes absolutely according to plan, but we've got a pretty strong mental picture of where we want to be. Manifestation is a core part of our lives...not only as practicing craft folk, but as a principle to joy in life. Catalogue shopping with the gods.
What an amazing day.
We all have to follow our passions and two of my greatest are writing and travelling. I will always do readings, but these are a few of my favorite things. (bursting into song, etc)
Don't get me wrong, nothing ever goes absolutely according to plan, but we've got a pretty strong mental picture of where we want to be. Manifestation is a core part of our lives...not only as practicing craft folk, but as a principle to joy in life. Catalogue shopping with the gods.
What an amazing day.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Growth of the Writing Spirit
Just as any work is affected by influences upon its creator, the growth of spirituality can deeply shift a writer’s perspective. Those writers who embrace beliefs of the New Age will often notice their style change. They find their focus has narrowed while treatment of that focus expands greatly. For instance, people whose spirituality is touching or has imbedded itself in the metaphysical examinations of this Age of Aquarius see many of life’s larger issues in a different light. Birth, death, love, children....these pieces of the human condition are viewed in very different ways as older beliefs are shed either rapidly or more subtly.
The basic foundation of much of what we call the New Age is very simple in its essence. As with most conceptual philosophies of our history, the principle common to “branches” of new age thought is the principle of karma. Incorporated in the larger picture of the contemporary view of karma we find many other basic laws that teach essentially the same thing - the native expression... walk a mile in your neighbor’s moccasins; the wiccan rede...and it harm none, do what ye will; the Christian tenet...do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Today’s meaning of the word “karma” teaches a rather generalized principle of knowing that what you put out into the universe comes back to you. (Some believe times three...others times ten, etc.) But in its basic form, karma teaches the same lesson as the examples shown above. Having said that, try to imagine a writer who’s perspective has shifted to one of karmic balance. Their work could change as drastically as a member of the NRA throwing weapons away and joining ranks with a group of animal rights activists. On the subtle end, a writer may employ more debate, balance and non-judgment. They may become capable of presenting both sides of an issue or discussion much more comfortably. Of course, the true magic of balanced spirituality and a sense of peace may very well lie in the self-confidence a writer gains as a result of this new perspective. Believing him or herself to be one with the universe, of being a part of a much greater Force can imbibe the work with a different kind of “magic”. A flow; a course following an independent line in reasoning. A continuity that might otherwise be inhibited by rhetoric and more rigid dogma. Learning to view the world in terms of reciprocal energy flow opens the writer to a whole universe of new thought processes, new behaviors and new perspectives. The writer in this New Age has at their fingertips, an entirely new overview from which to draw material.
Fodder for the spiritual writer’s cannon.
(reprint from 2000)
The basic foundation of much of what we call the New Age is very simple in its essence. As with most conceptual philosophies of our history, the principle common to “branches” of new age thought is the principle of karma. Incorporated in the larger picture of the contemporary view of karma we find many other basic laws that teach essentially the same thing - the native expression... walk a mile in your neighbor’s moccasins; the wiccan rede...and it harm none, do what ye will; the Christian tenet...do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Today’s meaning of the word “karma” teaches a rather generalized principle of knowing that what you put out into the universe comes back to you. (Some believe times three...others times ten, etc.) But in its basic form, karma teaches the same lesson as the examples shown above. Having said that, try to imagine a writer who’s perspective has shifted to one of karmic balance. Their work could change as drastically as a member of the NRA throwing weapons away and joining ranks with a group of animal rights activists. On the subtle end, a writer may employ more debate, balance and non-judgment. They may become capable of presenting both sides of an issue or discussion much more comfortably. Of course, the true magic of balanced spirituality and a sense of peace may very well lie in the self-confidence a writer gains as a result of this new perspective. Believing him or herself to be one with the universe, of being a part of a much greater Force can imbibe the work with a different kind of “magic”. A flow; a course following an independent line in reasoning. A continuity that might otherwise be inhibited by rhetoric and more rigid dogma. Learning to view the world in terms of reciprocal energy flow opens the writer to a whole universe of new thought processes, new behaviors and new perspectives. The writer in this New Age has at their fingertips, an entirely new overview from which to draw material.
Fodder for the spiritual writer’s cannon.
(reprint from 2000)
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