Tag Archives: magic

Wintering

Posted on by vgemmell

A quote caught my attention recently on LinkedIn where a writer referenced Laura Strom (who is part of a Regenerative Leadership group) where she described ‘Wintering’ : ‘Wintering and resting are timeless practices that invite us to slow down, reconnect with inner nature, and tap into the depths of our creative cauldron. In a world that glorifies constant productivity and ceaseless activity, intentional rest becomes an act of rebellion, a means to disrupt the status quo. It is through rest that we challenge the notion that our worth is solely defined by our achievements and productivity.’ I’m aware author Katherine May has also penned a book called Wintering (which I’ve never read, have you? ) and I suspect from reading the blurb, it will follow a similar philosophy to the quote above.

As soon as we hit Autumn, and the days shorten, my body goes into a bit of hibernation mode. After I launched my latest book in August my automatic thoughts turned to ‘hurry up and get on with the next project’ but this is the first time for a while I have yet to actually start the next project and I’m giving myself permission to take a bit of a break. I have plenty of ideas zooming around my head which are often making it onto paper in scribbled note form. The ideas form two very different projects, which I think is a big reason why I am stalling as I can’t decide which to focus on and get on with! But I also do feel like I need a bit of a break.

I’m tired of logging into social media and wondering what to post. And I also haven’t posted on here in a while. I’ve got a day off today so decided it was time to log in to get some words down! I get so much fatigue from talking to people all day long in my day job I just crave a bit of silence sometimes from words and thoughts and often shy away from updating my social media feeds because I can’t even begin to think about how to be ‘engaging’. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but when I see other writers I follow post regularly about all the exciting things they are achieving I always think I should do better.

But then this line from the quote really resonated: ‘challenge the notion that our worth is solely defined by our achievements and productivity’

In the writing world sometimes I think we forget to post about the joy of just creating a wonderful character, or celebrating the days where we have crafted a bewitching line of narrative, or written a scene that suddenly comes together in a seamless way that makes you doubt you even wrote it… Even that sounds like focusing too much on productivity, but it’s the magical feeling of being swept up in words that keeps me returning to projects, or starting new projects, even if I’m feeling a bit tired and fatigued. Because I know how much enjoyment it brings me, when I’m in the middle of writing a book or a story that starts to come alive and almost wants to write itself. And during the days it doesn’t; that’s okay too. The words will always come.

The good thing about the darker evenings is the feeling that it is okay to want to stay indoors and curl up with a good book or good film/TV series and not think about doing too much else. I’ve been on a bit of a reading slump this year so I feel like I need to give myself permission to slow down and enjoy soaking up other peoples’ stories for a while, before I start my next one….

And actually I have been enjoying other peoples’ stories the past few weeks as I was asked to judge a short story competition for Greenock Writers’ group. I’ll be returning there this evening (after doing a talk there back in September). I’m very much looking forward to reading out my results, and hopefully meeting the winners. It was a very welcoming, enthusiastic group and it always reminds me that another aspect of the writing world I really enjoy is meeting up with other writers, and talking about writing!

Happy November, and here’s to giving ourselves permission over the next few months for some ‘Wintering’

I dwell in possibility

Posted on by vgemmell
Pixabay image by Syaibatulhamdi

It’s the last day in November and the last day of my writing challenge where I have used prompts every day (since the weekend I started) throughout the month to write a post on here.

Today’s prompt is to use the Emily Dickinson quote I dwell in possibility to write a poem, essay or story. I’m writing a straight forward post instead (though I guess it could be classed as an essay) as I feel this title is very apt to end on.

Successfully completing this challenge has reminded me it’s possible to make time, even if it’s just for an hour at the end of the day, to sit down and write, or focus on something creative. Waking up my imagination reminds me of the magic that exists in the everyday.

When I start a big project such as a novel, I love that feeling of anticipation, of not knowing exactly how a story is going to unfold or if I’m even going to be able to successfully transport what is in my head onto paper. Sadly it doesn’t always turn out the way I want it to – a bit like when you have a very vivid dream and it’s all so clear and you are sure you can relay it scene by scene, but something happens in those waking hours where you can’t quite capture the story in a cohesive way.

But then you tell yourself there are other dreams still to come, there are other stories that will be written. And it’s exciting thinking this could turn into something amazing, dazzling, which could be life-changing for you. Or at least sell and be read by a wider audience. Every time I hit send on a piece of work to a competition there is a sense of possibility – maybe, you never know…

My writing has enriched my life, not only be feeding my soul and giving me a feeling of purpose and drive, but by opening up a world where I’ve met so many interesting people – both other writers and readers, and creatives. It has taken me on adventures to schools, book shops, writing groups, conferences, community events, libraries, colleges and universities. It has kept me sane when the day job gets too intense, or real-life gets challenging. It has brought some of my best friends and best experiences into my life. It keeps me curious, and keeps me wanting to get better at my craft and try new things.

I saw a post on instagram earlier today with a quote from someone saying they were bored of reading the successful under 40 lists and they wanted to see stories of people later in life achieving their dreams, or striving for them. Someone in the comment section called @_d_u_n_e said in her tribe in Nigeria there is an adage which translates, ‘whenever a person wakes up, is their morning’

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow – each day I dwell in possibility.

A thank you to readers

Posted on by vgemmell
Pixabay image by Gerd Altmann

Today’s prompt is to ‘Write a thank you note to my readers’. A good place to start is to thank you for reading my blog post/s. As we hurtle towards the end of November my challenge of writing a post a day is drawing to a close. I really appreciate the messages a couple of friends have sent to say they’ve enjoyed the email alert with my post dropping in each day, and for comments on here. I mainly set this particular challenge to test myself and see if I was disciplined enough to do it, as well as get a bit more creative with my writing, but it’s nice to know it’s not all falling into an ether abyss!

In previous posts I’ve talked about how as a writer a large proportion of my time is obviously spent alone when getting words down on paper/screen, attempting to shape the ideas and characters filling my head into some kind of story that makes sense. If I’m lucky those words will then reach readers, and there’s nothing better when a reader then makes contact out of the blue to tell me my words/story/book has resonated with them. When a reader takes the time to tag me on social media with a positive message, send me a direct message, or write a review for my books it really means so much.

When I was thinking about writing this post it made me reflect on some of my favourite comments/messages I’ve had from readers and I have posted some below, because I think writers can be really bad at celebrating the ‘wins’ -not book awards- for me, these are my ‘wins’. Also during in-person events having teenage boys (who we are told don’t read anymore – actually they do!), tell me my book is their all-time favourite/that they were up till the early hours finishing it, means so much.

I loved this story, so sad and poignant. *** Heartbreaking and heartwarming, this one had me bawling (in a good way) *** What a powerful story. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your beautiful words ***

(Lovely messages from readers who read my winning ‘School’ story in Writing Magazine last year)

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I felt like I was living and breathing the story, and the characters were all so fascinating that at times it felt hypnotic…. Like all great books it’s the little things that make it special – this book has lots of special moments. Skilful dialogue, tension, dark tones and mystery… It’s the sort of book that readers mourn when they finish. (an early review for Follow Me that meant so much!)

IT WAS AMAZING!! I started it on Friday, and I couldn’t put it down!! I really, truly couldn’t stop reading, and I went to bed quite late over the past few nights because it was so good! Once you read one chapter, you HAVE to read another one, and another one, and another one. I loved it. (a heart-warming message a young person sent me after reading Follow Me after one of my earliest writer events)

I love love love your books ( a message from a reader who had just finished Promise Me)

I love your writing

Comments like these keep me going on the days I read my work and think it’s garbage, when I’m at the sticky middle of a project that feels like it’s sinking, when I question why I spend so much time in this mad world of my imagination when it really doesn’t always reap a lot of reward, when I’m tired and tell myself I’d rather spend my time doing a million other things that don’t involve sitting down and getting words on paper….

But then I remember the magic I felt at points of the story when it all started to come together, and when a reader tells me they felt a bit of that magic too, that is what makes all of this worth it. Thank you!

The little trips

Posted on by vgemmell

Home today after a night away in Stirling (and back on my laptop for this post, so hopefully the photos might not look so squashed together!). When looking through my prompts I landed on: ‘Write about the best trip you’ve ever taken’ and I decided to put a spin on this. I’ve been lucky enough to travel abroad to some spectacular places, and maybe I will still do a post about one of those holidays, but some of my favourite trips are ones that have become a bit of a tradition – small places not too far from home which have become favourite haunts. Stirling is a city my husband and I have visited a number of times over the years and we have a favourite B&B and a couple of favourite restaurants we go to now. We enjoy dropping in on the lovely indie bookshop/cafe the Book Nook., and on this trip we discovered a new shop, called Made in Stirling which was filled with amazing art products from local artists.

Another tradition is to drop in to Tir na NOg on the way home, which I call my ‘happy place’. I took some photos (above) but they don’t do it justice. I love the little shops here bursting with magical trinkets; candles, crystals, cute ornaments, gorgeous jewellery, cards and so on. The courtyard is always lit up which looks particularly nice in the darker, autumn months. Today it was looking quite festive, with colourful lights. The Soup Dragon cafe serves amazing food. We had too big a breakfast for lunch today, but I managed one of their very tasty brownies. As I was sitting in the courtyard I began to daydream about how great it would be to open a bookshop/cafe that captured the spirit of both The Book Nook, and Tir na NOg…. if anyone with any business sense wants to get in touch…

The best thing about the trip this weekend was we didn’t book it until the last minute and the spontaneity added to the fun.

Here’s to the next little trip….

Why I love writing

Posted on by vgemmell
Edited image by Enrique Mesegue~ Pixabay

Skipping ahead one prompt to do a post this evening about why I love writing. When I took part in the Writetober23 challenge during October over on Instagram one of the questions I had to answer was why do I write, and aspects of my post below capture some of my response.

Reading inspired me to start attempting to write my own stories. To this day, when I read a good book I can feel something firing up inside of me; reading a good story makes me feel exhilarated. A great book makes me want to be a great writer and to create characters and situations that will resonate and pull the reader into another world, and drift along on adventures and be captivated by emotion.

Writing has always felt a part of me. I love the fact I can create characters and worlds, letting my imagination take over. It feels like I get to live multiple lives without ever having to leave the house (though I find getting out into the world provides the best inspiration!).

When I write and it’s going well it’s like some kind of magic starts to happen. It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe, but you will often hear creative people say they get lost ‘in the flow’, when they are deep in writing, creating art, playing music, whatever. I think you can feel that sense of ‘flow’ from the other side too, when you are consuming good art – the kind that takes you out of your body and transports you somewhere new.

When I’m in ‘the flow’ of writing it’s like my brain exits my body and I connect to something much bigger and more freeing than logic. Feelings and instinct take over and finally that inner voice, the bad critic one that tries to overthink and overanalyse every word, is silenced, and the words just flow. It’s sort of similar to touch typing – somehow I know where the letters are on the keyboard without even looking or thinking about where they are. But guaranteed if I start to analyse how I could possibly know, I then start to lose the magic, and stumble over the keys. So the trick for me is to try to keep in that heightened state of mind for as long as possible. I think this is why on good writing days I can just keep writing and writing, as I don’t want to break the spell. And listening to emotional music often helps me keep in the flow, taking me outside of reality for a while.

What I also love about writing is the chance to have fun and tap into my imagination. I have a day off work tomorrow and I’m delivering a flash fiction workshop to Erskine Writers. I like delivering creative workshops as I love seeing what ideas the participants come up with from the prompts I set, and I find it a freeing way of experimenting with different forms.

Setting myself this challenge, of writing posts inspired by daily prompts, is a great way to just let go of over-thinking and seeing what happens! It’s taking me back to the core of what I love about writing; being able to express myself and connect with the world whilst having some fun along the way.