“Life is too complicated not to be orderly.”
- Martha Stewart
Aye, okay then, Martha!
It's just not always that easy. Life is definitely complicated, and we human beings have an uncanny knack for making it even more complicated than it needs to be.
July and August are strange limbo months for many of us and it can be a struggle to stay on top of things, especially if you have holidays and children to juggle, as well as work. Time just runs away from you.
I've a couple of hours to myself today that I'm going to use to try and get on top of a few things, because frankly, I've not been able to find the time to write and I'd love to! So below are some reflections on the kinds of things I find help me feel organised and on top of things (which, admittedly, is far too rare a thing!)
Bur first: events around Stirling and online...
--------
Tonight! 7.30 (free)
Federation of Writers: Fb Live - editing poetry
I'm thoroughly looking forward to chatting tonight with this gregarious pair: Morag Anderson and Mark Turner about editing poetry. I always find it - fascinating (and enlightening) - to compare processes. Mark and Morag are not only wonderful folk that I'm incredibly fond of, I'm also a huge admirer of their work and artistic integrity. So this is going to be a fun one.
--------
Poetry workshop: 27th July: (a steal at £5)
Buy tickets for Federation of Writers (Scotland) (tickettailor.com)
- a fun and relaxed session on how to spark ideas for your poetry. Inspire, surprise and invigorate your writing practice. This is the first in a series of three workshops. You'll leave the workshop with at least one poem to take with you onto the next stages.
_____
Donald S Murray - in conversation with - Friday 4th August, 7pm
I had a Zoom chat with Donald just this week about his writing and it was so enjoyable, I honestly can't wait to talk with him again. He's such a lovely, generous chap with a wealth of wisdom and experience to draw on - which I'll be taking full advantage of on the audience's behalf, in order to find out more about his life as a writer, and to gently grill for writing tips. This will be a very open and relaxed conversation with myself and the audience. I'm reading his books just now in preparation and they're stunningly good.
This will be the kind of treat you can sit back and enjoy. It's just a shame the Book Nook doesn't have a fireplace and a set of wingback chairs.
Donald S. Murray Event Tickets (thebooknookstirling.co.uk)
---------
Advance Notice: 26th August Forth Fridays Open Mic - Book Nook
(£3 ticket price, refreshments provided)
Headlining, Billy Letford with his exciting new book
It's just not always that easy. Life is definitely complicated, and we human beings have an uncanny knack for making it even more complicated than it needs to be.
July and August are strange limbo months for many of us and it can be a struggle to stay on top of things, especially if you have holidays and children to juggle, as well as work. Time just runs away from you.
I've a couple of hours to myself today that I'm going to use to try and get on top of a few things, because frankly, I've not been able to find the time to write and I'd love to! So below are some reflections on the kinds of things I find help me feel organised and on top of things (which, admittedly, is far too rare a thing!)
Bur first: events around Stirling and online...
--------
Tonight! 7.30 (free)
Federation of Writers: Fb Live - editing poetry
I'm thoroughly looking forward to chatting tonight with this gregarious pair: Morag Anderson and Mark Turner about editing poetry. I always find it - fascinating (and enlightening) - to compare processes. Mark and Morag are not only wonderful folk that I'm incredibly fond of, I'm also a huge admirer of their work and artistic integrity. So this is going to be a fun one.
--------
Poetry workshop: 27th July: (a steal at £5)
Buy tickets for Federation of Writers (Scotland) (tickettailor.com)
- a fun and relaxed session on how to spark ideas for your poetry. Inspire, surprise and invigorate your writing practice. This is the first in a series of three workshops. You'll leave the workshop with at least one poem to take with you onto the next stages.
_____
Donald S Murray - in conversation with - Friday 4th August, 7pm
I had a Zoom chat with Donald just this week about his writing and it was so enjoyable, I honestly can't wait to talk with him again. He's such a lovely, generous chap with a wealth of wisdom and experience to draw on - which I'll be taking full advantage of on the audience's behalf, in order to find out more about his life as a writer, and to gently grill for writing tips. This will be a very open and relaxed conversation with myself and the audience. I'm reading his books just now in preparation and they're stunningly good.
This will be the kind of treat you can sit back and enjoy. It's just a shame the Book Nook doesn't have a fireplace and a set of wingback chairs.
Donald S. Murray Event Tickets (thebooknookstirling.co.uk)
---------
Advance Notice: 26th August Forth Fridays Open Mic - Book Nook
(£3 ticket price, refreshments provided)
Headlining, Billy Letford with his exciting new book
Writing Retreat - Mindful Writing and Journaling
Sunday 11th September - Friday 15th September
Perfect for those with no experience of writing or meditation, as well as those who wish to enrich existing projects and practices with greater depth, insight and perspective.
Having studied Buddhism for over ten years, and having tutored writers of all ages and experiences for nearly twenty, our tutor Laura specialises in running warm, welcoming and supportive retreats.
Throughout your time here, you’ll engage with sources of inspiration across a broad spectrum! We’ll use mindful exercises and journaling to encourage your creativity, boost your imagination and nurture your wellbeing.
This break is suitable for writers who enjoy working on poetry, novels, stories and/or non-fiction (including memoir). Cultivating a mindful awareness of the world and your reactions to it brings greater sensitivity, compassion and intimacy to the writing process - and to life! Come along and learn a wealth of gently transformative, artistic and fun journaling strategies to use at home.
Laura draws on an abundance of knowledge and experience in order to support writers on their individual journeys. Writers with specific projects in mind may, by all means, contact Laura before they arrive to request sessions on specific aspects of writing, related to novel writing, poetry and memoir (eg. character, structure, description). You'll gain a greater understanding of how to overcome blocks, so often caused by fear, perfectionism or self-criticism. You’ll leave Gartmore House feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, because you’ll have written exciting new work and gained more confidence than you ever thought possible.
Book by contacting the wonderful Gartmore House team here:
01877 382991
[email protected]
Gartmore House, Stirling | Art, Craft & Activity Holidays in Scotland
Sunday 11th September - Friday 15th September
Perfect for those with no experience of writing or meditation, as well as those who wish to enrich existing projects and practices with greater depth, insight and perspective.
Having studied Buddhism for over ten years, and having tutored writers of all ages and experiences for nearly twenty, our tutor Laura specialises in running warm, welcoming and supportive retreats.
Throughout your time here, you’ll engage with sources of inspiration across a broad spectrum! We’ll use mindful exercises and journaling to encourage your creativity, boost your imagination and nurture your wellbeing.
This break is suitable for writers who enjoy working on poetry, novels, stories and/or non-fiction (including memoir). Cultivating a mindful awareness of the world and your reactions to it brings greater sensitivity, compassion and intimacy to the writing process - and to life! Come along and learn a wealth of gently transformative, artistic and fun journaling strategies to use at home.
Laura draws on an abundance of knowledge and experience in order to support writers on their individual journeys. Writers with specific projects in mind may, by all means, contact Laura before they arrive to request sessions on specific aspects of writing, related to novel writing, poetry and memoir (eg. character, structure, description). You'll gain a greater understanding of how to overcome blocks, so often caused by fear, perfectionism or self-criticism. You’ll leave Gartmore House feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, because you’ll have written exciting new work and gained more confidence than you ever thought possible.
Book by contacting the wonderful Gartmore House team here:
01877 382991
[email protected]
Gartmore House, Stirling | Art, Craft & Activity Holidays in Scotland
“For every minute spent organising, an hour is earned.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Okay - now that I've sorted out my events calendar, I feel a bit more prepared for the next few weeks. Taking a little time, as I just have, just helps with the stress levels and prevents any guilt about having let something slip through the cracks.
Speaking of missing things: responding to emails and messages can be surprisingly tricky, especially the ones that require a bit of extra thought or coordination before you reply. If you're anything like me, you read them, promise yourself to respond when you have more headspace, then sometimes forget. So I'm trying to leave them marked "unread" - so that they're still there waiting for me to check off.
Speaking of missing things: responding to emails and messages can be surprisingly tricky, especially the ones that require a bit of extra thought or coordination before you reply. If you're anything like me, you read them, promise yourself to respond when you have more headspace, then sometimes forget. So I'm trying to leave them marked "unread" - so that they're still there waiting for me to check off.
“A good system shortens the road to the goal.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Know yourself. Use your own rhythms - I talk about this often when it comes to setting up a regular writing practice. But it also works for organisation. When I'm on the ball, I use a Sunday to set out my various to-do lists for the week ahead - 4 columns, colour coded for priority, dated with deadlines.
Use your own strengths and weaknesses to your advantage: I work better in the mornings than the evenings, so I try to bag an early night so I can get up before the rest of the house. I front-load my days as much as possible: hydrate, exercise (ha! - maybe not so much, but when I do, I feel so much better for it), and a bit of Wellspring writing.
I also know I work better with a good allowance for flexibility, so I don't ringfence my time too much. I do - however, when I'm doing well - try to prioritise my writing time. I have to, otherwise everything else encroaches and it gets left to the bottom of the pile. It might feel completely contrary paradoxical to schedule in time to play, but sometimes, it's necessary to escape the busy tick-tick-tick of the to-do lists. Come back refreshed.
Speaking of... I'm away to find a peaceful picnic bench somewhere. Off I go to spend some quality time with my favourite notebook and pens.
Happy writing all,
Laura
Use your own strengths and weaknesses to your advantage: I work better in the mornings than the evenings, so I try to bag an early night so I can get up before the rest of the house. I front-load my days as much as possible: hydrate, exercise (ha! - maybe not so much, but when I do, I feel so much better for it), and a bit of Wellspring writing.
I also know I work better with a good allowance for flexibility, so I don't ringfence my time too much. I do - however, when I'm doing well - try to prioritise my writing time. I have to, otherwise everything else encroaches and it gets left to the bottom of the pile. It might feel completely contrary paradoxical to schedule in time to play, but sometimes, it's necessary to escape the busy tick-tick-tick of the to-do lists. Come back refreshed.
Speaking of... I'm away to find a peaceful picnic bench somewhere. Off I go to spend some quality time with my favourite notebook and pens.
Happy writing all,
Laura
RSS Feed