Tag Archives: Life

Why do you write?

Posted in Writing by

Oftentimes, the conscious act of writing is personal. Our minds can become heavily trafficked by every day problems and life:

* Something you did didn’t go to plan and you start fretting.
* Someone else’s stress starts affecting you.
* Marital issues become unbearable.
* Lack of money and an increase in bills have you panicking.
* Your boss dumps a huge pile of work on your desk at 3pm on a Friday, expecting it to be done by Monday, yet you have plans to take the kids away to a theme park.

Daily struggles have a way of consuming our thoughts with loud chatter, and as humans we often need an outlet, a medium to voice the craziness in order to clear the clutter. For many, the choice is to sit with a cuppa and vent, let it out to those closest to you. For others, they choose to write it down. Whether somebody else sees it is irrelevant, the aim is to empty the mind.

This is why writing is often personal; it’s a kind of therapy. 
You bare all your darkest secrets, desires and fears on the page because you know it won’t judge you. There’s no reply. No criticism. It’s your sanctuary to explore your current journey.

Sometimes, you write to understand what you’re thinking. It’s a logical thought process that enables to get you from A to B in order to find the solution.

“The written word, in all its forms, holds tremendous power.”
Hrvoje Butkovic

However, I write to quieten the madness inside me, to give structure and purpose to my every day musings. It’s there I’m most objective; I see what’s going on around me as if through a filter lens.

“I write to give myself strength.
I write to be the characters that I am not.
I write to explore all the things I’m afraid of.”
Joss Whedon

I write to mould words into life, to give credence to what I observe. It isn’t easy to write coherently, to have readers sympathise with your characters, but the joy of fitting sentences together like the pieces of a jigsaw is undeniably satisfactory. Yes, it’s a long, lonely road filled with a constant battle between doubt and glee, but the gratification of a completed project makes it worthwhile. Your efforts will be rewarded eventually.

“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold;
they change the world into words.”
William H. Gass

I made a deliberate decision to write publicly:

* To open myself up to new opinions and thoughts in order to grow.
* To view the Universe through another’s eyes.
* To learn.

I will never know enough about this craft to honestly profess I need not study anymore. Writing evolves every day, making it more exciting and challenging, forcing me to work harder.

I might never reach the status of Writing Queen. But that doesn’t stop me from trying. When passion, determination and ambition collide, magic happens. Don’t let fear get in the way of your dreams; you deserve what you’re willing to work for.

“You can make anything by writing.”
C. S. Lewis

Struggling with being a writer in the age of social media? Check this article out. You’re not alone.

Finally, last call to submit your questions to me in my open Q&A session. All entries must be given in by the end of Saturday 4th February 2017. The giveaway is also open internationally. Read this short post for more information.

Winters’ Wonder & Woes

Posted in Writing by

The  soft  jingle  of  bells  echoed  throughout  the   house  as  another  cheesy  Christmas  song  came  on.  The  dulcet   tones  and  happy  bass  spread  cheer  across  the  sleek  sound  system,  gifted  by  Santa  last  year.

Flour  coated  the  kitchen  side,  and  pastry  rolled  into  neat  shells  lay  waiting  for  its  delicious  mincemeat  filling.  The  oven  timer  beeped  signalling  the  first  batch  of  mince  pies  were  ready,  and  as  I  opened  the  door  the  heat  greeted  my  face  with  the  delightful  scent  of  Christmas  spice.

The  happy  sounds  of  laughter  travelled  from  the  living  room,  and  my  curiosity  peaked.  I  ventured  into  the  room  and  gasped  at  the  beauty  it  held.

Pines  scattered  across  the  floor   which  left  a  trail  directly  to  the  tree.   It  was  adorned  with  red  and  gold  tinsel  that  had  baubles  to  match.  The  colourful  lights  twinkled  elegantly,  beaming  like  a  beacon  to  the  man  in  red.

The  joy  that  came  with  the  countdown  to  Christmas  ignited  the  spirit  that  roamed  about  the  house.  Invisible  to  the  eye  like  specks  of  dust,  it  brought  smiles  instead  of  sneezes.

Dusk  gave  way  to  night  and  the  stars  partnered  with  the  moon  for  light.  Serenity  washed  over  me,  as  the  simple  pleasures  in  life  completed  me.

I  sat  on  the  windowsill  with  my  chin  resting  on  my  knees.  I  stared  out  the  window  and  watched  the  nights’  sky.  Two  stars  sparkled  brighter  than  the  rest  and  it  brought  tears  to  my  eyes.

The  evil  of  life  that  succumbed  us  all,  was  the  death  that  robbed  us  of   this  world.  Two  great  humanitarians,  though  different  in  their  nature,  shared  a   tremendous  commonality  in  helping  others.  They  lost  their  lives,  and  joined  the  sky  as  the  shiniest  of  stars.  It  left  an  empty  space  beside  my  heart  to  think  of  sorrow  at  such  a  merry  time  of  year.  I  didn’t  need  to  believe  in  the  same  faith  as  everyone  else  to  have  compassion  run  deep  in  my  veins.

As  the  night  continued,  the  silent  whisper  of  the  wind  danced  about  the  leaves  that  had  gathered  on  the  ground.  I  closed  my  eyes,  and  sent  a  wish  to  the  beautiful  stars  that  glistened  like  diamonds.

I  hoped  they’d  find  peace.

Regrets Removed

Posted in Nature's Destiny, Writing by

The  dark  sky  embraced  the  evening  signifying  an  end  to  another  day.  The  bitter,   cold  air  whistled  through  the  open  window,  blowing  its  way  through  the  room.  Goosebumps  ran  across  my  body,  raising  the  hair  on  my  arms.  I  shivered  as  the  sensations  travelled  down  my  spine.

The  small,  bleak  room  had  doubt  running  through  my  mind,  but  I  quickly  squashed  the  feeling  in  favour  of  happiness.

I   relaxed  in  the  most  comfortable  chair  I’d  ever  been  in  and  let  my  thoughts  wander.  Optimism  set  in  to   my  pensive  musings.  I  couldn’t  afford  to  live  a  life  of  ‘what  ifs’  and  regrets  when  time  was  moving  forward,  and  I,  backwards.

The  past  was  where  it  should  remain.  I  was  thankful  for  the  journey   I’d  taken  to  create  my  path  of  footprints  within  the  world.  It  hadn’t  been  easy,  the  road  I’d  travelled  had  more  than  a  few  bumps,  but  was  it  worth  it?

Completely.  I  wouldn’t  be  where  I  was  today  without  it.  Without  regrets  I  can  live  freely.

“Sometimes  you  just  have  to  stop  and  take  in  your  surroundings.  Really  look  at  where   you  are  in  life,  otherwise  it’s  just  going  to  pass  you  by.  Regret  is  a  heavy  word  to  live  with.”
–  Riley,  Nature’s  Destiny  (coming  2014)