A New Interest

If you follow my book blog Captivated by Books, then you'll know that this week I've been participating in a read-a-thon, and yesterday I finished a collection of short stories by H.G. Wells.

I've wanted to read The Time Machine for quite a while now, after all, it's an iconic story that everyone's heard of; so when I saw it sitting on my shelf at my parent's I picked it up. I have to admit it wasn't what I expected (mainly because I'd seen a film of it that wasn't remotely like the story), and nor was it my favourite story in the book.  However, the whole book itself has opened up my world.

The way in which Wells tells his stories, and the imagination of those stories is just incredible.  I've never been that into science-fiction beyond Doctor Who (so excited for the new episode tonight, but as I don't have TV will have to wait til it's on iPlayer); I think I likely discarded it in my teens for some reason or other. But now I'm realising my tastes may have changed to include science-fiction. Of course I'm aware that not all writers and stories are created equal, but I'm finding myself desperate to lap up any sci-fi I can find, particularly in the form of books and TV shows. I've started watching Stargate Atlantis (as it's on Netflix) ,which a few years ago I wasn't remotely interested in; I don't know if I like it yet but am giving it a fighting chance.

The thing is, I don't really know what sci-fi is out there. So this post is mainly to ask for suggestions of authors or books or shows or films from those of you who already love science-fiction.  And the other part of this post is simply to share my new enthusiasm. Don't you love it when you discover something 'new' that just lights up your mind? I know I do, and I'm so glad I decided to finally read some Wells - I will definitely be reading the rest of his works.

I Will Write

This post was inspired by looking at artwork on Pinterest, which is something I've only recently come across as usually I waste my time looking for craft ideas and recipes that I rarely manage to actually make.  It is unedited and the word vomit of how most of my ideas come to me.

The world is filled with incredible imagination.  Often I go looking for inspiration, and spend the next few days filled with wonder and amazement at all that I have found.  Unfortunately this also has the effect of me not doing any work of my own.  Usually I am hopeful to add my own creativity to the world, but then procrastinate instead of doing.  And other times I simply feel that I have nothing to add.  What more could possibly be needed?  I know that is a double-edged question and no answer will ever suffice.

The thing for me is that I believe in my ability to create amazing work.  But I don’t believe in my imagination to give me the fuel to create said amazing work.  I want to join the ranks of journaling and writing and all those things I find so inspiring; I even know how to.  I just find that I never do.

I know I need to stop worrying about it, and simply start doing.  It doesn’t matter how awful my first attempts at art are – no one has to see them after all.  And yet I find I can never start.  And so I procrastinate and look at the wonders of others, never contributing anything myself. 

But occasionally, every now and then, I start to write about it and that is enough for now.  I am writing something and the more I write, the more I continue to write.  I might not be able to add anything visual just yet, but words can be just as powerful, oftentimes much more powerful.  And so I will stop worrying about my inability to add my art to the world, and focus on the art I know I can do, the art that comes naturally to me.  I will write. (Hopefully much better articulated sentences, paragraphs and stories.)

My Top 7 Posts

I was recently tagged by Dominique of 4 Walls and a View to do a post of my top 7 posts (the link is for the post I was tagged in).  This is not an easy feat for me (part of the reason it's taken me so long to do it) as I have written over 360 posts over the past 3 years.

One of my immediate favourites is Whizzpopping for the Queen a post I wrote when this blog was all new and shiny.  It is a topic that I still believe in and I can't help loving the title.

There are a lot of posts about living with M.E. but I have only decided to share 2 with you here as they can be quite overwhelming to read.  The first one is M.E. is... as it is possibly the simplest explanation of what my personal life looks like.  The second is Having Hope - while I wrote this almost a year ago, it is still something I am choosing - I choose to have hope each and every day. 

Another topic that I've written a lot about is writing but as I haven't really been writing much lately (other than this blog) I don't feel that I connect with many of them right now.  However, My Love Affair -written on Valentine's Day last year- is more about the words than the writing.  And I think I will always be in love with words.

Skimming over the posts I've written I found The Truth which I published late last year.  While I am no longer dealing with the same issues as I was then, I think it's still an important post which can help make a difference so I am adding it to the list.

That leaves just two more posts to include here so I am just going to pick two at random that I have enjoyed re-reading.  A post about diaries, aptly titled Dear Diary and a post written at the beginning of the year 3 Words for 2012 as I think I needed reminding of those words and perhaps you need a little reminder of how you planned to live this year.

I hope you had time to look through a few of the posts that I've linked here.  I am supposed to tag other blogs to join in but, as I don't want anyone to feel pressured to take part, I am simply going to link to a few of my favourite blogs that you should definitely delve into the archives of.

Sarah of This Heavenly Life
Emily of Keeping Time
Kess of The Passing Place
Michael Nobbs of Sustainably Creative
Maegan of Madeline Bea

I hope you will take a little time to pop by each of them and feel free to do your own 'Top 7 Posts' post and link it here.

Typing

I have heard/read many writers say that even if they couldn’t physically write or type, they would find another way to tell their stories.  This has always made me feel left out as that just isn’t true for me.  In the past I have often questioned if I really was a writer as I don’t have many stories just bursting to come out of me.  Primarily, I am not a storyteller. 

But I am a writer.  I’m now beginning to embrace the fact that being a writer does not mean you can only write novels or short stories or poems.  It means you write.  And to me, typing my 750 words each morning, and writing these posts (and many more that never make it to the blog) makes me a writer.  I love sharing my views and I believe that if I couldn’t type for whatever reason, I would probably end up debating with people face to face so I could still let everyone know my opinions on everything.

I’m really hoping that doesn’t happen though.  Not because I don’t think I could hold my own in a debate (though I am a little rusty as I no longer have the practice with my family and at school), but because I hate the idea of never being able to type again.  There is nothing wrong with writing longhand, and I do enjoy it from time to time (though it can cause me a lot of pain in my hand and arm), but I’ve come to realise that one of my true passions in life is typing.

I love the feel of my fingers moving quickly over the keyboard, knowing that the endless clicking is creating sense on the screen (most of the time, anyway).  I love the feel of the keys under my fingertips.  And I love the sense of calm typing gives me.  I am so glad that I am lucky enough to be able to indulge in this passion every morning of every day (well, almost).  I would go as far to say that the reason the morning pages work for me is because of the sense of power and contentment I get from tapping at a keyboard for ten to fifteen minutes without actually having to think about anything.  I have tried doing my morning pages on paper but it just didn’t have the same effect for me.

Is there anything you do every day or very often that you haven’t realised just how much you enjoy?  Something totally random and mundane (I also love washing up as I find it relaxing when my M.E. doesn’t cause me pain from doing it) and beautiful – please share in the comments (or feel free to gush in an entire post about your love, as I have done here).

How Creative Habits Make Sure I Get Something Done Everyday

I have been kind of having a bad week.  Mostly it’s to do with not sleeping particularly well, but there have also been stumbles (leading to blind panic) in my journey.  Today I woke up feeling extra groggy.  Truthfully I didn’t want to write a blog post and do the work that I know needs doing for my business.  Granted, I still haven’t done any work, but that’s more that I’ve only been up a half hour, than simply because I haven’t done it.  What I have done is write at 750 words (and now I’m writing this).

750 words came from the idea of writing morning pages – the point being to clear your mind of clutter before you get started on your day.  I used to write my pages at random points throughout the day, whenever I felt like it.  Then I stopped writing them at all for a few months.  About a week ago I decided to start writing them again and to actually write them first thing (after I’ve eaten my breakfast but before I’ve done anything else).  So far it’s been going well, but it was today that I saw the benefits.

Like I said, I was groggy this morning, I didn’t want to turn on my laptop and start typing; but I did.  Writing those 750 words each morning is becoming a habit for me, and a positive one at that.  I sat myself down and started typing because that’s what I do each morning now – I didn’t think about it much.  Sure, I didn’t want to do it but I didn’t actually even try and think of something else to do instead.  And now I have written it, which has led to writing this post (a part of this habit I’m forming is do some blog or essay writing immediately after).  And for the first time it doesn’t feel like a struggle to get myself to do it, because it’s just what I do in the morning.  Turning writing into a morning habit is guaranteeing that I’ll get it done.  And now that I see it’s working, I’m going to see what else I can create into a habit that will help me with getting on with my work.

Have you made your creative work part of a habit you have?  If not, then is there anything that you would like to turn into a habit?  Let us know in the comments.

If this post has inspired you to start forming some creative habits of your own, I strongly suggest you go and read Dan Goodwin’s post on Creating Your Beautiful Creative Life for advice on how to get started and the benefits.

Review: Water for Elephants

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Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Jacob was there because his luck had run out - orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on this locomotive 'ship of fools'. It was the early part of the Great Depression, and everyone in this third-rate circus was lucky to have any job at all. Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, was there because she fell in love with the wrong man, a handsome circus boss with a wide mean streak. And Rosie the elephant was there because she was the great gray hope, the new act that was going to be the salvation of the circus; the only problem was, Rosie didn't have an act - in fact, she couldn't even follow instructions. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival. (Blurb from Goodreads)

I have to admit that when I received this book for Christmas from a Secret Santa, I was a little disappointed.  The cover was a huge turn-off for me as it’s packaged as a romance (I tend to stick to chick-lit when indulging in romance) so I was complete caught off guard by the amazing story that unfolded as I turned the pages.

While there is a romantic plot of sorts, that is not what I will take away from reading this story.  I will remember the details (at times repugnant) and the outlandishness of it all.  And most of all, I will remember the way I was sucked into the often brutal world of train circuses, something that wasn’t even on my radar until this book landed in my lap.  This book reminded me of the power of words, of stories.  And at the heart of it, I was reminded of humanity in so many forms.

I honestly can’t think of anyone who shouldn’t read this book.  I know my world-view will be forever changed from this experience, so I hope you consider adding it to your to-read list (or, even better, buying it or renting it and reading it next).

I realise that I haven’t given you much to go on with this review, but it has truly left me speechless (something that very rarely happens).  To say more would negate from the experience waiting within the pages – an adventure that at times will make you avert your eyes (to no use as the image is printed into your imagination), and at others will keep you up to find out what could possibly happen next (yes, that did happen to me last night, so I am considerably more tired today than perhaps I should have been).  So go, read.  And feel free to share any world-changing books that you think I should read, in the comments.

I'm Back

Hello all, as you can see, I am back from my 'vacation'.  Originally I was going to let you know what I did last week, but I feel now that that will have to wait for later.

Because I'm feeling a little confused and more than a little unfocused.  Taking a week off was supposed to help me relax and, while I did relax, I also believe I overdid it a little.  So today, I know that I have plenty to get on with, in fact, I have so much that needs doing that I have no idea where to even start.  My mind is flitting from project to project, barely giving me time to register them all.  And yet I have very few ideas when it comes to blogging and writing.  I had hoped this break would replenish and relax me.  Unfortunately it seems not to have worked.  Now I am restless, exhausted, unfocused and there is even a hint of panic which I'm doing my best to suppress.

However, I still plan to take things slowly.  I don't want to suddenly dump everything on me (even if my brain refuses to believe this) as I know I just won't cope.  So I'm going to try focusing on one thing at a time.  Right now I am focusing on this blog post, and then, I don't know what I'll focus on - but I'm determined to choose just one thing and give it my attention.  I know that flitting through everything won't help.  So I'm taking a deep breath and continuing on, taking tasks one at a time, because even though I am feeling unfocused and lost, I know that I have to keep going as giving up is not an option.

History in Words

I am currently reading ‘The Oxford Book of Essays’ as I fancied a bit of a change to my normal reading habits.  I expected to be entertained, informed and my knowledge widened.  I didn’t realise just how effected I would be by reading them.

The essays in this book date back to the 17^th Century, and I haven’t got that far through the book yet.  But the one thing that struck me as I read, is that these people who are writing and being written about are becoming alive for me.  I was never much of a history fan as dates and names pretty much leave me staring blankly at a wall in panic.  Reading the words of those who lived then, though, that is a completely different experience.  I can imagine I really am among that society, in that time – seeing and hearing everything going on about me.

While this is amazing and incredible, it also shows just how important words are.  Obviously I already know this (hello, I’m a writer!) but it’s always good to be truly reminded of the power of words.  Words can invoke any feeling, words can change a person.  The words we are writing now may one day be read as an account of this period of time (I can dream).  And that is why I try and make every word I write the truth of who I am and where I am.  I want to use the power of words to change the world.  I want my words to be remembered and, by extension, be remembered myself.

This may seem completely selfish but isn’t that what everybody wants?  To leave some sort of legacy?  To prove we did exist?  For me, words are my answer, but even if they were never read I would continue to write as every word I write effects the writer just as much (if not more) than the reader.  My words make me who I am.  The words left by those in history are what is left of them and when I go, I hope my words will show who I was and show what I believed in.

How do you hope to be remembered?

Review: Notes From Underground Anthology

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I realise that I promised you this review ages ago and I have no excuses (except ending up with more books to read than I can in one go) but here it is finally.

Notes from Underground is an anthology created by The Literary Lab last year.  I knew this would appeal to me as soon as I saw it as the entries were judged completely differently from most competitions.  Instead of writing a piece and submitting it, writers were encouraged to write about their ideas - if they were selected they then had free reign to create what they liked, how they liked.  And I have to say it has made for a very unique anthology.

There are a wide variety subjects and styles so there is bound to be something you enjoy.  Not only that, but it also opened my mind up to different ways of writing what I want to say - from using diary entries, poetry and even including images.  The only downside was that as I was reading it on Kindle, the images (photos, paintings, etc) were all in black and white and perhaps not as clear as in the print copy.

I would strongly recommend this anthology to anyone looking for unique storytelling and especially to writers as expanding our ideas is never a bad thing.

(By the way, submissions for The Literary Lab's new anthology 'Variations on a Theme' are currently open.)

[Disclaimer: I have not been compensated in anyway for this review.  All opinions are my own.]