If you could write anything, anything at all, what would it be? What kind of work, in what form, on what theme...
In an old notebook, in answer to this question, some years ago now, I wrote, if I could write anything it would be a book of place, full of water, atmospheric, a young girl growing up, who has to leave...
A year later, I began writing Sometimes A River Song. You could say I was writing the story of my life, disguised as another. You could say by answering the question I had briefed myself, commissioned myself to write this book.
Other, similar, briefing questions you might ask yourself are: what's really important to you? What are the subjects you are drawn to, that you are willing to be a witness to? What do you want to write but are perhaps fearful of? Who do you write for?
Answering these questions can lead you to a new understanding of yourself and your work.
So, let me ask you again, if you could write anything what would it be? I invite you to commission yourself - a poem, a collection of poems around a theme, a new short story, a series of stories, a memoir in verse, a novel in flash, vignettes of a life or a place... the options are endless, there are no limits. Be bold. Be free.
Once you’ve decided start as small as you like, bird by bird…
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As for my own writing, I've not managed to get back to it yet after my holiday, which was lovely, though myself and my daughter ended up with a nasty virus that rather marred the end of it and our homecoming.
Still, I am grateful for time spent in the beautiful light of the Mediterranean, for walking every day along a path by a turquoise sea, and for the joy of children playing on the beach.
Now for the opportunity to be published - a short story call out for female writers in the UK, from Linen Press, who will publish a short story anthology later in 2024.
Note, previously published stories are eligible for consideration - good luck!
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Your last post made me think about what to write next. Home- it's on the cards. Here, what I would like to write if anything is permitted, would be a novel possibly, but, in this format: the narrator would have paragraphs in almost poetic voice. And the action would happen almost in a script dialogue. The poetic and performed- is my favourite combo. The long chewy literary-ness as a vehicle in itself, doesn't much light me up. And I like the showy use of language as art, not the noir telling of a story.
Your last post made me think about what to write next. Home- it's on the cards. Here, what I would like to write if anything is permitted, would be a novel possibly, but, in this format: the narrator would have paragraphs in almost poetic voice. And the action would happen almost in a script dialogue. The poetic and performed- is my favourite combo. The long chewy literary-ness as a vehicle in itself, doesn't much light me up. And I like the showy use of language as art, not the noir telling of a story.