A brief hello from me this week as I prepare for my writing retreat. As always, I’m wondering what to pack in as small a suitcase as possible. Fortunately it looks like the weather will be hot which means I can keep clothes to a minimum because after all there are much more important things, namely: laptop, books, notebooks, pens, sketchpad, pencils, collage papers, toiletries (mini sized) and not forgetting the mini hot water bottle for my back.
I have finally put the first part of my memoir to bed. I’ve made significant changes and it feels sufficient for now. While I’m away, I hope to complete at least 8 to 10,000 words of Part Two as well as read, walk, eat, relax, and hopefully find inspiration for future creative projects.
Bank holiday Monday was quiet here. It was going to be a have-the-family-over-for- tea-day but the family had colds and knowing my susceptibility to viruses, kindly suggested it was better I didn’t catch a cold before going off on my holiday. I was sad to miss my granddaughters but I made the best of the day by starting work on some creative maps. Made from transfer prints and collage, I will use them to explore the places of my childhood. Another means of accessing memory, they can yield forgotten places, names, feelings. I have yet to put the words on these. It will be interesting to see what emerges. There are bound to be some surprises.
If you’d like to see the first map I made you can find it here.
I hope to say hello from Spain, but I’m not too sure about internet connections, etc. If you don’t hear from me, know I’m having a great time.
I’m aware how lucky I am to be going. I don’t forget what a privilege it is…
As always, thank you for reading
Avril x
Have a wonderfully creative and chilling time.