Creative Life: Week 25 2024 - Connecting and Moving Forward

Week 25: Momentum - I will take one step forward every day. (SoulSistersToo: Creative)

Intention Setting: Spirit, please help me notice the steps I need to take to move forward.

Connecting and Moving Forward...

This week spirit guided me to connect with friends and family through a variety of ways;

• Visiting them for the day
• Catching up over a cuppa in a cafe
• Texting messages and sending photos
• Phone calls
• Chill out time

When I connect with these special people (people who build me up) I am reminded that these interactions are inspiring and supportive. This was a message I truly needed after so many months working alone on preparing my art exhibition. 

In sharing with loved ones what I've been doing (reflecting) and listening to what they have been experiencing I have discovered a new feeling of momentum. Now, I have a pathway to move towards what I'd like to achieve in the remainder of this year and even in future years. (I find myself thinking about the next exhibition, even though I don't have any new artworks yet.)

Spirit also showed me that sometimes inspiration can come from browsing in a bookstore. I just love bookstores and seeing what delights can be found inside. Unlike last time I went book shopping when I entered the shop this time I didn't have any titles in mind, but soon, two books caught my eye.

Daily Writing

Part of being a creative, is making sure that you give yourself the best chance for inspiration to flow in your life. To do this it is important to have a range of strategies in place. Some of the strategies can include:

• Daily Writing.
• Networking with other creatives.
• Practising a daily challenge.
• Doing things that you love.
• Playing.
• Making a mess.

I began my daily writing practise when I joined Jen Storer's Scribbles online creative writing course. I made a pledge on 27 November 2017 that I would write 3 pages every day. Jen says that it's important to write and write and write. Make a mess and just let your thoughts flow.

Another person that believes that daily writing is important is Julia Cameron, author of the book The Artist's Way. This book is a 12 week course in discovering and recovering your creative self. Julia talks about morning pages as a place where you write '...three pages of longhand writing, strictly stream-of-consciousness...' Just write anything that comes into your head, it doesn't need to make sense, you are just clearing your mind to allow your creativity to flow. (P.S. Sometimes I only write two A4 pages a day.)

So how have I gone? 

Creative Kids Tales Writers' Festival 2019

Georgie Opening the Festival

Invest was the theme and this year's CKT Writers' Festival was a great investment!

Georgie Donaghey organised another whopper festival, it included:

• Jackie French, 
• Emma Quay,
• Jacqueline Harvey,
• Deborah Abela,
• CKT members, 
• Susanne Gervay,
• and some publishing editors & agents. 

I didn't partake in any assessments on the day, instead I wanted to invest my time in listening to the presenters and socialising/connecting. This blog will look at the top tips that I will invest into my craft. 

Poetry, Pictures and Polishing with SCBWI ACT & Surrounds

I love to spend time with my creative friends catching up and learning from each other, this workshop provided both.

• Had lunch with a few illustrators: Suzy Houghton, Amie Sabdin and Irene Tan
• Chatted with friends I hadn't seen for awhile
• Became reacquainted with Lisa Kalma
• Learnt some great tips from the presenters
• Had fun and lots of it

The day started on a low note as we said thank you one our favourite bookstore people, James Redden aka Jimmy. I first met James in early 2015 when I organised Harry Hartog to provide books to sell at a CBCA ACT Branch event. This turned into a wonderful relationship between James and CBCA ACT Branch and their members for many many years. James was a great supporter of our local authors, both published using mainstream publishing and self-published books. There are so many wonderful memories in H.H store with James as we celebrated many book birthdays and window launches. This support then later naturally extended to supporting SCBWI ACT and Surrounds. We will have a fondness in our heart for James, our champion and smiling friend. You are indeed, James the Great! And one day we hope that we can support you in your next endeavour, what ever that may be. 

The Workshops were presented by;

• Harry Laing - Verse for Kids Workshop
• Danielle McDonald  - Character Design
• Shelly Unwin - Fine Tuning for Publication

A full report of Poetry, Pictures and Polishing by Cate Whittle is available on the SCBWI Australia East & New Zealand Blog. My blog will highlight my 'ah ha' moments.

SCBWI Sydney Conference in Pictures

This is my wrap-up of the SCBWI Sydney Conference (25 February 2019) and the Masterclasses (26 February 2019) in photo form, with a few points that resonated with me from each session that I attended. 

It was privileged to be a Roving Report for the conference.

If I had to sum up the two days in one word it would be CONNECTIONS. 
Connections with people, connections with words and pictures, connections with your community and how to be connected with your audience.

Though out this blog there will be links added to connect you the blogs written for SCBWI by the Roving Reporters. At the end of the blog is a list of links for sessions that I did not attend. 

#SCBWISyd

Creative Kids Tales Writers Festival 2018 Wrap Up

Georgie Donaghey asked the attendees of the Creative Kids Tales Writers Festival 2018 to be 'Prepare to be inspired!' and we were definitely inspired.

The hand of hope is needed in the story. - Suzanne Gervay
Write something memorable. - Suzanne Gervay
Do things in a positive light. - Georgie Donaghey
Take the germ of the truth, then lie and be good at it. - Wai Chim
Go to lots of talks and gleam ideas. - Tristan Bancks
Write the story that only you can tell. Your heart story. - Sue Whiting
Authors please leave space in your manuscript for the illustrator. - Sarah Davis
Illustrators are like film directors, they choose the cast (characters) and the set for the action to occur. - Sarah Davis

Noticing the little things in life

As an writer and illustrator I  tend to work a lot of my day sitting at my kitchen bench or desk. My massage therapist reminds me that I need to regularly move and stretch, otherwise my muscles tighten and I suffer from back, hip and neck pain.

I try to remind myself that I need to take care of myself before I can create.

How do I do this?
I set my timer or my creative partner (my dog, Jay) reminds me to check my posture and stretch my muscles.
Jay sees his job (besides sleeping at my feet) as the one who guarantees that I stop every 3 to 4 hours for a short walk, a doggy toilet break as we live in a high-rise apartment.

These mini walks are fabulous for several reasons.

On my way with Scribbles

I joined Jen Storer's online course Scribbles a few weeks ago and in the last 24 hours I have made my Pledge and decorated my Notebook.

SCRIBBLES PLEDGE
I made my Scribbles Pledge to make a mess and write, write, write. When signing my pledge I surrounded myself with items of significance to me. 

Things I love.
Things that help me create.
And a bowl that I created many years ago to remind me that I have been a creator for a long time.

My playlist was Dirty Dancing - I've had the time of my life, Hungry eyes and She's like the wind.

With me during my pledge is my ever constant companion and shadow - Jay. He has been with me for many years through good and bad times and times of great change. He even inspires me at times. Keeps me moving and lifts my spirit.

Writing, Book Lists and The Life to Come

It is always exciting to go to author talks but even better when you discover a 'new' author.

Why?

1. A new reading list. Upon attending a 'new' author talk you leave with  not only their latest book but also a back-list of novels to read.
2. You discover new worlds that this author creates.
3. You learn how this author writes their books - a mini master class.
4. With a  'new' author to follow you get a new book to add to your bedside table reading pile every one to two years.

A 'new' author.
The National Library of Australia (NLA) has given me a 'new' author to explore,
Michelle de Kretser, a Miles Franklin Literary Award winner.

A New Reading List

Michelle de Kretser's new release book featured in the NLA author talk
The Life to Come

My new reading list will also include the following books;
The Rose Grower
The Hamilton Case
The Lost Dog
Questions of Travel
Springtime

Creators, do you have a online presence?

When I discover the work of a fabulous creator, I love to find out more about them. 
So I pull out my phone to look them up on the internet.

I type their name into my search engine.
No matches for my search.

I try another search.
This time I type in their name and profession as part of the search.
The results only mentions them on other websites but there no links to their website or social media accounts.

I try Facebook - Hit - but it seems to be their personal page.

I really like their work.
I want to get to know them better.
Where can I see their work again?
Do they have a new book coming out soon?

Nothing is more frustrating than looking up a creator and they have no online presence or no useful online presence.

Planning my story: The Lillian Story Plot Develops

Today I read an article,  How to Find and Fill All Your Plot Holes by K.M. Weiland, which gave me additional ideas on how to plan my story. Taking this advice and the information from the Cate Whittle's workshop, Characters That Count, I asked myself a few questions. 

Initial Questions 

Creating Story Characters that Count.

Recently I attended a workshop with Cate Whittle, author of the Trouble series. At the workshop we discovered how to create story characters that count.

Cate guided us though some exercises to give one of our story characters depth, to make them believable. 

We learnt about;

• Character Calls - a pitch for our character
• Expanding our character - giving them something to react to
• Interviewing our character - to get to know them better
• Getting to know our character close up - getting to know their physical attributes

Cate suggested to do this for our other characters too, as long as they are important to the story. But we probably don't need to develop their backstory to the same extent as the major character. 

Cate reminded us that while this information is quite detailed not all of it will need to be included in the story. But this background work/research helps you, the writer, to understand your character's personality and attributes.

Yesterday I interviewed my new character, Lillian May Stewart, who is in year 5. (Note: Lilly's name might be changed as there are currently a few younger reader books whose main characters are named Lily.)

Now that I have interviewed Lillian May Stewart I have a much better understanding about her personality, likes, dislikes and how she reacts to situations. Lilly is beginning to become a believable character, not just some light weight, flimsy little girl.

To find out more about Cate Whittle see her website here.

Book Launch: Understory by Inga Simpson

Last night Inga Simpson's fourth book, Understory, was launched at the bookshop Muse Canberra. Rather than speeches, the audience listened to a conversation about the book between Inga and author, Kim Mahood. 

Inga spoke in a relaxed manner but showed that she is a passionate and thought provoking woman. 

To date Inga has experienced many journeys. She told the audience about growing up on a farm and how this influenced her beliefs, Inga said, 'failure is not an option, you never give up.'

The audience learned that Inga is a resilient woman. One of these examples was her choice to make a tree change and establish a 'writers retreat shortly before the Global Financial Crisis hit.' Inga said that she 'didn't have any regrets about her move to the forest, to be closer to nature.'

The forest became Inga's creative space. She learned to respect her position in the landscape. Last night she reflected on 'making amends for what farming has done to the country.' Inga, like other tree changers, has planted trees to help correct the mistakes of the past.

Book Launch: Ten Cities Ten Poets

Cities: Ten Cities Ten Poets anthology was launched at the National Library of Australia Bookshop last night. We gathered in the intimate space between the shelves and when you closed your eyes and listened to the poets read, you were transported to another location, another time and another city.

Cities: Ten Cities Ten Poets is 'not just a collection of poetry is has been produced out of practice or a response to a topic or event' says, Shane Strange. Shane described the book as a creation of poems about 'ten cities, by ten poets, with ten different points of view.'. 

This new anthology from Recent Work Press (other titles from this publisher can also be purchased though the NLA Bookshop) was born from of a discussion between two of the book's poets, Paul Hetherington and Shane Strange, during a car journey to Bungendore, NSW. 

Shane Strange

 

Paul Hetherington

Melinda Smith

Melinda Smith describes this book as a 'fascinating journey' that allows the readers to 'Capture a glimpse of a city through tiny moments in time.' She explored the idea that when we visit cities we have a view about the city from our own viewpoint and then when we revisit a city many years later the city has changed and so have we, Melinda says, 'cities mark us.' 

I'm a reviewer again!

I'm so pleased that I have been able to begin to review children's books again for Kids' Book Review.

Thank you to the Kids' Book Review Team for welcoming me back to the fold after so many years away while I was President and Vice President for CBCA ACT Branch.

So far I have reviewed three books for KBR which can be viewed on their Website or Facebook page or using this link.

Aleesah Darlison's Canberra workshops

I recently attend two sessions with Aleesah Darlison, author Guest Speaker and Owner of Greenleaf Press.

Aleesah has written more than 35 books including picture books and chapter books for children. In 2016 she founded Greenleaf Press to provide assistance to Authors, Illustrators and Small Business Owners.

The first session was at Libraries ACT, Dickson branch on Social Media.
Alessah spoke about Social Media at an introductory level, specifically; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Aleesah showing how her header & photo are the same on all of her Social Media platforms.

I learnt more. 
Got some great tips. 
Plus I had a chance to network with other Canberra authors. 

Cate Whittle, Krys and Brownyn

Now to apply some of this new knowledge. 

Canberra Women Writers Network Launch

Recipe for Collaboration

Take 30 women.

Place them in the main hall of Gorman House.

Add an interest in writing.

A large splash of enthusiasm and support.

Sprinkle with a generous dose of hope.

Stir, no bake required.

You have a Canberra Women Writers Network.

Eat straight away.

Last night was the launch of the Canberra Women Writers Network. 
The Noted Festival gave a group of inspirational female writers; Rhyll Biest, Bec Fleming, Rose Chen and Stella Frances a fabulous opportunity to launch a new network for women writers in Canberra.

These four ladies met at through the Romance Writers of Australia. They have a passion for writing, creating and supporting other women in their pursuits.

The Fairy Tale in Australia Seminar 12 April 2017

In March an event popped up on my Facebook feed, The Fairy Tale in Australia seminar. As an emerging writer I thought that I’d take a closer look and see if this might be something that I would consider attending.

Fairy tale books from my childhood

While deciding to register for the seminar I took a closer look at the organising group, the Australian Fairy Tale Society (AFTS). I was intrigued to read that one of their goals is “Collecting original Australian fairy tales…” I wondered what they considered an Australian fairy tale as most of the people who live in Australia have come from another country (at some point in time) and bring their culture’s stories with them.  

For me my earliest memories of reading are of my mother’s fairy tale books, listening to the little golden book & records, and reading fairy tale books that were birthday gifts. So I began to think that this seminar being held on my birthday might be a ‘sign’.

This brings me forward to my discovery of adult fairy tale writing. Eight years ago when I rediscovered reading for pleasure I began to read Australian female fantasy writers. The first was Kate Forsyth’s series The Witches of Eileanan and from there I began to gobble up other writers like Juliet Marrilier and her series Sevenwaters. I loved both writers’ story telling style so when Kate released her books The Wild Girl and Bitter Greens I fell in love with adult fairy tales. Hence I was interested in finding out more about this genre.

Book Launch

Today Devon Sillett launched her first book The Leaky Story, illustrated by Anil Tortop and published by EK Books.

Many children and adults gathered at  Harry Hartog Bookseller, Woden this morning to meet Canberra's newest children's author and her book. Local author, Tania McCartney introduced Devon and her first book. Tania, founder of Kids Book Review, had seen the book's manuscript many years ago and thought that it ought to be published and now here it is!  

Blog Content: What will I include in my blog, Ladybird's Flight?

This post was originally written for my blog Ladybird's Flight.

Today I read Your Author Blog: What Should an Author Blog About? Not only did I find it interesting but it has come at the right time for me. I am early on in my blogging process and hopefully these tips will help me add content to my  blog that might interest others. 

While I'm not an author of books, maybe one day, I still found the words of wisdom helpful. The blogging is part of me documenting my inspirations and journey.  

What to blog about? 
(The topics outlined here are taken from the article above that inspired a rush of ideas for me to explore.)

Travel and Photos: Canberra

I have a great affinity with Canberra and the region and would like like to document places that hold a special meaning to me. I am two generations Canberran. So when I travel around Canberra there are many locations that bring back memories and I find me telling stories associated with these places. Some of these places are associated with our family history and I recall stories told to me by my parents and grandparents. Though place we share family stories. 

Travel and Photos: Other Locations

This blog will also record other places that inspire me in some way, from its beauty to a story behind the location e.g. I love to look at art so every time I visit Melbourne we go to the National Gallery of Victoria and in an earlier blog I have shared some paintings and ephemera that inspired my interest or creativity.

How to's and recipes

In this area I have already blogged and photographed some of my cooking experiences and recipes. I find cooking at times a very relaxing and soul fulfilling experience. I see cooking as; an extension of my creativity, a connection to family and at other times it is the exploring of ingredients that is of import to me, as sometimes I have to eliminate foods from my diet for health reasons. So far my blog Ladybird's Fligt has explored the idea of cooking every cup cake in a specific cook book and Dairy Free or Gluten Free recipes. Now I'd liked to add FODMAPs into the repertoire.

Spotlight Your Genre

I love to read books in the genre of historical fiction and fantasy. 

Some of my favourite authors have included;

• Kate Forsythe
• Juliet Marillier
• Tamora Pierce
• Diana Gabaldon
• Posie Graeme-Evans
• Fiona McIntosh 

So in this blog there will be articles related to Historical Fiction e.g. clothing, art, music and places of the selected time period.

Informative Pieces 

At times the blog will explore things that inspire artistic thoughts. I used to be a volunteer guide at the National Gallery of Australia and we would often talk about influences on an artist. Sometimes this can be other artists, art styles or locations. Therefore I plan to document exhibitions, films/documentaries and places that I go to or that inspire me.

List and Reviews

I will blog about things related to reading and children's literature and literacy. Over last five and a half years I wrote the eNews and developed partnerships for the ACT Branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia. During this position I have collected and developed a directory of useful resources relating to children's literature. Hence there will be blogs about events, book reviews and lists of helpful websites, blogs and Facebook pages.

Interviews and Profiles

Research is often involved in the process of exploring creativity. However this research can be rarely included in the creative product. Consequently a way to communicate this information is to share what has been discovered. Some of these may include other blogs especially when it excites the mind and intermittently interviewing people or themes further explore a topic.

About your pets The article I read suggested blogging about your pets... not sure that I will do this unless it relates to my creative works.

What not to blog?

• You will find no more apologies if I become slow at blogging
• There were many more not to blogs on the article's list but I don't have anymore to add to this part of the conversation so read the article mentioned above.