I was in Melbourne this past weekend, for the Writers' Festival. I had the nicest weekend. Plenty of ideas and motivation at the writers' festival, good catch ups with a number of friends (Kate included!) and some frantic writing.

It was just what I needed. I feel creatively and emotionally refreshed and am ready to tackle some serious projects. This week I've written quite a lot. I haven't yet felt like I've achieved anything great yet, but I've definitely done some small things that will get me somewhere in the long run.

So now I just need to get myself to continue in this vein. Wish me luck!

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PS. The image above I took in Federation Square at about lunch time on Saturday. I love the guy in the background, completely oblivious.

Making space

This weekend I had a big clean up and clean out of my work space. I've recently moved out of the house and into the garage which has been great - more space, I don't have to worry about dust and mess... except I've been surrounded by bikes and boxes and general household clutter which was making me feel like I didn't really want to be in there and feeling kinda unprofessional.

So, as I was saying, on Saturday I had a huge clean up and organise, and my space is feeling nice and uncluttered and a pleasure to be in. I actually want to get out here in the mornings now!

I'm a big believe of making space in your life for whatever it is you might be wanting or needing. In my case, making space for work and clients. I was feeling before like I was too busy and cluttered and couldn't be bothered being out there, so who would commission me for work when I'm feeling like that?

But today, I'm ready and waiting!

image from renedrivers

life is peachy

I haven't really posted for awhile, not that I haven't wanted too... Many times I've sat at my computer and opened the new post page and tried to write but I just haven't been able to think of anything important or interesting to contribute!

But I figured out my problem: LIFE IS GOOD! I've quit the job that was making me stressed and miserable, I'm working less for money and more for enjoyment, I have more time, I'm jogging, I'm eating better, I'm enjoying cooking....pretty much most things in my life in my control are great! I have a spark back!! Which isn't a problem at all really, far from, but I realised it so much easier to write when things are shitty and stressful and hard. It's easier to complain and whinge and seek advice than to write and say 'things are awesome'. Is it just me that feels like that?

I think this is a bit sad really, so here is to spreading more goodness from here on out :)

image by adwriter

Be Brave: New submission

Decipher the Day has played along with last month's project: Be Brave. She has bravely ventured into a new area for her, and posted up stickers around Melbourne.

Check them out here.

Don't forget that the next project is due in a few weeks on Monday 7 September.

Writing exercises

This semester I'm doing just the one subject at uni, in an effort to slow down. It's a short story workshop, which is right up my alley, because I love short stories (to read and write). Each week we're being given an exercise to explore the various elements of stories (short or long, really); character, place etc etc. I thought I might share them each week.

For last week's class we had to take a character from one of our stories to the supermarket. In writing, that is. I'm working on a short story I wrote last year -- and that needs a lot of improvement! -- so any feedback would be more than welcome.

I'll also be posting these entries on avocadoandlemon.

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The supermarket is only just opening when Bella steps off the bus. This is her favourite time to shop because the place is virtually empty and she can be as slow as she likes without worrying that she will in someone's way.

She recognises the cashier at the only open register and attempts a smile, but is rebuffed with a look of confusion and lack of recognition. The girl is here every week, but Bella supposes there's not much interest in remembering a little old lady with a squeaky fabric grocery trolley. She certainly wouldn't have been interested when she was the girl's age. Bella sighs and moves to the toilet paper and laundry powder end of the supermarket. She has always moved through the supermarket this way, 'backwards' as her husband put it on the few times she convinced him to come shopping with her. He hated supermarkets and couldn't understand the sense of freedom she found in them. "They depress me," he used to say, but would not, or could not elaborate further.

After comparing the prices, Bella chooses the least expensive toilet paper, which is unfortunately located on the top shelf, almost out of her reach. She will have to risk an avalanche of toilet paper to get a packet down. She looks around her. There is no one in the aisle; no one who could help. On her tip toes, her hand on the handle of her cart to push herself a little higher, Bella manages to knock the paper towards herself and move out of the way to let it drop to the floor. She smiles. Last time she knocked down four or five packets and was too embarrassed to ask for help, so piled the packets on the floor neatly. Later that day, when she got home, she realised that the store probably had cameras and that the store manager could have watched the whole thing. She had caught two extra buses to shop in another supermarket for the next three weeks.

She carefully crosses toilet paper off her list with a pencil from her dress pocket. Laundry powder is also on the list. Thankfully her favoured brand is usually found on the bottom shelf -- she assumes this is because not many other people buy it. Sometimes it is not in stock, but today she is in luck. Another straight pencil line on her list.

Quickly, some self promotion

So I finally got around to buying a copy of the magazine I had story published in last month. If you get a chance, check it out here. It's a non-fiction piece (a personal essay, even) about connection to place.

Voiceworks is an incredible publication -- and not just because they kindly published my piece. Each edition (it's a quarterly magazine) features new writing from young Australian writers and provides a wonderful opportunity for writers and artists under 25 to get there work out there. Even if you don't buy this particular issue, please do check it out.

I'm very bad at self promotion, so I'll leave it there.

A box of sunshine

New theme for this month is:

A Box of Sun

The theme came from this post from the snail and the cyclops. A Box of Sun, I think, is the title of a book by Joseph Pintauro, but I can't find too much more information about that particular book. It seems like a cute and interesting book so I'm going to try and find a copy. I'll keep you posted!

But basically, I really just liked the sound of A Box of Sun, and the images it conjoured up, so I thought it would be fun to see what comes to mind for other people. Good luck!

image by media monster

Brave

I've only realised in the last couple of days how timely this theme is for me. My post from a few weeks ago is really telling me that I need to be brave and do something that might be considered reckless. I have some ideas. I'll let you know how I go!

For now though, here's my submission for this month.

go here to read a lovely story about a little wooden box and being brave. i love this story.

Project's due!

image from PsuedoRhys

August project due today! The theme was BRAVERY! Check back soon as I will be adding submissions over in the sidebar.

I'm off now to finish off mine...