Bursting Into Flames - the Horrific Short Life of a Phoenix

Interesting conversation yesterday.
I am walking past an earthquake-torn historic building and someone goes, "We in Christchurch will rise again - like the Phoenix!"
"What - bursting into flames?" I replied
"Well yes, but, wait, not like that - ok, maybe a bad example."
We laugh and walk away from each other.
Yeah, I get what they are saying. Phoenix dies and is reborn from the ash of it's former self.

Big deal.

There's got to be an easier way, me thinks.

When I learned that the Creative Every Day 2011 theme for the month of June was "metamorphosis", I groaned. I really, really did. Sometimes life feels like one painful unfolding of dry onion layer after dry onion layer. I've taken so many healing, Landmark, NLP, hypnosis, counselling, The Journey, yoga and flower essence classes that if I met Oprah on the street tomorrow - she probably would tell me I was doing too much "self-help" and needed to sit my ass down.

Everything has changed for me this year - everything. Where I live, my friends, my job, my university courses, my future. Not all bad changes, but they are big - and definitely take some getting used to. Living in a town that has been half-destroyed by earthquakes, it feels as though metamorphosis fills my every waking moment and every dream. Just down the street from me neo-gothic and historic buildings have crumbled to bits, and new buildings are already being erected to replace them.There are days, like today, when I just want the ground under my feet to (literally and figuratively) STOP moving.

 So, ok, you get the picture. Lots of changes.
Does that mean that I will jump up and down and not do the challenge?
Of course not.

The challenge of using the metamorphosis theme for creativity has actually prompted me to think about some positive, life affirming changes that I might like to make with my life and my art. Many changes I've experienced are those I have had no choice in - call them acts of god, they happen, and you just have to deal with them when they do. But what types and forms of metamorphosis might I like to explore that is actually of my choosing?

Good question.

And does all metamorphosis and change have to involve bone-breaking, flesh burning, soul tearing, cathartic stages of transformation?

God I hope not.

To explore this question I stayed up last night writing a series of poems based around the theme of metamorphosis, and I will be editing and posting them on here as the month progresses. Subjects included the way that books and reading stimulates changes within people, how old age changes people and their sense of self, how simple words and acts can render changes unto a relationship with a loved one forever.

The exercise was helpful, enabling me to write fast, loose, not worrying what came out, just moving from one poem to the next very quickly. It's a great way of shutting up the left-brain from analyzing too deeply, scrutinizing too hard, and just getting into the flow. By the end of the poetry jam session I slipped off into a contented,  creatively-satisfied slumber.

Metamorphosis happens all around us, every day. The seasons, the tide, the dresses of the moon - constant cycles of transformation and difference, always connected with a deeper, more natural balance.

That's the sort of personal metamorphosis I would like to invoke into my own life.

The Phoenix can keep it's dramatic catharsis and fiery death cries.
Some things, like writing, like life, can just be simple.

Tricksters and Folklore

Just a shout out that today eHow has published my first two articles on folklore - "Types of Tricksters in Folktales" and "A List of Fables and Fairy Tales". Following the recent bout of natural disasters in New Zealand I was taking a wee hiatus from writing for pay, however with bills looming on the horizon I know I must get back to it. And to tell the truth, I am enjoying it. Being active, being creative, being productive - it helps. And to have an article of mine on the subject of myth published is very exciting.

A Declaration of War

The Naysayer

Recently I had the experience of an unfortunate friend saying to me, "You can't really teach creative writing, it's just something you're born with."

Now, this was not the first time I have been faced with this sort of pessimism from friends, family or strangers. Most writers and artists will, at some stage, have comments like this thrown at them. 

The comment was made even more ridiculous by the fact that, I have learned creative writing. At school I was never particularly good at english, nor did I enjoy it. The rules around language skills were boring, if not disabling and mystifying . It wasn't till many years later when I attended creative writing courses at university that I (re)learnt rules around spelling, grammar and sentence structure that had mutated in my mind over time. 

Now many (if not most) of my bills are paid through freelance writing. I have made several professional sales of poetry. I've published articles on health, alternative medicine, relationships, pets, creative writing and book reviews.

Now, I am not the most famous writer in the world. I am learning new things all the time. There is so much to learn. Libraries are filled with books on writing techniques and craft. The internet is bursting with web sites and communities ripe with knowledge. Bookshops are made possible by writers who did not give up, did not listen, and decided to learn to write. 

I have learned, am learning, and this alone is proof that the societal myth around creative writing simply is that - mythology. 

The Myth

So why is it that so many people assume that writing is an innate, sacred gift, bestowed to the chosen few?

Well, for starters, there are stories of writers who became rich, famous and powerful after publishing their first ever novel. Stephanie Meyer is a good recent example of someone who had never written anything before publishing "Twilight", and hit the big time. 

Try this on for size: 30 famous authors whose works were rejected (repeatedly, and sometimes rudely) by publishers.

This whole experience of talking to my friend has gotten me so fired up, so incensed, so burning-hot-mad, I have decided to officially declare War.  

War on the naysayers.

War on the puny pessimists.

War on the creatively-crippled. 

Writing can be learned. Writing can be developed. Writing can be honed and crafted. 

The Plan

I am planning to post a series of articles and blogs on the process of writing, sharing exercises, tips and wisdom that I come across in the journey.I am going to share my own journey of learning to write (for the journey never, ever ends!) and in doing so, leave a trail of bread crumbs for others to follow. I am not proclaiming to be a guru, or an expert. Just a guy too stubborn to give up, or give in. 

Rather scribbling down an exact and formulated plan of action, this blog is going to be an organic and natural creative process. What needs to be written here come through inspiration, through conversation, through books, through projects I work on, through characters I invent or channel.

If there is a need for the knowledge to be communicated, I trust that it will find a way to come through. 

This blog is only one of many, many sources of information and help for those wanting to learn to write, or improve in their writing. 

Its a long, hard road. 
But nothing worth doing is easy.

Review: Booklife by Jeff VanderMeer

 If you are a published author, or a new writer working towards publication, this is one book that will aid you in your journey.

As I recently slithered my way through the shelves of books at my local library, looking for literary treasure, the attractive and artistic cover caught my eye on a display shelf. "Booklife" by Jeff VanderMeer is a recently published book designed specifically for writers who are serious about making a living and a lifestyle from their work.

The first half of the book is dedicated specifically to the business of writing, with a special focus on social and network marketing to generate business. With so much emphasis now placed on Twitter, Facebook and Blogs to market freelance work, I found this section very helpful with great information. I'm quite comfortable with using social media to market myself, however I know these web sites are still a new concept for a lot of people out there. It's not for everyone. Jeff VanderMeer goes into detail explaining the pro's and con's of each and allows writers to make their own choices. "

The second half of the book delves into the inner world of the writer, taking a close look at creativity and inspiration, the craft of writing, goal setting and balancing your "book life" with your everyday life and family.

In my experience most books, and creative writing classes, focus their emphasis on just one of these elements. For example, my university creative writing classes spent a lot of time working on craft, while an online course I once took spent a lot of time talking about the business of writing and learning how to approach editors and market your work. All of it is necessary, but the delicate balance of the two is what makes Jeff's book so delightful and supportive.

I can't recommend "Booklife" enough. New and well-seasoned writers will all get something out of it. The world of writing and publishing is rapidly changing with each passing day. Writers who maintain a firm connection with the shifting ground of this world will survive and see their work flourish. 

To read an interview with Jeff VanderMeer published on Prima Storia, go here.

"Even if you fail, you'll have succeeded more than if you had tried for a lesser goal." Jeff VanderMeer, "Booklife".

Dachshunds and Doubts

People who don't use capital letters in their blogs should be dragged out of their homes and beaten with a bamboo stick. 

In other news, I am currently writing an article on dachshunds and dachshund nutrition. I admit that my only previous experience with this very cute breed of dog was the "Harry Mclary" books I read as a child. Schnitzel von crum, wasn't it? Well, yes, anywho. Anyone can learn - and writers can learn new things especially fast and in depth. It's the little things like "deadlines" and "mortgages" that adds that extra pinch of fairy dust to make them learn better. 

To be honest, it's been really good to cover a topic on something new and different. It's easy to get stuck on an endless line of articles on human nutrition, weight loss and detoxification. Not that those are not important titles. But they are like door handles - everyone has had a turn. For my own spiritual growth, learning and personal development, dachshund nutrition has provided some new fodder for the canon. 

Well, at least for today. 

Stay tuned. When the article gets published I will provide the link!