I just watched Marty, Life is Short. Seeing a group of people making comedy, laughing, creating together - it’s just wild. It brought up strong memories of growing up with my dear friend Jo @joannatilley1111 comedy fairy. I used to film us with our friends acting. I think it was songs or scary movies or something. I no longer have these video tapes, I wish I did. Most of my memories are of us laughing at school, being told off for talking too much. Jo’s gone into comedy writing. A few years ago we wrote a stupid song together and filmed it. The humour is still there. Sometimes adult life can feel a lot - the responsibilities and stresses and all that. But laughter is such medicine. It’s such beautiful medicine laughing with ya mates. 🩵
#comedywriting #friendship #writingcommunity #writingjourney
I’ve just sent out a new essay over on my Substack about how stories and art can help us. Go take a read if you like. You can find the link via my website which is in my bio. 🌸
#writing #essaywriting #stories #storytelling #makingart
Little people in pastel worlds and soft hues of dreaming melodies. 🌸 I think I want to float away into dreams these days.
#acrylicpainting #artist #characterart #artcollection #artoftheday
I’ve been watching the documentaries of Raoul Peck about James Baldwin and Ernest Cole. These figures are no longer here, but their stories echo with the current times. We are living through great turmoil and injustice. I used to travel a lot, spending time with local people wherever I went. Sleeping on a bench in Bali, time in the cave communities of Andalusia, helping out at an arts centre on Taiwan’s east coast. All these experiences taught me something about humanity. That wherever we are from, whatever our skin colour or religious background, humans are all the same. We all feel joy and love and hope and fear. We all want to live a good life. I see racism and separation as a sickness in humans. It’s a tragedy. Until every human is equal, none of us are free. These broken systems that pit us against one another. Every action we take, every connection matters. Keep spreading goodness and love. It’s so desperately needed right now.
#jamesbaldwin #storytelling #humanity #raoulpeck #ernestcole
Delving deep into the films of Raoul Peck…Apartheid South Africa, James Baldwin, George Orwell. Photo from @jamesbaldwinarchive #raoulpeck #iamnotyournegro #georgeorwell1984 #writing #ernestcolelostandfound
Large painting off to the amazing Brixton Practice in London. A space that offers psychotherapy and counselling to people. They provide a low-cost service for individuals and couples who would otherwise be unable to access therapy. Let art and stories fill us all with hope. 💚
#painting #watercolourpainting #handpainted #artfortherapy #artist
Hello lovely people. Just to introduce myself on here if you’re new. I’m a writer and artist who creates stories for clients, whilst working on my own short stories and novels. I’ve had essays and short stories published in newspapers and magazines. I’ve written for a range of publications and continue to learn about the power of story to create change in the world.
In a world of AI, I believe having a human stamp on your work is vital and is becoming more valuable. If you are writing your web copy, blogs or articles with AI - you need a human touch to transform your words into writing that inspires and creates awe. Our physiological state changes in moments of awe. So combining great writing and storytelling with a splash of wonder has more impact. Why be like everyone else, when you can be uniquely you? I can help you with that. Get in touch and let’s talk. 🩵
#writing #storytelling #writingprocess #writer #writingcommunity
I met up with a friend today who is a well-known poet in Italy. He lives between the UK and Italy, teaching at a range of universities and travelling for his book launches. I actually know very little about poetry, but I’m learning a bit. He told me that great writers need to focus on two things - story and philosophy. They are the fundamentals of great writing. We talk between his broken English, my little knowledge of poetry, crossing cultures. People are so interesting when we take the time to slow down and try to understand their journey.
#poetry #writingcommunity #storytelling #writingprocess #culture
Dawn birdsong before 6am. I’m inspired by the work of @robgmacfarlane and @jackiemorrisartist and their new book about birds. People around the UK are hearing a drop in the dawn chorus, a sign that our bird life needs help. Let’s fall in love with animals and nature, then we will try to protect her.
#dawnchorus #birdsong #illustratedbook #jackiemorris #robmacfarlane
I’ve been reading about Banana Yoshimoto lately. I’ve never read her work and I’m so excited. I have an intuitive feeling that I’m about to open a door to a writer who will absorb me and inspire. This beautiful looking novel is from @firstdraftdevon 🌱
@bananayoshimoto2017 #bananayoshimoto #novelist #writingcommunity #storytelling #shortstorywriter
I recently had a conversation with an American indie hybrid publisher about the options I have to publish my work. Currently putting together a book of short stories, I’ve made the decision that if it doesn’t get picked up by a traditional publisher then I’m going to look at other options. I’ve been writing fiction for years, and pitching for a decade. My last two books taught me so much about writing - from finishing a project to figuring out what is and isn’t working. Writing is a long game. It’s slow and sometimes arduous, at other times it’s magnetic and energising. It’s a strange beast which I often find ethereal and has a life of its own. So, if you’re in the early phase of a project and ideas are forming I’d say stick with it. Explore, learn, enjoy the process. We learn from everything we make, even if it doesn’t find success in how we perceive success to be. Maybe completing a book in the first place is a huge success in itself. Keep writing and keep learning. Never stop learning. We have it for life, and that’s fabulous. 🩵
#writingcommunity #shortstorywriter #shortstories #fictionwriter #publishing
