Menna Van Praag's Blog, page 28
February 6, 2014
“True originality consists not in a new manner but in a new vision.” ― Edith Wharton
Do you want to do something great but think you’re not great enough to do it? When you see incredible people doing incredible things, it’s easy to feel pale and inadequate in comparison. But most great people weren’t born great. They simply had the vision to see what might be possible and the passion, determination & courage to see it through. Of course talent is important, but tenacity is essential. You don’t need to change yourself to achieve greatness. Instead, simply cultivate an expansive vision, one that doesn’t snag on limitations but sees endless possibilities…
Pic source: www.thelifeofabookjunky.tumbler.com
February 5, 2014
“It is in our idleness, in our dreams, that the submerged truth sometimes makes its way to the surface.” ― Virginia Woolf
Day 36: I wasn’t in the mood for writing this morning. So I went next door & had a hot chocolate with my neighbour. We did a crossword puzzle together. Then, suddenly, a new character dropped into my head. Beautiful! A few hours later I was sitting in my favourite cafe, writing more of The Lost Art of Letter Writing… Sometimes taking a break is the most productive thing you can do!
February 4, 2014
“You can write nothing of value unless you give yourself wholly to the theme. When you so give yourself you lose appetite & sleep, it cannot be helped.” ― Charlotte Brontë
I’ve just finished the final edit on The Dress Shop of Dreams. Actually, I’d been putting it off, I’m not sure why… But, once I decided to do it, the momentum of that commitment took over & all I wanted to do was write! It was easy, effortless & fun. And to think I was worrying about it before I got started. It’s often the case: when I’m thinking about a thing – anticipating it in the future – I feel nervous it won’t work out. Yet, when I’m actually doing a thing it’s invariably much better than I could have imagined. So, if you’ve been putting something off, give yourself a gift and begin doing it today. You’ll be delighted by how much fun you have!
Pic: celebrating with a box of early Valentine’s chocolates – thank you, sweet & lovely Natasha!
February 3, 2014
“So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters. Whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody knows.” ― Virginia Woolf
There are two reasons to write whatever you wish. Firstly, & most importantly, because it will make you happy. Secondly, because it’s impossible to know what will make you successful. William Goldman, the screenwriter, famously said that “nobody knows anything”. People try to analysis the bestsellers, to create formulas and predictions, but they can’t. So, please yourself first, then see what happens next…
Pic: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore by William Joyce.
February 2, 2014
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” ― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
This may seem like a silly little quote but, since it’s Sunday – officially a day of rest so we’re all legitimately excused from doing anything productive – you’ll excuse me. It’s true that on an empty stomach we can’t do much of anything very well. It’s also true that if you don’t dine well, think well, love well and sleep well you won’t be able to work well. When I’m writing the first draft of a book I take especially good care of myself. I eat delicious food, I watch inspiring films, I get good sleep, think positive thoughts and cuddle my husband often. And, I find, when all my needs are taken care of then the words take care of themselves…
Pic: enjoying a deliiiicious pork bun from Momofuku David Chang, Brooklyn.
February 1, 2014
“Feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.” ― Florence Nightingale
Self-publishing my first little book was probably the scariest thing I ever did in my life, involving as it did, a great many courageous actions in the form of visiting bookshops, baking them chocolate flapjacks & begging them to sell my book. Then a publisher picked it up &, so far, it’s been translated into 25 languages. They told me outright that my successes self-publishing the book was a major factor in them deciding to publish it. So, as I wrote in that little book, Men, Money & Chocolate, talent & self-belief alone is not enough, you need to “take courageous steps in the direction of your dreams.” Words are not enough. You must take action!
Pic: Paddington Bear in Papel, Brooklyn.
January 31, 2014
“Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.” ― Daphne du Maurier
True happiness is internal & irrespective of circumstances. So cultivate happiness now, with your life exactly as it is. Do whatever it takes, whatever works for you. The practice of Instantaneous Transformation – essentially the practice of living in the moment – works for me. When I started, nearly 10 years ago, I was working at Starbucks & hating it. After my first seminar I stopped complaining & fell in love with my life – I hummed show tunes while scrubbing floors. Nothing had changed but everything had changed, all at once. The gift – apart from being happy – is that you’ll then pursue your passion simply as a product of your happiness & not to fill some gaping hole within. This, of course, will make both the journey & arrival at the destination much more joyful!
Pic: O is generally joyful, regardless of circumstances 
January 30, 2014
“Life is a dream. He who robs us of our dreams robs us of our life.” ― Virginia Woolf, Orlando
We all need to dream and dream big. Because when we stop dreaming, hoping, reaching out, reaching up, then our spirits start to wither & die. And then we stop living to merely survive. There’s nothing virtuous in being cynical and “realistic”. You’ll just end up a bitter being who tells others to give up before they’ve even started. Keep expanding, keep daring to dream. Be brave. Be a dreamer. The world needs you!
Pic: the three of us dreaming on the way home
January 29, 2014
“I feel so intensely the delights of shutting oneself up in a little world of one’s own, with pictures & music & everything beautiful.” ― Virginia Woolf
Day 28: Many authors say they can only write in front of blank walls. But I’m with Virginia on this one. Beauty inspires me. It lifts my spirit and makes me smile. And, since this is the state in which I like to write, it’s perfect. Writing gives me great joy and, if it didn’t, I wouldn’t do it. So, I recommend you make the space in which you create, however small or makeshift, as beautiful & inspiring as it can possibly be…
Pic: Somewhere in The Maldives – I wouldn’t mind doing a little writing here 
January 28, 2014
“I honor endurance, perseverance, industry, talent; because these are the means by which men achieve great ends.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Two spots have opened up on my mini writing workshop – Sat 1st Feb @ 4pm (UK time) only £25 for 1hr – so if you’d like to learn lots of fabulous stuff about how to be an even more brilliant writer than you already are, then claim your space here!
Day 27: I’ve just returned from an AMAZING time in Costa Rica! My spirit is flying high & I can’t stop smiling. I experienced so much wonderfulness, and am left feeling acutely aware of just how short this incredible business of life is & how important it is that we enjoy every single minute we possibly can – so grab all the joy you can & don’t postpone your dreams!
