Menna Van Praag's Blog, page 40
July 23, 2013
You Are Brilliant!
My writing Workshop on 28th Sep already filling nicely! I’m very excited to share my wisdom. And yes, I can say that now without feeling big headed. As a child I learned (as most people do, especially the Brits, I think) to be modest & never to speak too highly of myself. Unfortunately though, this modesty soon seeped into my bones so, by the time I was a teenager, I no longer believed in myself at all. It took me a long time to re-learn the self belief we’re all born with. I learnt to, along with it, that modesty and self-suppression brings those around you down to your level but expressing your innate brilliance encourages others to do the same. What a relief it was to discover that! So, if you’d like to join me on Sep 28th, to express your brilliance, as a writer and a human being, I would love to have you. And book now, as there may not be any spaces left if you wait!
Pic: O reading one of my favourites 
)
July 21, 2013
Writing workshops
VERY exciting news – part three! My writing workshops: Sep 14th & Sep 28th, are now open for booking! Very limited spaces. Book online or contact me if you’d like to join me for a day learning how to be the very BEST writer you can be!
Pic: enjoying the MOST delicious salted caramel & chocolate & pecan brownie yesterday with the lovely Natasha in London.
July 20, 2013
just a little fun…
Are you having a delightfully, deliciously sunny summer weekend? I hope so! I went punting with friends recently and we came upon these Cambridge University students having some semi-naked fun in the river. I didn’t know the meaning of the word fun when I was a student – all I did was study & think seriously about my future – happily I’ve learnt a lot about it since then. Including that, without fun, you don’t have a future worth having. What’s the point of living, after all, if your life doesn’t bring you joy?
July 19, 2013
Writing
Today I took my office – laptop – into the garden. I love writing outside, gazing at the daisies while I’m waiting for the next words to come. I’ve just started chapter eight of The Cambridge University Witches, so things are really starting to flow. Usually, I’m hacking away, trying to find the story and who the characters are, until around chapter five, at which point the story and characters take on a life of their own and pull me along for the ride – and what a ride it is! That’s the absolute best part of writing, for me, when you’re reading the story as much as writing it. It doesn’t get better than that.
Pic: O & I enjoying the delights of The Old Fire Engine – LOTS of cake – with Jess & Ross yesterday morning
Today I took my office – laptop – into the garden. I love...
Today I took my office – laptop – into the garden. I love writing outside, gazing at the daisies while I’m waiting for the next words to come. I’ve just started chapter eight of The Cambridge University Witches, so things are really starting to flow. Usually, I’m hacking away, trying to find the story and who the characters are, until around chapter five, at which point the story and characters take on a life of their own and pull me along for the ride – and what a ride it is! That’s the absolute best part of writing, for me, when you’re reading the story as much as writing it. It doesn’t get better than that.
Pic: O & I enjoying the delights of The Old Fire Engine – LOTS of cake – with Jess & Ross yesterday morning
July 16, 2013
A snowball’s chance, but still…
This morning I wrote a letter to Richard Curtis, declaring my undying admiration and asking if we might meet. Now, I know there’s one in million chance he’ll write back, still less that he’ll say yes, but infinitesimal odds haven’t stopped me in the past and they won’t stop me now. I’ve wanted to write to Mr Curtis forever and, just having seen the trailer for his new film – About Time, looks wonderful! – spurned me into action. I was going to wait until the “right time” (until I was rich and famous and thus worthy of his attention ) but I learned my lesson with Nora Ephron who sadly died last year before I had a chance to declare my undying admiration. When I self-published Men, Money & Chocolate I wrote to favourite writers asking (& offering chocolate) them to read it and – if they liked it – give me a lovely quote for the cover. Two of them, Katie Fford & Fiona Walker – actually said yes and gave me gorgeous quotes. Which just goes to show that infinitesimal odds are sometimes enough. So ignore the odds and keep going for it, whatever it is! Oh, and if Mr Curtis blesses me with a response, I’ll be sure to let you know…
Pic: a turret in Pembroke College, Cambridge (featured in new book) though I think it looks like it could be in Rome )
July 14, 2013
Writing Workshops
VERY exciting news – Update!
So, I’m still unauthorised to tell you the very exciting new – part two – wheels are turning slower than anticipated, but it shouldn’t be long now! Meanwhile, I’m excited to update you regarding very exciting news, part one. Next month I’ll be teaching not one but TWO writing workshops! The first, on August 10th, will be for screenwriters. The second, on August 24th, for novelists. I’ll be capping the available places at 7 and 16 participants, respectively, to give time for personal feedback on each individual’s work – so it’s not simply another general class on honing your writing skills. Each workshop will be a brilliant combination of insight and inspiration – I’m very excited to be teaching them!! Registration will open up next Sunday evening – so watch this space for your chance to join me…
The first magazine article I was ever in, when I self-published Men, Money & Chocolate, oh so many years ago…
July 13, 2013
Say YES to Your Life!
Last weekend – at Say Yes to Your Life with Ariel & Shya Kane – I had SO many incredible & glorious experiences. I’ll be sharing these goodies over the following weeks. The first one that comes to mind today is the insight that your comfort zone can actually be a “discomfort zone”. If we’ve been used to living lives of drama, complaint & general pain then this state becomes our “comfort” zone. We often assume that stepping out into the world to live life to the full is a scary thing and potentially much more painful than staying within our known boundaries. But actually, if you’re currently living within your “discomfort zone” then stepping outside it can only be a good thing. Last weekend I saw that my own “discomfort zone” was thinking myself small and uninspired with not much to offer the world. Then, on Saturday night, I suddenly imagined myself on a stage teaching hundreds of people, having the time of my life. It felt totally glorious and absolutely natural all at once. A week ago I was rather terrified at the idea of teaching my first writing workshop. Now I’m so excited I can hardly wait!
Pic: O, Artur, Shya & Me in the Botanical Gardens.
June 30, 2013
Part One
VERY exciting news – Part One!
Okay, so some of you were close but – no baby ) However, the second part of the exciting news will have to wait a few days, so here is the first: on August 24th I will be teaching my very first writing workshop! Now, I’ve taught before, read manuscripts etc (I worked for the BBC for many years as a script reader & editor) but I’ve never done anything LIVE & in person before! Big stepping outside my comfort zone, so I’m rather nervous & very excited too. I’ve always wanted to teach like this, to meet my students, to inspire them & be inspired by their courage & brilliance. Writing every day is, of course, a solitary life & I love it but it is a little lonely at times. I’ve just not had the courage to put myself out there like this before, but now I’m doing it!!!
June 29, 2013
Guess What?!
VERY exciting news coming soon! Watch this space…
