Amanda Apthorpe's Blog

When the Muse hits 'Pause'

When the Muse hits 'Pause'

I'm coming to the end of a writing hiatus. In the midst of berating myself I've come to value the a non-writing period; a chance to take stock, incubate and, if necessary, recalibrate.

While there are numerous very good reasons in my 'outside-of-writing' life, if something like that really exists (it's all grist for the mill isn't it?), that might justify the break, I know it's not these.

I think my Muse has hit the Pause button, perhaps as she stifled a yawn as I approached the potentially treacherous mid point of the novel. And she's held her hand over it so I won't hit Play, waving a finger of the other hand at me - 'not yet, go out and get some fresh air'.

'Ok,' I sighed shrugging my shoulders and feeling them and my thoughts loosening. I've become alert to new ideas: a chance trip to the spice markets in Bali heightened my character's senses; in a random choice of movie on the plane on the way home my Muse, disguised as my character, waved to me from the side of the set - 'Take note!' she said.

So, I've stopped berating myself, inhaling instead the heady mix of fresh ideas.

She knew what she was doing, my Muse, but then, that's what a Muse is for isn't it? She's taken her hand off the button and is waving to me now from the page. Hit Play!

Time Management for Writers Webinar

Join me next Wednesday 15 November 2017 6-7pm for my webinar on Time Management for Writers for Writers Victoria. Book now!  

https://writersvictoria.org.au/civicr... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London scribbles and crossings out

What a privilege it has been to be in the company of so many writers and teachers of writing at the Great Writing conference, London. As last year, I come away having learned more about this writing life that I've chosen, and where I position myself within it. This time my presentation focussed on the practice of writing, my own writing, in particular how to negotiate the use of multiple perspectives in the novel I'm working on. I don't assume that I have the answers to the challenges this faces and I suppose the verdict will come from readers when One Core Belief is released in February 2017; however, the signs are good. I read from my work in progress and was very, very encouraged by the feedback. 

I love London and its surrounds and have drawn a lot of inspiration from the evidences of its past and of its present - what a time to be there with such an historical political/social outcome of the referendum! While I pounded the pavements, buses and Underground exploring its many treasures, there are a couple of moments in particular that I'd like to share here:

Bath - When I was writing my previous novel A Single Breath (published last year)  the trip was booked to visit the city of Bath, the setting for the climax of the novel. As it happens, life got in the way and it had to be cancelled, so … research was done using information and virtual tours on the Internet. Even though the novel has been published since, I felt that something was not resolved. I needed to 'be' my character Dana and to see and feel where it was that her significant moment occurred. So this was my chance. As I entered the Baths, I could feel myself trembling with anticipation. I walked where Dana walked, and I sat where she sat - very powerful and emotional. I felt then that I could finally let it go. 

Cambridge - Already I'm thinking of the next novel! Not so unusual I believe. Despite my engagement with the current work in progress, I allow myself just little glimpses of what might come next; it's an important incubation period between now and then, as long as it doesn't undermine or interfere with the devotion to the task in hand. However, given that I had to imagine the setting for Dana (above) in the writing of that work, and thinking that some of the the next novel would be set in and around Cambridge University, and the Royal Homeopathic Hospital (former name), this  would be my opportunity to position myself where my new, unmet, unrealised people who I will come to love, will walk and talk. So … watch this space. 

British Library - Oh wow! The Treasures in the library are treasures indeed: Mozart's notebook (and those of many other musicians); Jane Austen's desk, glasses and hand written copy of Persuasion; Thomas More's Utopia … I'm not even touching the sides. I elected to not use a guide, or an audio - perhaps my loss - but what struck me about the handwritten works of such as these were the scribbles and crossings out - the deletions and replacement of words and musical notations, the raw crafting of works in progress that demonstrated uncertainty, perhaps insecurity, as well as genius. These are poignant reminders that what we are privileged to experience in the final products are the works of those who too may have struggled to find the right words or notes, to have experienced moments of low self-confidence, and whose brilliant, creative moments were composed within the joys and trials of 'ordinary' life. In the Museum of Natural History I learned that when the American naturalist John James Audubon's completed The Birds of America, publishers of his time were not interested in his work; a blow to self-esteem, but he believed in himself and self-published (as did Marcel Proust). Today Audubon's work is the most expensive book in the world. 

And my own writing? More scribbles and crossings out, deletions and additions and lots and lots of inspiration.

Bath 

Cambridge

Audubon

Happy me

London calling … again

It's hard to believe that it's now over four years since I made the decision to leave full-time employment to 'follow my dream' and a while since I documented its progress. In this time I have had the great blessing of seeing both my novels published by the wonderful Atlas Productions and finished my PhD. Teaching creative writing and editing, assessing manuscripts, giving papers at conferences and working alongside other writers - my tribe - confirms for me that I made the right decision and that when something calls you, you have to answer. 

So … London's calling again. Last year I attended the Great Writing conference and I'm off again in two weeks to be immersed in all things writing and an expanding tribe that represents over forty countries. The conference itself is only two days, but the rest of the time, other than wandering the streets of London in perfect bliss, I'll be conducting my own personal writing retreat. I've heard it said that a writer doesn't hit her straps until the third novel and I think it's true. My third is providing me with great joy and considerable challenges negotiating the five central characters. They need my attention and they're going to get it in the little cell in the convent that is my home in London. I'm not leaving until it's finished! And I have the extra incentive of its publication in February 2017. 

How lucky am I? Very! What a journey. 

Lord of the Dance

I'm not a Hindu, but have a great love of the iconography, and every other religion's iconography for that matter. This image is the last thing I see at night. It causes me to ponder the nature of the universe, of life and death … but not every night. With glasses off, and in the evening light, I can imagine Shiva whirling to his right, the forces of creation and destruction kept in check - as long as that foot's up!. The whole setting here is poignant for me. Beneath Shiva is a tapestry woven by my mother when I was a child. Its colours are still vibrant, but it will fade; I wonder about the chatter, the laughs and tears, the hum of domestic life that accompanied each stitch. She wasn't a particularly patient person, so I choose to believe that this quiet, reflective pastime saw her in a good space. Beneath the tapestry is the table around which her mother, my grandmother held seances. What or who was she looking for? The mother who died giving birth to her is my guess. The stack of yet-to-read books hover. They will be full of beautiful and not-so-beautiful words, wisdoms and hopefully some laughs. In time they will be assigned to the shelves or find their way to an op-shop, but what they gave me won't be forgotten. Shiva's face, I know, is peaceful and impassive, content in the knowledge that there is a balance of forces up and down, left and right, that life and death, grief and joy are in harmony. That's a nice thought to sleep on, as long as he doesn't put that foot down. 

London calling ... again

It's been a while since I updated the journey since I left full-time employment to 'follow my dream' to write. That was four years ago! So hard to believe. Since that time I completed my PhD and finished the second novel and have had the joy of both first and second novels published by the fabulous Atlas Productions. Teaching creative writing and editing over these four years, assessing manuscripts and attending conferences has been such a joy. Being absorbed in the writing community and working alongside other writers - my tribe - provides me incredible satisfaction that I made the right decision four years ago. It wasn't that I was unhappy then, or that I didn't work with fabulous people; I did, but when something else calls you, you have to answer it. 

So … for the second year in a row, London's calling. The Great Writing conference last year was so stimulating and, with forty countries represented, my tribe expanded. So … two weeks to go. The conference itself only goes for two days, but I will be using the rest of the time to absorb myself in my third novel - a writing retreat. I've heard it said that a writer only starts to hit her straps by the third one, and I think that might be the case. It's bringing me so much joy and considerable challenges, but I've got to get it finished because my fabulous publisher will have it out in February 2017. How lucky am I? Very. What a journey!

A Single Breath - Review

 https://librarynerdette.wordpress.com/2015/10/01/a-single-breath-by-by-amanda-apthorpe/

Enriched and inspired

The launch of A Single Breath continues to be an exciting ride and I've been so thrilled with the feedback so far. 

Attended a fabulous masterclass on novel writing in Perth at the weekend. The acclaimed author Kathryn Heyman was so inspiring  and I've come away enriched and excited to pour it into One Core Belief (working title) the latest novel project, and in my teaching. The projects that other members of the class are working on are fascinating and I can't wait to buy them when they hit the shelves. 

I've been so fortunate this year to extend my writing journey into national and international forums - Wellington, London and Perth. Absorbing myself in the writing world and sharing the highs and lows (usually one of self-confidence) of the journey with others is uplifting. 

But (ok, I know it's a conjunction) having my second novel gently taken from my hands and sent on its way into the world has been the most wonderful event this year. Thanks Atlas. 

 

 

 

 

One week to go!

How lucky I am to be anticipating the release of A Single Breath next Tuesday. What a great writing journey! But for a very different journey - well you'll have to read the book!

The Writing Journey continues...

Time to take stock of the writing journey thus far.

For those of you who followed from my earliest blogs, you will recall how the publication of my first novel Whispers in the Wiring (and other factors) prompted my decision to leave a very comfortable, happy and secure position in a most excellent school to follow another dream - to write. Was it a foolish decision? I'm not young, and conversations centred around security and superannuation make my heart race with anxiety. But I didn't want to wonder. I didn't want to face myself in the 'end' with a 'why didn't you have a go'. I decided I'd rather go down fighting for a dream, if that's what should happen, than let it all dry up because I was too scared to try.

It's over three years now and where has the writing journey taken me? Further inward, and further outward. I continue to 'teach' writing to the most remarkable students, but learn so much more from them - about writing, about life, and am astounded and humbled by the transformative power of the writing process. 

I travel - to Wellington last December, and to London in June, to give papers at conferences on creative writing where I meet like-minded souls who are dedicated, passionate writers and teachers too. I've found my tribe!

And my own writing and publishing dreams? I have been blessed with a literary guardian angel, who sweeps my manuscripts from me and takes care of the whole irksome business of publication and, more importantly, believes in me as a writer. 

I still don't get enough time to write, but am not doing too badly. My first novel Whispers in the Wiring is to be republished, the second A Single Breath is out on 1 September, and my third is in progress and providing me with the joy of writing. And that's what it's all about. 

So, how would I view the journey so far? - unpredictable, scary, thrilling, big moments of insecurity, big moments of confidence. I love that I am open for opportunities that come so unexpectedly, that I took a chance on myself. and that I can say with confidence … I am a writer.