Reminiscing

Well hi there! It's only been four years... WTF?!

There's no way I'm going to bore you with the last four years of my life, but needless to say much has changed. So why post now? Well, I was sitting here today thinking about life, and how it takes us on roads we never imagined we'd travel, and I got to thinking of all the roads I've traveled so far...and that brought me to my blog! I went back to the beginning and I read EVERY post! I kid you not. It was like looking back through a journal of sorts, and it made me miss this time in my life.

I haven't written much, if anything, for a few years now. I am still as creative as ever, but my outlet has changed. A tandem passion I've had alongside writing is photography, and that kind of took over quenching my creative thirst. It also wasn't as difficult - if I'm being totally honest - so that brings me back to the why now question, if I'm not writing, and I'm not in that arena, then why post? Like I said, as I read through I felt a lot like this was my journal, and so I felt the need to write an update of sorts. Here goes...

Initially I have a confession, an explanation perhaps - I have always, for as long as I can remember, needed to try new things, ALWAYS. I love to learn. I love to see if I can do something, and I need to know if I'm any good. The problem that I have is that once I have answered those questions, I'm satisfied! This makes sticking with things extremely difficult for me. I don't think it's an attention thing, like ADHD or anything like that, I just lose the desire to pursue whatever it is because I don't necessarily have the burning need to excel at it. I just like having the experience.

For a very long time I saw this as a flaw. It really bothered me. I would feel its imminence, and I'd do all that I could to stave if off - to no avail. I felt like a quitter. Was I afraid of something? What? Why?

It turns out that it's just my curious nature, and the way I'm wired. As I've got older, and as I've paid attention to the cycles of my creative energy, I've seen much more clearly the pattern that unfolds.

I write still, every day. In my journal. Lists. Ideas. Random thoughts that won't stop nagging at me until it's on paper. Not much of it makes sense, but I love to write. I need to. I know that I always will. The nature and focus of the writing is what changes. I've stopped and started so many blogs in my need to write. I just never found another subject matter to warrant dedicating a blog to, or a subject that I really understood enough to feel that I could speak about with enough truth and understanding that anyone would care.

This blog was always different, because I wrote it more as a way of inspiring others creatively rather than teach anything. I just shared what I was doing in my own routine and felt that it was possibly opening others up to brainstorming their own way through their writing.

It's funny how we keep coming back to what is at our core. Our passions. I've been working on a new project (by new I mean for a couple of years). It's a photography project that incorporates my writing. I keep shelving it, and it keeps screaming at me to get on with it. Every time I try to do something else, it finds a way of creeping in in another form, but it can't fool me! I've done enough rewrites to know the same essence when I see it!!

So here I am, back at writing. This time it isn't a memoir, a novel, or a screenplay. It isn't fiction, and honestly I wouldn't say it's non-fiction either (although that would be how it's categorized by proxy) I would say it is more of a heart project. Love on paper. I needed to read this blog today, to remind me of my own essence!! It reminded me why I write, what my 'blocks' are, and what my process is/was. It reminded me that my greatest work might not be picked up by another soul, but that as long as it comes from within me, and I'm allowing it to pass through me, then it's value is much the same. If not for anyone but me, it is still worth doing.

I guess in all truth, I just wanted to feel the keys below my fingers again, have that sense of connectedness that this type of writing/blogging thing does (whether anyone reads it or not is of little importance) and just come back and smile. Celebrate that this is all a journey. Every day is a chance to imprint your own magnificence of spirit in whatever way flows. For me, that has largely been in the form of a mother these last few year, guiding my little tribe through the sometimes murky waters of life. I put much of what I longed to do on hold (willingly) because I know this time is fleeting. Four years has gone in the blink of an eye. Yet I stand here, at another crossroad. Do I go here? Do I go there? My heart wants to do it all, and now I know that I can - just not all at once - and I'm okay with that now.

We had a sea change a couple of years ago. It's been heaven for my soul. It's just what I knew I needed to do - for myself and my family. That breath of fresh air that sounds cliche but in truth is real. Now that we've settled into our new life I feel I'm ready to spread my own wings a little again. I feel drawn to a few things simultaneously, but what's new there?! Ha! Either way, I'm ready to take on something just for me again...

Stay tuned. Maybe I'll blog about it!

Happy writing my dear sweet friends (if there's anyone left out there that is)
Keep at it! :)

diversions and distractions

I have a habit of coming across these things as I need them, and this one reminded me how distracted I can become with things that are out of the realms of my control. 

Life has been throwing me a few curve-balls lately. Conflicts that have caused ripple effects through other areas of my life, sending me off on diversions I hadn't planned on. Challenges that have appeared too difficult, but have actually been rewarding as I've embraced them. Even surprising me with how much easier they were than I expected they would be.

I think we get too reliant on life being predictable. We keep to the "safest" path, rather than exploring the one that's calling the loudest.

I'm getting better at this as I get older, but I've always been a bit of a people-pleaser and avoided conflict like the plague.  I would sooner see someone happy, than upset them, and consequently sacrificed my own happiness frequently in the process.  Realising you're own mortality and the value of your life (as you tend to do with age) I've become fiercely protective of my time and energies. I have accepted it is impossible to please everyone all of the time, and I'm okay with that. A certain peace comes with that realisation, and at the end of the day, if I know I've given it my best - that's all I can do.

Living each and every day authentically is the most important thing to me now. Knowing that everything comes from a loving and honest place, makes all things easier. I'm doing my best, and I'm embracing the good. The negative is just noise I'm learning to tune-out. 

Spending time on distractions means I'm spending less time on what really counts. When I resist change because it's painful, maybe it's a diversion I'm MEANT to take. That is what I'm learning. The next diversion could be the one that matters the most. It could bring change I'll end up being thankful for. Having plans it great, but opening yourself up to the unpredictability of life is liberating!

Don't let distractions, no matter how big, take over your life completely. Try to keep things in perspective, and trust that if you stay true to who you are, and you keep a kind heart you will achieve great things. Which reminds me of another great quote -

Love life and it will LOVE you back. ~ ANON

Happy writing ;)

Emma

accomplishments and goals

As many of you know I've spent the last 6 months doing an amazing course with ScreenwritingU called the ProSeries. Well, it has come to an end and I'm about to graduate, and it has been AMAZING!! I can't begin to tell you what I've learnt, but there is just SO much valuable content in this course you have to do it if you want to improve your own writing.  I highly recommend it!! Beyond the class being amazing, and all the skills and knowledge I've gleaned, I have made some wonderful friends that I know I will stay in touch with. 

Of course, like all great learning experiences, I was challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions, but each time I came through stronger and stronger.  I now have far more confidence in my ability as a writer, and feel a huge sense of accomplishment now that I'm finished.  I have gained an exceptional work ethic by posting daily assignments, and although at times it was a struggle to keep up with the course, my daily life as a mother of four children AND deal with my recent illness, Hal and the guys at ScreenwritingU were more than supportive and that only magnifies the respect I feel for them and their company.  They have truly created a wonderful, caring and supportive community for writers of all things.

So, now that it's over what's my plan??  WRITE. WRITE. WRITE.

The fact that I won't be working to such a strict schedule will mean that hopefully I'll get back to some of my other writing too (like this blog), but I am adjusting my routine somewhat.  The big lesson I learnt along the way this last 6 months is that keep adding more balls to my already enormous juggle doesn't necessarily make me MORE productive! Yes, we're back to that - balance! Prioritizing and setting goals is far more productive at this point, and so armed with my goals for the next 6 months I now feel 10 feet tall, and bullet-proof - and yes, finally well again!

Next on my list is the ProSeries rewrite class, and building my library of scripts.  A rewrite on AFTER JIM, as well as finishing a project I'm co-writing with two brilliant writers, one of which I met in the PS class are first on that list!!  I'm so excited to get going and implement the skills I've learnt ;)

I love owning my talent.  That has been where the personal growth of the last 6 months has led me.  Saying I'm a writer feels GREAT!!  It may have taken me 20-years to get there, but boy does it feel liberating to not just say it, but OWN IT!  Belief in yourself is the first step to success after all.

So here's to dreams coming true, and life unfolding in surprising ways.  I'm so glad I clicked the wrong link a year ago and landed on ScreenwritingU's doorstep.

Rather than wait until you stumble upon them, click HERE and go improve your writing and knowledge of the business 100 fold - you'll be glad you did! (you can thank me later)

Happy writing ;)
Emma

check this out!

Some of you may remember my good friend, and amazing writer, Tom Reed had his STAR WARS beatsheet published on the Save the Cat website a while back.  Well I'm excited to tell you that he's back on STC with his latest breakdown FRANKENWEENIE and he doesn't disappoint!

You can check it out HERE and while you are there, why not leave him a comment of support!  As always, thank you in advance for supporting a fellow writer, it is always nice to know someone is reading your work!

I'll be back very soon. But for now, take care and ...

Happy writing ;)
Emma

where have you been?

Has it really been 6 weeks?? How time flies when things are crazy! I won't bore you with details but I've been under the weather for a while and some things have had to take a back seat for a while.

I'm still getting back on track, but didn't want to neglect you any longer than necessary so just checking in that you are inspired, living your dreams and forging ahead!!

Balance is an ever-present lesson in my life, as it seems to be with most people these days.  So I hope you are finding some!

I will be looking at a new format for my blog very soon, but for now I'll just keep posting as I'm able.

Happy writing ;)
Emma

when all else fails

So, I've finally succumbed to the germs that have infested my house for the last week!  As I've worked my tail off trying to keep every aspect of my life together, my immune system has apparently been slacking off!  Doesn't it understand I can't afford to get sick?!  There's too much to be done, and not enough hours in the day as it is. 

The simple thing to do would be to head to bed and sleep it off!  Ah, why didn't I think of that?  Oh, that's right, because I'm playing nurse to two sick kiddies, got a mountain of washing and other various mundane duties that won't do themselves (no matter how much I wait for that to happen), and I've got writing to do.  Some of which is homework, and I simply can't put it off any longer. 

I don't admit defeat often, and I won't be doing it today.  So what do I do when all else fails?  Keep looking for a solution of course!  Now, where can I get one of these?

Happy writing ;)

Emma



song of the day

Jessie J - Stand Up

Again with inspiration from my tweeps on twitter!  I'd never heard this until today, but I LOVE it, and couldn't wait to share it with you -- enjoy!!

Happy writing ;)
Emma

word of the day

Subjunctive - (sub-junk-tiv) noun  a) the subjunctive mood b) a verb in the subjunctive mood adjective Grammer: Mood - expresses doubt or supposition.

A word thrown out there on twitter today! I had to look it up, so figured why not use it?!

Happy writing ;)
Emma

song of the day

The Last Day on Earth - Kate Miller Heidke

So, apparently it is our last day on earth today, and this song sprang to mind instantly. 

This song actually inspired my first screenplay, so I have a soft spot for it! I think I had it on continual repeat on my iPod for a week or more.  I never tire of it though, or the emotion that it draws.

You know, we're all making light of this being the last day and all, but seriously, if it were, have you done all you dreamed you would?  You may not have achieved the dream, but have you been following it?  If not, why not?  We tend to get in a rut and take life for granted, but whether it all ends today, tonight or tomorrow, it doesn't matter, the fact is it WILL end.  Maybe not the entire world, but your world IS finite.  Please don't make the mistake of wasting it.  Let me share my new favourite quote with you --

"Love life and it will LOVE you back." - Anon

Live life to the full, everyday.  When you do those mundane chores, remind yourself of the alternative, and feel blessed to be here.  Not every moment of your life can be a dream, but if your dream is LIFE then, hey, it just might be!!

Happy writing ;)

Emma 

word of the day

Occlude - (o-klood) verb 1. to close, obstruct or block up. 2. chemistry (of a solid) to absorb or adsorb and retain gases.

song of the day



Out of Reach - Gabrielle

A favourite feel-good movie of mine.  Great to watch with a glass of wine ;)

I love this song.  Just felt like listening to it today, so of course thought I'd share it.

Happy writing ;)

Emma

word of the day

Solipsism - (soll-ip-sizm) noun  Philosophy: the belief that only the self or ego exists or can be known.

song of the day

Katy Perry - Firework

I couldn't resist this one today!  I was lucky enough to see her live last night, and I have to say she puts on a fabulous show!!  I find all of her songs to be inspiring, and they fill me with energy, which is great when I'm dragging my tail!

 

 

Hope you are having a great day, and all your dreams are coming true.

 

 

Happy writing ;)

Emma

word of the day

Firstly, I might need to rethink the title of this post.  Daily blogging just isn't possible right now, so I guess it's "word of the moment" haha!!

Anyhow, whatever "moment" this word finds you in, here it is --

Scintillating - (sin-ti-lay-ting) adjective 1. sparkling or flashing. 2. witty.

part 2...the saga continues...

The Saga Begins - Weird Al Yankovic

I know I've posted this song before, but heck - I LOVE IT!! It's so much FUN and as I've said, my family are huge Weird Al fans, he's one funny dude!

Not to take away from the intelligent, and sheer genius of the second installment of Tom's blog this week, this just sprang to mind and I felt like listening to it, which in turn made me want to share it!!

Here is the link to read part 2 of Tom's epic STAR WARS breakdown!  Don't forget to leave a comment if you can.  Like all writers, I'm sure Tom will appreciate the support.  It is cool to know someone is actually reading your work!

Way to go, Tom! 

THE SAGA CONTINUES...ON SAVE THE CAT! BLOG

Hope you are all having a great weekend!  I've had a hugely productive, albeit tiring, week!  So am ready to catch my breath.

Happy writing ;)
Emma