I have been impulsive lately. Spontaneous. Jumping in before the evil analysis paralysis dampens the fun.
YES to the possibility of kicking off a discussion group at a Lit Fest in September. (That’s to network but also to enjoy a day with other writers, agents and publishers. The talented VANESSA GEBBIE will be there, reading her work.)
YES to reading a short story in Brighton. (That’s for my confidence and scares me back into thumb-sucking and nappies)
YES to a classical Greek workshop next week, discussing Sophocles’ The Three Theban Plays, Bertolt Brecht’s Antigone. (That’s purely for my intellect, that should be fed at all times)
Best of all I have said YES to that insistent voice that has asked me for years to turn what I consider to be in a strong idea, into a NOVEL. (That’s for my future.)
Saying YES feels like a ride, a scary one. But even when the news tells is that we will die in poverty or be engulfed in a tsunami/fire/nuclear holocaust – saying yes is just moving forward, ignoring the detractors. It also gives me news to tell people.
I will keep doing it. As long as it is to do with my beloved writing, my family or my friends.
Within reason.
About Me
- Julia Bohanna
- Shortlisted Bath Short Story Award 2013 Runner-up Cinnamon Press Competition 2013 WNNER: Don Louth Writer of the Year (run by Reading Writers) WINNER: Bradt/Independent on Sunday Travel Writing Competition 2012. SHORTLISTED: Scott Prize (Salt Publishing) 2012 for a short story collection. Writer/ Journalist - assistant editor and writer for the art and books pages of Wolfprint. Most recently published in Independent on Sunday and short story anthologies: Sentinel Champions No 9, 100 Stories for Queensland, 50 Stories for Pakistan, 100 Stories for Haiti and From Hell to Eternity. In a recent writing competition, Joanne Harris described my writing as '...compelling (but quite creepy)'
7 comments:
Good for you Julia!
I have similarly been saying "yes" even though it makes me quake. I think we must. What's to lose? And it's better than thinking, what if I'd...etc.
Good luck!
Yay, Julia, those all sound like wonderful things to say yes too - even if they might scare you, or maybe because they scare you. Enjoy!
Thank you Sara - I think that's what distinguishes well-known writers from those similarly talented writers who give up - persistance!
Thank you Tania. Even though you are a 'pusher' of Scrabulous...infuriatingly obsessive game.
Did you know that they are being sued by the makers of Scrabble? I hope that can hold their own or I will have to go cold turkey.
(I am only playing with the robot, who gives me a good thrashing - curse its eyes!)
Good news, Julia. Yes, that word 'persistence', or stubbornness or bloody-mindedness - whatever it is, it works.
Happy days!
'persistance' was David Beckham's 'word on the street' on Sesame Street recently. That on its own should be enough to affirm your thoughts.
Good luck to you,
x
And it pays off... check out Segora!! Way to go Julia..
D
You rascal..how did you spot me...trying to hide there.
Still, we are all hooked on those little boosts to our morale.
Thanks Douglas!
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