Dear readers, my creative energy has ebbed as I've dealt with one drama after another, from computer breakdown to a publisher denying permission to use some important material (and informing me by snail mail, after the manuscript has been sent off). At times it's felt like death by detail.
But today, I can feel the tide turning, slowly and gently. I received wonderful support from someone, who helped me make decisions about what to write on the back cover, tidying up my biography, and above all, choosing a cover image. I also received 12 sample pages from the designer, and they look beautiful.
The tide turns in the most delicious way when I begin to let go of being a writer in the late stages of book production, bogged down in footnotes and punctuation marks, and become an artist once more. I let go of the words and have a vision of how the book will look. This afternoon I sat down and did some pages of illustrations for the chapter headings. The images flowed from the charcoal. I feel creative again. The tide is turning, slowly, deliciously, quietly inside me.
11 comments:
How exciting to think of images flowing from you through charcoal to paper - I look forward to seeing these companioning your words.
And as always it touches me to see my old home, the Northern shore of the harbor, across the water in your beautiful photographs.
Blessings,
Sue
Thank you Sue, and I'm so pleased that you could feel 'at home' with these photos, because you were very much in my thoughts as this post came together. I did my tai chi by the water after the drawings were done. What blessings have come in today!
Hi Juliet - life has a way of doing that ... pulling us down to the depths and then releasing and we bob bob right back up - even if only to float gently on the tides of change ...
So pleased you're feeling easier with life ... I hadn't realised you drew as well - talented lady ...
Big hugs - Hilary
Hello from Montreal, Canada, Juliet. Great post, I really enjoyed looking at your beautiful photos.
That does sound very frustrating. I can't believe the publisher didn't get back to you in some sort of instant electronic way. What a huge disappointment and the time wasted! Glad to hear you're moving forward from these setbacks xx
* Hilary thank you for your understanding comment. I was an artist before I began to write books, and it's always a thrill to step back into the visual world when I illustrate a book.
* Linda, welcome from Montreal, nice to have you visit and comment.
* Charlie, I couldn't believe that a publisher wouldn't use email! It's a relief to be moving on from all that.
Such beautiful pictures -- and I'm glad the tide is turning for you.
Dear Juliet, I can feel a sense of peacefulness returning to you. After all that work, the computer problems, publishing problems - I'm pleased for you that the tide is finally turning. Relish its gentle flow.
* Vicki, thank you. I'm feeling a sense of great relief with the turning of the tide.
*Penny, it is a relief to find another rhythm now. Gentleness is certainly the key, and I will keep that in mind. Thank you.
I hope you will be hop, hop, hopping along like the blackbirds now the heavy stuff has been dealt with Juliet.
Lynley, what a nice thought! Thank you.
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