Weeknotes: Break down to break through, rollercoaster week

Orange spiral with purple smiley face and lines emanating from the top, labelled 'excitement'.

The memory of it is already hazy, tbh, but I think it’s been a rollercoaster of a week.

Highlights include writing, sketching, lots of reading, lots of comedy. And, hopefully, a place of my own.

6 – 12 Sep

Table of Contents

Writing &co

I had three great writing sessions, but otherwise I was a bit all over the place this week. But I think it’s working out.

Reflecting on the Writers’ Imaginarium

We got some great questions and prompts shortly after the Sarah Hymas’ Writers’ Imaginarium at a literary festival. I’ve been responding, slowly. Musing to myself.

Stuff I want

More week-long writing courses that include mentoring (like the Arvon course I did)
Giving and getting feedback on a regular basis
- I think I’ll start planning what to share in my Sunday writing sessions
- And look towards participating in at least one other open mic or feedback session elsewhere
More paid residencies, especially nature writing specifically – seek! find! apply!

Stuff I’m looking forward to

Weekly poetry courses with the WEA
Protecting writing time for playful experiments, generating new work, and editing

Sketching

https://twitter.com/Charlillustrate/status/1435903909520986112

This Sketching for Storytellers workshop by Charli Vince was super great, I loved it. Was good to get back to sketchnoting too, but this time with paints! Funtimes.

Joining The Literacy Consultancy ‘Being A Writer’ programme was a great idea.

Intending to do more sketchnoting in future, yay!

Sketchnotes about continuing drawing, and barriers. From around 10 years old, increase in critical self, imposter syndrome and capitalism are barriers too. Drawing isn't the same as being an artist, drawing is a tool that aids memory retention, active learning and reducing anxiety. Artbooks are not the same as sketchbooks. Don't confuse perfection with communication.

Sketchnotes with mandalas, 'The Body Keeps Score' book, spirals, 'take a break', 'motor skills engaged'.

Workshopping

Writing stuff that’s surprisingly funny

So, I always enjoy Anthony Anaxagorou’s writing workshops. This one was different from what I’d usually participate in and so the writing I did surprised me too. Awesome!

https://twitter.com/cherrytree_walk/status/1437286900746891264

Health & wellbeing

Break down to break through is how I’d describe some of the moments of this week!

Practising not being so conflicted when I make decisions. Because, I can always change my mind and make a different decision! Srsly.

Looking forward to this: Optimizing Executive Functions in Children and Adults with ADHD, free webinar, 28 Sep.

Trees & other nature stuff

Welcome to Brockwell Park: Herne Hill Entrance sign, with a map of the map and trees in the background.

Media

Fiction

I read Lexicon by Max Barry. Yay!

Not finished any fiction in a while, aside from gay romances and fanfic, so this is pretty fantabulous.

I loved this story! I used to read Max Barry a lot in my 20s, so it’s quite nice to go back to him and read his newer stuff. I used to play Nation States too. Maybe I’ll go back. Although I tried to go back to Neopets decades after I was really into it, and that was disappointing, so… Who knows!

Started reading Fledgling by Octavia Butler, I’m enjoying it and/but it’s so disturbing.

Poetry

The Poetry Library‘s ebooks collection is brilliant.

I’ve been enjoying Out of Bounds: British Black & Asian Poets, edited by Jackie Kay, Gemma Robinson & James Procter a lot. This book is going on my ‘might buy this in paperback’ list.

I dabbled with a few other collections too, including:

Dancing in Odessa – Ilya Kaminsky
After the Formalities – Anthony Anaxagorou
Trouble Came to the Turnip – Caroline Bird
Penguin Modern Poets 4: Other Ways to Leave the Room – Kathleen Jamie, Don Paterson, Nick Laird (just read some of the Kathleen Jamie poems, I want to read more)