“The main rule of writing is that if you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it -honestly, and tell it as best you can. * I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.” – http://www.brainpickings.org/2012/09/28/neil-gaiman-8-rules-of-writing/
Writing … A new year, new words, new possibilities, new horizons. I spend much time thinking, and talking to you, those who are kind enough to read these post, about moving forward and letting go of the “goo ” of our lives. I don’t think that will really change, for I still believe it to be of prime importance to most of us. I mean, after all, we all have “goo “-some of it is icky and sticky, some is stubborn, and some even mushes over into the good goo compartment (yes that exist too!) When I started this blog, many years ago now, I wanted to write and hide in the third person voice of a Botanical Beauties character. I never really figured out how to do that and as the years evolved the writing has become more and more personal. It is cloaked loosely from conversations and thoughts with/from friends and life snippets-I often write in reflection to my own days, occurrences, and obviously from my opinions and from my heart. It often feels very exposed and vulnerable. “Life is full of interruptions and complications”-a line from the movie Love Actually seems to fit here. In the movie they are referring to actions/reactions; however, it also seems true for these thoughts, and so words, sometimes they too feel like interruptions and complications. Later in the movie the words are “A mans got to do what’s a mans got to do…” and love triumphs. A good thing, for in the end, isn’t it all really about the people in our lives, the interactions and experiences we share with them? And so, circling back, writing from the heart seems like the right thing to do.
As 2015 begins, another year of horizons beckons, more words, more experiences. A big personal milestone for myself and The Botanical Beauties will be the reality (finally) of my first book. Since the very first art/craft shows I did, as I stood there and told the ever evolving story and message of the community of The Botanical Beauties & Beasties, people have asked-Where’s the book? Followed by, You need to write a children’s book. So, with much trust in the “universe,” and a whole lot of hope, this will indeed be the year of the written word, THE book, MY book. (See image above of the cover) I wrote it with honesty, and have told the story the best I could. I followed the rule from above.* … As a life rule, a writing rule, an interpersonal rule, Neil Gaimans words are ones that I like the sound of. I would like this to be my “golden rule” for 2015. “Do what you need to, Live honesty, Live the best you can, Live with assurance and confidence” …add into that, take the chance, jump in with both feet…Let’s hope it ALL turns out well and brings the Botanicals (my alter ego?) out to new paths, journeys, adventures and happiness.
While I’m at it – I wish the same to ALL of you too! Again quoting the end of Love Actually and The Beach Boys–“God only knows where I’d be without you.” I totally agree.
Just in case……you need to see the movie ending again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEQPXDGRaEk&list=RDiEQPXDGRaEk&spfreload=10#t=27