Tag Archives: nanowrimo

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Life is a Series of Transitions

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oct-memorialdrive-walkThe smell of decaying leaves nauseated me. Though decay and death is an opportunity for rebirth, it feels daunting. The nights are ever so quiet, stars brightly lighting the pathways of the galaxy.

Winter is inevitable. This is one of the last pictures I took before the snow arrived, it’s presence unwelcome and awkward as it delivered it’s harsh reality. I pass the hours practising music, working intently on my voice. I feel new songs incubating so I carry my notebook everywhere. I catch glimpses of the butterfly, yet the caterpillar is still present, not completely transformed. Life is a series of transitions and and the purpose is the journey which only exists in this moment.

I am setting up for NaNoWriMo once again for the third year in a row. I am not entirely sure what I will write about yet, being a pantser. In other words, flying by the seat of my pants in no uncertain terms. However for the last two years I have succeeded in writing 50,000 words in the month of November and I shall try for 3/3.

Would my time be better spent doing something else? Perhaps, but really, I recently read what I wrote last year, and was startled. What I had written read better after putting it aside for almost a year.

sunflower-oil

Sunflowers Oil on Canvas
16 X 20
$300 CAD

I have an abundance of paintings which I would like to move as I am trying to sustain my life form on this planet. Motivated to sell, please make me an offer if you are so inclined and feel free to share my website with your art loving friends. A great opportunity to purchase original art at very reasonable prices. If you are interested, please contact me. A deposit will hold your piece and shipping will be extra. Local pickup or delivery is available.

I began teaching at a art/music studio in NW Calgary. My first art class is two young children and I enjoy doing it. I would be pleased to find a few more students. If you are looking for a teacher for art, piano or guitar in Calgary, AB, get in touch.

On November 23, 2013, I will be at Caprice’s Fine Arts & Crafts Sale in Inglewood. Drop by and see the amazing array of artisans and musicians who will be displaying and selling work. Join the party and come by my booth at the Inglewood Community Centre on November 23, 2013 and say hello.

I will have an assortment of smaller pieces, ideal for gift giving as well as larger paintings. Live music and food-trucks will be part of the scenario. Donations will be accepted for the Calgary Humane Society at the event. Hope to see you there Calgary!

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Fast Track: Writing, Music, Art

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Participant-180x180-2

N A N O W R I M O is happening for me again this year. It’s novel writing month, and I will attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November. You can view my progress in the sidebar. Last year I met my goal and I found it truly stimulates all areas of my life.

I only decided two days ago, and I am going to let my intuition lead the way. I have done very little planning, if any, so I am going to have to channel this thing.

Staying focused on my creative work, while shopping for inspiration, I have actually started to paint in oils. The one below is the first one I did. I am infatuated with the sensuality of the paint and have done a number of small works, mostly landscapes and flowers for a show at Waves Cafe in Springborough in December.

Leighton OilLeighton View
12 X 16
Oil/Canvas

I will also be selling at an artisan fair on December 8, at the Bridgeland Community Centre through What the Craft. A new series of energy paintings which I have designed is a collaboration of art, gemstones and Reiki and will be included in the show & sale.

Great holiday gifts, even if you decide to shop for yourself, as I am making some smaller pieces. I plan to have some art cards available too. Working on a mixed media abstract with lots of texture, gold and silver leaf. Experimenting and stepping out on a limb is a great way to bring in new energy.

I am writing more original music. Once I can demystify this recording challenge, I will have something for you to hear. Enjoying GoGirlsMusic, a networking group for women in music, which I have joined. We have a Thursday night Twitter chat and I have met some amazing women musicians. I was out jamming some blues last weekend. Getting my musician back on and who knows, maybe some gigs are just around the corner.

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Writing A Book: NaNoWrimo

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Late Oct Sunset

I am more than halfway through writing my 50,000 words. I confess, in the beginning watching the meter at the side of this blog was a bit like watching paint dry. The process has been going pretty well, and I am a day ahead of schedule. This goes to show what one can accomplish when a decision is made and one commits to daily practise.

Of course this may not be optimal conditions for the professional writer, but it certainly does give one a kick start. Getting used to writing everyday seems to be the ticket. It is great to be able to set a goal and meet it. The one day I felt like giving up was on day 2. My brain was mush, and my thoughts seemed snarled into a tight knot I did not know that I could get out of.

With the help of a few word wars, I sailed through to week two surprising well, considering the stats say that this is the most common time that participants give up. So here we are in week three out of four and doing nicely. I feel happy I have taken on this project.

Sparrows

It is really only half of what I intend to write by the time I finish. So when November is over, I shall set another goal for myself to finish part two. Most novels are approximately 100,000 words. So I am off to a grand start.

Some people had doubled their daily quota to get a whole book written in November. Since this was the largest writing project I had taken on, I decided to be the tortoise; slow and steady wins the race.

The only way to start living your dreams is by taking action. Some people walk across the Arctic, some climb mountains, and I am writing a book. I needed to get my will back. Seems it becomes fainter with age, we do not have so much fire in the belly as we did when we were younger.

I have tried to coax the sparrows closer to the house and the feeders, but they do not seem to want to get that close. I had so many birds at the other house and I miss them.