Tuesday 28 December 2010

The Book of Lisa

This is very much how my book looks at the moment. It has its heroine and some words but the story is all jumbled and seems destined to remain so. Yet time... in that way it has... is slowly ticking away... Has the moment now arrived to put all this talk into substance?

 I am deep in thoughts and plans for the New Year. I have even put to work a new notebook on the subject Lists sit neatly and safely within a pretty cloth cover tied with a blue bow). My ambitions and goals are written in blood (well ink from a Bic actually, but that doesn't sound quite so melodramatic!). I feel that the last year saw a massive growth in my creativity. There was more focus, loads of learning - I dare not calculate how much money I spent on all those online courses - and so much practice and, above all, fun!

In the last two years I've written over 500 blog posts. I make my living by writing and thinking creatively. Yet I feel there is still so much to be achieved. It has been noted that perhaps I hide in my art away from the tricky task of book writing and publication. You see, picking up a pencil is much easier and requires more relaxed thinking. I can watch TV at the same time or natter to the family. I can listen to music and go from start to finish in as little as half an hour.

Beginning to write a book however, is the first brush mark on the Forth Road Bridge! Chapter after chapter stretches out across the horizon, empty and waiting for its piece of the story and then when I finish, what then? Statistically unlikely to be snapped up by agent or publisher first go, so it will be back to the beginning... Is it any wonder I keep putting it off?

The clock keeps ticking though. The next 12 months will see me submit short stories and artwork for publication (the first one actually went off today!). My word for 2011 then? Well, it can only be one... PUBLISHED!

I was planning on writing this post anyway, but it ties in very nicely with two wonderful challenges. The Three Muses - Book and Inspiration Avenue - reflecting on the last and future 12 months.

She is my Muse - an excerpt from a painting I did last night, with some digital additions of words and time piece.

34 comments:

  1. ~and she is a beautiful muse if i may say!!! cheers to PUBLISH...you have the mind...the creative witty determined mind to achieve this...lisa...make it come to be...may your thoughts swirl wildly about and your hand be ready to write away...i can't wait to see what will come to be for you in 2011...much love light and blessings be with you and yours~

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  2. Yay Congrats..shine on!!!...beautiful art beautful post!
    hugs!
    Victoria~

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  3. what a wonderful hair she has!! lisa, i keep all my fingers crossed you will reach the goals you aim for in 2011! you have so much talent, so i´m sure you will succeed!!!!!

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  4. LOVE this painting! Lisa - go for it - publishing I mean. Yes statistically it is a bit off putting and I too keep putting it off! I also battle with that little voice inside my head that tells me I have nothing of significance to write about and I lurch from one idea to another without actually getting anything down on paper at all! This is all because if I don't write it then no-one can reject it and therefore I won't fail! So my word, or two words, for 2011? Have Courage!

    Happy New Year to you and I wish you a very creative and successfully published 2011!

    Ro xx

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  5. Your artwork is always so interesting and colourful and I love looking at it. Wishing you all the success in the world with your writings....Happy New Year. Annette x

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  6. She is gorgeous and has a look of wild inner spirit ready to take you on a creative adventure Lisa. The very best to you this New Year and may your dreams come true. I have so enjoyed following your journey through art and words this past year!
    Hugs,
    Lori

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  7. The picture is great, as are the plans and I so hope you will succeed!! So go for it! Go go go go go and shine.

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  8. Wow!! For your entry and for your plans. Wish you make them come true!

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  9. Thanks for sharing your goals and your art with us. It ties in nicely for this week's challenge (which Marie gently reminds me I posted a day early!) What with house guests and holidays I truly have no idea what day it is! Thanks, Lisa, for your participation at Three Muses!

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  10. Gorgeous artwork Lisa love the brilliant colors.
    Hold on to your book writing dreams babe. "Nothing ventured nothing gained...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...a journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step...and last but certainly not least remember J.K.Rowling" Sorry that's the extent of my motivational advise...speaking of which thanks for hooking me up with the Photoshop tutorials you are a sweetheart!!!
    Live the dream!!!

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  11. She is beautiful Lisa! And as for publishing . . . go for it! As a published writer myself I know your hesitation and how easy it is to put off submitting your work. I can see you believe in your art and your writing and that is the most important part. Put it out there, let it go, and it will do its thing!

    I enjoy your art and blog very much and look forward to seeing more!

    Hugs to you! :)

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  12. Just go for it Lisa!! The only way that you can fail is if you don't try--just think how far you've come and I wonder what you'll be writing about next year at this time!

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  13. Fabulous painting, Lisa, love the red hair! Congratulations on your 500th post and I wish you every success in your writing & painting and more importantly getting them published!

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  14. Perfect post for the newest Inspiration Avenue challenge. I know all of those words will come together into the most exciting story! Good for you for getting 2011 figured out so early...I'm going to work on that (plans anyway) as soon as I come up for air!

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  15. Gorgeous painting! Love her hair. May all your dreams come true for 2011.xx

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  16. Your Muses is sensational. Those eyes are mesmerising and I love the idea of words floating around randomly on a sea of red. It captures your thoughts and hopes for the future so beautifully. I love your writing. It always gives me a buzz because you have a way of challenging not only yourself but your blogfriends as well. May I wish you the very best of luck with your literary and artistic work this year. You deserve to be successful.

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  18. Here I am again. I will never win a prize for proof reading. As I was exiting your page I noticed I had typed "Your Muses is". Oh dear. Sorry about that.

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  19. You have a goal - you have a start - each thought for your book that passes through your head - jot down - put in a folder - sit down once a week and add a sentence, a word, a paragraph to that note - wah-lah...a book...PUBLISHED!
    Here's to 2011 - cheers, dana

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  20. Your muse appears to me to have lots of energy. Wishing you great success with your goal.

    Darla

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  21. Your girl is beautiful,love all the letters and all I can say about the new year is "you can do it" just go for it.

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  22. How could she not be your muse? Her eyes are searching, yet she looks self-assured and will not be afraid of what she finds. She definitely will have many stories to tell!

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  23. Wonderful, life and art affirming post , Lisa! I have missed keeping up with you! I wish you much goo dluck and creative blessing as you embark on your new writing journey and I look forward to reading about it AND seeing th e work inspired by it all. Happy New Year!

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  24. a very fantastic painting
    Pat

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  25. Lisa,

    I love this piece expecially how the words are intertwined in her hair. Kudos for having such a great goal. I look forward to hearing more as time develops. I would love to read somethign of yours, if you ever want to share it.

    Kate

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  26. This is exciting! It will be fun to share your progress in this new endeavor!

    Smiles

    Oh and love your red-headed lady!!!

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  27. I love her. Maybe because I am partial to red hair (being a red head). Go for the publishing, girl! It's a new year and anything is possible. Maybe you can inspire me to finish my book.
    You have come a long way since I first found your blog and I can see you going much farther. You have the will to do it.

    Hugs and Happy New Year!

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  28. Yay, a red headed muse! She'll lead you in the wright/write direction. Love your word. Happy New Year!

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  29. Great thoughts and goals. I really enjoy your stories and art. Each creation has so much depth and creativity. It good to believe and try for a dream as that is what makes into who we REALLY are meant to be. I wish you all the best in 2011 and I look forward to your published stories!!

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  30. It's gorgeous, I love the red hair! And what expression!!! Great work.

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  31. I BELIEVE (my word for 2011) that you will be published. You are a great artist and wordsmith. Who wouldn't want to buy your book? I sure would. Great goal for the IA Challenge.

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  32. Woo hoo Lisa - congratulations on sending your first piece of writing off into the big wide world! I wish you every bit of luck and success with reaching your goals this year (I already know you have the talent!)

    I think the best way to start on any big project is not to get too overwhelmed by the big picture. So try not to think about writing a whole book, just set a target of writing a little every day, or every other day. Maybe a set number of words.

    Even if you don't feel inspired, even if you sometimes end up ripping it up the next day, just focus on getting lost in the writing and I bet you have your book written before you know it! x

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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