World Book Night

So this evening is World Book Night "a celebration of reading and books which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers gift specially chosen and printed books in their communities to share their love of reading. World Book Night is celebrated on April 23. In 2013 it is being celebrated in the UK, Ireland and the USA.

World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: it’s about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways, through the sharing of stories."

Anything that encourages the joy of reading has to be good. 

http://www.worldbooknight.org/about-us

Fear of falling, failing and flying

Towards the end of 2012 my role of novice blogger changed.  Instead of feeling like an observer of the blogging community, looking from the outside in, I became a more active participant, engaging with and commenting on other blogs, and meeting virtually (and actually) with some wonderful people.   It’s taken me a year to achieve this.  What was I scared of? 

When I started my blog just over a year ago, I didn’t really know what I was doing with it.  It lacked focus and became a random collection of opinion pieces, advice I hoped was helpful to other writers, some diverse guest posts and the occasional ramble and rant.  A bit messy and untidy in structure.  More like the cluttered room than The Beautiful Room.

I started 2013 with the aim of being more focussed and structured, with specific days for themed posts.  That never really happened and my blog continues to be like my mind – overcrowded and haphazard. The only difference is that I am trying to be a bit braver about my inner thoughts. Previously, I’ve tended to shy away from revealing myself through my blog posts, yet most of the posts that I admire are the ones in which the writer isn’t afraid to do that, where what they write is personal and brave and authentic.  We all want to connect with other people.  It’s what life is all about.  It’s why we love to read, because we want to engage with realistic characters that resonate with us, that we can identify with. To show us that we are not alone in the world.

I recently read an excellent post from The Book Designer about blogging and I especially loved this phrase, which is so true and apt:

Before you’ve created your own blog, you don’t realize how much a blog is like a garden. In both you need to put in work up front, maybe a couple of years of it, before you start to get the benefits of a bountiful harvest.

Check out the post here

http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2013/03/author-blogging-101-whats-stopping-you/

Writing a blog is definitely a long term process.  You have to work to get results, to nurture it, to learn, and to be patient.  Gradually, if you do the groundwork, it will grow. And so will you.

Related post: 
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/a-sense-of-community.html

A Sense of Community

When you start out with a blog that you also hope will promote your writing, the advice is always that it’s not about selling or marketing directly but becoming part of a community.  I didn’t get this at first but over time, I began to understand and now I would reinforce this advice heartily.  The writing community, and especially the indie publishing bloggers, are generous, helpful and very supportive and I am so grateful to be part of this.  Whatever social media you use, it is all about community.  That’s why people enjoy and engage with social media, because it’s a way of connecting and communicating.  It’s what life is all about.

Walking along Folkestone Old High Street recently, where new, enterprising ventures constantly spring up (and sadly also close down) I was reminded of this.  I tend to visit the same cafes, not just because I like the food and coffee, but because it’s about familiarity, chatting with people, being part of the community.  And it hit me that being part of a community isn’t specific to writers - it’s essential for all new businesses and enterprises.  Whatever you sell – product or service – success depends on building trust and relationships with customers.

Community.

Related post:
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/connectivity-and-communion.html

http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/on-books-and-reading-and-pony-books.html

http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/on-ways-to-read-book.html

Writing environments and distractions

The environment in which you work as a writer can have a very direct impact on how you work.  When you write, you need to focus.  Writing at home, where you feel safe and comfortable, should be ideal in many respects.  But at home there are usually external distractions, such as the phone ringing, and those we allow ourselves to be side-tracked by, such as checking emails and web surfing, if we have internet access. Or simply busying ourselves with housework and little jobs that need doing. 

Recently, I experienced working on my netbook in Caffe Nero for almost 3 hours, along with other writers, as part for a Nanowrimo Write-in.  This was surprisingly productive for me and something I plan to try again. My netbook doesn’t connect to the internet (a major distraction) and there are no phones ringing.  (Mobile is tucked into my bag).  The coffee grinder can be very loud but that just becomes background noise and helps you feel part of the world around you.

Today I sat in the car with my lappie running off the battery while my partner was at the osteopaths.  I had an hour to work and it was a great environment, apart from sun glare on the laptop screen.  I was really focussed, but still felt connected to the outside world. 

Which kind of environment do you find the most productive? 

Connectivity and communion

After yesterday's post, I saw a wildlife film on BBC last night that featured wild Carmargue horses and I got to thinking - why horses?  What is it about horses that make us fall in love with them?  Aesthetically, they are beautiful, noble and powerful. Their eyes, their expressions, move us.  I plan to see the film Warhorse next week, and just looking at the horse on the film poster makes me cry!  

Then I thought about the deep seated need we have to connect and communicate with another living being, be that a human animal or a non-human animal.  It's all about communion.  Still doesn't answer the question about horses.  But  a profound spiritual experience occurs when we feel we truly know and understand another living creature, and that they know us. A mixture of relief, joy, calm - and acceptance that some mystery will always remain, and that is what makes it so special and unique. 

Related posts:

http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/on-connections.html
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/running-writing-and-living.html
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/on-books-digital-landscape-and-bigger.html

On connections

I’ve been thinking a lot about connections.

The internet is all about connections.  As someone whose favourite place as a child (apart from the riding stables) was the library, the opportunities to explore and research and learn through the internet is what I find most exciting.  Your own, constantly evolving, library.  Amazing.

But the internet has spawned it’s most popular child, Facebook.  I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.  Although it’s power and influence alarms me, I have a profile.  I post from time to time.  I like the way I can stay in touch with my friends and share events and thoughts with them.  It enables us to make connections and feel part of a community.  Humans need to feel connected.

We enjoy comedians when we can recognise the situations and emotions they describe.  I was watching Michael McIntyre the other night and I laughed because what he was saying was so familiar.  It’s the same with the writers we click with.  If they create characters that we can empathise with, we care about them.  We need to feel connected, part of something bigger.  To know we are NOT alone (although we are). It creates a necessary illusion.

Ironic that on so many levels humans have the tools to be more connected than ever before, yet on a deeper level we can feel disconnected.

More on this will follow, because as I approach my fiftieth year a number of interrelated topics demand my attention - as a writer and as a human being.

Journeys.  Connections.  Identity.  Purpose.

For most of my life I have set myself goals and targets.  I would feel adrift without them.  But recently I have realised that more important is purpose.  More elusive but offering a deeper level of satisfaction.    I haven’t identified my purpose yet but I will.  Soon.

Related posts:

http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/connectivity-and-communion.html
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/running-writing-and-living.html
http://janeayres.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/on-books-digital-landscape-and-bigger.html