When you release a book into the great, vast sea of literature, you have high hopes. You dream of lush reviews full of praise, glossy interviews that show how profound an author you are, release parties where you pop the champagne… It all sounds grand. However, these lofty expectations might leave you gravely disappointed.
Read MoreHow do I begin? To put the brush to canvas, to mould the clay, to put the pen to ink, and to create.
The question you truly are asking is: How do I begin to trust myself?
As a writer, blockages are going to happen. You may be wondering how to get to a place of clarity.
Simply put, to get clear water, you must turn on the tap. Now, this may sound simplistic, but in practice, the only way to master your art, or even to make art at all, is to let go of the need to produce something good. Make bad art. Make the most atrocious art you can possibly fathom.
Recently I wrote a poem inspired by seeing some of the reactions to a feminist content creator (@fgrlsclub) who had stepped outside the now tightly drawn lines of contemporary feminism, in order to carefully critique the words of ‘influencer’ Molly Mae.
Read MoreIt is both true and heart-breaking to admit that we are not doing enough for women. I am not doing enough for women. Because I’m busy, because I’m tired, because I don’t have enough time, because actually our current society isn’t set up to accommodate the collective awakening needed to do enough for women.
Read MoreBoil the kettle, steep your tea and gather your thoughts. Breathe, stretch out your body on the mat before you bring it to your desk. Gather your energy, take a slow sip of your tea and start to write. Listen out for the bird call through your open window; nature’s accompaniment to this moment of creative surrender and solitude.
Read More