Creativity

Strangely, I have been silent on this blog since my 4 wonderful days on an Arvon course, in the wilds of Shropshire. I think all 16 of us would agree, that creativity is incredibly exhausting, though also exhilirating, exciting and frustrating.



What I learnt....!



That there are a lot of unbelievably (scarily) talented writers who are not writing for money, but for pleasure. It seems a shame they can't share their skill with the world, but then, I mustn't assume that, just because that's what I want to do, it means everyone else does too.



Our tutors, one of whom had left three very young children at a busy time of year, the other who had chronic insomnia the entire time, were supremely talented people, who 'held' us, coaxed us and bullied us into doing things we didn't necessarily want to do (or even contemplated we COULD do). There was a lot of soul searching, tears and revelations. I felt this a compliment to them, that we would allow ourselves to show some of our inner feelings, perhaps repressed for years, because we felt safe in their hands, and in the hands of the group. I was pleased when they said we were one of the most together groups, that egos were left at the front door and we gelled well.



Since then, I have been writing like a demon, cracking on with my second book and now knowing what to do with my first to make it more publishable. So, not only was it rewarding as a writing experience, but I got some really practical help.



Christmas has inevitably got in the way of this gush of creativity, but I now feel far more optimistic that 2010 might just be my year (whatever that means).



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to anyone who reads this. And thanks for putting up with my rants and often drivel for this last year.