I know she wanted to write because I have the creative writing course she bought for herself. I don’t remember my mum being grand or self indulgent — hatefully she knew her place — curse knowing your place — so if she splashed out on anything it must have been something she really wanted. So I can only conclude she really wanted to write. I can’t actually remember when this was, it could have been before she was sick or it could have been afterwards, but I’ve got the books and I’m going to stop writing and go and see if I can find a date.
opportunity
Strange and unexpected doors open
Thursday 3 April has suddenly become the biggest day of the year for me. A poetry reading in the historic Linen Hall Library (Belfast). Then that evening I make my musical debut - of my own songs! I actually enjoy public performances of book readings, spoken word shows, and poetry renditions, now I’m nervous and … Continue reading Strange and unexpected doors open
Imagination – a division no one seems to care about
A lot of my story making workshops are with children. So when I go into a school all I see is a class room of kids. They’re from all sorts of backgrounds - please insert your divisions of choice - then give your conscience a bit of a shake. But the biggest division I sees … Continue reading Imagination – a division no one seems to care about
New Year’s Day 2025
Don’t worry; this isn’t going to be a post about my New Year's resolutions, or my plans to conquer 2025, or pictures of me swimming in the sea. (This wouldn’t even be safe as it’s still dark and a storm warning is in place!) In fact, I don’t have any resolutions. Instead, I just want … Continue reading New Year’s Day 2025
Highland Dance Code Breaking
During WWII, a large group of soldiers from the Argyle and Sutherland Fusiliers were captured by the Germans. Whilst in their POW camp, and having some time to kill, they devised a new Highland dance reel. The dance setting was sent home but intercepted by the Germans. Then for the rest of the war, the Germans tried to crack the code, which they couldn’t, obviously.
Think even better! (80/20 + Eisenhower Matrix = ?)
Wednesday Recap #17 07.08.24 I’ve a lot of creative stuff knocking about that I have made and that I know is good. I’m not being pompous or delusional, I don’t think everything I do is good, most of my work has ended up filed in the trash, literally or electronically! The next biggest heap is … Continue reading Think even better! (80/20 + Eisenhower Matrix = ?)
Surviving the summer as a creative and parent.
Wednesday Recap #15 31.07.24 How do you Survive the Summer as a Creative (and a Parent) Let’s start with a definition. Flow state is when you completely focus on one activity, it completely captivates your attention so that your focus is solely on that one thing. This does not describe the summer holidays! Rather Go … Continue reading Surviving the summer as a creative and parent.
Agent – Secret, Estate, Literary???
Wednesday Recap #12 26.06.24 When I think of an agent, I think of a secret agent: James Bond, George Smiley, Johnny English, you get the idea. Or less excitingly an estate agent. But the arts also have agents. So what is an agent? Or what does it mean? In Latin, where we get the word … Continue reading Agent – Secret, Estate, Literary???
No hacks, No gimmicks, No 10 point plans
Wednesday Recap #11 19.06.24 Every time I think I’ve found something new, I realise I’ve just rediscovered something old! And that’s what has happened, I’ve rediscovered the things that make me better. The elements of this rediscovery are simple, boring, uncomfortable and highly rewarding. So what are these mystical things? Hard cardio, weights (resistance training), … Continue reading No hacks, No gimmicks, No 10 point plans
Dust yourself down and go again!
This has been an entertaining week. I started trying to make contact with people who might be interested in my work. Most of it was cold calling, okay cold emailing, with a few vague exceptions. I am not good at this kind of self-promotional stuff, or perhaps it’s more that I am very uncomfortable doing … Continue reading Dust yourself down and go again!
Don’t let ideas feaster…Have a plan!
What is the worst thing you can do to an idea? Do nothing with it! Now, I don’t mean a passing thought or a daydream, I mean an actual idea. I’ve done that, I’ve an idea, a plan, a structure, an objective, and I did nothing with it! The idea would be better dying in the light than festering in the dark! #writer #author #authorhelps #hardtruthsforwriters #wordsmith #dyslexicwordsmith #dyslexia #dyslexic #dyslexicwriter #dyslexicauthor
Would you be friends with a liar?
Hearing your thinking. Would you be friends with someone who is a liar? Someone who lies to you? Would you be friends with someone who is manipulative and controlling? Someone who damages you because they don’t care? Would you be friends with someone who is an obnoxious critic? Someone who never has a good word … Continue reading Would you be friends with a liar?
Joe Wicks (fortitude)
Joe Wicks - the UK’s most famous fitness coach! The live PE sessions during the lock down for kids; the books; the YouTube channel; the public events; the TV appearances; the MBE! Joe Wicks is good at what he does, he has energy and passion, he has fame and success. But for me the main thing is fortitude in the face of rejection and failure. I remember him telling a story about standing outside a railway station in London handing out fliers for fitness boot camps in local parks; and no one turned up, not a single person! He was young, enthusiastic, hopeful, proactive, and pretty much trying to do what he does now! So how did Joe Wicks become so successful? And here I have to look in from the outside, and as Roy Walker used to say on Catchphrase, “say what you see.”
14 days and 6746 words.
I love numbers, connections and patterns. So today after two weeks I am where I should be in one month. I’d better explain that last sentence. As my New Year’s resolution I decided to write 200 words each day through January. This was towards a story I promised to write for my children in the … Continue reading 14 days and 6746 words.
Social Media Works – the odd time!
The story is about someone who worked extremely hard over a very long period of time. It is about someone who loved and believed in their creation. It was about someone who wouldn’t give up.
Ashamed
Someone said to me lately I was very open about my dyslexia. I probably am, but I couldn’t help thinking: why?
RobertCampbell.me 