A poem for you plus finding meaningful words to help you reach your creative writing goals.

Green nails, orange nails

You woke up this morning and put on your nails,

orange for your fingers and green for your toes.

The denim of your trousers matches the sky,

and the green of your sweater is just like your eyes.

The boat is taking us somewhere new,

where the mountains rise from the sea and the view!

You will sing when you see me in all of my self,

and together we’ll dance with the wind and my love.

Okay, I admit, poetry isn't my strong point. But oh! how I loved writing them as a child.

I loved reading them too. I still do. I love finding the rhythm and the story in a precise selection of words. I enjoy the way the words in a poem can leap and float and swim with the cadence of the poet’s voice.

But this post isn't so much about poetry. It’s more about the power of words.

New Year Resolutions

Every new year there's a bountiful selection of posts that populate the internet rounded out with every blogger's resolutions, more so it seems right now as the pandemic continues to govern our lives. The posts usually involve ten resolutions (more or less), of things to do or not do:

Don't drink wine. Do drink water. Do more exercise. Do walk the dog. Eat better. Shop local. Don’t eat sugar. Spend more time on personal growth. Change jobs. Or keep the one you have. Start a family. Or maybe not. Write more. Write less. Read actual books. Don’t read the news.

I wonder, sometimes, what we're all seeking here; are we not setting ourselves up for disappointment and failure? Rules, rules and more rules. All made up by ourselves for ourselves. Or messages we’ve absorbed by the daily hum of branding and marketing.

Is there a better way?

I think so. I'm selecting a couple of words to live by, words, which after some thought, I feel have some meaning. My new year words are intention and to listen more.

Why Intention?

I want to write something longer. Since starting this website in 2019, I've practiced my writing every day. I've written ten-minute stories, played with words on the page, explored exercises other famous authors have advised. My writing has improved, I'm less precious and more playful, however, writing short pieces is not helping me write what I want to write.

I'm certain there's a longer story sitting inside of me, waiting to be released. But I worry about sending it out onto the page. Last year, I attempted to write a book using the structure from The 90 Day Novel. Halfway through I stopped, losing my way for a variety of reasons, surgery, the pandemic (I blame everything on the pandemic) and a vague sense that I wasn't connecting with the story I thought I had.

This year my intention is to start again and to try and allow the story to evolve in a more organic way. I'm well aware, this may sound like bullshit.

So as if by magic, I am happy to have stumbled upon this post by musician Nick Cave on his wonderful website The Red Hand Files. He writes in answer to a question about how to trust in yourself and grow your work from that first creative spark.

“Each time you tend to that ingenious spark it grows stronger, and sets afire the ordinary gifts of the imagination. The more dedication you show to the process, the better the work, and the greater your gift to the world. Apply yourself fully to the task, let go of the outcome, and your true voice will appear. You’ll see. It can be no other way.”
Nick Cave

Nick, I hear you.

Trust in the process. Dig deep. Let those words flow and become what they need to become.

To Listen More & Listen Better

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I'm so caught up in wanting to say what I want to say that I forget to listen properly to what my fellow conversant is saying. This does not make for good conversation or help either of us learn something more than we already know.

In light of this moment of realisation, I'm going to make the effort to not only listen more but listen better. To pay attention and tune in. It takes practice! Tiredness and familiarity, I've found, can breed laziness. It's easier to react than to stop and reconsider.

Words have power. I figure if you listen and listen well, then others will listen to you. Better that than shouting on Facebook and showing the world what an arsehole you can be.

This week

For a warm-up, let's shake out those cobwebs of 2021 and play around with some words. Write some verse. Use the photograph above if that helps. Children's book authors often engage rhythm and a musical cadence to keep their young audiences listening. And just because they’re books for children doesn't mean the words have less value. All words have power. It just depends on how you use them.

Until next time.

Words to Live By