Writing Doesn’t Need To Be A Lonely Business
Posted on 06. Feb, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
Writing doesn’t need to be a lonely business. Of course some parts of the writing process are deeply personal and private, but sharing our words together is a great way not just to stretch and improve the way that we write but also to rediscover the fun, the spark and the passion in the writing [...]
7 Ways That Travel Helps Us Write
Posted on 30. Jan, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
One of the enquiries we’ve had about the workshop is whether the focus is on travel or more general writing. My answer was that it’s more general (within the spectrum of non-fiction writing), but also that: “…we will be building on the experience of travel to get you writing with more energy – writing with [...]
How writing helps to shift our focus
Posted on 22. Jan, 2008 by Joanna in Creativity
One of the things I notice about writing every day is that helps to shift my focus. When the ‘big picture’ threatens to overwhelm we can use our words to shift back down to the here and now, paying attention to specifics, noticing, and wondering, at the detail of everyday life. And when the world [...]
Reflections on travel writing
Posted on 24. Dec, 2007 by Joanna in Creativity
I love this picture of the boats in Alghero harbour. It talks to me of what I love most about travel writing. Capturing the colour of an experience, the essence of a place. The time to stop, watch, reflect and wonder. The time and space to reflect on what you’ve seen, what you’ve felt, heard [...]
People watching
Posted on 24. Dec, 2007 by Joanna in Creativity
A black and white photo of a fisherman at Alghero harbour. Watch quietly. Listen. Observe. Then describe what you see. Add colour to the picture. Bring the story to life. from Joanna in Edinburgh December 2007 Photo Credit: Alghero Fisherman by ulybug on flickr
Brevity, simplicity, clarity
Posted on 24. Dec, 2007 by Joanna in Creativity
We’ll be looking at some key ingredients of absorbing writing in the 4 day workshop: brevity, simplicity, clarity. This picture got me thinking about the workshop and some ways of getting into that clear frame of mind. Take a look at this photo of the harbour – and then think for a moment. What does [...]