Thursday Thoughts…and a winner

But I still encourage anyone who feels at all compelled to write to do so. I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do—the actual act of writing—turns out to be the best part. It’s like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony. The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.” 

Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life 

This week's Thursday Thought turns to art again, in my mini-cycle of art, life and books.

For me, this quote is just a perfect way of describing art; as much as it describes writing so beautifully.

In a way, it's funny to read words like these from someone who is so successful, who has found her voice and her tribe and who write so wonderfully, and is so well-published. Nonetheless, I don't think her success precludes her from explaining how she feels about writing (or making art) whether one get's published (or bought/collected) or not.

I imagine a successful author gets a wee bit exhausted with all the events they have to attend in order to promote or sell their book; the Writer's Festivals they need to be seen or heard at and the like. So perhaps its a bit "be careful what you wish for…"

I guess for me it returns to process, to the act of making, to the doing, the expressing and the creating. Not so much about the final piece, but for an artistic soul, the doing matters and is its own reward. Ms Lamott writes of what writing (making) gives and teaches; as well as the many surprises we experience. This captures how I feel about making and creating - I feel that I am given so much by the opportunity to spend time in that place.

Happy time in the studio - lost in the making…

And now to the winner of the give-away!

I had such a wonderful time reading all your favourite quotes - so many fabulous, uplifting and energising words were shared, so thank you all for your encouragement and support.

19 individuals left a comment, so I wrote the numbers 1-19 on scraps of paper, popped them in a cloud-bowl and asked Barry to select a number. He chose number 15, and the 15th person to comment was Mo Crow - congratulations!  If you let me know your postal address I shall pop the wee book in the mail to you soon.

Thanks again everybody...