August already. My next project is underway, and I’ve been working hard. I’ve written a series of short stories with the hope of publication at some point in the future. Who knows?
The distractions have poured in, and writing a few hundred words a day has become much more difficult. I’ve also just read Stephen King ‘On Writing’ and found his insights inspiring. Some days I’ve felt no desire to visit a fictional world at all, and I’ve learnt that there’s is not much to be gained by forcing the issue. Much better to take the day off and admire the sunshine/ rainclouds/ etc. I’ve also discovered websites where in exchange for writing review of other people’s work, you can have your own pieces put under the microscope. It’s a whole new world (as someone once said). And finally, I’ve also discovered the wonderful website of the Metropolitan Museum of Art whose Open Access programme allows use/ sharing of all kinds of great art. Here’s an example of what I mean…..
George Romney (British, Beckside, Lancashire 1734–1802 Kendal, Cumbria) Lady Elizabeth Stanley (1753–1797), Countess of Derby, 1776–78 Oil on canvas; 50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.6 cm) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Jules Bache Collection, 1949 (49.7.57) http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/437500
George Romney’s portrait of the Countess of Derby. Wow! It’s inspiration enough.