A215 Big Red Book Activity 1.4 (2)

I bring you yet another Freewrite of mine. I really like these and find that the words flow pretty easy. Clustering on the other hand to me, simply bores me and wastes my time slightly. I think its a good idea if you have a plot and are stuck for ideas, but to just do them for the sake of it, well I don’t see the point for myself.
Anyway, let me know what you think of this piece. All comments are greatly appreciated.


***Coffee, toast and three paracetamol…that was the menu for the next few days. We’d recieved ‘The Call’ and chaos become the order of the day. Worry and panic over-rode the excitement of a new year. Everything looked the same yet there was an electrifying shockwave of panic and discord. It wasn’t a national disaster, but if people didn’t calm down, it could be detrimental to the report.
The panic was understandable, and I was highly sympathetic, yet I couldn’t help feeling slightly excited to know that all our talents could be utilised and praised. I had a clear impression that I was not joined in this feeling by anyone else. It was to be my very own secret thrill.
As the hours passed by, toast was knocked off the menu, along with any other form of nutrition. Caffeine and paracetamol was to be our saving companions. Somehow running around like headless chickens managed to complete preparations by approximately sseventy percent. Displays were preened, organisation and planning became automatic applications. Suddenly we all knew what the idyllic plan was to be. ‘Idyllic’ was the wish word. Fingers crossed.
D-day arrived and went just as quickly as we’d recieved the call. It wasn’t a brilliant outcome but it was done. Like a hurricane sweeping through a panic ridden city that was once calm and tranquil, the clear up would now begin. It wasn’t until the following week that the effects of that figurative hurricane came to be found. It was now time for a double dose of coffee, toast and three paracetamol. ***

This was written as a direct response to an incident that I was involved in over that past two weeks at work.

A215 Big Red Book Activity 1.2 (2)

This is the second of four freewrite activities for activity 1.2,  in the Big Red Book. Let me know what you think of it.

**It was no use pretending…I could try and hide it from the world how I felt about him, but I couldn’t run from myself. As hard as I tried to convince myself that all we had is simply friendship, a flicker of an ember shone from my heart. It wasn’t love. I was sure of that. At least I thought I was. But it was more than lust. I don’t believe in lust. It was more like the political connection between the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It was some sort of ‘special relationship’.
I’d become quite an expert in masking my true emotions. I’d truly grown in that field from having plenty of experience. It was important to keep one’s stance of elegance.
‘Let him come to you. That way you don’t make a fool of yourself’ is what Gran had said. Up until now she’d been right. But when it came to matters of my heart she was wrong. I’d missed my chance. His ember was sparkling for someone else now. I had to move on…whether I wanted to or not. Or did I?…**

Although this freewrite is short I feel that it could be developed and taken further. I’d like to use it for a section of the plot in my Romance Story I’m writing. To do that I will have to change the way it is written slightly and stop the character talking to tell the story.

A215 Big Red Book Activity 1.2

This is my first of the four Freewrites for this activity. I feel it’s in the style of *life-writing* as I’ve written it in response to my feelings about my writing journey and what is happening in my life right now. Let me know what you think.

***For the first time ever…I saw a way forward. Documenting my thoughts and feelings gave me distinct insight into my own psyche. had become my very own psychologist and therapist. I had a plan, an image of how to move forward. Being lost and confused was no longer an option now I had clarity and direction. I’d once had a passion for life that escaped when I became serious about life. I’d become weighed down and began carrying the extra weight until I couldn’t fit into my ‘old’ clothes. I learnt how to relax and enjoy life and the weight of worry simply melted away my inner Ice Age.
The clarity is much enjoyed and has already become a healthy comfortable slipper in which to enjoy the process in. The new me is really the old me brought back to life.***

Rather short compared to some of my writings, but I’m not too concerned about this, simply getting my ideas, feelings and thought down onto paper is my priority.

Written By, Dawn Belewski © 2011

A215 Big Red Book Activity 1.4

I wanted to share with you one of the freewriting prompts given on page 28 of the B.R.B and get some feedback on it. Here goes;

**I thought he would never change…In my eyes I thought he’d always be ‘the boy next door’ who grew up a true hero to me and his country. I guess he will always be a hero to the country. It wasn’t his uniform as a Gunner in the army that attracted me to him, I knew him before he signed his life away. We were both innocent and secretly holding a flame for each other. It was what they once told us that led us both to realise that change was inevitable. That saying; “Dreams can come true” had a lot to answer for. Our dreams did come true and it was good whilst it lasted. But war rampaged not only throughout his army career but through my tender and unprotected heart. They say that ‘war changes who you are as a person’ and for us that was certainly the case. It took me four years to realise that I loved a man who the Iraq war had killed and taken from me as ruthlessly as Cupid had given me. I like to think that he will never return to breathe life as he once did by my side. Not because I have no heart, rather the opposite, because my heart that once loved him, that part of him, that part of me, died alongside him as he fought in Iraq before he returned a changed man.
The person he is today is unrecognisable to me and he no longer stirs feelings in my heart. That person is long gone. Just life the person that once loved him with ever breathe in her body. Somewhere in the vast Universe that staged their love for one another, they are free like dust particles, dancing closely together like they once did at New Year before Iraq took root in their life to their funeral song, “I’ve had the time of my life”, like a music box that can be silenced and secret with a closing of the lid. Put away to gather dust and hoped to be forgotten about.  **

© Dawn Belewski, 2011

A215 Facebook Weekly Writing Challenge ~ 3

Facebook Weekly Writing Challenge : 3 ~ Re-Write a Fairytale

I chose to change the timing of the story to modern-day, 21st Century and the point of view of this story. I am telling the story of *Snow White* from the Wicked Witch’s Point of View.

STOP PRESS!!!

WHITE: NOT SNOW INNOCENT AFTER ALL?

Once upon a time there was a story that was told about me that made me out to be a nasty wicked witch. The rumours that were spread throughout *land Far Away* were down right rotten and untrue. I will tell you what really happened. I will tell you the truth.

I married a lovely handsome prince who later divorced me for a younger model because I was infertile and couldn’t bear him a child or heir to the throne. I was deeply upset by this and became quite a recluse. I moved into a little hut deep in the forest. I stayed out of everyone’s way and never caused anyone any trouble. I lived a quiet and content life.

I heard not long later my ex husband and his new wife had given birth to a little girl who suffered from anaemia. As she grew up she was bullied not only because her mother was younger than her father, but because of her anaemia. The used to call her ‘Snow White’ or ‘Blood Lips’. I thought that this was quite cruel and felt sorry for her.

Anyway, one day I was out in the forest enjoying the sunshine picking some apples when I heard one of my ex husbands huntsman drawing near. He came up beside me and began mocking me for my doubled over back. You see I suffered from severe back pain due to my spinal defect. It wasn’t a known condition back then, we had no proper doctors. The Huntsman stole all my apples and rode away leaving me to start all over again.

As I began to walk home I heard singing and it sounded so beautiful I stopped near by a cottage to listen. Seven dwarves suddenly appeared and started throwing stones at me, calling me a witch. I was crying and got angry so I shouted at them. All I said was that they should be ashamed of themselves.

The the beautiful singing sounded louder and closer than before. I was so relived as I thought these ASBO dwarves would stop throwing things at me. Then I saw her. Rosie, the husband’s daughter who is otherwise known as Snow White. She was very beautiful, but very pale.

I asked her if she was lost as I’d never seen her out here before. Before she could answer, those ASBO dwarves ran to her crying, shouting all manners of nonsense about me being an evil witch and that I’d been throwing things at them. She believed them and joined in calling me a witch and evil, and terrible things. She even called me an old crone and told me to get my nose fixed by a plastic surgeon.

I was so upset I ran away crying and forgot to pick up my basket of apples. Well the next thing I heard, Rosie (Snow White) had been taken to hospital seriously ill after cleaning the dwarves home and eating something dodgy. Before I knew it, my face was plastered on ‘Wanted’ posters all over the forest. Apparently those dwarves had told everyone I posioned her with an apple. They said I forced it upon her repeatedly insisting she have a shiny red apple. How absurd! I would never hurt anyone, I’m far too frail and innocent. Besides, I only pick green apples, I don’t like red apples.

Well I couldn’t run and hide, not with my back. So I was wrongfully arrested and imprisioned in Far Away Prison.

I heard that she pulled through thankfully, and has taken it upon her to look after those seven dwarves. unfortunately, they are still anti-social and I’ve heard on the grapevine that they are due to be evicted from that cottage.

I know I didn’t poison he, but I wouldn’t put anything past those dwarves.  I’d like to think that Rosie (Snow White) is innocent in all this, but after what I’ve been put through, I don’t trust anyone anymore. She was probably in on it all along. I bet she had it planned to get rid of me once and for all becuase I reckon secretly, my ex husband still loves me and her mother is afraid he’ll take me back, like one of those *happily Ever After* stories. She’s definitely her bimbo mother’s daughter.

Funnily enough not long after I had been imprisoned she miraculously woke up from her coma. She was apparently awoken her the kiss of her true love, the soon to be husband. Yeah, right, like I’d believe that.

This is my life, not a fairy-tale.

***

Let me know what you think

By Dawn Belewski

Carrie Bradshaw

Hiya,

 

I also got woken early this morning...(we won't go into why, what and how), and by 5am this morning I had so many ideas for my *Detective Story* they were flowing faster than a running tap! I haven't wrote any more to it as I'm currently working on two Character Sketches and having great fun filling those in. I think they are so detailed I could use the general outline to use in Manifestation Plan of my Perfect Man haha....No, it's a good idea really. I should do it.

I'm excited about this story and I can't wait to put into words these character sketches and really develop these characters. I'm also trying another technique I've picked up on my travels around BlogLand where you literally interview your character. You write a question and then the *character* answers. I think it's really cool, and especially helpful especially for someone like me who constantly argues with theirself so can easily slide aside and allow a *character* to reply.

So that's where I'm at physically and creatively.

I mentioned in a previous post how I dream of getting published with Mills n Boon. Well I've downloaded all the info I need about submitting to them. Not because I'm anywhere near that stage yet, but so I have a goal physically in my sight to work towards. It's like dangling a bone infront of a dog!

 Call me niave, but right now. I have dreams, huge dreams and I'm going to sure as hell enjoy working towards them and having some fun along the way. I'm a huge believer in synchronicity and have been wheying up my synchronistic events of late and they are mind blowing. I won't bore you with the details but I will say that I'm superbly enjoying the winding path I'm walking right now, because each day greets me with a new archway, and I can't wait to see what's in each garden.

Now, why is my blog post called *Carrie Bradshaw* ???

Well, SEX AND THE CITY : THE MOVIE is on tv tonight. I've already seen it a thousand times, but I'll be watching again. I love Carrie!! I can relate a little to Carrie. A writer (ok I'm an aspiring writer) who wants to meet the perfect guy and fall in love. In fact, I want my Mr Big. How he's portrayed is my ideal man. So I'm really using Carrie Bradshaw as my writing Muse at the moment.She has wonderful shoes, amazing friends, a great guy...c'mon, we know she gets her man at the end...and her Manolo Blaniks! - and a great writing career. What's not to aspire to?!

Im savouring every thought, feeling, and experience right now. I finally feel alive!

Writer's Dreams

Today I spent some time reading some writing blogs and two in particular have stood out to me so much and have actually helped with my writing. One lady,  Krissy Brady so hit the nail on the head in one of her blog posts about the 4 life lessons she's learnt that will help with writing.  As I sat and read it I found myself continuously nodding in agreement. I have a wonderful support network but sometiomes I go to the wrong people for support and of course they don't understand the importance of what I'm doing. I'm lucky that my Mum has always known me, her child as a writer. When I was 7 years old I was writing stories that even still today I want to publish. So Mum always likes to hear what I've wrote (I still get embarrassed reading my work to her), and always has praise and encouragement at the ready for me. Krissy also touched upon how we can feel guilty for taking time out to be creative, to get writing. I can so feel that!!! I feel guilty for working on my dreams for working towards creating the life I want. WHY?? I certainly shouldn't be feeling guilty. But Krissy suggested that perhaps its more of a grieving process than guilt as we slowly edge away from the old me and the old life of ours and walk towards the new me and the new life of ours. I think this makes perfect sense. I swear, Krissy has so much wisdom I can sense I'll be bugging her in the future LOL. Seriously she has wonderful insights and I'm a huge fan of her blog already!

Another blog I found such a huge help, words can't describe how much I heart this blog. It's called *Writing Forward* and it's literally jam packed full of writing tips and prompts. Prompts are hugely helpful to me as I suffer from Writer's block so much. Those that know me will know I can struggle for days with this. So I headed over and read page after page after page of tips. Well I ended up printing it all off to keep at hand. The tips on there I feel will be such a huge help this year at University and also with my hobby come career as a writer. You should take a look.

All this got me thinking, what do I actually want to achieve as a writer? Do I want to write a novel? Stay Freelance for feature articles? Did I just want to stay writing spiritual based articles? Could I write fashion features? What about short stories for magazines? Well I can say YES I want to write a novel. YES I would like to try writing a fashion feature every now and then. YES I would love to write a short story for a magazine. YES I'd like to stay freelance. So NO not really, I wouldn't like to soley write spiritual feature articles. I will carry on writing them but I'm going to aim for different genres for my Writing Portfolio.

So here is my big plan, my big writing dream. Are you ready? Sitting comfortably?

I want to... NO wait, stop!

I am going to write short stories for magazines such as *The People's Friend* in the UK, *Take a Break Fiction Feast*, UK, etc
I am going to write a romance novel and get it published with...MILLS AND BOON
I am going to keep writing my Faerie Whisperer column for FAE Magazine,
I am going to keep writing my Faerie Witch Inside column for Magickal Media,
I am going to expand my knowledge and write about anything and everything.

There, how's that sound for starters? :-)

BTW here is what I wrote earlier from a simple Creative Writing prompt from *WritingForward*

****The Detective saw his opportunity. He grabbed the waitress's arm and said, "Listen darling, I know you know something." The waitress froze, her expression changed from the happy go lucky - without a care in the world girl she seemed to be, to sheer fear. I lifted my cappichino cup to my lip intrigued by this commotion in the coffee house. The coffee had never tasted so bitter or smelt so fresh.
"You may look all innocent and parade around her like some innocent girl next door," he continued looking at her with sheer disgust whilst looking her up and down pitifully.
"But I know you know something."
The waitress snatched her arm back from the detectives tight grasp. Prints from his hands were etched on her arm as if she'd been clasped by some mythical clawed dragon.
"I have no idea what you are talking about detective, you must be confused." She protested, nose turned up in the air as if she was some 'Daddies princess'.
The detective snorted, completely uninterested in the fact that by now everyone had stopped to stare, "oh, but darling I saw you together."
Her eyes flashed up and her pupils widened as though she knew her life was about to come crumbling down before her.
"Saw me with who?" she asked shakily.
The detective put his hands in the smooth silk lined pockets of his designer suit. He bent forward so his nose almost touched the tip of her cheek, he could smell the fear from her. Like the cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland he gleamed with a raw passion.
"I saw you with Tom Bradenbury and I mean, I saw you." ****

What do you think? :-) I have huge plans for this simple storyline. It only started out as a sentence, but I have a novel idea and I can't wait to see where it's going, how it started and what happens next! Im on the edge of my seat!

Toodles for now

New Beginnings

Thank you for visiting my blog and viewing my work. As you can see this is a new blog and just like a brand new book ready to be wrote in it's fresh and awaiting goodies to fill it. Those goodies being words, and pictures. Pages and pages of words.

 

This blog is all about my journey finding the writer within.  I am a University student that is studying an eclectic mix of subjects for my degree to help me become a Primary School Teacher. I also work as a Teaching Assistant at a Primary School 3-4 days a week whilst studying. At work they are always coming to me for help with artistic ideas as I have the ideas, and can explain how to do them, but find it hard to actually do them myself. So I'm hoping that through this blog and my new hobby of *Creativity* I can help develop my skills that will help me at work.

I've just enrolled on a Creative Writing module at Uni that starts in October. I've read through the guidance and found that I'll be covering Morning Pages, Clustering, Life Writing, Poetry and Fiction. I've only just in the past few days learnt a little about Morning Pages and put them into action. Today I got up late and had a moan about it in my Morning Pages journal. I have found that I have my moan about something and then I tend to not moan about them throughout the day.

 

Ill also be posting my interpretation of the Weekly challenges set on the A215 Facebook Group page. I've missed a couple of weeks, but I'll still do them when I can.

 

So, throughout this blog I'll keep you updated on that and my Course at uni.