Is there any quiet, anywhere?

Hey everyone

A bit of a rant today. I was thinking about quiet and how in our industrialised society we have a lack of it. Radio, television, IPODs ( I have one) the gym even has television playing while you work out so we won't be bored for a minute (or to have time to think), we drive everywhere, go to shopping centres and hear advertisements incessantly, attend classes or jump our of planes or do anything rather than sitting and contemplating. There is something manic about how we live now.

I don't think there is anything wrong with doing all of these things. A balanced life exists with adventure and activity and relation with each other. But I find myself sitting impatiently waiting for my daughter's cross country to start and I wonder - why has waiting a few minutes become so disturbing? Patience and taking things a little slower, is a big challenge. We do have lots of demands on our time. And I do.

Two children, a PR business and doing the accounts for our business, trying to run everything that needs to be done for kids and having a husband as well. I am very busy.

However, I just know deep down, there is a need for more quiet. Catch some moments, don't be afraid of silence, or waiting. Writing has to be done in quiet, or at least sort of quiet. I can't really achieve the quiet thing for my writing, but at least I can think about it on my walks.

I do grab some moments and they have to be quick with all I have to do.

(As an aside: I am reading this book written by the man who started the novel in one month idea and he believes that busy people can get more creative work done. I don't know if this is always true. Look at Van Gogh who focused totally on his work for 10 years and how much he achieved, it was phenomenal. In the last 90 days of his life he completed a painting a day. However, I am hoping this is true (that people busy with life can achieve creative work) because like most of us we have to work for a living.)

Back to the quiet issue as Bob Dylan says (I can't remember right now which song), "they'll take your mind away from contemplation".

Even in places like church - there is little silence, in the place that was meant to retain the sacred and provide a place for people to contemplate and be quiet, there is a sad lack of this as well.

You see, wide ranging rant.

Also, I have gone back to my novel again and decided to try and just write intuitively. Does anyone know how to write back story? That is my problem currently. My goal is to keep on going to finish a draft. There is something in the writing that teaches us.

This morning I read a Hemmingway short story - The Nun, the Gambler and the Mexican (I think that's what its called) the narrator says that one of the characters didn't like to think much at all, except when he was writing. He relegated this sort of exercise to when he was writing, probably pretty true of Hemmingway himself, considering how he chose to live his life.

Do you think this post was rambling enough? Anyone's thoughts are always appreciated.

Next post I might talk about - some writing software I have had a look at. I can't recommend it totally, as I have not looked into the opposition to the product. But stay tuned.

Does a dog help you write a novel?

Hello everyone

I read somewhere if you are an isolated writer that you should buy a dog and have the canine provide some peaceful support of your pursuit.

So I bought one. Not for this reason, but because I love dogs and have always wanted one. The only problem is I have to take her out for ablutions constantly and feed and worm and bath and clean up poos and take her to the vet, so not a lot of creative activity is going on.

I have lots of other responsibilities as well.

However the other day I finished a really short story of 600 words at the park while we were playing with our dog - so that counts.

Anyway, here's a picture of her, just for the sake of it.

Mourning The West Wing

Well, West Wing has only one show to go until it is finished. I have been meaning to blog about the greatness, writing wise, of The West Wing for a while now and I feel I should do it before it leaves Australian television. As a tribute thing, maybe. (I realise this has already happened in the US.)

I started watching it - when it started on ABC (I think it was more than 18 months ago, but I could be wrong) - I watched a couple on channel nine but I had the ads on commercial television. When it arrived on the ABC it was like an oasis in television. A literary sanctuary for me!

It is in my humble opinion the best fictional television show ever produced. It is so well written, the dialogue is witty and clever, subtle and real - yes quick, but that makes it really good because you have to follow it and find out where it is going. The characters never turn into schmulzville - they are sensitive yet not over the top.

Some have criticised it - calling The Left Wing, but I think it showed Arnold Vinick the right wing candidate as a decent person, a fair and balanced character who had great motives and an outstanding character.

For me, I like to think of it as "literary television" and if I was employed by a magazine I would write an article on this, (being a journalist, maybe I should).

However, I will mourn the loss of The West Wing - it was a light in the darkness of mindless, unintelligent, senseless, gratuitous television. It was for me a literary sanctuary where I could see some great characters, watch some complicated and engaging plots and marvel at the writing and acting ability of those involved.

I don't know why they are not continuing, but - maybe they think it had its life. Anyway, I will stop now, because I do not want to be considered loopy about this.

If anyone else has a similar opinion on west wing, please drop me a line, I'd appreciate it.