I'm No Writer.

I haven't been purposefully lax with my blog. I just have not a lot to say recently. For a few years now I have been meaning to put my adventures down in the form of a novel and a couple of months ago I actually thought up a decent ending for one. The problem lies in the writing of it. When I was in my late twenties I wrote an essay which was published in a national North American publication. It wasn't hard to put my experiences to paper. The words flew out of my brain to the typewriter (yup, pre-computer).  It hardly needed editing. Then in my thirties I entered a writing competition with a community newspaper and got published again, same story by the by, and it received a very decent review from TimothyFindley who was one of the judges, plus a cash prize to boot. So, it's been one of the experiences that I pull out of the bag to impress strangers and friends alike over the years. I've been published!

The problem is that I don't have much writing skill. I find it easy to tell a true story but writing a novel? That's a whole different ballgame. I read incessantly. I read excellent writers and schlock. I read the back of deodorant cans. I even read newspapers which are written in a language I cannot understand. I find myself wanting to copy the sublime prose of others. How writers contemplate each perfect sentence is beyond me. I find it especially hard to put dialogue to paper.  I am envious of the Gloria Naylors and CarlHiaasens of the world. Not to mention poets. I've known a few in my life and how they come up with the exquisite words that so mesmerise-each comma and semi colon perfectly in place. Wow!

As a creative person I have found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that I am not

excellent at any of the outlets that I pursue. I don't paint with any exceptional talent either. I made a decent living and a career out of Graphic Design. Those days are long gone. Now I sell my wares online and maybe that will come together at some point, but I am not unique. However, I am most happy when making something - whatever it is, from scratch. I do love the paper mache I'm doing these days. It's so pretty. It means something to me. Two nights ago I tried my hand at homemade peanut butter. Holy crap! It is so easy to do and it tastes better than any I have bought in a supermarket. I also roast the coffee beans that my partner and I pick from our garden. Delicious! I take photographs with my new camera.

Anyway, I'm thinking that probably I'll leave the novels to those who can write, although I have an excellent tale to tell. I will always create something for ever. Point in case - when I was sent to solitary in jail waiting to be deported, I wrote Sudoku puzzles for myself to solve. Oh, and in Key West Jail I read the best books ever while making coloured pencil cartoons to sell to my fellow inmates for cookie money.

Be creative, live your best life possible.