Distractions and How They (somewhat) Fuel a Creative Life
How does anyone manage any creativity at all???
It’s hot outside and I can barely see the screen with the sun upon it. The kids are thrilling beside me at the skatepark, although I’ve realised my youngest is on his scooter in crocs and it’s too late to change now. These are the days of distraction and all I can do is find small writing pockets and ride along.
Summer is ten weeks long and there’s an awful lot of: make every moment count. The internet is awash with beautiful mothers who never seem to have to check email or answer questions.
So. Many. Questions.
Yesterday, I told my sons I needed to wash off the lake. I asked for ten minutes. Oh, how I love a bath: scents and hot water, even a book at the side.
They decided to pick cherries. Gorgeous. A summer made of memories.
Muuuuum!? I have a lot of questions
“MUUUUUUMMMMMMM!” from downstairs. “We’re going to make popsicles.”
“Lovely, sure. I’m in the bath. I’ll help in TEN MINUTES!”
My youngest came running in, remarked with surprise when he saw me in the bath. “You’re taking a bath?!” Because who knew. He wanted to make popsicles that moment, right now, NOW, so I told him to put the cherries in a pot with some sugar.
The fourth time he appeared at the door, he said, “Sorry, Mum, I have lot of questions.” My other son arrived. They both wore aprons, both of them with their necks through the armholes. I told him not to apologize. Got out the bath, trying to understand what I was even thinking by trying to get clean!
Does every moment count?
Who knows. I was laughing too hard, dressed in a towel, boiled cherry juice spilled over the stovetop, mopping it up, reminding the cat not to stalk the countertop, and trying to find the popsicle molds.
This is where my creative life happens. The sunny spaces between the chaos. Crocs on a skateboard. A hot bath left behind. Cherries everywhere.
Thank you for being here. Your messages and your comments, your conversations and your love of words remind me in the moments of chaos that I live and love writing, reading, and stories.
xoxox
Alice
Tell me, what do you do when you’re distracted from your creative life? (The photo I took when I escaped to run a meeting in a pretty local cafe. If you live in Saskatoon and you haven’t been, try Sparrow. It’s lovely!)
Writing things that happened this week:
(To remind myself as much as share with you)
I handed in my edits and rewrote my pitch for the novel. I began writing a new ghost book, which I love, love, love and started reading the opening of our new Life-Changing Bookclub book, When Breath Becomes Air.
Here’s the percentage of you who are reading this one with me:
This is what
shared with us about the book to encourage those of you on the fence: I’m so happy that you’re choosing to read this beautifully heartbreaking book, Alice! I’ve read it at least three times, and it never fails to make an impact on me. (Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy!) In spite of its small size, it’s one of the most life-changing (and affirming) books I’ve read thus far.
Ideas for my new novel started to take shape. I taught a workshop on Keeping the Writing Love Alive, and prepped a Flow session on what to do with a month break for The Novelry. Writers shared their stories with me in coaching sessions, and when the smoke was thick in the Saskatchewan skies, I went to the movies with my little sons to watch Superman. Yann’s next book was showcased in People Magazine, revealing his gorgeous cover. He’s been so careful and attentive to detail with this novel, I love seeing his hard work come to life.
Tell me, how’s your summer going? Even if it’s not summer in your part of the world, I’d still love to know what July is like for you.
If you’re new here, my name is Alice Kuipers and I’m a writer, mother and dog & cat-owner transplanted twenty years ago to the Canadian prairies from England. I’ve published fourteen books in 36 countries and my writing has been described as: “For storytellers and story lovers,” by Kirkus Reviews; ‘Gorgeous, heart-ripping, important,” by VOYA; and “Intense and wonderful” by Bif Naked. Join me for coffee breaks, book conversations, and to share my writing life together.
Xoxo
PDA - Professional Distraction Adminitrator. If you are a good parent, you are a PDA.
You do the hard work of listening with open ears, administering kindness, offering attainable solutions. There is no good household without constant distractions making fun of all those good solid plans we make.
I am going through a divorce this summer, and I hate it. Its been 17 long years of setting aside my dreams as a writer and artist. I realize only now that the man who we all adored as Father decided to leave, instead of address problems of severe depression and narcissism.
What cures heartbreak? Distraction, trees and their leaves in the sunshine, shadows dancing on the adjacent fence.
Distraction, if we admit it, will break our well made plans, so we see the magic of the universe pressing through.
Maybe its too poetic. But true.
Hi Alice and Fellow Readers,
So sometimes, having too much time can also get in the way for the creative person. I return to doing revisions and editing when the Muse just seems to have flown the coop. Then it sometimes happens. My grandson asks once again about this story I had written a while ago called "No Grandmas Allowed." I realize he is asking for a reason. He loves the story. So I tell myself, "Pay attention Grandma!" Both my daughter (also a writer) and I don't like the ending and we decide it needs to change. Yesterday another ending came to me and she likes it. I told her to ask my grandson if he does. Oh, and one more thing. He asked me to change the name of the main character to his name, Max, instead of his cousin's, Matthew. I said ok, only since Max seems to show more interest. I hope I won't hear back from my other grandson; otherwise, I may need to come up with a new story with him as my protagonist. Sometimes we just need space to do our own musings and see what comes. I feel too much pressure and urgency push ideas away. Diana Ross sang the words, "You can't hurry love." Well sometimes I feel you can't hurry ideas. When they're good and ready, they will show up.