Living the Good Life, with Coffee

I have many 'roles' in my life, my identity is a many layered thing, as is true for many people. I am a wife, a mother, a former dog exhibitor and breeder, I am a thinking person who cares deeply about many things. I am also a poet and writer, as well as a creative writing instructor and encourager. These last things take up most of my time though, they have done since I gave up paid work with others, and began attempting to make some semblance of a living with my creative writing-related things. I am a blogger too, of course, and this conversation began perhaps when I wrote this blog Writing Life (I have more blogs than I can really take care of properly, but c'est la vie ...)

The dogs are a part of my writing life too, and they are fun to live with, and fun to write about too. I'm having so much fun working with 'Buster the dog', in this series of books that began with "Dig It! Gardening Tips for Dogs", and continue this year with "Doggone It! Mindfulness from a Dog's Point of View". This second book in the series is very close to going to Bunyip Print, in Gawler, to be printed, and I am excited about that.

I'm also excited about the third book in the series, that seems to almost be writing itself, as I sit and think at my favourite cafe, Poetic Justice Cafe Gallery, also in Gawler. This third book won't be in a postion to be launched until some time next year at the earliest, but I am excited about the way it's going. By 2017, who knows how I will be feeling about it. My thoughts may have gone in a different direction by then ...

The joys of being a self-publisher are that they enable you yo do exactly what you want to do, with no publisher standing over your shoulder and keeping you in check. Of course, that publisher also has a budget for marketing the books written, whereas I can only print out as many books as I can afford, and that will fit inside my little car/mobile office.


This is me, at P Js

I enjoy my writer's life though, taking part in things at the cafe where I am the Writer-in-Residence, where I hold Poetry Workshops every Sunday morning, and am there every Monday and Thursday as well, able to be involved in a supportive group there at lunchtime Monday, and at lunchtime every Thursday, ready and able to talk about books and writing. On the last Sunday of every month, as well as an abbreviated poetry workshop at the PJ venue, I also take part, with another poet and member of the writing group I'm involved with, in running workshops and poetry readings on the last Sunday in every month, again in Gawler at the P/A Hotel (Prince Albert).

This may sound like a lot to other people, but I'm having a great time doing it, and I am convinced doing all of this is keeping me going so well, as I battle in life with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Being able to have a positive attitude to the things I face in life works well for me, and I hope will continue to work well for me. Giving to others helps me, and the love and help they give back to me is wonderfully supportive and helps me immensely.

I find having other people involved in my writing life makes it better for me, and better for others. If you have people who help you with your own writing life, I'd love to hear about it! Please leave a message here ...