It is not often I burst into tears when receiving a gift, but that is what happened on Christmas when I opened one of Mark’s presents. First he explained that it had been a small odyssey finding this gift. He had been looking for it for years, and recently found it on two on-line catalogues in Australia; but his orders were cancelled in both cases because they didn't have the item in stock. Finally he bought it from an eBay merchant in the States, who sent it by express post to ensure arrival before Christmas (it arrived on Christmas Eve). After all that effort, Mark hoped that I would like it, but he didn't expect me to cry. He knew, at that moment, that it had all been worth it.
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“Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly... Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man." Zhuangzi The clock radio goes off at 5.30 a.m., in the middle of the weather report. It snatches Jake out of the depths of sleep with predictions of another cold, cloudy winter’s day with intermittent showers. With eyes tightly shut, he hits the “off” button and tries, in vain, to catch the tail of his unfinished dream. It had been a good dream, a pleasant dream, but apart from that, he can’t remember anything about it now that it’s gone. In ‘Lifecycle of a Novel, Part 1’ I detailed what it took to bring my novel, Exuberance, to conclusion, including the week spent at Varuna, The Writers' House as a result of being shortlisted for the Varuna Awards for Manuscript development. This was 2005 and I had spent the best part of three years nurturing a small army of characters, watching them develop their own personalities, face their demons, reveal their secrets and unfold their lives on the pages of my manuscript.
Do you remember the person who inspired you the most?
I am not referring to a role model, writer, or historical figure. Think of the teacher, parent, mentor or friend who recognised a particular talent you possess and who, by encouraging you to pursue it, helped define the person you went on to become. She or he might have been an influential figure in your formative years, or they might have made their entrance later in life, as happened in Merrion’s case. Video: Andrew Host delivering his speech, 'Good from Bad' at the 2010 Area 16 Toastmasters Contest - courtesy of Andrew Host
How to Change a Life in Seven Minutes - Someone (possibly Jose Marti, the Cuban poet and revolutionary) once said that in order to leave a lasting legacy, there are three things we need to accomplish in life: have a child, plant a tree and write a book. Having recently published a novel as an eBook, Exuberance, I have been reflecting about the legacy and impact that our words have on others; and not just the words written in books. |
Midnight MusingsAuthorBel Vidal - Débutante novelist (author of Exuberance), blogger, Archives
December 2023
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