"O, brave new world, that has such creatures in it!" - The Tempest
Miles Jude Willoughby
born 16 January 2014
18 March 2014
17 March 2014
On the Road with “The Writing Process Blog Tour”
Friends,
Apologies
for the extended absence - and a huge, huge, huge THANK YOU to Jenefer Heap for
nudging me back into the Blogsphere.
My
life has been a whirlwind recently, and blogging, although firmly ensconced on
the “To Do” list, never quite made it to the top of the page. Taking part in
the “Blogging Tour” has however re-ignited the flame!
Each writer in the Blogging Tour is invited to answer
the same four questions about their writing, thus forming a new link in a long
and winding virtual chain. I’m one of three writers taking the baton from Jenny (she
writes a great blog, check it out: Jenefer Heap ).
The three witty and engaging writers I’ve
chosen to follow me next week are: Caroline Barr, Harriet Hamilton and The Girl Behind The Wall. I
love their work, and I’m sure you will, too! Read more about them at the
end of the blog.
And, so. Placing myself into the ‘hot seat’…
Question
1: What am I working on?
1.)
At the moment, I am focused on two main projects (well, three, if I can count our
2 month old baby as a project!):
a.)
I’ve blissfully landed a commission for a book to commemorate the
major Shakespeare anniversary in 2016. (He died in 1616.) For this, I shall be
collaborating with a major UK arts organisation, and we are currently pursuing
funding and support. (Would be benefactors welcome!)
I’m utterly delighted to have the opportunity and hope
that the book will bridge both scholarly and popular interest in Shakespeare
and his legacy. I’m loathed to provide more specific details about it here for
fear of jinxing things (!), as we are still hashing through details, contracts,
etc. Suffice to say, the project is very “me”, i.e., embracing a range topics under one big,
glorious Shakespeare umbrella! I’m still in the honeymoon phase, but the panic
of actually having to produce something quite substantial by January 2015 is looming large on the horizon…
b.)
For the past 4 years, I have had a regular, featured column in a glossy, monthly magazine. Sadly, the magazine folded (not due to my column, I hasten to
add!) and now, after several weary months of crying into my beer, and feeling
sorry for myself, I’m in the process of trying to re-establish myself as a
columnist-in-print. (Short of standing on the side of the road with a sign that
reads: “Will Write for Food.”)
2)
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I
think what makes me different both as a scholarly writer and a popular writer
is the quirky way in which I don’t divide the two. For better or for worse, I
approach all of my work in the same way. I try to write with heart, tenacity,
verve, humour, and knowledge.
In
terms of my scholarly work – I’m the author of three works of scholarly
non-fiction:
With
each of these works my goal was to tell a complex story simply. To be
accessible and entertaining, whilst also being true to the subject. The same is
true of my work as a columnist and op-ed writer.
Undoubtedly, the most unique feature of my writing is the way in which Shakespeare quite
honestly informs everything I do. I see the world through a Shakespearean
lens. That, I suppose, is my “twist”.
Recently,
I collaborated with Chef and culinary historian, Alan Deegan on a Shakespeare
cookbook!
Question
3: Why do I write what I do?
“Words, words, words.” - Hamlet
When
Shakespeare isn’t looking, I allow myself to canoodle with a few other authors,
notably Chekhov. In his play, The Seagull,
in which he is channeling Shakespeare (!), Chekhov depicts one of the most beautiful
and infuriating representations of a writer in the character, Trigorin.
Trigorin
is passionate, flawed, wounding, and vulnerable. When asked why he pursues his craft, he
states quite simply, and with a slight air of defeated resolve: “I have to
write. I have to write. I have to write.”
Writing
in this instance is an undeniable need. This is a need I understand. For me, writing is a way of being in the
world, of living, seeing, and making sense of it all.
I
was once warned of the potential hazards of becoming an “academic gadabout”. Ironically,
at the time this warning was issued, the speaker in question – a rather somber,
but well-meaning academic Dean – actually used the wrong word. She advised me
against becoming a “Gadfly”, though I’m in no doubt she meant “Gadabout”, as it
became very clear that from her perspective, being a “Gadfly” (a
person who annoys or criticises others) is preferable to being a “Gadabout” (a person who
flits from place to place, thing to thing). The notion, it seems, is that it’s
okay to ruffle feathers, as long as you only ruffle the very same set of
feathers relentlessly, and without deviation.
Well,
where’s the fun in that?
Not
one for warnings or omens, I have happily embraced my “Gadaboutness” and it has
brought me much joy, and is in fact a key feature of my preferred genre as a
columnist. Far from the confines of academe, I write about any and everything I
will! From sausages and oysters, to probate and wills, to Shakespeare and stage
history.
Question
4: How does my writing process work?
“If it be madness, yet there is
method in it.” - Hamlet
Process?
What process?
This
is the greatest thing about being a columnist. To quote Shakespeare
(yet again!): “The world is mine oyster.” Everything is source material - ‘the
story’ is everywhere. So really the process begins with observation. Seeing,
but seeing in a different way. Not actively “looking for the story”, but
always, always being open to the story.
Being a sponge is also important, and goes without saying. Being brave,
fearless, and a bit mad. Not being afraid to put your heart and soul on the
page.
In
terms of practical mechanics, when I was actively working on my monthly column
(sniff, sniff!) the deadlines were precise and tight. I work well under
pressure, so it helped to have that relentless drive of “It’s due, it’s due!!”
The perfect day would be sitting out on the deck, basking in the sunshine, with
a huge mug of Assam tea, thinking – “What shall I write about this month…?”
(Those
were the days. *SIGH*)
I
am/was constantly making notes, scribbling and blogging is indispensible.
(Though I’ve been very very remiss in that area of late.)
But
thank you, again and again, to Jenefer Heap for nudging me back onto the
screen!
Now,
without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to three of my writer friends who I've selected to carry the baton for next week’s Blogging Tour...
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| Caroline Barr Blog: "Ask A Busy Woman"
Caroline Barr has spent a lifetime in marketing and public relations, plus 4 children, husband, dogs, tennis playing, rugby watching, and golf learning. She has just completed her first novel. Her superbly titled blog, "Ask a Busy Woman" is centred on her life in Yorkshire.
|
***********************
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| Lady Harriet Hamilton Blog: Lady Harriet Hamilton |
We own and run the apley estate in Shropshire, a 8500 acre working country estate where we opened apley farm shop in 2011, Apley walled garden in 2013 and 3 apley holiday cottages between 2007-2012. I do the marketing, pr and advertising for those businesses, as well as focussing this year on the Apley archives.
My blog is principally to write about anything going on at Apley as well as some personal blogs too, as it's very much a family business. The farm shop site has 9 businesses and the estate itself is also very Multi facetted, incorporating rented properties, shoots and farming.
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The Girl Behind the Wall
 |
| The Girl Behind The Wall Blog: My Mending Wall |
As a survivor of abuse and neglect, I am on a journey of sorting out the whys and hows. My life began in the midst of turmoil, but will end in peace and serenity because I choose not to be a victim, but rather I choose a journey of healing the unseen scars of my childhood.
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