TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

3:17 AM
Posted by jodi rose

floating impressions from a week of many colours and textures.
workshop amazingly productive, developed some beautiful physical theatre moments, with actors bringing a whole new level of complexity and depth to the ideas through their individual energy, physical presence, courage and intelligence. amazing process being able to sketch with live bodies.

responses from the people taking part included: life affirming; it feels like coming home; peaceful; nourishing my soul. very satisfying to be able to create an experience that people really take something from into their lives as well. and we have found a wonderful working collaboration and some beautiful actors to work with in the future of the project. whispers across a bridge. mmmmmm. lovely moments with trolls and angels and ribbons.

hung out on the roof of the chateau yesterday afternoon, amazing 360 degree view across glasgow, from the notorious Gorbals projects, to a new bridge that isn't even open yet and has gone up in a month.

spent all day writing - well typing really - in the 55 degrees spare room, fabulous dormer windows looking out on clouds and seagulls. bright blue walls, and a roomful of lovely people working quietly next door. got the first two chapters typed up - what a relief, after writing them in December. just a small block there about writing. if I could only have done 7,300 words a day when trying to finish that damn masters. ah well. a writer quoted in the paper yesterday said: "Writing has nothing to do with self-discipline. It's a matter of desire. If you want to do it, you do it; if you don't, you don't.' Indeed, so simple.

Notes from the process today:

Pick a path and set out. Commit to it.
what has brought me back here? Will I ever find out?
I have to find a way to be here. So at least I can explore it some more. And maybe, one day, find out what it is that is drawing me here so strongly.

Don't think about it. Just write.
Let it come out - play with it later. Write from the heart. Be yourself. Be bold and imaginative and wild. Don't try to hard to tell the story. Enjoy the digressions.

Chose a safe anchor and hold on to it!!! ( a safe part and use it as an anchor, I think brian eno actually said)

'Notes from Sturovo' December 2005
The novel needs to be a love song to the world.
About finding your way, making sense of life, being comfortable in your skin, making lasting connections and finding deeper love.
Make it count.
Clarity of expression.
Write so it is easy to read.
Say what you mean.
Speak from the heart.

It is incredible, have been offered a safe anchor here which I can't quite believe is real just yet. But it's slowly sinking in, and well develop form and context in the next few months. Finally understandig that it's ok to stop, it's ok to be still. You can come home now. Wherever that is.