Muse

I was in charge of this month’s prompt and chose the image to the right combined with an individualized mathematical treasure hunt to find the sentence that would start or end the story we would each write (we each have different favourite books). 

My sentence came from Kafka’s La Métamorphose. “Nous avons fait tout ce qui était humainement possible pour le soigner est le supporter; je crois que personne ne pourra nous adresser le moindre reproche.” 

I had two competing ideas, and I’ve been trying my best to weave together the strands I followed. It’s not my regular writing genre, but I like to challenge myself with going out of my comfort zones. It used to scare me to write “people” stories, then “dialogue” and now I’m trying my hand at a suspense thriller. 

When an IRL character from one of my stories dear to me asked to read some of my work yesterday, I thought this may be the story for them. If for no other reason than that some snippets I’ve written are in their native tongue. 

I’ve been so enthralled with the research for this story, I think it may end up being a little more of an involved project. But, I will try to get a short story draft ready by the end of the week. So back to my story, while Mino tears apart bull kelp on the beach, I’ll let my thumbs take me back to my typing.

Boarding Pass

I’ve made it over the worst, but the cough and pain in my lungs still linger. Now I will spend the week scrambling to catch up on my classes and my writing.

Yet, upon my return to work on Friday, someone told me I looked majestic and ten years my junior. So, I guess I at least look less ragged than I feel.

Now, as winter creeps in, I can look forward to spending the next solstice surrounded by snow in real winter! And, with the key criteria for travel dealt with, I can at least enjoy a little of my Sunday morning dreaming of all the lesser-known spots I’d like to visit... 

Conquered

Well, it’s been a bit of a rough week. I seem to have caught the cold to end all colds, and even my endless bed rest and liquids are no match. 

So, while my fever looks like it will keep me home for the weekend as well; at least I got my self portrait done for the tea towel fundraiser! 

I'm not a starfish...

Pebbly Beach (My backyard)

It feels like my IRL writing group is focussing on love themes for our next meeting. In my human stories, I focus on relationship dynamics and I am debating which of my stories I should share. During our last meeting, we had discussed reading our work aloud and I think that is why I am struggling. 

It’s hard to take that risk and make oneself vulnerable when you’re in the spotlight. I prefer the shadows with anything heavy and so to read my work feels daunting, especially with a personal piece of creative nonfiction, which is my novel. 

My work is heavy, I think that is the easiest way to describe it. One editor commented on the rich descriptions and vivid detail in my narratives, he was impressed with my use of figurative language. I think I achieved that as a way to distance myself because they are nonfiction. However, it’s very different to send someone pages and discuss them than it is to read my work to an audience.

Pebbly Beach (My backyard)

Perhaps, I will play it safe in the respect that I could share a current piece where I have tried to engage my inner comic and lighter side. It was a work that emerged from prompts stipulating that you needed to incorporate the following words: calico cat, eggshells, mysterious and you needed to either begin or end the piece with the sentence “I laughed as I swiped the blood on my face and smiled.” I am a comedian with my friends so I don’t mind being in the spotlight doing stand up and making everyone laugh in that regard, but to write it is a whole other story, pun intended. So I am hoping I pulled off the comedic element in my written word. 

Anyhow, I have one more day to decide which route I should take; personal disclosure and hoping I can get through reading the opening to my novel, or grab my fictional piece and give the group a lighter side! 

I think I will continue reading the book I thoroughly enjoy that my PhD supervisor recommended for now and sleep on my decision...

 “What do you think? I’m not a starfish or a pepper tree. I’m a living, breathing human being. Of course, I’ve been in love.” 

― Haruki Murakami, Kafka On The Shore

A whole different 80k

Well, I survived the first 80hr work week, and I have added a little more to my plate since I have always had a healthy appetite! I belong to two writing groups that “meet” on a monthly basis. The online group is more fluid and assignment-based (creating a themed story) and the IRL one is also once a month but in person and consists of sharing actual pieces of our written novels. Last week my online group brought this course by Tim Clare to my attention and I thought I would try it since November is just around the corner. I am only into day two so I will give him a chance, but his process differs from mine. As someone that comes from a heavy research background, the off-the-cuff approach of the first two days is not in my comfort zone. However, the time commitment fit with my current schedule. 

Happy writing!

Stepping into September

I woke with the sun and a wet nose pointed in my direction, eagerly awaiting any movement from the body that was me in the bed above her. I was researching escapes and goals the other day and came across quite an inspiring challenge. It may be early for me, but a girl can dream. Besides, a new month of challenges lay ahead and the first morning of daily early 10kms wasn’t as difficult as I’d expected. It is not much when you think of it, but the hour at which I have to rise and be ready to run will provide its own challenge. I don’t think I’ll be able to fit in anything longer given my 14hr work days, but perhaps my mentor will help me work on some longer runs for weekends and holidays. As the days get shorter, I’ll also miss the morning light, but at least we will have fewer chance encounters with the black and white Pepes that have invaded the island over the summer months. These cute little thieves have stolen all my zucchinis I was so looking forward to, but at least they left me my tomatoes... I guess raw green tomatoes are only a treat for me to prepare a new batch of Salsa Verde! Happy September 🎤

My Gratitude Journal

Apparently, August 25th is “Kiss and Make-up Day” and so the gratefulness challenge that I started last week ends on a perfect day. Yesterday we had our annual Island End of Summer Celebration, parades and games in the main field. I was feeling a little withdrawn but nudged myself to go. It’s funny how anonymity sets in over the summer, but as the beginning of term comes close fame returns. Over the crowds and excitement, I heard “It’s Mary!” several times and the eager smiling faces of the students at my school rushing to greet me with hugs and stories of their summer adventures. Summer is drawing to a quickened end and before I know it will be the last week in August once more. But for now, I can look back and remind myself to take in the brevity of cherished moments and be grateful for all the wonderful instances each day can hold.

Day 1:
*I am thankful to have the love, support, warmth and kindness of family and such wonderful friends that have been by my side over the years.
*I am ever so grateful to new friends that have come into my life have helped me through some of my hardest moments.
*I am truly grateful for the generosity of spirit of so many people that surround me.

Day 2:
*I am thankful for the grey days that shade me from the hot sun.
*I am thankful for the rain that cools the day and quenches the earth’s thirst.
*I am thankful for having shelter from the storm and the choice to stay inside or to go out and dance in it!

Day 3:
*I am grateful to be in reasonably good health and have a relatively strong body.
*I am grateful for the ability to learn from my mistakes, to improve on my shortcomings and to build on my weaknesses.
*I am thankful for all the little things… To stop and take a moment to smell the flowers, to watch a bee or bird take nectar from a bloom, to feel the cool breeze, the hot sun, the rain, the snow…
*I am grateful for forgiveness, to be able to forgive or be forgiven, for an open heart, mind and soul.

Day 4:
*I am ever so grateful for the kindness of “relative” strangers in my life that have renewed my beliefs in the good that surrounds us all.
*I am thankful for memories, shared and private, to be able to look back and relive the moments of my life, good and bad, and to learn anew from each experience.
*I am very thankful for all the lovely moments I can look forward to, the adventures I have yet to take and that I have the privilege to explore.
*I am truly thankful for those that read my writing; all those that enjoy my stories, articles, books, blog posts, etc. And I am grateful for the reciprocal inspiration that they have provided me along my path.

Day 5:
*I am thankful that I have had many hardships in my life. They have strengthened me, connected me with many wonderful souls and served as a brilliant contrast enabling me to appreciate all the wonder, kindness and love in my life.
*I grateful for learning from my daily struggles and overcoming past troubles, for the paths chosen that have led me to the experiences of today.
*I am grateful for hugs that warm you from within, smiles that touch your heart and a goodnight kiss that calms one’s soul.
*I am thankful for tears to express what no words can, pain that makes you re-evaluate yourself, loss that reminds you that every moment is precious.
*I am thankful for love, to give love, to feel love, to have and to have been loved.

Friday, I'm in love...

A Calico is pretty
sweet,

I’ve had the pleasure of looking after these two for the past week and the energy and playfulness of kittens has renewed my smile. It's also brought me back into the moment instead of looking too far ahead. 

but my heart will always
belong to a ginger...

I've been focussing on my "human" stories the past couple of years and I am at a point that I really like where I have come to with these narratives. They have all been really well received with readers wanting more from some of the short stories. Although I am tempted to expand some of my shorts that's a whole other daunting project for now. 

After my accident, I had put away the Beautiful Creatures series as it was too overwhelming to work through all the connections that I wanted to address with the novels. It's a tremendous amount of research to embark on, specifically because I am also trying to do my best, as a human, to describe the umwelten of the various species in the books. However, over the summer as I have been tying up other projects I am feeling the pull to return to Beautiful Creatures. It was the first step in my adulthood in igniting my creative writing and I think that once I get a few of the human piece "perfectly" polished I'll be returning to my beastly roots. 

It’s hard to believe that I am sneaking up upon my final week of “freedom” but I have to say I am excited for the long hours to come. Even if I have already started researching travel dreams; the next few months will be a welcome marathon and I am ready for the challenge. 

So, on that note, while I have the time I will dive back into my edits on my manuscripts…  

A Worthy Imposter

It’s a dreary afternoon and one of the last days before my hectic schedule will take hold. I felt like a having little indulgence but living on an island I often have to make do with what I may have on hand. I had too many bananas to eat on my own that were spoiling quick. And, I was craving chocolate (which I don’t eat). I opened the cupboard to explore all I had was some rice flour, honey and carob...

I searched the internet and found a brownie recipe. While I sort of followed the recipe,  my inner black sheep chef took over as I was missing a few of the key ingredients. They are not my mother’s brownies that I grew up on but they turned out delicious. And, since every day seems to be a holiday; happy Lazy Day❣️

Not My Father's Daughter

This has been the summer of tests... I don’t think I have ever gone through a time when I was so poked and prodded but at least one test was a diverting one. Since a young age, I’ve identified with my father more deeply than with my mother. I was always told that I was my father’s daughter but as science confirmed this past week, that isn’t the case. In light of this revelation, it is fascinating for me to think about the old nature vs nurture debate and just how much those that surround us influence who we become. However, it’s been a tumultuous couple of days with Mino recovering from her surgery. Rather than dive deeper into heavy topics, I think I’ll just stick with soup and stitches for the rest of the evening. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we won’t need to return to the vet tomorrow...

As we sail through the remainder of summer, the cooler nights are a haunting reminder of how quickly things change. I start work next week and I want to savour the final summer moments. Blueberry season is coming to a close and with a subtle suggestion from the lighter side of life, I thought I’d get creative once again. A few soup ideas inspired me for this one. The first little nudge led me to blåbärssoppa, which frankly is just fun to say. Another inspiring nudge guiding me was the abundance of blackberries lining my driveway. The finale feels like an adult version of PB&J which is more than okay for today.

Cephalopodan Triad

I am often asked what inspires my writing or how I sit down to write my stories. My process is very much spur of the moment (I wrote more than half my novel on my phone). But sometimes I’ve felt blocked and there are a few exercises that help to get the ideas flowing. Of the different tricks I use when the inspiration evades me, emulation is the easiest when I am feeling lost. Although someone dear to me once told me I added poetry to their life, I am not confident writing poetry. This same person had introduced me to a few poets that I have fallen in love with over the years and so I have integrated writing poetry into one of my writing exercises. Simply, chose a poem and readapt it to reflect your own ideas…

Emulation of  Pablo Neruda’s, Love Sonnet XI

By Marie-France Boissonneault, 2018

I haven’t been well for most of July and so I have put a few of my writing projects on the back burner. But, while away I had several ideas germinating. The opportunity to explore new areas and old favourites was like tilling fertile soil and I have been wanting to plant these ideas and get them growing before my very first in-person writing group next week. So today I think I will indulge in a little fantasy and immerse myself in emulation to get the old fingers dancing across the keyboard again... 

Some Like it Hot

When I was gifted of a flat of peaches, I couldn’t help but sing the nostalgic tune... Oh, how I love peaches!

I’ve always loved to let my imagination go wild whilst cooking so I almost never work from a recipe. When a friend of mine asked for the secrets to the delicious image of my soup I’d shared that day, I quickly jotted down what I could remember. 

I had spent the morning in the kitchen making chutneys, salsas, and this happy accident soup. So, I am glad that I wrote the gist of it down so I could enjoy this wonderful summer soup (hot or cold) once again. I think it is even better the second time! But, my picture was better the first time ;)

So, while I take a little break from writing. I’ll pass along the “recipe” the best I can...



Two large onions sautéed until clear. Four cloves of garlic, six large peaches (I kept the skins on). Throw them all in a pan to simmer for about ten minutes. While simmering, add in a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg, two tablespoons of brown sugar, about a tablespoon of dried ginger, curry powder and turmeric and a splash of cider vinegar. 

I almost forgot the chilli pepper; add that to your liking. Let it all cool and then give it a whirl in the blender until it’s smooth. I was freezing some of it so I didn’t add any coconut milk as I might most times. But honestly, I don’t think it needs it as a summer soup, perhaps I’ll make it richer in the fall. 

Then, if you want the delight of a stunning image, find yourself an earthy bowl, a secondary and tertiary coloured flower, and complementary colour for the background. 

Et, voilà! 

Thanatosis

At the beginning of the week, I reviewed Honeyman’s novel and a quote from the book resonated with me. 

“There are days when I feel so lightly connected to the earth that the threads that tether me to the planet are gossamer thin, spun sugar. A strong gust of wind could dislodge me completely, and I’d lift off and blow away, like one of those seeds in a dandelion clock.” (Honeyman, 2017). 

This quote embodies the last few weeks for me, and even more so in the last few days. As I make my way westward I look forward to staring out into the wide expanse of the North Pacific and being cut off from technology. This time to write and explore has been like a strong wind that has dislodged my spun sugar connections to a previous life. The guidance that disconnection brings is like being a satellite above my life, an opportunity to examine, understand and create a new path. Sometimes we need that disconnection to allow for introspection, a moment to quiet all the competing voices that surround us so that we can hear our own.  I have a few more weeks until I embark on new adventures that my work in September will bring. 

So for today, I am grateful for that wind to continue to take me farther away...