published pieces: sibella court - peppermint magazine

I am chuffed to see my story on Sydney stylist and author Sibella Court in the new autumn edition of Peppermint magazine. The Peppermint crew has done such a beautiful job with the content and design throughout. The front cover is just dreamy. I am slowly working my way through the mag, savouring each pretty page. 

I loved the story 'Raw Awakenings' by Stacey Roberts about Raw Beauty Queen founder Kemi Nekvapil. And Tess Curran's story on Petra Cremming's entrepreneurial approach to building her own sustainable floral design studio is an inspiring read for small business owners and those dreaming about launching a creative venture. 

Thank you Peppermint. x

P.s. For those interested, Sibella Court is running new styling workshops on April 10 in Sydney and April 13 in Melbourne. Her website is being redesigned but her workshops are mentioned here. Here's hoping she hosts a session in Brisbane too. 

8/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: Happiness.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week. 

 Image: Following a pesky ant up his arm. x

when do you make time to write?

When do you make time to write?

Our Bassie usually sleeps until 6.30am or 7am if we're really lucky. This morning he woke up at 5am. 5am! It was still dark. We managed to get him back to sleep with a bottle and a dry nappy.

I tried to fall back to sleep but couldn't. I thought it the perfect time to get up early and sit with my laptop, something I've been meaning to do for ages. I usually write at night and at lunchtimes, but I have to admit my brain feels weary and dull at night.

I've read about writers who swear by waking one hour earlier than usual of a morning to "show up" at their laptop. This simple ritual kicks off the day by demonstrating a positive, physical commitment to your craft. As a mum, it gives you a moment of peace, a pause, a calm breath to start the day on your terms, completely absorbed in your own creative world.

I remember my favourite uni lecturer, author and mentor Nike Bourke, telling us she would wake one hour earlier than her children (she has four kids!) every morning. She'd brew herself a cup of tea and sip it slowly in front of her laptop. The words wouldn't always flow, but often they did, and that's the point. The first step is turning up. 

This blog has some interesting tips for writers on how to make the most of those early mornings. And the blog Simple Mom talks generally about the value of waking early here. I've mentioned Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk in this space before; she too talks about the importance of "turning up" at the laptop or page.

Before Bassie arrived, I used to wake early before work to write when a deadline was looming. My brain felt fresh and zingy and I loved the stillness and quiet that greeted me just after dawn. But since falling pregnant and having Bassie, sleep has become paramount. It still is - I worship sleep like the sun - but maybe I'm feeling ready to wake a little earlier, even if it's only for deadlines or when Bassie is my impromptu alarm clock.

7/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: My beach boy and his dimple xxx

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.

inspiration is all around

I have been feeling a little ill and weary of late, so I've been looking to others for inspiration. It's heartening to see these women I admire achieve their creative writing dreams. I hope to interview some of these writers in this space soon. 

• My stupendously gifted friend Christine Sharp is an author, illustrator, artist, book designer and editor. Christine will launch her first picture book for children, Bea, on February 28 at Avid Reader in West End, Brisbane. It's about daring to be different and staying true to yourself. I expect to find pure whimsy and joy in those pages. 
• Brisbane photographer, writer and stylist Chantelle Grady's first book, Devorer Montreal (in English, Devour Montreal) is due out soon. It's published in French because it is French! Chantelle hopes an English version will follow soon. She shares how this serendipitous project was born here on her stunning blog. I love this video of how it all came together. Enchanting.  
• Ange Takats is a journalist, author, and singer/songwriter. She is one of those people who makes her dreams happen and if I didn't know her better I'd think good fortune falls in her lap. But I know how hard she works to realise her creative projects. I went along to her charming CD launch at the Sandgate Town Hall. Her new album, Arva, is just delightful. Do yourself a favour and listen here. Being the go-getter she is, she's also written and self-published a book of her travel memoirs, The Buffalo Funeral.
• Writer and interiors stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk will soon release her fourth book, Little Treasures: Made by Hand. Through the very cool Pozible campaign, she called on her creative community to pre-purchase her book to enable her to self publish and they responded! She wrote a post full of gratitude on her blog here. I interviewed Pia for Peppermint magazine in 2011 and I've followed her blog for years. Pia's baby girl turned one last week, which I find a reassuring reminder that you can still achieve your dreams with a little one tugging at your leg (and your heart).  

Inspiration is all around (as my sweet friend helps remind me).

5/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: Such a busy little bottom.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.

4/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: So pure.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.