Friday, May 1, 2015

Crazy Just Might Work: I AM A WRITER


Happy May!
I love May. May is one of the most cheerful months for me. Nature is going wild - flowers, trees are in bloom, air is getting warmer and days are getting longer. End of school year. Long Summer ahead. At times, it feels like Summer already! I was born in May too. I believe it somehow makes my personality - cheerful, optimistic, enthusiastic dreamer who just loves life and many different aspects of it. May can be stormy though. It brings not just showers, but thunderstorms. Not only in Mother Nature, but in people's nature. If there is one weather comparison to my personality, it probably is a thunderstorm. Can be big and loud, but does not stay for too long - it passes, and then it's bright sun, birds chirping and flowers blooming again. Crazy!


I mentioned that I went for teal and yellow recently, but was not completely satisfied with that particular outfit - so I have redone it here. Now I'm pretty happy. Completed with bed head! Bed head is a genius invention, I believe. It's when your hair is nice and clean, but you slept funny, and in the morning there is just a mess on your head. You take this mess, work in a little of what my hairdresser calls "product", and ta-da-a, you've got yourself a sharp and fashionable bed head! (For "product" I used Loma Organics Forming Paste - my tub actually has the word organics, - but there are plenty of options out there.) Now no need to worry about your hair all day long. What can be better than that?


Skirt - Lane Bryant (I showed it previously in this post early April)
Top - thrifted at Goodwill
Cardigan - Lane Bryant (old-ushka, that is actually how we speak English in our family - by adding Russian suffixes to pretty much anything)
Shoes - Josef Seibel (love them! $30 on clearance at Nordstrom Rack)
Jute/raffia purse by SunNSand, bought about 10 years ago at Outdoor World - check their collection of yummy sun hats!
Earrings - pearls, gift


And now...

I AM A WRITER: A New Link-Up



I don't always wear fancy outfits. Most of my time, I wear something really simple and comfortable - the simpler, the better! Something like this - though, it is one of the nicest of my "home outfits". That's what I like to wear when knocking around my home or my neighborhood - walking to the beach, go swimming in a local pool, taking my daughter to her evening classes (which is, I'm astonished to say, 5 times a week starting next week... and we started with one or two only!).


This is "Now I know my ABC" dress, or as I also like to call it, my writer's dress. 
Speaking of which, being a writer I mean, I finally bring up my courage to offer you the idea I've been playing with for a long time. I decided to start working on this idea now, this May.


I would like to promote the idea of writing (and publishing!) short fiction.
I invite everyone who is interested - those who already consider themselves writers, and those who enjoy writing and want a challenge.


I know I need a challenge. My challenge is to write a piece of fiction in the English language. I dipped my toes into it, but now I want to go for a swim. 


I know it sounds crazy. But I finally, as I approach my 42nd birthday, am ready to embrace my craziness. Being raised in a pretty conservative culture, I used to think that I needed permission to be what I want to be... some authoritative person or institution would come to me and approve of me being a writer. I no longer think that. I want to be a writer. I have written in Russian for as long as I can remember. I started writing in English about a year and a half ago, thanks to Justin who encouraged me to do it. I thought it was crazy. I thought no one would ever read me. But now, a year and a half later, I can tell that crazy just might work. And I'm ready for a new step. 

I offer you one theme a month to sort of meditate on. Not even a theme, but a phrase. You can change it a little, to make it yours. And then write a story, beginning with this phrase. You can write a romantic story, comedy, humor, fantasy, fairy tale, sci-fi, children's story, mystery or anything you are inspired to do - let's just generally stick to a short fictional piece (say, up to 1000 words or so). Then, at the end of the month (last week of the month), I will open a link-up here, on In The Writer's Closet, where you can share your story and read other stories. That's how I see this idea now. At the end of 2015, if we find it stimulating and fun enough to stick to this format, each participant will have 8 complete stories - not too bad for a writer's portfolio, eh? But don't think of it too much. Just have fun with it. It does not have to be perfect. We don't have to become the next Shakespeare or Hemingway. Better yet, let's become the best writers we can be - genuine us. 

Are you interested? Then let us just go for it. Relax. Play! Remember: crazy just might work.


So, the phrase I offer you for May is

"I opened my eyes. It was pitch dark around me."

Happy writing!

"Writer's" dress - ASOS Curve
Cardi is too old to remember where I got it
Flats - Born

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35 comments:

  1. What a great idea, Nathalia! You are such a facilitator and I admire that. It is a great skill which I do not have. I don't dare promise any sort of consistency or scheduled event on my blog. I love your writer's ABC dress. Do you have one with the Cyrillic script? That would be cool! Your yellow skirt and blue blouse ensemble is gorgeous and so very vibrantly spring like. Vibrancy suits you. I also love your bedhead style. Bedhead is one of my favourites though real bedhead does not always cooperate. My real life bedhead is usually flat on one side and sticking up on the other, even more so now that an injured right shoulder causes me to favour sleeping on my left side. Have a great weekend! I hope you will find time to write. It's what I am off to do right now! In bed of course, so I am not actually 'off' anywhere. xxxx Hugses from the island.

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    1. You just made me so happy! Thank you, my dear Shawnochka! Crazy just might work! :)

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  3. I think for people who like writing that would be a nice platform to share their little stories. I am not good at writing myself but I will gladly read stories written by others.
    Love your "sunny" skirt and that ABC dress is so cool!

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    1. Olga, you are a very good writer - I love your articles very much! But readers are very much appreciated as well! :)

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  4. Oh Natalia this so so exciting..I have taken a long break from writing and this will get me back in again. Your ABC dress is so quirky and fun.
    Diana

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    1. Soooo happy to hear it, Diana! It's very encouraging to me. Let's just write and see where it takes us!

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  5. This is a wonderful idea , I wish you every success. I always admire your writing skills , mine seem to be missing in action these days. I love your little alphabet dress , perfect for the author in you.

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    1. Thank you so very much, Jill! I enjoy reading your stories very much - your travel, your thoughts on life. You do have a way with words, but most importantly - a big heart and so much wisdom. Maybe you'll want to join the fun some time later, I wold be happy.

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  6. My first paid job involved writing for our little town paper at age 16. Later I rote grants and reports but the creative things were pushed to the wayside. I'm in!

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    1. Amazing! I also wrote for a local newspaper when I was 12-13 y.o. - and got paid for it! So in a way, it is my first paid job as well. :) I'm really excited to have you on board!

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  7. Thank you for inviting me to join this link up...I would gladly do so! One short story per month doesn't seem like a difficult task, so I should be able to join in....So, the idea is that we publish the story on our blog and then link up here on your blog? That sounds alright.

    As for writing in English, I have done it before, but I would agree that there are challanges when one writes in the language that isn't our mother tongue. Sometimes we can feel we're lacking that emotional connection to the language even if we are sure in our language skills.

    Both outfits are fabulous...but I'm absolutely in love with the first one...it's simply divine! The yellow skirt suits you so well and you have styled it perfectly!!!!

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes, Ivana, you got the idea right! It is definitely challenging, to write creatively in a foreign language. But that's what I want - to challenge myself. Glad you are joining!

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  8. First let me begin by saying I like this outfit on you. It looks different than what you usually wear. I like the fit and flare if it. Nice shade if yellow.

    So many statements you've made in this post resonate with me. So many similarities. The reference to thunderstorms; asking permission of conservative parents to be what I truly want to be; becoming a writer These poignant moments are in my upcoming book. Kindred spirits we are.

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    1. We are, Glenda, we are! I would be happy to see your fictional writing - as I do love your essays! So please join in if you find yourself inspired!

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  9. This is going to be fun to read.

    I love your yellow skirt that you've featured again here and that amazing little book!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Such books do help, and yes, writers need readers as much as readers need writers! But you, Suzanne, could try your pen yourself - you are a very gifted natural storyteller! Write!

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  10. Wonderful idea!
    Is't it great to realize finally that we can give "the permission" ourself? And to have a partner who support our talents? :-)
    I cant wait to Reader all the storys - althoug i will not write one myself. English ya know.......
    Love the abc outfit! Would wear it to around our village.
    sewing gig goes fortwarf, lots of work but very interesting!
    Hugses xxxxxxxx

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    1. Sooooo happy to see you here, Beatochka! Miss you! Glad that the job brings you joy!!

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  11. This is a great idea but I'm not sure it's one I'd be very good at. As much as I have always loved to write, I've finally realized that fiction is just not my genre. I'm not good at it. I'm too didactic. Creative non-fiction -- the personal essay -- is really where I'm best. : (

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    1. Dear Charlotte, me too! I'm also not sure that I'm good at it! So what? The more reasons to dive in and see what happens! :) You are a talented writer and storyteller. It's just a different aspect. Relax and play, it will be fun! I will sure try to have as much fun as I can. :)

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  12. Dear Natalia, a writer's party is a great idea - and we all get to read it :-) It's funny though, how I've always been great at telling "stories", when I have an audience, but never had the confidence to write it down. Now I only write non-fiction. But who knows, after reading some of the new fiction on The Writer's Closet I could be tempted?

    Your yellow skirt is lovely, and a vibrant and refreshing combination with the teal top. Such a strong mix needs special hairdo just like your bedhead :-) Perfect!

    Your alphabet dress is very cute. It's important to be dressed in a supportive outfit when you're being creative.

    Good luck to all - can't wait to read :-)

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    1. Thanks so much, Tine! I'm thrilled to hear that you are a storyteller - do try to write, you never know where a new journey can take you! It's the most exciting - a self-discovery... :)

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  13. Love both your outfits, the gorgeous sunny yellow skirt and the hippy-tastic colourful smock, too.
    Your notebook is fab and a little inspiration in itself.
    xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vix! Such notebooks are my favorite ones lately - I have half of dozen of this kind. :)

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  14. Your outfits are great and the handbag it sooooo beautiful. I'll try to join in the writing. I hope my story won't be too badly written. Kinda fun feeling to write in English cuz of my much less elaborate vocabulary than in Polish plus of course I'm sure I make mistakes:))) Anyways, I think this writing stories idea is awesome and thank you for inviting me. I already have dozens of ideas rushing thru my head:))
    xxxx

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    1. I feel as wobbly as you, my dear! But I am so excited to hear that you have dozens of ideas right away! I have two or three myself, started working yesterday - we'll see where it brings us! Loveses xxx

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  15. It's good to see that fabulous yellow skirt again, and to see you in your writing dress with the alphabet print.
    It's a great idea you've had, Natalia, and a generous and supportive one too. All writers need a safe place to share their work, and it's typical of your kind spirit and sense of community that you want to offer that space. I wish you and all the other writers well. I am not a fiction writer myself but I will gladly read the stories which appear here. Good luck! xxx

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    1. Thnk you so much for your kind, insightful comment, Curtise (which is truly typical of You!). We all need a safe space to be as vulnerable as we can be - because that's what writing is for writers, it's the most vulnerable state (I suspect, for all artists exposing their art is the most vulnerable act). And we appreciate readers and supporters, so thank you! But you are also a writer - I read at least one piece of fiction at Mel's - it was fun! I don't mean to push, only to encourage - just try it, play, see what happens! :) Hugses!

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  16. Oh, I love the idea! I have been dabbling with writing since teen years, but never thought I could actually do that in semi-serious way. I definitely try to join in on this.
    I especially love your yellow skirt! I'm not very good with yellow garments, but I love seeing other people wearing it.

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    1. I would LOVE to see you joining in, Rhia! I think we all have so many hidden talents, we just need to be curious and brave enough to uncover them. I'm not especially confident as a fiction writer myself, but it's so typical for writers. Almost every writer has doubts that he/she is even able to write. It;s just one of quirks we all have. I decided that I just embrace it as is and go forward!

      Yellow for some reason is considered a difficult color to wear by many people. I remember Mom told me as a young person that yellow rarely looks god on anyone. But I want to wear as many colors as possible. Lemon yellow is not the best next to my face, but in a skirt it works!

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  17. Thank again, Natalia. I would love to participate when I have a short story or essay.

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  19. I'm glad you decided to write in English, as I think your style is brilliant!, and also love that you encourage us to express ourselves!, even if I haven't writting skills in English (oh, yes, I can write a short post, and that's my limit!).
    Lovely to see your Abd dress and your pretty yellow notebook, such a cute ensemble, and you look adorable!, lovely specs too, you know I love them!!
    besos & best wishes!

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