Write it

Being specific about these details makes a difference to your level of commitment to your goal.  Decide:

• Which days of the week you’ll write?  Be realistic
• Identify the time of day you are most productive.  Schedule some of this time for your writing project
• Where you will write? Make sure your documents and toolkit are handy
• Track your progress.  Find out what works best for you and stick with it.

This is how I approach my writing projects.  It works for me so it could work for you too. If you need support and/encouragement, reach out.  I’d be happy to help.

Angela Robertson – Author, Speaker, Facilitator and Coach

Kiaora@angelarobertson.nz www.angelarobertson.nz Amazon.com: Angela Robertson: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

It was the 20^th anniversary of my father’s death that triggered this blog.  A former Royal Marine, he was awarded the Burma Star for operational service in Burma during the second world war.  Throughout his life he was a proud member of the Royal Naval and Burma Star Association and regularly took part in their activities.  In his late 70’s, he died in the UK, the day before Remembrance Day.  We were heartbroken.

Following his basic training he served on several ships including HMS Phoebe, a light cruiser he was particularly fond of.  He wanted to name his first-born Phoebe in memory of this ship, fortunately my mother put her foot down.  My sister Linda considers this a near miss and is forever grateful.   

Dad saw active service in the Far East, Egypt and in various countries the Mediterranean including Malta.  As children, we were enthralled with his stories of life at sea.  We loved to spend time looking at his photos in various uniforms; his regular uniform, dress uniform – the one got married in, and the tropical gear he wore in India, Ceylon, Burma and Egypt.  Looking at each photo brought back treasured memories, he could recall where he was at the time the picture was taken and could name the other guys he was with at the time.  It all sounded exotic and fun to us kids.  I wish we had written all of this down.

While he enjoyed the camaraderie life in the service provides, and his time at sea and abroad, it wasn’t an easy occupation, either during the heat of the war, or post-war as our family lived in the Midlands.  Dad signed up for the long-term, he wasn’t conscripted.  He was released from service when he contracted tuberculosis.  A sick man, it took two years for him to recover during which time my mother went back to work to support the family. 

Remembrance Day was very important to my dad – lest we forget.  I am reminded of the poem by John McCrae “In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow. Between the crosses, row on row. That mark our place, and in the sky. The larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below”.  My dad, as the saying goes, is always on my mind, forever in my heart.

Don’t leave it until it’s too late.  Capture your memories for your family and friends.  Reach out if you need a hand. I’d be happy to help. Contact me   Kiaora@angelarobertson.nz  www.angelarobertson.nz

Encouraged by my parents and older sister, for as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed reading and writing.  Inspired by my Form 1 English teacher Miss Kennedy, I sketched out my first novella – the tale of the week-long camping trip with our 20^th North Coventry Girl Guide Company.   I recall it was all very exciting as I’d never spent this long away from my family, and apart from family holidays, the only sleep overs had been with extended members of our family.  As an impressionable 12-year-old, the camping adventure without my parents, miles away in the Forest of Dean, a historic national park in Gloucestershire England, marked the transition from childhood to adolescence.  Independence and inter-dependence were encouraged.  The notion of responsibility was fostered.  We, (the troop), literally did everything for ourselves; erected the tents, took turns with the daily chores, built and lit the fires, cooked in the open air, fetched the water, did the dishes, went tramping the bush, and created our own entertainment.  We relied on one another.  The impact was immense.  I had so much fun and learned so many skills.  It was so easy to write about the adventure and the people associated with it and through the process I got to re-live the experience.  Decades later, the very thought of writing that story it makes me smile as I reflect on my younger self.  In hindsight, I learned that non-fiction writers immerse themselves in real life events.

In the years that followed my writing focused on developing individual and organisational capability in the workplace and the community.  In this capacity I researched, developed and facilitated professional development programmes and resources.  In my spare time I spent many years documenting my Masters and Doctoral theses.  It was a very challenging and fulfilling career and I learned that non-fiction answers questions, informs, educates, motivates and solves problems.  

Much as I enjoyed the process, it was such a joy to change direction in later life, meet new people in the wider community, and re-discover the art of writing non-fiction for pleasure.  Interested in how others make a transition from one stage of life to another, I read widely on the subject, but I wanted to hear personal stories from ordinary everyday people, who were also on this life journey.  Quite by chance, I began to capture the context of their earlier lives, their plans, the opportunities and the challenges they face and their lifestyle choices. It’s been a privilege to have met so many amazing men and women from all walks of life, who generously share their stories with me.  Their stories, including the ups and downs many of experience on life’s journey, are inspiring.  Their attitudes to life and their perspectives on ageing are insightful, uplifting and nourish the soul. They show us that life is a continual adventure, depending on your mindset.  With their permission I shared their stories and through this process I learned that non-fiction storytelling is liberating and can make a positive and meaningful difference to one’s own and other people’s lives.  Driven by a strong sense of purpose I believe non-fictional stories about real people, when shared, can change lives.

That’s why I write non-fiction, and why I facilitate workshops to encourage others to write. 

If you liked this post and would like to read more, check out this website. Amazon.com: Angela Robertson: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

Writing our personal story is a creative and rewarding activity, but we all have off days when we feel stuck and are unsure of what we want to say. One of the best ways to kick start your daily writing ritual and get into the regular rhythm of writing is to refer to a list of writing prompts. These prompts can be just one word, a sentence, a phrase, a photograph or an image e.g., paintings, postcards. Quotes, song titles and headlines from online articles, newspapers and magazines also make great writing prompts. Here is a short list of ideas you can use to start your collection of writing prompts for your project.

• Cherished childhood memories
• Family traditions
• First trip overseas
• Favourite toys and games
• The 3 people I admire the most
• The last time I saw ……..
• Musical memories of people and places
• Friends’ past and present
• A letter to my younger self
• Why I write …..

Grow you list of writing prompts over time. When writing, refer to your list of prompts, select one that resonates with and just start writing. Get those first few words written down, trust the process and let your imagination flow. Remember, your prompt is just a starting point to help trigger your ideas, so don’t edit as you go. If the one you have selected isn’t working for you – move on and choose another. Don’t let the perfect get in the way good, and remember, no need to rush, you don’t have to do it all today.
Keep in touch. I’d like to know which writing prompts work best for you and why.