Ancient Abodes

Here are some photos I took while exploring places that inspire storytelling; Castell Henllys Iron Age village in Pembrokeshire and Wroxeter Roman City, in Shropshire. From the fireside earthenware to the loom, these abodes highlight what was important to us then is still important now. The scale and layout give each place a different feel. Narrow paths …

Repurposing

I've been thinking how re-purposing provides an opportunity to be creative. It has other benefits... bringing greater awareness to our actions, reducing consumption, building co-operation and creating solutions to problems. Some examples: Plastic sleeves that cover cards, delicate or seasonal decorations. Use them to display wipe-clean notices, certificates or event posters. Completed pages from colouring …

Sacred Spaces

Here are some photos I took, when exploring Stone Henge and Avebury, in Wiltshire. I love the atmosphere of wandering these places. It unravels the knots of modern life and gives chase to your imagination. The play of light is one of my favourite aspects of a stone circle. The changeling weather provides a mysterious aspect. …

Embrace

Within each season, the moods of nature support certain activities; building momentum throughout the year. They nurture the necessary and the beloved, providing a loose framework with room to adapt (because disruption is part of life). I've put my life on paper in 3 lists; what I need to do, what I love to do and …

Allotmenteering: Hayley Stewart

This ‘Winter Morning’ interview is with the lovely Hayley Stewart; allotmenteer, Chair of the Sandy Carnival and long term committee member and Show Manager for Sandy Horticultural Association. What motivates you to work / run an allotment? This actually stemmed from growing up in a family of keen gardeners fresh veg and fruit is a …

Earth Whispers

Some stanzas on the reviving properties of nature... Gone the brain slump Soul cramp ceases Trees offer reprieve Far from the clusterfunk Feels good to see People as rainbows I taste each moment There are galaxies in my cup I listen closely Earth whispers   This extract is from a poetry collection I'm launching in the …

Piano: Sal of One Empty Shelf

Enjoy the first of my 'Winter Morning' interviews; featuring creative skills. Today we sit down with Sal of One Empty Shelf. What motivates you to play piano? I've played piano since I was 4 - I went through the whole teenage angst thing of hating practising, but was still proud of the fact I could play. …

Writer: Carol Lovekin

Enjoy my interview with writer Carol Lovekin, author of two books (both published by Honno, the Welsh Women's Press). You can find Carol via her blog and on Twitter. What were your reasons for taking up swimming? Initially, & predictably, because I thought it would be good for me. And because a fear of deep water …

Artist: Wendy Andrew

Update: I interviewed representational artist Wendy Andrew and her website - Painting Dreams - features a new blog. Read on for inspiration... 1. What drew you to becoming an artist? I have always drawn and painted and made things! My father was an artist and took me to life drawing classes as a young child, so being …

Warriors As Healers

I'm sharing a little about the writing process regards another world in Sky Drum. In my fantasy epic, the story begins amid a shift from duality to unity. On Earth, two characters journeys evolve, from a focus on the past, to the present. On Eliir, their common worldview is expanding beyond the equality they've maintained …

Lullaby of Sky

Today I'm sharing with you the lullaby of sky, a poem that details the character's united journeys in my fantasy novel which launched this week. Sky full of lullaby Answering heart’s call Shadows in the wake of light Journeying towards a fall . . . A million strings beating sparks Together moving to a dark …

Sky Drum

The first novel in my fantasy epic is out now... Peace. Chaos. Potential. Cosmos. It will take them all to restore the sky drum. Journeys and friendships collide, in this elemental tale of old promises and new hope. Sky Drum is the first in the series about two planets, two suns and the people that …

Winter Wisdom

A piece I've written of my grandmother is featured in She Who Knows - a magazine that honours the feminine and nature. Helmed by Cheryl Tipple-Trepat and Isabella Lazlo, it is packed with content by a diverse community of artists, writers and illustrators. Below is an extract from the piece... "The wildness pulls at me; tugging at …

Positive

Many inspiring things are happening in the world. I enjoy being informed and inspired. Positive News is a current affairs magazine, led by Sean Dagan-Wood. I followed its stories for a while and became a community co-owner. Each issue covers a multitude of topics; delivering constructive and diverse news on many subjects. It is refreshing to …

Home

Another extract: "The air we breathe, the ground beneath, the water that surrounds touches all. Awoken by sunlight, we grow together. From mineral or mountain, leaf or bud. Formed in veins, stretching in strata. Wherever we go is home - in our bones. Life bends, bows, decays and grows. Of blood, star, marrow and memory. …