INTRODUCING: A Thread Of One's Own On Writing, Creativity And Living
Welcome to my new series on writing, creativity and living.
Saying Hello
Eight weeks since my memoir was published, I’ve decided to begin something new: a space of my own to reflect on writing, creativity, and living, and how those three things are, for me, deeply tangled up. I am not a celebrity, so I had all the usual fears and imposter syndrome: who was I to write a memoir before forty? Did I have anything important to say?
But I’ve come to believe that if you feel compelled to write, that’s reason enough. This is a space for that kind of writing, which is not for the prize lists, but for the practice. For the joy of notebook pages, despite tea and toddler interruptions. The quiet days at the desk when nothing seems to happen, and then, suddenly, it does.
I’ll share how I wrote 100,000 words in six months while parenting a two-year-old, which became an instant bestseller. How I mined my life for material. How I leaned on structure, including the five-act arc from theatre and the Hero’s Journey, and what I learned.
There will be reflections from writing days, and thoughts on what’s helping me stay afloat creatively, from Julia Cameron’s morning pages to simply getting outside for a walk. I have found that writing has helped me with my recovery after having had a traumatic birth, and so I will also share some of my healing journey to inspire others that they can do the same.
To borrow from Virginia Woolf, I may not have a room of my own, but I’ve claimed a corner. And that’s enough. My writing space is a reclaimed antique walnut dresser in our spare room, next to my daughter’s cupboard, across from the bed my mother sleeps in when she visits. It’s shared and small and chaotic, but still, somehow, mine.
In a future series, I’ll share pieces from visits to writers’ houses: from Jane Austen’s tiny writing table to Roald Dahl’s writing shed, Beatrix Potter’s farm to the Brontë Parsonage. But first, this series is about my personal process.
Each post will end with a creative well suggestion, inspired by Julia Cameron’s artist date, and a writing prompt, to nudge you toward your own stories.
How It Works
I will try to post a new blog every fortnight, and most posts will have comments enabled.
My posts are free and open to everyone, but if you are interested in supporting my work, then please do pledge your future support.
About Me
About Theo Clarke
In case we haven't met before, check out my About page on my website for more information. But in summary:
I'm a former politician, campaigner, and author of Breaking The Taboo, which was in the UK’s Top 20 Hardback Non-Fiction on publication.
I’m also the host of the hit podcast Breaking the Taboo on women’s health, which is in the top 5% most listened to podcasts globally and ranks in the Top 5 shows in the UK for our health category on Apple iTunes.
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Thanks for reading, and I’m excited to share this new series with you.
Please do post a comment if you’d like to share your thoughts.