Confess

For those Schadenfreude moments

A compelling need to write?

Hi there lovely readers! We all love a well written story or a bloody good yarn don’t we? My dad was a seasoned journalist who wrote the former, my step dad, quite the raconteur, spun the latter. I suspect that’s where I inherited a passion for the written word. But do I have a cracking good yarn worth sharing?

To find out, I combined my love of travel and writing and took myself off to a writer’s retreat conducted in the Tuscan mountains of Italy by the wonderful Lisa Clifford. (Read about that journey here: On finding one’s voice) From there I holed up in the Cinque Terre on the coast and started writing. Thing is, I was struggling to surface from a tsunami of grief at the time, and although my writing was cathartic as I spoke my truth, I questioned if the outcomes would be worth sharing beyond the laptop. That was 10 years ago.

Lisa Clifford

Have you always wanted to shape your words into a compelling story worth sharing? Super news fellow aspiring writers! Lisa (The Art of Writing) is bringing that same very special writing experience to Brisbane. In her words:

Even if you’ve simply been thinking of a story idea. Let’s write it. Even if you’ve never put pen to paper. Let’s do it. 

Now had I written those words, I’d have thrown a few exclamation marks in – my way of demonstrating my enthusiasm – something I need to temper? And what about that sentence – passive or active? And did I create a compelling call to action? I know Lisa and guests will have the answer.

Your story might be a novel, a memoir or a story line that’s stalled. Perhaps you need time to dream about that seed of an idea, or your keen to improve your blogging? Designed to bring your writing to life, Lisa and her guests will help you nail down the essentials of your story. I’ve signed up and hope you can join me!

Brisbane Art of Writing Retreat – The Essentials of Story

February 9-12th 2023 – West Village – Brisbane

Sign up here: The Art of Writing

See you there!

Posted in Confess, Inspire | Comments Off on A compelling need to write?

Oh for the love of travel…

Lovely readers, travel is back on the agenda and I’m so excited! You see, I live to travel, I revel in writing, and Indulge Divulge, launched way back in 2013, has been the perfect platform for combining the two. Until COVID.

As we embraced lockdown I ‘pivoted’ (seriously, how could I not exploit the most overused word of that period huh?) to share hints and tips for living a life filled with elegance and passion via the blog’s additional topics; fuelled by your brilliant suggestions and feedback. From career inspiration to personal confessions, a sanity check during those dark days, and available via the menus should you wish to dive in.  But back to travel!

Indulge Divulge ignited the desire to jump off the tourist junket and explore and write about the lesser-known parts of the countries and cities I’ve had the privilege of visiting. Living with the locals in the fishing villages of Italy’s Cinque Terre; seeking the space invader tile montages tucked away in the back streets of Paris; marvelling at the soft hues of Florence; revelling in the Mediterranean sunsets on the Cote d’Azur; gasping in awe as Mt Fujiyama briefly peeked through her misty shroud; climbing the walls of Dubrovnik; singing wildly out of key with a Venetian gondolier… I could go on but that would be just too tossy. I’ll let my stories do the talking.

If you’ve been to those places yourself, a joyful reminder of your own experiences, potential inspiration if building your future travel agenda or simply a chance to vicariously enjoy my ramblings from the comfort of your sofas.

I’m already plotting the next journey and can’t wait to share and inspire again. Of course, my beloved Paris will again be on the agenda, accompanied by the silver fox; after all Paris – the city of lights – is also known as the city of love!

Stay tuned lovely readers, meanwhile enjoy a few blasts from the travel past…

Posted in Confess, Explore | Comments Off on Oh for the love of travel…

Mother, Maverick, Matriarch…my hero

My Mum…Jackie Moo

The seventeen-year-old bride, 18-year-old mother, 21-year-old divorcee; Courier-Mail Girl Friday, Governess, Jillaroo, Pub Chef, Telephonist, Retailer; speed freak, classic car lover, determined driver; Mastermind cracker, cryptic crossword conquerer, jigsaw fiend, avid book consumer and lover of music, Vin Diesel Movies, crafts and critters.

 

And, able to skin a Kangaroo, decorate a wedding cake, grow an English rose in desert soil, brew ginger beer, chatter in French and produce gloriously decadent Christmas Puddings, her kids will maim their fellow siblings for.

Proud Brit, an Australian citizen with a masters in parenting, majoring in common sense with a touch of latitude. Stubborn, opinionated, unconditionally loving, caring and nurturing – Jackie Muir – our sage, counsellor, psychologist, our Mum, our GrandMamma, our rock.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mamma

We love you to the moon and back.
Jane, Fiona, Felicity, Allie and Gemma, Stacey, Jonathan, Jayden and Lilly and associated  hangers-on  xx

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