Wednesday 21 November 2012

The Artist Unleashed: HOW I FOUND MY WAY BACK TO THE LIGHT, by Jodi Cleghorn

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14 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this interview, although I am not familiar with the author.

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    1. Hi Lindy,
      Hopefully we'll get a chance to get more familiar with each other in the not too distant future.

      I just read your post about St Martin and had to have a quiet giggle. I finished my senior high schools years at St Martins in the Pines in Victoria (Australia) I never knew he was the Patron Saint of Wine Makers and Soldiers. An interesting role model for a bunch of teenagers on the cusp of the adult world... to go forth and indulge in wine and fighting!

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  2. Glad to share the journey with you, Jodi.
    Adam B @revhappiness

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    1. I want to start crooning "We've only just begun" but that might be just a tad daggy?

      While I say I couldn't have done it without EL, I in reality, could not have done it without out... but that's the subject devoted to a blog post of its own.

      I'm still holding onto the image of us getting to take a real journey - a road trip - to find Piper's Reach and Coranderk Bend. That would be such a blast!

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  3. A wonderful insight in to the mind of an author and individual who has experienced the courage to face the muse and embrace her unconditionally. Jodi writes between the lines of choices she faced in 2011, and by choosing her passion and trusting it fully, she now lives fully as well. Jodi's courage is our courage too; I am strengthened by her focus and commitment, and I will now forever hold the image close to me of author and character, separated by a single piece of thin glass, fingers pressed, shadowing each other. Thank you, Jodi, for giving me the courage to take the risk every day and write authentically from the raw and creative passion within me!

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    1. Ella-Louise is the closest I've ever come to see my fictional reflection. I would be lying if I said that there was never any of me in the characters I write...this is always a crumb (sometimes small, sometimes large, sometimes out in the open and other times it requires a little unearthing). It was confronting to admit this...even more confronting to publicly admit it.

      I'm grateful the process of "coming out" has been an inspiration for others. The inspiration I am able to offer, is just a reflection of all the inspiration I receive from others.

      It's been a blessing to be sharing this path with you Rus for the last two years. Your belief in me and what I do has been an anchor in troubled times and a joy in the times of celebration.

      You can also imagine EL and I steaming up the glass with our breath and scribing all manner of inane and insightful words and images (still one of my favourite things to do in a steamy shower!)

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  4. Thank you for sharing your story, Jodi. Depression is not something many are willing to share, and it's hard to break the cycle. I hope you continue to find fulfillment in writing.

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    1. Hi Theresa,
      Depression is such a deeply private experience it is hard to talk about it and it was hard to work through it last year, and to explain the lapses in deadlines and continual postponements as kept trying to work.

      This year as shown how important writing is to my mental health and why it will never again be pushed to the bottom of the priority list (along with sleep) The buzz is back and this is the kind of addiction I am happy to rock!

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  5. This is a really moving piece that has me looking forward to discovering the work of this writer for myself!

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    1. Thanks mmshaunakelley for your comment.

      I very erroneously omitted the link for Post Marked: Piper's Reach where you can dip in for a little bit of me and a little bit of Ella-Louise.

      http://postmarkedpipersreach.wordpress.com/

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  6. I've been inspired by you, encouraged by you, and have been so overjoyed to see your enthusiasm for writing flourish this year. May it never wane again!

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    1. Oh Stacey!
      I have been inspired and encouraged by you. Being surrounded by passionate advocates of the craft, such as yourself, who are committed and focused has been a boon for me. Everyone needs role models and you have absolutely been one for me this year! Having people who believe in me and what I do is a catalyst for continued momentum and enthusiasm.

      Plus it's always brilliant to get out of the house and have coffee and talk about writing.

      May we continue to flourish together!

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  7. Enjoyed this post, and the explanation behind what generated the idea. It's funny how stories grow. Thanks for sharing. I consider my hubs my 'technical advisor' when I'm writing. He reads physics, I write scifi and other things.

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    1. D.G - my partner is an environmental scientist and project manager. I normally write speculative fiction and his work creeps into my more often than not (My story "Blinded" in "The Hope" anthology was in part inspired by the rampant development he sees in his work sector).

      I'm always intrigued by the idea that kicks everything off and what feeds into it. Post Marked Piper's Reach was a totally selfish need for a writing project... but has grown into something so much more.

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“I'm using my art to comment on what I see. You don't have to agree with it.” ~John Mellencamp

“Allowing an unimportant mistake to pass without comment is a wonderful social grace” ~Judith S. Marin

“I don't ever try to make a serious social comment.” ~Paul McCartney

“I'd make a comment at a meeting and nobody would even acknowledge me. Then some man would say the same thing and they'd all nod.” ~Charlotte Bunch

“Probably what my comment meant was that I don't care about the circumstances if I can tell the truth.” ~Sally Kirkland

“We're not going to pay attention to the silliness and the petty comments. And quite frankly, women have joined me in this effort, and so it's not about appearances. It's about effectiveness.” ~Katherine Harris