This here space is getting a bit neglected. The reason is that I’m focussing on different things. 2013 will be the year that a) the novel is done and b) my first volume of poetry gets published. I hadn’t actually thought of the latter, until I was approached by a fellow poet and publisher, who wanted to know if I would be interested in publishing, as he liked my work. (If you’re Dutch and into poetry, be sure to check out his work. He’s brilliant, really.)
It’s funny how these things go. I had kind of decided to put poetry on hold. I had even found out how to turn off the constant buzz in my head. This does feel empty, but it can be done and it comes in handy when I need to focus on business stuff, which is not as often as I’d like. (I’m not going to dwell on that for too long. You all know we’re in a tight spot, and yet, with a little help from family and friends and by working hard and being thrifty, we’ve managed to stay clear of the worst-case scenario thus far. There are some interesting business opportunities for Top1 to look forward too, and I get just about enough work as an editor/translator/copywriter to navigate this year safely. The other business was too stressful and problematic, so I’m closing that down.)
As publishing means I must somehow take part in the outside world (which of course was my intent with the novel as well, so no harm done there, just a bit sooner than I had expected), I’ve found good use for my Dutch blog. Poetry, musings bordering on opinions, articles that sometimes get published in newspapers, art, etcetera, etcetera. It’s all in there. Also, I’ve written a biography of sorts for the poetry publisher, which you can find here.
At the moment, I am concentrating first and foremost on revising the draft of the novel, which is going really well. I’m happy to notice that the tone of voice I want is getting stronger and stronger thru revision (even in the first part, which I wrote some two years ago). In a few weeks time (I think towards the end of February), I’ll be ready to send the manuscript to a few designated readers for feedback. And then, it’s show time.
I’m also writing new poems, thinking of ways to add images to the words, and, generally, having a good time with the buzz. I think in a few months time (after I’ve sent out the novel to publishers to consider), we can start sifting through the work, discuss it, put together a nice volume of interesting poetry.
In between, I’m creating new watercolours, which I’d love to turn into prints. However, that is a lot of work, so I am considering just putting the originals up for sale in the shop on Etsy and see how that goes.
I am still looking at overhauling this space (just a bit). But what with work and novel and poetry and art and the other Tops (and sleep, let’s not forget that!!!), there is only so much time left.
Still, I am quite content. It feels like I’m finally coming into my own. Sure, I’m still hopping around and testing my wings. But I’ve found my bearing, and at some point I’ll go ahead with lift-off.
I hope you’ll try and do some flying as well. It does not matter how high you get, or how far. What matters is that you are airborne this year, if only for a moment. Soaring like a bird in the sky – there is no better answer to all that awaits us on the ground.