this is how it’s going to be from now on…
As many readers of this blog might have gathered, I’ve recently packed up and gone north for a few months to write a book. To be starting a new chapter feels fresh under the armpits and frolicky in my soul. As you might have gathered from posts of late, I’m also very anxious. It’s the biggest project I’ve set out to complete.
It feels like I’m stepping into a brand new field.
To answer a few questions:
Why north?
I’ve come to the Byron hinterland (the trees and hills back from the coast) because it’s 10 hours from my distractions. I say this a lot here – these days you can’t whinge about being interrupted or bombarded and not getting anything done. Because you will be constantly. This is life now. So it’s up to to put up your own parameters. And install the barbed-wire fencing. I tell everyone I’m away for a few months, they leave me alone and will forgive me for not returning emails. Also, I won’t be tempted to take on a quick MC job, or help some charity launch an appeal or duck out to have a coffee with some guy working on a cool project who wants my thoughts etc.
Also, I love heat and steaminess and trees and hills and up here I’m myself. I’m not a city girl.
Finally, up here, on my own, I’m scared. I have no mobile reception. Which I love. Being scared is good. It jolts. It forces the mind to grasp at new things.
What’s the book?
I was commissioned a year ago by a publisher to write a book. It’s due this month. I’ve not started. I have an extension (ergo, I’m getting serious and heading north). It’s a bit like my Sunday Life column, a bit like this blog, but includes all the bits in the background. It’s not memoir, it’s not self-help. It’s…well, it’s yet to be written.
Perfectly, I have to be my truest self to write this damn thing. I have to be my message. And, so…
This is what I’m doing with my blog…
It will be business as usual, mostly. But some days I might not post. Or I might not post a very long reflection. Or I might slip in some guest posts. Or I might find myself posting every day because it feels right.
Also, I won’t be sticking to any set structure…again, it’s part of “being my message”. If I feel like sharing a thought, I certainly will. With bells on. Which is how this caper should work anyway. Blogs should be honest expressions, gifts you’re only too happy to share because they come bursting forth from your being and, well, need to wind up somewhere. At times I stray from this and get in the “shit, I have to write a bloody post” mindset. I don’t want to write this way. I don’t want to live this way. Resentment and obligation and niggly little parasites that once nestled, spread deeply.
It’s a good reminder. Why do I write this blog? Often I’m not sure exactly, but I know at it’s core it’s to share stuff I can’t help but share because I think it might help others. It’s not about ranking up “followers”. It’s about sharing what I have. Emitting, trusting it will arrive where it needs to. This is the spirit of my book, too.
As E.M. Forster wrote: Only Connect.
Finally, my stupendously sharp and kind right-hand lady Jo Foster will be helping me field requests and comments.
How’s it going so far?
Good thanks. I’m sitting here on a balcony in the early morning sun in tropical foliage. I’ve brought with me: my bike, my Get One ergo chair, one small suitcase of clothing, my Le Creuset pot, my teapot, lots of green tea and my computer. It’s so good to not need much more.
I’ve met the local butcher. Been to the Bangalow markets and bought fresh porcini mushrooms and the BEST osso bucco from the farmer about 5km away and stocked up on these amazing sprouts. I know, it’s all starting to sound a bit Goop-ish and “My Year in Tuscany”….
The distractions are dropping away. My rat-at-a-cocaine-dripper addiction to checking Twitter, email, texts etc is abating. And good quality interactions and opportunities are stepping in instead. And I’m writing. Which reminds me….
Well done, you!
Good luck with the book, which reminds me I’d better get on with mine!
I’ll stop distracting you by not commenting any further
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I too, and a master of distraction and always leave things to the last minute. Your publisher is very cool. And good on you for dropping out and getting on with it. Enjoy enjoy enjoy, for everything remains the same while are away.
Love
Mrs Woog
xx
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Sounds like a fabulous move. I envy it. Good luck with the writing.
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Good luck Sarah! I know it your book will be amazing.
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I know that area well, my Mum was born in Bangalow .. enjoy the peace and serenity.
Sarah I do believe you have gone to the perfect location to get your book written.
Good luck
Chris
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Fantastic move Sarah. Enjoy – because, after all, that’s what the whole process should be about.
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Good on you Sarah – looks like you’ve taken that ‘unstructured thursday’ concept to a whole new level
Best of luck with the book – will look forward to reading it in the not too distant future
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:48 pm
hope your unstructured Friday is still going…well!
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How come every man and his dog moves up to Byron for a life change? Because it is trendy ? I came back from that area about two weeks ago – nothing special, lots of people everywhere, so how is it peaceful? Traffic jams – even in February when school holidays are over.
Zillions places in NSW much nicer, more beautiful and more peaceful. Went last weekend to Bathurst-Orange, only three hours drive and the area beats Byron hands down. I will not even comment on the quality and variety of produce. Paradise on Earth!
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February 21st, 2011 at 11:57 am
Bathurst? Orange? WTF. Get real dude..
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:40 pm
wow, jason, yet again we disagree! orange and the surrounding area is my absolute favourite place in nsw – there is so much going on there, amazing food and wine, beautiful countryside, amazing people, awesome social scene. i think perhaps you are judging without knowing.
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Bathurst is amazing. And Mudgee. I’m not actually in Byron…not a fan. But the benefits of the area are – climate, near airport, near some family.
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March 1st, 2011 at 12:36 am
And how long were you there? It sounds as though you visited in the “trendy” peak tourist season so of course there were going to be traffic jams.
You’re correct in saying that the center of Byron is hectic but it is only for the Summer months. Byron Hinterland and surrounding areas are beautiful and peaceful.
I live here now and have found many peaceful places. Anyway, it’s what you make it.
All the best Sarah. Can I suggest you visit the beach at sunrise/sunset to listen to the waves for your Do nothing for 2 minutes part of your day? Stunning.
xx
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Good Luck Sarah – all the best with you book.
I love the Byron hinterlands – great place to write a book and love your blog too!
Erin
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Best wishes for the rest of your writing
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Buy a copy of `The Artist’s Way’ and start writing`morning pages’ – it works
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:50 pm
So many people say….thanks!
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Thanks for your honesty Sarah, I love your rawness
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You go girl-fren!!!!
Wonderful to see you’re still grabbing life by the horns – in your own unique “Sarah” way!
xxx
Lou Bell
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Lou, look where you pop up! I’m loving your sit… everyone check out TableTonic!!!. And I’ve enjoyed following your house plans…house envy (as said from my temporary abode).
xx
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How’s the Serenity!!
Good on you for taking the step to isolate yourself in order to get the job done..I’m certain your writing will be all the better for it! The Byron Hinterlands are a beautiful place to retreat to…perfect for word flow. Good Luck x
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You’re so right about our lives now will always be full of interruptions (usually via some source of technology!), so it is up to use to take care of ourselves and perhaps put some boundaries around the source of interruption if our heads and heart start to need a break. I hope for you that the distance (and that beautiful, lush place you are at!!) will lend itself to opening up, calming down and lots of writing x
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It will come together quite easily for you with love and truth, I feel. I love your Blog by the way.
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Looking forward to the book! No pressure.
I am sure it will be fabulous if your column is any indication.
Mia xx
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by sarah wilson and Foodies Online, Glenda Anderson. Glenda Anderson said: RT @_sarahwilson_: this is how it’s going to be from now on… http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/?p=1950 [...]
You mention that you do your blog to share stuff..well, thank god for you. I found Angela Hywood in your blog and I cant begin to tell you how this has helped me. She diagnosed a certain health issue I have had for nearly 15 years within seconds. This has changed everything for me..Thank you.
ps. Happy writing. My old ‘Creative Writing’ teacher at Uni always used to say ‘a writer writes always’. !?!
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:53 pm
That gladdens me!!! Good luck with healing yourself now!
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Congratulations on the book, and I’m glad you are not compromising. Is the girl riding the fence going to be on the cover?
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So refreshing to read your latest post and find that I’m not the only one worrying about posting on my blog regularly. You are right in that posts shouldn’t be forced, and while I’m new to blogging and all about finding a balance in life, I suddenly felt like starting my blog (and keeping up with it) became yet another expectation I had to meet. But it’s me setting the expectation, so I get what you are saying, be gentle with yourself and let things happen.
LOVE your blog, whenever and whatever…always real and always true.
Sal
PS Gwyneth rocks, so don’t be afraid of sounding ‘Goop-ish’
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I would give almost anything to be able to afford to do what you’re doing.
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February 21st, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Really!? I’m in a world of pain…trust me!
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Can’t wait to read your book Sarah. Enjoy Byron.
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I laughed out loud at “I was commissioned a year ago by a publisher to write a book. It’s due this month. I’ve not started”. Love the approach! Getting away is a fine strategy. Write, eat & shop (?)..fabulous emporiums & boutiques in Bangalow…I have a dress & shoes to prove it
….not quite the reason that your there for.
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Oh dear, looks like I’m going to be the only one I guess so here goes (with great love & care!)
Sarah – maybe you’re just not meant to be writing this book – at least not now anyway. If you haven’t written a stitch in 12 months and don’t really know what the book will be about exactly then I’m hearing someone possibly not listening to their intuition & subconscious mind about what they really want.
I’m all for supporting your writing endeavors however can’t help but feel this drastic response of going bush and cutting off most of the world monk-like is more about your reaction to the conflicts you have in deciding to write the book (and less about a need to go bush so you’ll be able to write it).
I really don’t want to be the poo-poo guy here but maybe all this thrashing is more about breaking free from the book and not so much about getting on with writing the book.
When I’m internally conflicted about some decision I’ve made I ask myself – what if I didn’t do this? How bad would it all be?
You often find (a) it’s not that bad and (b) you feel an enormous sense of relief – confirming you’ve probably made the right choice. Pausing to re-assess then change tack is often the best change in direction.
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February 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am
beautifully said – echoing many of our thoughts! x
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Good luck with the book Sarah, and thanks for the recent post about sugar – you have turned my world on its head (for the better – I’m sure!)
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ps – Paul has a point…. if going bush doesn’t work – don’t be too hard on yourself. Heaven knows you are already reaching heaps of people and making a difference in their lives – would a book reach so very many more?… just wondering
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Sarah, you have mentioned in many interviews over the past few years that you are writing a book, so how come you now say you haven’t written a word? In fact, last year you blogged how your computer crashed and you hoped the techo guys could salvage your book.
And I’m glad to hear it’s not another ‘Eat, Love, Pray’ story. Time for writers to find a new angle.
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Hi Sarah,
Long time reader, first time commenter. I love the blog, it resonates so often with me.
I feel compelled to write to you after this post. I think that you are doing the best thing for yourself and your life. Last year, I packed up my life and headed a couple of hours out of the city to finish writing my book. It was scary, I was alone and it took a very long time to get used to the stillness and quiet. I stayed for 7 months and I can honestly say that it was a life changer for me. All of a sudden, I had time and space, time to think and space to process. I only had my mobile for communication, I went to the library for internet connection and I read a LOT of books!!! But all of a sudden, I was thinking clearer, when I was chatting to friends on the phone, that was it, I wasn’t trying to achieve a million other things, I was only communicating. Simple. Whilst I didn’t finish my book and I am back in the busy city, that 7 months allowed me the opportunity to work out what I value, how I want my life to look and to try and incorporate some of my lessons that I learnt whilst away.
I wish you all the best Sarah, once the anxiety settles, the pattern will emerge and I hope you will love it. It’s so nice to be completely on your own time.
Enjoy!!
PS, I just read some of the comments that say that maybe this is not the correct time to write but when it is, it will just flow. I was away for 7 months and achieved a lot personally, just not on the book!! When I came back to the city, it all came out and I was writing 4 – 5 hours each night so it will all work out. Trust it!!
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Hi Sarah I went to bellingen and just adored that feel of being out of the city, defo need a tree change soon, I think u always feel a connection to the kind of place u were raised. Just wondering where your farm was you grew up on?
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[...] I moved north recently to write my book I reduced my wearables to one suitcase. I currently work to 5 pairs of undies, one pair of jeans, [...]