But I have fought right back, doubt shall not win!
This writer’s heart beats strongly, deep within.
———-
I’m a little late, taking part in Tony’s dVerse Meeting the Bar challenge this week. Yesterday I travelled to deepest, darkest Wales to stay with my best friend and fellow (non-writing) creative. My long train journey has offered up many fresh pieces of flesh for my notebook, I can assure you!
So here I am in the bird-tweeting and sheep-baaing countryside, finally getting to Tony’s challenge, which is to write a sonnet. As you will see, I have chosen Shakespeare’s favourite rhyming pattern, given that I was born in the Midlands (the only thing I have in common with the great Bard!).
Thank you to Jo-hanna for her comment on line three – I switched ‘serves’ and ‘only’ around, and it reads much better now!
I hope you enjoy it – please do visit dVerse and see how the other poets have tackled this juicy treat!
good job not letting the doubt win…as nice as it would be i dont think i would want to just sit and write all day…i take too much inspiration from life….you gotta watch that voice in your head as well…its not always honest…
I agree, Brian. Here I am having a restful time in the countryside (for which I am very, very grateful), but I know that I need to feed off people (which sounds rather creepy, doesn’t it?!). I couldn’t lock myself away in a garret either, although I did envy Jo in ‘Little Women’ who used to do that whilst she wrote. But then she ended up marrying old Mr Lawrence from next door, and I don’t envy her that!
Yes, the voice in my head frequently lies. I tend to ignore it when it turns nasty, these days!
to learn oneself, while difficult, is like setting aside a great burden.
You are totally right – a great release.
Can relate somewhat to the need to be connected when we’d rather hide in the attic writing great sonnets or a novel…wanted to be Jo also 😉 How lovely the countryside must be there..I’ve never been.
Ah.. I think a way where we follow our heart is important. At least find that safety valve – a room in the attic or a writing shack, or just using the commuter trains to write.
A fine sonnet, Freya – open and honest too. I think the Bard himself would have enjoyed the phrase darkling glower – it sounds like something he might have written. And it’s no bad thing to not write for a living; many writers – epsecially poets – earned their livelihoods in other ways and allowed their careers to inform their writing.
Thank you so much, Tony. I’m a relative newcomer to form, so I do have to wrangle with the words to get them to behave. But the wrestle is definitely worth it. I agree about using life to inform my writing – I don’t think I could survive in an ivory tower on a permanent basis. I need people to feed on… 🙂
i think i wouldn’t want to be a full time writer – it would put too much pressure on me… though it’s nice to have time to write and reflect – and on busy days i would love a getaway just to breathe and jot down those words
I would love to be a full time writer, but I couldn’t just drop everything else to devote all my time to it – it would have to be a transition. And I think that those busy days do help me appreciate the quiet time more, at the moment.
Your sonnet is Shakespearian to the core, such wonderful flow & rhythm; & the message, though a bit dark, resonates with we attic & basement dwellers, we poets who crave a pod of tranquility to lasso the muse & take care of poetic business.
Thank you so much, Glenn. I am a dark type of girl, so that’s where I stayed to wrestle this form into submission! I find it much, much harder to write light and fluffy!
To be or not to be a writer! Starving in a garret like in La Boheme..I don’t think so!. Writing is just like breathing…you do it. Like your subject and your sonnet. Well done. Enjoy your holiday in Wales.
Perfect sonnet. Did you have a feeling of great satisfaction once it was writ? [sic, in honour of the bard]
Each time I read it ‘aloud in my head’ so to speak, the words ‘only’ and ‘serves’ switch round, by themselves. No?
Hi Jo-hanna – thank you – and you are so right, those words do need to be switched around. I shall do it right now, and honour you in my post too. A great point!
to write for a living would certainly be cool, but I suspect that most of us would then be flat broke. So we write…not for employment, but for joy…and perhaps that is even better!
Yes, I suspect you are right. I still harbour the desire to use my writing to earn coin of the realm, but perhaps not to fund my entire life. It may become a chore, rather than an utter joy, as you say!
I didn’t know you were in Wales. I had some strange experiences in Wales.
I loved this sonnet. Riding the train through Northern Wales mountains would give rise to lots of good thoughts and encourage resolve. I am happy you have found a way to work around the “every day” and continue to write. You’re a fine writer and I know you will be a success! Great piece of work.
Freya follow your dream, write words you are very good at it. Give it your best shot don’t let doubt stand in your way. Good luck with it all, its always a great fun exercise.
I think that for the most part, I am managing to conquer that voice of doubt. And to remind myself that what I write is unique, so if I don’t write it, nobody else will! Thank you for the encouragement as always, Michael.
I think seeing your work as unique is an excellent way of seeing the value in what you write. No one else writes as you do. Each piece you post you should feel happy with as you’ve put your heart and soul into it. So go for it Freya give it your best shot. And have fun.
Freya Writes... 
good job not letting the doubt win…as nice as it would be i dont think i would want to just sit and write all day…i take too much inspiration from life….you gotta watch that voice in your head as well…its not always honest…
I agree, Brian. Here I am having a restful time in the countryside (for which I am very, very grateful), but I know that I need to feed off people (which sounds rather creepy, doesn’t it?!). I couldn’t lock myself away in a garret either, although I did envy Jo in ‘Little Women’ who used to do that whilst she wrote. But then she ended up marrying old Mr Lawrence from next door, and I don’t envy her that!
Yes, the voice in my head frequently lies. I tend to ignore it when it turns nasty, these days!
well said and bravely shared
Thank you. Essence of me, with a little creativity for good measure.
to learn oneself, while difficult, is like setting aside a great burden.
You are totally right – a great release.
Can relate somewhat to the need to be connected when we’d rather hide in the attic writing great sonnets or a novel…wanted to be Jo also 😉 How lovely the countryside must be there..I’ve never been.
I’m glad I’m not the only ‘Jo’ officionado! The countryside is lovely!
Ah.. I think a way where we follow our heart is important. At least find that safety valve – a room in the attic or a writing shack, or just using the commuter trains to write.
Commuter trains for me, as you know! And I can shut out the noise quite well. Total quiet is quite distracting for me!
A fine sonnet, Freya – open and honest too. I think the Bard himself would have enjoyed the phrase darkling glower – it sounds like something he might have written. And it’s no bad thing to not write for a living; many writers – epsecially poets – earned their livelihoods in other ways and allowed their careers to inform their writing.
Thank you so much, Tony. I’m a relative newcomer to form, so I do have to wrangle with the words to get them to behave. But the wrestle is definitely worth it. I agree about using life to inform my writing – I don’t think I could survive in an ivory tower on a permanent basis. I need people to feed on… 🙂
i think i wouldn’t want to be a full time writer – it would put too much pressure on me… though it’s nice to have time to write and reflect – and on busy days i would love a getaway just to breathe and jot down those words
I would love to be a full time writer, but I couldn’t just drop everything else to devote all my time to it – it would have to be a transition. And I think that those busy days do help me appreciate the quiet time more, at the moment.
Your sonnet is Shakespearian to the core, such wonderful flow & rhythm; & the message, though a bit dark, resonates with we attic & basement dwellers, we poets who crave a pod of tranquility to lasso the muse & take care of poetic business.
Thank you so much, Glenn. I am a dark type of girl, so that’s where I stayed to wrestle this form into submission! I find it much, much harder to write light and fluffy!
To be or not to be a writer! Starving in a garret like in La Boheme..I don’t think so!. Writing is just like breathing…you do it. Like your subject and your sonnet. Well done. Enjoy your holiday in Wales.
Thank you, Cressida. No, the idea of garret dwelling was a fanciful teenage notion which I thankfully outgrew.
so perfectly done…specially not allowing doubt to win…
Thank you!
Perfect sonnet. Did you have a feeling of great satisfaction once it was writ? [sic, in honour of the bard]
Each time I read it ‘aloud in my head’ so to speak, the words ‘only’ and ‘serves’ switch round, by themselves. No?
Hi Jo-hanna – thank you – and you are so right, those words do need to be switched around. I shall do it right now, and honour you in my post too. A great point!
to write for a living would certainly be cool, but I suspect that most of us would then be flat broke. So we write…not for employment, but for joy…and perhaps that is even better!
Yes, I suspect you are right. I still harbour the desire to use my writing to earn coin of the realm, but perhaps not to fund my entire life. It may become a chore, rather than an utter joy, as you say!
Lovely cadence to your words ~ Don’t let doubt win but always to hear that writer’s beating heart ~
Thank you, Grace!
I didn’t know you were in Wales. I had some strange experiences in Wales.
I loved this sonnet. Riding the train through Northern Wales mountains would give rise to lots of good thoughts and encourage resolve. I am happy you have found a way to work around the “every day” and continue to write. You’re a fine writer and I know you will be a success! Great piece of work.
Thank you so much, Gay! I think Wales is designed for strange experiences, given that it is so remote from the rest of the country!
oh! yes sometimes the monotony over whelms us but still we have to move on…….
Indeed, we do.
Freya follow your dream, write words you are very good at it. Give it your best shot don’t let doubt stand in your way. Good luck with it all, its always a great fun exercise.
I think that for the most part, I am managing to conquer that voice of doubt. And to remind myself that what I write is unique, so if I don’t write it, nobody else will! Thank you for the encouragement as always, Michael.
I think seeing your work as unique is an excellent way of seeing the value in what you write. No one else writes as you do. Each piece you post you should feel happy with as you’ve put your heart and soul into it. So go for it Freya give it your best shot. And have fun.
There is a wonderful rhythmic ride to this.
Thank you!
Brave and lovely. Dani Shapiro wrote a memoir called “still writing” I recommend reading it.
Oh, thank you! I’ll look for it.