Today I did a talk at the Perth library as part of the winter arts festival. My topic was “writing blind”. It focused on how I actually write my books, the mechanics as well as the creative side.
At the end, a question was raised as to how I get my motivation to write as a blind person. I’d already explained the tools I used to create characters and plots, and the ones I couldn’t use because of my blindness. Maybe it sounds harder to the sighted person that I have to adapt my writing tools to achieve the same as sighted writers. I suppose ultimately, I don’t see it this way, because I have no choice. I love writing and I want to write, so I just do what I can with what I’ve got. There’s no point feeling bitter or cheated because I don’t have sight.
But on the other hand, I understand the motivation question. It applies to anyone. What keeps me going? I honestly think that my previous career as a competitive athlete, and my current commitment to keeping fit, has a lot to do with it. It is a discipline, and writing is a discipline. I don’t think I could keep going without that sort of discipline. I also find my sport now helps my writing. I am at my most creative when I am exercising. Just the other day, I felt stumped with the plot I’m working on for my young adult novel. It was a horrible feeling, and I thought I’d have to give up. After a few encouraging words from my tutor, and a half hour walk to the gym to run on the treadmill, I had come up with a subplot for my novel after thinking I couldnt even work out a good plot. You hear a lot of authors say that they take long walks each morning before writing, and I think it somehow frees us up to think, to centre ourselves.
Oh, and the running is going super well. I can run 13 kms now at a good pace. Still think my first race will be a short distance, though, as I want to finish the race on a good note,not stagger over the line. And I need some racing experience too, as running blind is quite stressful for someone new to it.
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