I enjoy creating space, a space for ideas, thoughts bubbling to the surface of my consciousness. Things that come to mind that would be difficult to start a conversation about because it’s just a sparkle of an idea, not yet formed with a meaning that I could communicate through my brand of me. Because it’s a go back and think about it later moment.
When visiting relatives in Nigeria a few years ago I was surprised to learn that my dad had written a novel/book. At home, he would write in a notebook in his special shorthand. Growing up I would ask what he was writing about he would reply that it was “just thoughts” about his day. To hear that he had attempted to write a novel/book was a surprise.
On my return I quizzed him about it, the novel was a draft that no longer existed. But the everyday activity that was just something dad did took on new meaning from then on. I understood that he was capturing his thoughts, distilling ideas in a disciplined way.
These days I often talk over my writing ideas/ projects with my dad to get a new insight or to ask questions about Yoruba proverbs/ words. In his late 80’s he is still writing and at the moment has one or two writing projects on the go. So I write because I know it’s in my blood taking me to places unknown. In writing this blog (glasgowmango.wordpress.com) I’ve learnt about ideas memories and activities I was previously unaware of. It’s enabled me to take in more of the world around me, experience new places, generated ideas for photographs and writing projects. Creating blog posts has taken me on creative avenues I didn’t know existed. I’ve enjoyed the places I’ve been able to visit physically and virtually through the wonders of the World Wide Web!
It’s been refreshing to look back and review my blog posts from a few years ago this was written as part of a task for a writing challenge called Writing 101. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part it really helped to generate a lot of interesting blog posts and the opportunity to read other people’s inspired blog posts.
Rereading this post brought back happy memories of my dad, I remember sharing it with him and talking about the novel which he wasn’t upset about losing he didn’t think it was very good but I mentioned it was an achievement I was impressed with. This year we have begun the task of going through my dad’s large trunk box of books and notes. The notes are mostly written in Gregg’s short had and my research so far leads to me to believe there that there is no software available to help me decipher is writing. So unless I hire someone to translate or learn it myself I won’t be able to work out if its worth keeping or not. I know some of it mundane stuff like what he ate for dinner he liked to keep an eye on his diet.
What will I leave behind? What will you leave behind? Blogging allows you to present a version of yourself? But there are so many versions of ourselves how we see ourselves can often sharply contrast with how others see you. What I have written today represents the journey so far. Looking back at my blogs, notebooks, poems, stories diaries I am often brought back to the events and locations in my life that prompted particular lines. Sometimes I feel a total rewrite is required! other times I am comfortable with the written marker of that time in my life.
