Wonderful Susie! I love and admire how you slip so effortlessly into this completely other style of writing,... as if you have awakened an alter ego who has been lying dormant in that rusty caravan. Now that you've opened that door, I wouldn't be surprised if more comes streaming through. Congratulations to discovering this new writer's way of being xx
Thank you so much Veronika I love the faith you have in me! I love that you believe more stories like this will flow onto the pages...
In truth, 'Violet' did flow, the words couldn't wait to be written, it was strange and beautiful, exciting even! And, yes, I have had so many ideas floating around since, more micro fiction, serialising a novel, the backstory but not another word has been written!
I can only hope the crusty caravan doesn't rust away entirely before I find free time sufficient to continue the story... or even begin the story.
I am on half term break, it has felt like a long few weeks in classes and much needed so am heartbroken to see the weather, which has been the most beautiful Indian summer warm type, change to wet and windy — Mother Nature and her sometimes warped sense of humour! I hope you are being treated with less cheekiness! xx
I have faith not only in you, Susie, but in the whole process of creative writing. What flowed out of that rusty caravan holds the promise of more. Of course it needs time to write too.
In my experience words and ideas can hang in there, until we get around to the actual writing bit. I always return to my trusted methods of 'Morning Pages' or 'Proprioceptive Writing' to unleash the creative flow when the time is right to write and so far it has never let me down...
We had a family holiday with my three kids, offspring and partners in the north of Portugal near Viana de Castelo beginning of October (coinciding with autumn holidays in Switzerland) and were blessed with glorious beach weather. Now the long awaited rain has come. So yes we have been treated exceptionally well by the weather gods this month.
Next week we'll be helping some friends with their olive harvest and it looks like we might be lucky again (with dry weather) xx
Good morning Veronika, I will take heed of your experience which is far greater than my own and begin my own morning pages, perhaps easier said than achieved during term time but certainly now, during this exceptionally wet and wild half term holiday — I am delighted you've had rain too, at last! — I can begin a habit I hope to continue. This morning I began very early, perhaps too early, I was distracted... beautifully and overwhelmingly so. I am catching up on your incredible writing with such pleasure. Dreaming was as rich as it was inspiring - I don't think I will ever look at butterflies in the same way again! Thank you so much for all your deep and beautiful knowledge... it amazes me constantly how words change from their original and intended meanings... I am not certain how I feel about that but maybe I am simply old fashioned!
The rain is relentless here, since day one of my holidays and there is more to come, to say I am a little disgruntled with dear MN for her misjudgement of timing would be an understatement!
Absolutely brilliant Sweet Susie! You have a knack for expressing this particular vernacular of old Violet. You should write a book about the adventures and misadventures of Violet. You definitely had be laughing. Love n light!
Thank you for reading darling, it wasn't my usual 'thing' at all but once I'd begun the story just flowed onto the page! And, I'm hatching more... Vi is haunting me daily!
Sittin' here grinnin'. And wonderin' how that was for you.
Scary? Or more like pullin' on a friendly old pair of shoes?
I like it when people punch out of the boxes they've been seeming to fit pretty comfortably within. Can't imagine them fitting in there again, afterward, but then again, wouldn't want to.
I can picture you now, wearing your new, "I love making shit up & I'm good at it!" button on the lapel of your jacket, written in bold English so that all of your French students and neighbors will have to ask what it means. And then that sly grin will begin to rearrange the tiniest muscles in your smiling face, making it smile even bigger, but more mysteriously as you float out whatever mischief appears, front of mind in that very moment, no longer needing permission, and damn sure not asking for it. And so you will roll out some newly conceived story with flourish and that laughing grace so familiar to all that you are and they will all begin to wonder why they never noticed this laughing, devil-may-care Susie before now, and feel ever so glad to stand next to her...
You just made this old girls face blush and her heart swell my dear, dear friend.
I know you know well how some things need writing, how as strange and scary as it might feel, they appear unbidden on the page and for a certainty not everyone will appreciate the sudden sharp turn but you hope that those who have an open heart and a good soul, those that know you have too, will embrace the meandering onto uncharted territory because yes, to you it's a place that feels like comfy shoes on a hike across a wilderness that you love.
I sure as hell don't know where this untamed tale arrived from Davey but it drew me in like it was home... it flowed so fast my head spun in the dust, my heart beat faster than it should'a an' it didn't wanna leave. Roll'd out like a whole caravan'a wagons leavin' their stories traced across my page, no bumps, no U-turns, no broken spokes. Damned if I haven't spent all the days after imaginin' a journey from Montana on down through Wyoming and Utah to Arizona in that there wagon too... an' that voice is rattlin' away in my head like it lives there... tellin' me, this story ain't over yet!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your endless kind encouragement.
Well, I always had a hankering for one of those wild mustang that I see on all the westerns but, given my age, I guess a sway-backed old nag would likely be the safer option!
What a hauntingly vivid piece dear Susie. The rhythm of the voice and the slow reveal of who “Vi” really is gave me chills. It feels like memory, dust, and devotion all tangled together. The sun is shining here but it is chilly outside so I am sitting in the summerhouse enjoying the warmth translated through the windows while reading your beautiful writing on my lunch break. I hope the weekend was kind to you and the week will be gentle too 💛🍂
Many thanks dear Emily, I am not sure quite where this story sprang from but I enjoyed the writing of it which was surprisingly easy, in fact it flowed like nothing I've ever written before — so strange!
Happy weekend lovely, I hope you have some of this wonderful Indian summer we have touching you too. 💛xx
Susie! This is AMAZING! I can’t tell you how delighted I am, and I’ll tell you this. I’m calling that old trailer parked on my brother’s lot Violet from now on.
And get this! I mentioned your story to my brother’s girlfriend. And she shared that they have plans to turn that trailer into a roadside farm stand—to sell the flowers she’s been growing. She has so many plans for this coming spring’s harvest. And she wholeheartedly approves the naming of the trailer as Violet.
OMG Holly, I love that idea! When I first moved to France my head swam with the idea of selling cut flowers from the field — now filled with my sheep — sadly the soil here and the blisteringly hot and dry summers are not compatible.
If your brothers girlfriend would like a special copy of the story for the shop when she is ready to open I would love to send it to her. xx
Love! It is amazing how these unexpected stories spill from us in ways that catch even you off guard, as if it was waiting for you all along to stumble upon. Beautiful! There is so much charm and beauty in old things! It's not hard to see why this captured you!
Hello sweet soul, I am delighted you enjoyed this little story that appeared from nowhere... isn't it strange how sometimes an idea changes direction so completely that the original is buried, unrecognisable in the dust! This is exactly what happened with this one! The déjà-vu was so strong too, the flowers, the mountains, even the colours and yet the story that evolved was so far from that place — wherever it was!
May your weekend be beautifully touched with golden autumn colours.. xoxo
You absolutely transported me, Susie!! I loved this so much. I want more fictuon from you, you wonderful woman you. The "rust to dust" line made me close my eyes in appreciation. So much magic here- ache and nostalgia and regret and greif and longing, all wrapped up in that quiet trailer. Thank you!!
Ahh Kendall I am thrilled, thank you. I so rarely turn to fiction and I've no idea where this wild little story came from, it held no resemblance to my original idea but I loved writing 'Violet', Holly's photo touched a place in my heart I never knew existed! Maybe I will visit again one day? I hope so, it felt like a place I could sit a while... xx
This is spectacular Susie! Oh my. I have a feeling you have more of these in you. Feels like it rolled right out of you, as smooth as Belle’s whisky going down. And the winter mirroring of her icy interior and the wagon’s, what a great moment! And this one really struck me too: “you was already dreamin’ of rust becomin’ dust.”
Yay! Thank you Kimberly, that you enjoyed this feral tale means the world! And it did roll out like Belle's whisky, it flowed onto the page as if the words were already hidden in the ink!
My husband, who never usually reads anything I write, loved it, wanted the backstory, the whole story, which has had me lost in the dusty tracks of a journey from Montana to Arizona all week... I'm dreaming' up a road trip! xx
Thank you so much Betty, I have no idea where this story came from, it literally just flowed... I didn't have to think about it, or edit, nothing! It was an extraordinary hour which I doubt I could repeat but would truly love to. My husband wants me to write the backstory which has got me thinking (all week) of how to tackle that... time though!
Fantastic Susie! Loved it.
Ah Lynn, thank you! I am delighted… it is far from my usual ‘thing’ but it just sort of rolled out onto the paper!
Wonderful Susie! I love and admire how you slip so effortlessly into this completely other style of writing,... as if you have awakened an alter ego who has been lying dormant in that rusty caravan. Now that you've opened that door, I wouldn't be surprised if more comes streaming through. Congratulations to discovering this new writer's way of being xx
Thank you so much Veronika I love the faith you have in me! I love that you believe more stories like this will flow onto the pages...
In truth, 'Violet' did flow, the words couldn't wait to be written, it was strange and beautiful, exciting even! And, yes, I have had so many ideas floating around since, more micro fiction, serialising a novel, the backstory but not another word has been written!
I can only hope the crusty caravan doesn't rust away entirely before I find free time sufficient to continue the story... or even begin the story.
I am on half term break, it has felt like a long few weeks in classes and much needed so am heartbroken to see the weather, which has been the most beautiful Indian summer warm type, change to wet and windy — Mother Nature and her sometimes warped sense of humour! I hope you are being treated with less cheekiness! xx
I have faith not only in you, Susie, but in the whole process of creative writing. What flowed out of that rusty caravan holds the promise of more. Of course it needs time to write too.
In my experience words and ideas can hang in there, until we get around to the actual writing bit. I always return to my trusted methods of 'Morning Pages' or 'Proprioceptive Writing' to unleash the creative flow when the time is right to write and so far it has never let me down...
We had a family holiday with my three kids, offspring and partners in the north of Portugal near Viana de Castelo beginning of October (coinciding with autumn holidays in Switzerland) and were blessed with glorious beach weather. Now the long awaited rain has come. So yes we have been treated exceptionally well by the weather gods this month.
Next week we'll be helping some friends with their olive harvest and it looks like we might be lucky again (with dry weather) xx
Good morning Veronika, I will take heed of your experience which is far greater than my own and begin my own morning pages, perhaps easier said than achieved during term time but certainly now, during this exceptionally wet and wild half term holiday — I am delighted you've had rain too, at last! — I can begin a habit I hope to continue. This morning I began very early, perhaps too early, I was distracted... beautifully and overwhelmingly so. I am catching up on your incredible writing with such pleasure. Dreaming was as rich as it was inspiring - I don't think I will ever look at butterflies in the same way again! Thank you so much for all your deep and beautiful knowledge... it amazes me constantly how words change from their original and intended meanings... I am not certain how I feel about that but maybe I am simply old fashioned!
The rain is relentless here, since day one of my holidays and there is more to come, to say I am a little disgruntled with dear MN for her misjudgement of timing would be an understatement!
Much love to you both xx
Absolutely brilliant Sweet Susie! You have a knack for expressing this particular vernacular of old Violet. You should write a book about the adventures and misadventures of Violet. You definitely had be laughing. Love n light!
Thank you for reading darling, it wasn't my usual 'thing' at all but once I'd begun the story just flowed onto the page! And, I'm hatching more... Vi is haunting me daily!
Love 'n' light back xx
I loved this line, Susie: "Maybe take a last look at that bright blue ocean again, build one more castle in the sand?"
Thank you for reading through to the end Jeffrey, I really enjoyed writing something a little different for a change.
Sittin' here grinnin'. And wonderin' how that was for you.
Scary? Or more like pullin' on a friendly old pair of shoes?
I like it when people punch out of the boxes they've been seeming to fit pretty comfortably within. Can't imagine them fitting in there again, afterward, but then again, wouldn't want to.
I can picture you now, wearing your new, "I love making shit up & I'm good at it!" button on the lapel of your jacket, written in bold English so that all of your French students and neighbors will have to ask what it means. And then that sly grin will begin to rearrange the tiniest muscles in your smiling face, making it smile even bigger, but more mysteriously as you float out whatever mischief appears, front of mind in that very moment, no longer needing permission, and damn sure not asking for it. And so you will roll out some newly conceived story with flourish and that laughing grace so familiar to all that you are and they will all begin to wonder why they never noticed this laughing, devil-may-care Susie before now, and feel ever so glad to stand next to her...
You go girl!
You just made this old girls face blush and her heart swell my dear, dear friend.
I know you know well how some things need writing, how as strange and scary as it might feel, they appear unbidden on the page and for a certainty not everyone will appreciate the sudden sharp turn but you hope that those who have an open heart and a good soul, those that know you have too, will embrace the meandering onto uncharted territory because yes, to you it's a place that feels like comfy shoes on a hike across a wilderness that you love.
I sure as hell don't know where this untamed tale arrived from Davey but it drew me in like it was home... it flowed so fast my head spun in the dust, my heart beat faster than it should'a an' it didn't wanna leave. Roll'd out like a whole caravan'a wagons leavin' their stories traced across my page, no bumps, no U-turns, no broken spokes. Damned if I haven't spent all the days after imaginin' a journey from Montana on down through Wyoming and Utah to Arizona in that there wagon too... an' that voice is rattlin' away in my head like it lives there... tellin' me, this story ain't over yet!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your endless kind encouragement.
Oh my! Giddy-up!
I'm reckonin' I need to buy me a horse first!
You thinkin’ a pony, a cow-horse or a sway-backed ole nag?
Well, I always had a hankering for one of those wild mustang that I see on all the westerns but, given my age, I guess a sway-backed old nag would likely be the safer option!
Fantastic, Susie! We love this voice!!
I am delighted! Thank you... I am not sure where that voice came from but I'm glad it did!
What a hauntingly vivid piece dear Susie. The rhythm of the voice and the slow reveal of who “Vi” really is gave me chills. It feels like memory, dust, and devotion all tangled together. The sun is shining here but it is chilly outside so I am sitting in the summerhouse enjoying the warmth translated through the windows while reading your beautiful writing on my lunch break. I hope the weekend was kind to you and the week will be gentle too 💛🍂
Many thanks dear Emily, I am not sure quite where this story sprang from but I enjoyed the writing of it which was surprisingly easy, in fact it flowed like nothing I've ever written before — so strange!
Happy weekend lovely, I hope you have some of this wonderful Indian summer we have touching you too. 💛xx
Happy weekend to you, too 💛 it has been lovely and bright, but cool and crisp here - which is perfect xx
Home on wheels, written for us, the letter we didn't write.
A home on wheels I didn't know I had Philip... thank for always being close by my friend.
Susie! This is AMAZING! I can’t tell you how delighted I am, and I’ll tell you this. I’m calling that old trailer parked on my brother’s lot Violet from now on.
Thank you for this!!
Ahh Holly I really enjoyed writing this! And I’m more than slightly relieved you loved my interpretation of your beautiful photo..!
Huge thanks lovely… and thanks to your brother too for having such an amazing trailer parked close to him! X
And get this! I mentioned your story to my brother’s girlfriend. And she shared that they have plans to turn that trailer into a roadside farm stand—to sell the flowers she’s been growing. She has so many plans for this coming spring’s harvest. And she wholeheartedly approves the naming of the trailer as Violet.
Awwww, the connections across space.
OMG Holly, I love that idea! When I first moved to France my head swam with the idea of selling cut flowers from the field — now filled with my sheep — sadly the soil here and the blisteringly hot and dry summers are not compatible.
If your brothers girlfriend would like a special copy of the story for the shop when she is ready to open I would love to send it to her. xx
Love! It is amazing how these unexpected stories spill from us in ways that catch even you off guard, as if it was waiting for you all along to stumble upon. Beautiful! There is so much charm and beauty in old things! It's not hard to see why this captured you!
Thanks for sharing! XO
Hello sweet soul, I am delighted you enjoyed this little story that appeared from nowhere... isn't it strange how sometimes an idea changes direction so completely that the original is buried, unrecognisable in the dust! This is exactly what happened with this one! The déjà-vu was so strong too, the flowers, the mountains, even the colours and yet the story that evolved was so far from that place — wherever it was!
May your weekend be beautifully touched with golden autumn colours.. xoxo
You absolutely transported me, Susie!! I loved this so much. I want more fictuon from you, you wonderful woman you. The "rust to dust" line made me close my eyes in appreciation. So much magic here- ache and nostalgia and regret and greif and longing, all wrapped up in that quiet trailer. Thank you!!
Ahh Kendall I am thrilled, thank you. I so rarely turn to fiction and I've no idea where this wild little story came from, it held no resemblance to my original idea but I loved writing 'Violet', Holly's photo touched a place in my heart I never knew existed! Maybe I will visit again one day? I hope so, it felt like a place I could sit a while... xx
This is spectacular Susie! Oh my. I have a feeling you have more of these in you. Feels like it rolled right out of you, as smooth as Belle’s whisky going down. And the winter mirroring of her icy interior and the wagon’s, what a great moment! And this one really struck me too: “you was already dreamin’ of rust becomin’ dust.”
More please!
Yay! Thank you Kimberly, that you enjoyed this feral tale means the world! And it did roll out like Belle's whisky, it flowed onto the page as if the words were already hidden in the ink!
My husband, who never usually reads anything I write, loved it, wanted the backstory, the whole story, which has had me lost in the dusty tracks of a journey from Montana to Arizona all week... I'm dreaming' up a road trip! xx
Love this Susie. I definitely want to hear you read it! Dreamin of rust becoming dust!
I wanted to, I tried even but hell that accent is gonna take some working on Deidre!
I am so glad you enjoyed reading...
Crikey Susie, what other talents have you got hidden away in that creative head of yours! xx
Haha… thanks Jo, I’m not sure if this was anything to do with talent, it just sort of popped onto my page… Im as surprised as you are!! X
You have captured dialect and feeling and heart in this extraordinary piece, Susie.
Many thanks dear Mary, I am not sure where this story came from given my very English origins but it was a joy to write...
This is so well done! What a great job reproducing dialect -- did that just come naturally, or did you have to think it out?
Thank you so much Betty, I have no idea where this story came from, it literally just flowed... I didn't have to think about it, or edit, nothing! It was an extraordinary hour which I doubt I could repeat but would truly love to. My husband wants me to write the backstory which has got me thinking (all week) of how to tackle that... time though!