Fairy Tale Version
Once upon a time, in a far off land of perpetual twilight, where the sun hid her rays beneath a blanket of cloud, there lived a young spinner-woman of no small degree of magical talent. Like most magical mortals, she had her own speciality. Whilst some could read the minds of others, mend broken hearts or alleviate sorrow, the spinner-woman could fashion words out of ether. With the help of her spinning wheel, she could produce such beautiful, perfectly-formed words, that folk would come from miles around to gaze at the elegant, silver prose. Words like ‘OBSCURITY’, ‘OBLIVION’ and ‘OBFUSCATE’ would wind their way off the spindle and begin to circle around her head, shining with a fragile, delicate light.
One day, as she sat there spinning, her pedal began to move of its own accord. It moved faster and faster, and soon the wheel became a blur as it whirred around and around. The words which had shone with a light so fine and delicate now became so bright that they made the spinner-woman’s eyes sting. But still the words came until they not only filled the room, but filled her head too. Just as she felt she could bear it no longer, her 3 spirited children burst through the door and the words escaped in a rush out into the world beyond. The spinner woman and the children ran to the window to watch them leave, and as they peered out at the half-light, they saw the words pierce the clouds, penetrating the heavens, allowing the sun’s rays to kiss the land once more. All the people rejoiced at the return of light and warmth, and for a short while, the spinner-woman celebrated too, and then she turned her back to the brightening sky and began to spin once more. ‘ILLUMINATE’, ‘ELUCIDATE, ‘INSPIRE’.
Actual Version
Today the sun did not make it out from behind the rain clouds. Whilst my husband took the kids into drama and violin lessons, I stayed at home writing up another chapter of the thesis. To start with it was very hard going: words were stilted, phrases awkward, thoughts unformed. Then after a while, and much persistence, the sentences began to flow more freely, and ideas developed, matured and had ideas of their own. Just as the work began to overwhelm me, my family returned home, and I broke away from the writing and allowed myself to become absorbed by their chatter. Now, at the end of the day, although the sun never did put in an appearance, I feel as though my work has progressed, and has provided me with an enlightenment I didn’t have when I woke up this morning.
Anyone else fancy a go at turning their day into a fairy tale? I’ve post links etc. on my Tumblr blog if you need a little help getting started, or if you just enjoy all things fairy tale related. Enjoy!
January 19, 2008 at 3:08 am
I loved that. And after hearing your lovely accent on the video’s I could hear you reading it as I read. Beautiful!
I have been lost in a world of words all day, however and my poor ol brain couldn’t take another turn.
Take care!
January 19, 2008 at 5:15 am
That was wonderful, Amy. Very creative. Have you ever tried writing a children’s book?
I’m glad you’re making progress with your thesis. It must be a good feeling knowing that you trudged on until you broke through to new progress and new ideas.
Good morning to you! (it’s still late, here in New England, but you’ll be getting up pretty soon)
January 19, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Oh, I’m so glad you liked it, Kelly. I’ll forgive you for not taking part
Thank you, Mike! I have actually written words for 2 or 3 children’s picture books, but I never did anything with them. Always meant to… maybe post-thesis?
Thank you also for the morning greetings. That was lovely to find first thing today
January 20, 2008 at 7:48 am
Do you find the more creative writing you do, the easier it becomes to write for your thesis?
You are a true wordsmith, and create lovely images.
I was thinking about this. Once our finances are in order, I want to pursue a Master’s degree. I’m trying to envision writing for school under deadline.
January 20, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Not really, Hensteeth, if I’m honest. The creative writing is such a different style from my academic writing that I find it interferes more than anything else. That’s the main reason why I’m trying to focus on the thesis and putting the creative writing to one side. I do still hope to pick it up at some point though, so thank you so much for your encouragement.
Oh, and I absolutely loved doing my masters. What subject would you want to do it in?
January 20, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I actually like your real version better than the fairy tale. You’re doing such a fabulous job with your thesis. I love that your hubby is willing to give you some time to get it done. Yea!!
January 20, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Thank you for asking.
I’m seriously considering a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution, which is a new offering since 2006. I can take it in steps with certification first within the degree program.
It was created as a companion degree to the Master of Science in Counseling, which I’ve had my eye on for a long time.
January 20, 2008 at 8:36 pm
That was sweet….I can only imagine how twisted my fairy tale life would be….and with the fact I am now researching mythological creatures such as fairies for the novel I am doing in a class….I need not mess with my hold on reality.
January 21, 2008 at 11:44 am
Claudia, I could not have pursued my academic goals without my husband’s help. His support has been absolutely invaluable!
That sounds a fascinating topic, Hensteeth. Do let me know if you decide to go ahead with it.
I don’t know, Penelope, I think all writers mess with their hold on reality just a little
January 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I love this, Amy! And I’m glad you’re making thesis progress. I know it’s really hard sometimes, but the end is worth it…
I can now say this with the authority of someone who has passed their PhD and is STILL doing all-nighters to get things done before deadlines. Not sure how much of it is different. Can’t decide if that’s encouraging or not! Onwards and upwards / sideways, eh?
January 22, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Oh thank you, Autumn Song. I was going to say, you have no idea how much I needed to hear that the end is worth it, but then again you probably do! Oh, and always onward and upward, darling. Always
January 24, 2008 at 2:44 am
excellent! I think too many of our lives have had faerie tale themes, the original themes!
January 24, 2008 at 7:49 am
Glad you liked it, Daz. I had a lot of fun writing it! By the way, I just loved your blog. Hope to visit often, and I hope you’ll consider coming back here again too.
January 30, 2008 at 1:07 am
Amy, you are sooooo creative. I loved the approach to this entry. You totally hooked me.
Even your title was captivating!
January 30, 2008 at 9:11 am
Oh, thank you, Toni – that is so encouraging! Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment
March 7, 2008 at 10:58 am
[...] page. And if this is the lesson I was to learn from the book, then I’m pleased to report that I’m still learning it, and I intend to continue learning it for a long time to [...]