I was recently invited by narrative photographer and film-maker Riccardo Sai to discuss origin stories - what they are, how to tell them, and how you can use them to promote your business. You can watch the whole interview below. It has been a while since I tried to tell my own origin story. There's a version on my About Me page - but I think I could improve on it. So I sat down yesterday and … [Read more...] about Where did it all begin? And where will it go from here?
Written word
Writing my way out of the fog
"Catch yourself as close to waking as you can," said Julia. "Write three pages of longhand about anything and everything that crosses your mind. As you vent on the page, you become intimate with yourself and your real feelings. Not only sorrows but joys become clear to you." This is Julia Cameron, talking about the Morning Pages tool she first revealed in her most famous book The Artist's Way. … [Read more...] about Writing my way out of the fog
The sheer inevitability of wings
The other day, I was speaking to a friend who is one of most nurturing people I know. We were having a catch-up and I breezily announced that I reckoned I was through the "primary stage" of grief after my mum passed away last September. I continued, explaining that I couldn't understand why I still haven't decided what I want to offer next as a signature service - even though I've thought about … [Read more...] about The sheer inevitability of wings
How will history judge us in our ‘digital afterlife’?
I’m something of a sucker for true-crime documentaries, so last week I watched Netflix’s latest, Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. The central story is about the disappearance of Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old Chinese student who stayed at the hotel in 2013. But there are other narrative threads: about the history of the hotel itself (a dark one); the area adjacent to it in downtown Los … [Read more...] about How will history judge us in our ‘digital afterlife’?
Why I’m still a believer (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
On my birthday bank holiday (the Monday after a Saturday anniversary), I sat watching big flakes of snow drift to earth. I was in a melancholy mood, listening to a Spotify playlist of songs from the emotional drama This Is Us - a beautifully curated soundtrack that perfectly complements the series’ superb storytelling.After blubbing my way through two more tear-jerking episodes, I sought … [Read more...] about Why I’m still a believer (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Will you still read me when I’m 64?
I grew up listening to The Beatles. I was 10 when Sgt Pepper was released, so I’ve been aware of When I’m Sixty-Four for a long time. This evergreen song has informed some of my beliefs about ageing, and what age is considered to be “old”. So I accept the inevitability of someone quoting the lyrics at me when I actually reach the age of 64 in the next few days. Part of me is horrified, part of … [Read more...] about Will you still read me when I’m 64?