I love language. Well, to be more specific, I love the English language. I love its words and how they fit together. I love the rhythm of a well-structured sentence and a story well told. And I’m fascinated by etymology – the origin of words and how their meanings change over time. I’m currently visiting The Mumbles, a seaside town near Swansea in South Wales. Out on the front, pondering my … [Read more...] about What’s really in a name?
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How I found meaning in The Mumbles
When I want to feel connected to my roots I come to The Mumbles, a seaside town near Swansea. I've been coming here since I was a little girl, so it feels like a home from home.I’m currently staying a short walk away from the pharmacy that was once a hair salon run by my paternal grandparents and the two-up two-down where my mum was born and grew up.But the place that’s most resonant for me here … [Read more...] about How I found meaning in The Mumbles
Releasing the writer within
I count myself lucky that, from an early age, I’ve found it easy to express myself in writing. At primary school I received consistent praise for my compositions and my confidence built from there.And even though I didn’t plan to become a journalist, it was a good fit for my natural talents and I learned the craft on the job, becoming a disciplined writer and editor in the process.I understand … [Read more...] about Releasing the writer within
Is being too nice holding you back from having an impact?
If you’ve ever been called ‘nice’ – and most of us have, at some point in our lives – you may feel as if you’ve been damned with faint praise. Being nice – agreeable, pleasant, easy-going – is a good thing, some of the time. But sometimes it can be a curse, especially when you’re a creative type who wants to be seen and heard. Nicky says: I realised early on in life that I had a natural ability … [Read more...] about Is being too nice holding you back from having an impact?
Does it really make a difference when you tell stories on social media?
Over the past few weeks I’ve been conducting a social media experiment. Having lost my mojo and gone through a phase of posting hardly anything for months, I re-engaged by setting the intention of finding and sharing stories on Facebook and Instagram rather than just posting pictures with short captions or random updates. My hope was that sharing stories that made a point would create more … [Read more...] about Does it really make a difference when you tell stories on social media?
The raw power of sharing the truth of your story
Until a few days ago, Hannah Gadsby wasn't on my radar. But now I’m seeing her name everywhere. She is – or should I say was – a stand-up comedian. She came to my attention when a participant on the Storytelling for Self-Promotion course I’m currently co-facilitating recommended that I watched Hannah’s new comedy special on Netflix. I wouldn’t usually watch a stand-up set on TV (I prefer the … [Read more...] about The raw power of sharing the truth of your story