It is said that we are all manifestations of energy, and we vibrate at the highest frequencies when we’re being creative. This makes me happy, because some of my most creative days can also be the most annoying and painful. Turns out, on some days (most days, in my case) creation is not all fun and games.
On rare occasions, I’m sent into a blessed state of flow, but on others it is cry, sweat, bleed and so on and on. I’m a reviser, I’ve found, and can never get it right at one go.
So it is with great joy that I present to you my muse bird pair, the turtledove parents who seem to have got it right the second time in a row. My balcony is now a Natgeo site, a bedroom and nursery all at once–and my jasmine shrub the blessed hub of creativity and new life.
When I see them, cooing to each other not ten minutes after their hatchlings have flown, refurbish their nest the next week, and lay two pearly-white eggs the day after, I’m reassured. Today the mom left her nest alone for a minute, and I stole a video of a tiny chick actually being born. Those who are on my Facebook can see the grainy-shaky footage–I ran once mom returned, didn’t want to scare her into abandoning her babies.
In the meanwhile, I labor over the sequel to The Blue Bar–having reached 73,000 words, I can only hope I don’t need to dial the demolition experts yet again, and that some of the shiny turtle-dove magic would rub off on me.
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What does creation or creativity mean to you? Do you find it easy or hard to be creative? What would you name our latest pair of turtle-dove hatchlings?
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Turtle doves are wonderful birds, and sadly disappearing all too rapidly from the UK. Nobody’s pinpointed the reason yet, but studies abound. I envy you your muses. Mine are probably my Greek chorus, who open up every time I stop working at the keyboard. It’s like. ‘okay she’s stopped for a second. Yell for treats NOW!’ Four guinea pigs alike in capacity for food and not much else. 🙂
Keep up the good work, Damyanti – on all fronts 🙂
Your turtle dove photos are darling, Damyanti! What beautiful muses. It’s encouraging to hear that writing is blood, sweat, and tears for you and involves a lot of revising. Your writing is so good, and you make it look easy, when, of course, it isn’t. Knowing how hard writers like you work in creating your novels reminds me and other writers that it’s okay, even required, to struggle. I stayed up until 2:00 am finishing “The Blue Bar” last night. It had arrived on release day from Amazon, but I saved it for my trip to Honolulu where I could enjoy it while relaxing. It was a compelling read from beginning to end, and I loved the ending. I won’t forget Tara and Arnav or the Item Number and the boy. I read your IWSG post “Seven Sizzling Tips to Write That Absolutely Killer First Chapter.” It was fun to go back and read your first chapter with your tips in mind. I did figure out who the Item Number was, but I had the killer wrong. Your story kept me guessing all the way through. I haven’t been to Mumbai, but your certainly made it vividly real to me in the book. I’m looking forward to your next novel, because I have enjoyed your first two books very much. I wish you a lot of success with your book (and with finishing its sequel)!
Someone waking till 2 am reading your book is one of the highest compliments any author can receive. Thanks so much for picking up the book, and for reading. With all the racist comments the book has received, it’s a joy to receive feedback like this! The next novel, The Blue Monsoon is also set in Mumbai, with Arnav in the lead, and hopefully I can live up to your expectations a third time.
Ahaaa, natgeo site and writng table beside, what more do we need, just a cup of tea, may be.
Bless the dove pair… Keep creating, keep writing.
Thanks, Pragun. The dove pair do keep me going.
How nice to have those outside your window! And keep going!
Thanks, Mick. Yes, this pair is an amazing inspiration.
Hi Damyanti – so pleased the turtle doves are happy with their lot, and the new eggs … wonderful to be able to watch the family in front of you – jasmine-scented too … I will (promise) get to your review this week.
Good luck with the sequel … and working through and round it – all the best – Hilary
Hilary, the eggs have hatched, and the jasmine-scented chicks are growing apace! I need all the luck with the sequel, so thanks very much. And I’m definitely looking forward to your review!
Nothing brings more pleasure than to watch nature at work. 🙂
Truly, Ian.
Fabulous photos! I’m also a reviser; takes me forever and a day to have a finished piece.
Thank you! I’m usually a slow reviser, but deadines give me no choice!
This is a truly beautiful post. Thank you. I am an appreciator rather than a creator and you have given me a LOT to appreciate today.
Thank you for the kind words, Sue. That’s very nice of you to say.
This is what I love about your blog, Damyanti. Your posts inspire not just my writing but my essence. Your birds are wonderful.
Thanks, Jacqui. You’re so kind, per usual, and you’re even sweeter in person! We should do a video chat of all us bloggers at some point. And these are hardly my birds–like one of my friends said, I’m a member of the NatGeo staff providing them video coverage and food.