I’m delighted to be featuring here the Lovely Jane Sturgeon and her new book – Writing on Water, today at Q and A with D.G. Kaye. In this nonfiction book, Jane writes about self-awareness, reflection, and getting in tune with our inner selves. Jane is a pure delight to be around. Her goodness and content heart shine through in all her writing. I’m thrilled to have Jane over here today spreading her inspiration.
About Jane:
Jane has been a systems analyst, trainer, technical author, painter, psychic medium,
furniture restorer, de-clutterer, therapist and creative. She has lived in Africa and The
States, looked after many farms, loved through two marriages, is Mum to an
extraordinary young woman and loves making things. She lives next to the Mersey
River where it meets the Irish Sea and shares her life with loved ones and an
impressive collection of yarn.
Self-awareness is the first book in her Writing on Water series.
Blurb:
Each one of us holds stories about ourselves and these drive our lives. Thoughts are attached to emotions and actions spring from how we feel. Old stories can be re-written, new stories can be crafted and discoveries are made along the way. It is the tapestry of life and yes, you can weave with whatever threads you choose. Loving support, fresh perspectives and new life tools can make all the difference.
First and Lovely 5 star review for Jane’s book:
December 25, 2019
Time to get to know more about Jane:
Do events in your daily life inspire your writing ideas?
Yes, every day. I can catch a glimpse of the seagulls flying in formation, a pattern in
the waves, the joy of a dog running across the beach or overhear a snippet of
conversation in the local shop and the words will start to stream in. It is always linked
to how something makes me feel.
D.G. – I know this about you Jane. You certainly know how to appreciate all the beauty the world as to offer.
Is there something you wish you were better at with the self publishing process?
Marketing and promoting. Goodness me, I have been caught unawares by how
much you need to do this as an indie author. I am learning more about it every day
and it’s a ‘work in progress’. I have discovered that it helps to be unafraid to try
different things, to listen and observe others and what they do and to laugh when I
trip up. It is a steep learning curve yet rewarding as you start to realise the different
things you are capable of and feel the wonderful support from fellow indies.
D.G. – Lol Jane, it is a rude awakening isn’t it? There is so much to becoming a published writer that it sometimes feels the writing is the smallest part of what we do. Thank goodness for our wonderful community to help us along.
Do you believe in ‘writer’s block’? If so, how do you deal with it?
I believe that everything in life is an energy and our creativity comes from our inner
energy source. If we’re tired, stressed, upset, hungry or strung out, then our creative
energy is depleted. Our balance is out of whack. We sit down to write and as our
bucket dips into the creative well, the energy source is low or not there at all. I have
found that pushing is fruitless, so I switch tack into self-care. Walking helps, as does
rest, making things with my hands, or seeing friends. Chocolate does find its way
into the mix sometimes and I try not to have any in the house, as the nearest shop is
up a very steep hill (which is a blessing).
D.G. – You’ve said a mouthful Jane. I do concur though, no point banging our heads on keyboards when the energy isn’t there. Best to find something else to work on and eventually inspiration finds us again.
Jane is sharing an Excerpt from her book with us:
Enough
I recall a well-known agony aunt in the United Kingdom, the lovely Denise
Robertson, saying that most of the letters she received were rooted in lack of self-
worth.
The inner tape of not being good enough can drive us in so many little ways, most of
which we are unaware of. We can decide to gift ourselves time to exercise, start a
new project, try to create different meals, see friends more often, begin a night class;
all manner of new things and then we prioritise other things in their place.
In our technology-led lives, we are constantly bombarded with messages on how to
improve ourselves. There’s irony there, because the underlying message can be
perceived as us not being good enough as we are, which adds to the inner tape
playing. It’s no wonder we stall and struggle to introduce new things into our daily
round.
In the few hours I had gifted myself to write this morning as soon as I was
comfortable with a fresh coffee by my side, my internal chatter started.
‘Did you put cream on your legs after your bath this morning?’
‘Have you put a load of laundry in the washing machine?’
‘Your plants need de-heading before it gets too hot.’
The inner chat is constant and is the root of much internal distraction and self-
sabotage. If we listen, we get in the way of ourselves and stay safe in the familiar,
whilst messing up anything new we try to start.
Stalling on hopes, dreams and wishes is not a reflection on us not being good
enough, because we certainly are. It’s about us living; exploring, trying different
things, taking a risk, experimenting on what brings us joy and peeling back the
gossamer layers to find out who we really are. It is about us discovering our truth.
***
I wish to say a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to Debby for her generosity, support and
kindness in creating a post for me on her fabulous blog. From her huge heart she lifts and inspires many of us and her friendship is a gift.
Jane, I am so humbled. It was a pleasure having you and your beautiful book over here today. Thank you too for the beautiful image. You are such a delight. ♥
Visit Jane on all her Social Platforms:
Web site:
https://www.janesturgeon.com
Blog:
https://www.janesturgeon.wordpress.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/janesturgeon.creative/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jane.sturgeon.creative
Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/JaneSturgeon3
Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JaneSturgeonCreative
DGKayewriter.com 