Jay Gilbertson

Every writing day, I come to this place filled with simple things that hold meaning only to me. It’s here, in my writing room, that I try to slow my mind and find the story-line I was trailing along last writing session.

My desk was my great grandmother’s, the small lamp, my great aunt Esther’s and on it goes. Stones from the springs that flow here are on nearly all the window sills to remind me that nature is right here, outside my window— waiting.

Space and what you fill it with, as well as how you care for it, can often times mirror your mind.

Is it a peaceful place, inside that head of yours? Or is it in need of some spring cleaning. Are there some things you can let go of, or maybe move into a different space to make room for something new?

Even if it’s just a corner somewhere, find it and put what inspires you most there in front of you. Then see what it brings to you—even if it’s just a grin.

Everyone should have; A Room of One’s Own.

After attending a week-long workshop last summer on, of all places, Madeline Island, my writing took a major turn. (MISA). Taught by Mary Carroll Moore.

I finally understood some key elements to move my story in ways I hadn’t a clue before. Using my groovy-cool story board, tons of Post-Its and simply dividing up the essential story-lines into acts, I came away with a really compelling tale.

Well, actually it’s turned into two stories that in the beginning are running parallel and eventually the two blend. Ha! They merge into one big ol’ mess and that’s part of the story. Part of life, really. Life can get pretty chaotic.

Bottom line; this has freed me to dig deeper into what motivates my characters. What lies beneath the person they portray themselves as on the outside—that’s the good stuff.

Then there’s the accidental murder, which leads to that little issue in the basement which, in turn, unravels and must be dealt with seeing as there was a fire. Secrets never stay secret and through their telling, something deep within finds the courage to step forward and into the light.

I think you’re really gunna like this next novel.

 Reflections

Walking through the house, capturing the sun’s reflection as the warm, wintry rays spilled across floors, onto red towels and through snowy windows—I too reflected.

So much of what we do is returned back to us in more ways than we probably realize. How we treat those around us is turned back our way and this is where growth begins.

Take time to reflect and try to see things in different ways—through different eyes. This is how change can happen and you’ll begin to see things you had maybe missed.

Through reflection I learn what my characters I write about are made of; or lacking. I have to really ‘see’ how they view the world. It’s a tricky business, this writing thing, yet it allows me to be so many people.

And I don’t always like what I find either—I suppose this is what makes it all so interesting and why i enjoy it so much. So the next time you meet someone you can’t quite figure out (or maybe want to shake) try reflecting on what perhaps they see and maybe you’ll learn something.

Maybe you’ll see yourself…

Bet you’re wondering what the heck is that?