Why Does E=MC2?

This week, I've been gathering more knowledge and experiences to inform the writing of my novel. My curious mind has always contemplated the workings of the universe but, for this particular project, I need to understand the science. They say that when you're on the right path, synchronicity happens, and it's perhaps no surprise then that on Tuesday night, I found myself at a lecture with Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jeff Forshaw at the launch of their book Why Does E=MC2?

Here I am sitting between the two genius minds.



On the left is Professor Jeff Forshaw and on the right Professor Brian Cox.

What a brilliant and inspiring lecture at the Museum of Science and Industry in the heart of Manchester, UK! And what a brilliant book! I can highly recommend it for making science accessible to all, but what touches me profoundly is the professors' passion for science, for physics, and for the beauty of our universe. You can buy the book here.

Here's another photo montage from the event ...



Also, here's a link to a trailer for `What Time is It?' - one of several BBC Horizon programmes that Brian Cox has made.

Brian and Jeff very kindly inscribed my copy of the book and wished me luck on the writing of my novel and I returned, head full of ideas and with a note-to-self to credit the professors in my novel's acknowledgements.

And so, on with the silent counting ... and the writing has begun in earnest. The story is weaving through my mind constantly and I am travelling with it now - moving without moving - and the characters are growing into reality.

In a short time to come, I may be able to share some teasers with you!

For now, here's a recent photo of me, where the air hangs veil-like, seemingly passing through into possible other dimensions.



Until next time, go see the stars and contemplate a while on the mysteries of life. Open your mind to creativity. As Einstein once said: Imagination is everything.

Wishing you much love and many magical moments. x

Danger: Novel In Progress!

And, so it begins ...

Out of the slate of fiction material that I have in development, I have decided upon the novel that I am going to write as my debut. I am so excited but also weighted with responsibility, hoping that I can deliver a work of fiction that you will love. I can't reveal too much at the moment as I'm still working through the finer details, but I can say that it is a contemporary novel with a fantasy edge, entwined with a love story. More to follow ... but first ...



Most of the images or video clips that I have so far posted of me communing with nature, say something about the novel I'm writing! Now you'll have to wait a little while for the journey's unfolding.



And, yes, so it begins ... my own writerly life currently playing out in real and fictional worlds. With it comes long periods of absence as part of me disappears into other dimensions. It is a dangerous time. Real world responsibilities grip at my ankles, like roots binding me to the earth, when all I want to do is fly. Sometimes I think what it would be to have a wealthy benefactor! Just to remove worldly worries would totally free my mind to write all these magical stories running riot in my head.

Meanwhile, my spirit has taken me back to South Wales and, if I close my eyes, I am back on the Manobier shore, listening to the sea's healing song.

Here's a short clip at sunset ... Oooh , just listen! Can you hear the rush of life?

Listening to the Song of the Sea from Carol Anne Strange on Vimeo.

Until next time, wishing you everything that you wish for. Be the dreamer and the dream! Much love and magical moments. x

Writing on the Breeze at Brantwood

"What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do" - John Ruskin

Such wise words, don't you think?

Just over a week ago, we travelled north to the Lake District on a blissful blue sky day to visit John Ruskin's Brantwood on the flanks of Lake Coniston. Oooh ... I could gladly give all my time to taking in the magnificent views there. How easy it is to become drunk on the ever changing scenery and the drowsing perfume of wildflowers.

Here's a picture of me lost in the view ...



John Ruskin was an artist, a writer, and a great thinker. Born in 1819, Ruskin was a radical voice in Victorian society and his art and words have left a lasting legacy. If you ever have chance to visit beautiful Brantwood, I'm sure you will fall in love with the place. The gardens are an inspiration!


Mr Fenwick took this gorgeous landscape shot. Just look at the sky!



While at Brantwood, I indulged! I bought a gorgeous Meg Falconer limited edition print (inspired by Wordsworth's Intimations of Immortality), a lovely crystal (which reminded me of Coleridge's Kubla Khan) and a miniature notebook for writing my quotes. Here's a photo of my finds ...



Apart from play-time and exploration, my trips always inspire my creativity and inform my writing. And I returned from the Lakes feeling invigorated and full of ideas.

This is so good as I am now working on the next units of the writing MA. I have met my new tutor, Richard House, who I will be working with as I prepare and write my novel. Already, from his first enlightening lecture, I am completely inspired and excited by what will unfold in the weeks to come.

But, I must be in the now ... All that matters is this moment ...

Here in the west, Summer solstice has breezed in and life in the valley beyond my writer's nest is lively. I have been watching all the baby birds feeding and we have been blessed with regular visits from the Greater Spotted Woodpecker. Such a handsome fellow he is too with his red cap. And, I'm feeling so close to nature that I can hear the beat of her pulse.

Until next time, enjoy all those lovely, lovely moments, sweet friends. x

Ready for the Next Step!

After a good two weeks of rest, art therapy, slow-time, reflection, and change of scene, my poor head has recovered from its word-drunkeness and I'm ready to take the next step on my writer's journey.

I mentioned in a previous post that I've been dabbling with image creation as art therapy and this has given my neurons the space and play-time needed. Here's one I created for Mr Fenwick's 50th ...



It is an image of Mr Fenwick and I, but I wanted to create a Goldfrapp-esque feel as a tribute to Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ... my musical inspirations!

I love art in all its fantastic and diverse forms. It is an expression of human potential - of truth, beauty, possibility, and imagination. I find the viewing and practice of art incredibly healing. And I have some wonderfully talented artist friends around the world - both here in cyberspace and offline - and I am so blessed with their presence.

Another healing experience came to me last week by watching Cerys Matthews: My Life in Verse, a documentary part of the BBC's poetry season. Cerys is such a captivating lady, and her documentary on the influence of Celtic poetry was totally enthralling. After watching the programme, I picked up my Dylan Thomas Omnibus and my love for words ignited me again. What total rapture!

So ... the ticking continues ...

And I have news! I've passed my first writing MA course units and I can now proceed to the next stage. I have had the most encouraging feedback on my writing portfolios so I am absolutely delighted. Six months of hard work and sleepless nights have paid off. Now to the 18 months ahead and moving closer to my MA Project.

In the next few posts, I'll tell you about another little writing research trip which I made this week to the luminous Lake District where I immersed myself in summer's colourful and fragrant offerings. Until then, I wish you much merriment as we race towards the summer solstice. Much love and light to you all, my friends. x

Travelling in Pembrokeshire

Last week, Mr Fenwick and I travelled south to Pembrokeshire to enjoy a couple of days break with family. We were blessed with blue skies and highs of 28 degrees. Bliss!

Here I am on Manobier beach, just after sunset, listening to the sea's healing song ...



Pembrokeshire is special in our hearts as it's where Mr Fenwick and I experienced our first holiday together back in 2002. It is a place of ancient tombs, sparkling coastline, historic castles, beautiful scenery, and inspirational art.

On this occasion, we stayed in St Florence and took the opportunity to visit Laugharne. This is where poet and writer, Dylan Thomas, once lived and the village was inspiration for his captivating play `Under Milkwood'. We spent a lovely few hours there.

We also visited Tenby, Carew Castle (an inspiring circular walk), and St Davids.

It was a refreshing -albeit short- visit and just lovely to return to this special place. It was also a perfect way to celebrate the completion of my first writing MA course units and, most importantly, a magical way to celebrate my dear Mr Fenwick's 50th birthday!! Yes, my lovely man has reached a special milestone of his own although people are amazed when they find out his age. He doesn't even look 40 never mind 50!!

Here is a collage of our trip ... including a picture of inside Dylan's writing hut!



(L-R - Carew Castle; St Davids Cathedral; Mr Fenwick & Family; Laugharne Castle; Dylan Thomas' Writing Hut; and Manobier Bay.)

I am still enjoying some slow time and have been healing my overworked head with art - experimenting with my own visual creativity and taking great inspiration from other artists' work. Soon, I'll be ready for the next step on my writing journey ... and I dream of a longer return to Pembrokeshire!

Beaches in Wales

Milestones and Mayhem

Working on my writing MA has so far stolen my sleep and almost my sanity. May was particularly challenging with so many deadlines to meet culminating in the delivery of my unit portfolios. I have completed this first important stage and reached another milestone on my journey. I still don't think I had enough time to reflect on the material I have submitted but I am relatively pleased. Now I wait for the results before moving on to the next unit.

Here I am enjoying the magical May light in a recently discovered windswept wood ...



Mr Fenwick and I have just returned from a wonderful whirlwind couple of days in Pembrokeshire in South Wales with family (more details in my next posts). It was while travelling back to Lancashire, I realised just how mentally exhausted I am after having a nightmare while apparently awake! It created such a panic for a while. It felt like I was trapped in another dimension as if I was experiencing another version of reality. Complete mayhem! I have no clear memory of the event but it frightened my dear Mr Fenwick just a little. I have decided to slow down for a few days. My next course unit doesn't start until later this month so I hope to attend to other areas of my life to restore equilibrium and perspective.

So, here we are in the moment. Welcome fair and jubilant June! Nature is resplendent in her colourful finery and I'm so in love with buttercup meadows. There is an abundance of wildflowers this year, which I hope will be good for our precious bees.

Until next time, sending you much love and sparkling light. xx

Travelling into Other Dimensions

Writing into the hours beyond midnight has been fascinating and I have been constantly in and out of reality, visiting fictional worlds and disappearing into other realms. See - here I am about to disappear through a portal into another dimension! ...



Sorry if the spiral makes you feel a little dizzy! It has such a strange impact on me when I'm passing through.

Despite the wonderful journeys into the imagination, I am a little weary now. May has been manic! I don't think I have ever worked my poor head so intensely. Despite the pressures, the writing has turned out better than I expected but I'm so ready to take a short break. I need to reflect, rest my mind, and just enjoy the stillness of the moment.

But first, I must finish my portfolio submissions for my writing MA. I have another few days of concentrated effort to come and then we are into jubilant June.

Already, the breeze is whispering ... come out to play ... come out to play! How can I resist?

Wishing you lots of sunshine in your days and, as always, endless magical moments.

Much love to you all. xx

Engaging with the Genius Loci

When I visit somewhere special, I have a very distinct sense of genius loci - the spirit of a place - and, providing that spirit evokes good feelings, I quite easily lose all sense of time there. It is like a door opening into another realm.

Here I am in such a place. Look very closely towards the end of the video clip. Can you see the tiny flying light creature near my skirt? Oh, what a magical day it was.

Embraced by Nature's Magic from Carol Anne Strange on Vimeo.

Well, this is just another short update. I have been keeping very long hours of late, writing into the night, and meeting exhausting assignment deadlines for my MA. By end of this month, I will have completed my first portfolios and will be ready to start the next course unit, where I will focus on writing one of many novels. It's immensely exciting and although I have `real world' challenges, I'm focused on delivering the work that has been a lifetime in the making.

Before I fly back to story realm, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely, warm, and encouraging comments. Your presence always uplifts me and keeps me going on my creative journey.

Take care and pop back soon for my next update.

Oooh ... and don't forget ... next time you're somewhere special, open your senses to the genius loci! Wishing you many blissful moments. x

Weaving Stories and Gathering Thoughts

I've been in story realm for most of the past week, writing into the night, chasing my MA assignment deadline. I am almost there now. Then it's straight into writing another story to meet the next deadline. I am exhausted but happily so. Weaving stories is immensely fulfilling.

Take a glimpse into one of my note books, guarded here by my treasured crystal. Anyone like to guess the name of this crystal?



Today, while the winds continue to steal the spring blossom, I've been gathering thoughts. Would you like me to share some of these with you? ... Yes? Well, here goes ...

1. I've been thinking that, by year end, my novel - the first of many - will be in the making with my aim to complete my debut in 2010, which is a nice, auspicious number.

2. My thoughts have been drifting into nature's magic and the essence of summer. I've been dreaming of mountains and moors, of woodlands and wild places, of sunshine and shores.

3. I've been worrying about the bees and realizing how their well-being is directly entwined with ours. In fact, I tweeted about this and was contacted by Damian Grounds to let me know about his project Help Save Bees. Please do take a look and share news of his good work!

4. Harps! I'm obsessed with harps! At the end of my MA course, I will find time to explore my musical side.

5. I'm thinking that herbal medicine is extraordinarily effective.

6. I'm dreaming of the moon and the stars, the stories of tomorrow, and the lure of creativity.

7. And, my mind is on loved ones and all the wonderful people in my life.

And, I could go on but I'll end on number 7. It's a good number. I like it. Even my first school was called Seven Stars! Oh, but I'm rambling now ...

Wishing you all lots of wonderful moments in your days. xx

Waiting in the Magical Woods

Here is a short video of me in the magical woods at Silverdale. I am waiting ... but for what?

Into the Magical Realm from Carol Anne Strange on Vimeo.

Despite the beautiful light and bright birdsong, there is an eerie anticipation. Perhaps I'm waiting for ethereal creatures or the lone wolf or the gateway to another world ... I'll leave that to tickle your imagination.

Back in my writer's den, I'm currently working on story projects and preparing material for my MA Writing portfolio. Time passes so quickly when I'm writing, the danger being that I become blissfully unaware of everyday reality.

In the thick of this busy time, I did have chance to update my website and I've included extra images too. Please do take a look at carolannestrange.com. As always, I'd love and dearly appreciate your comments.