In the Creative Stream

It’s the start of the second week of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, so today I woke early, fully intending to crack on with my target.  So far, for me, it’s been quite fun and motivational, knowing that I am part of something bigger than myself.  Though I also realise that for some, it has been a struggle, so the purpose of this blog is to hopefully encourage those that may be in that place.

Don’t get me wrong, I start every day with a struggle.  I live with a life-limiting illness and disability, but I am a massive believer in seeing the ‘ability’ in people and not the ‘disability’.  As a Christian, I believe God does the same when He looks at each one of us.  He knows our strengths and weaknesses and He can turn our weaknesses into His opportunities.

I really fully intended to crack on with my NaNoWriMo novel this morning, but couldn’t as I felt God was telling me to write this first and that this is another opportunity.  You may occasionally hear the expression, ‘to be in the creative stream’.  I certainly seem to hear it a lot or words to that effect, but should we be in the ‘Creative Stream’ and if we are, which way should we be heading?

Personally, I want to head downstream to eventually step into the ‘Creative River’, though the distractions do hold me back.  Sometimes these are good and positive distractions, such as writing this blog or noticing another fellow creative that has metaphorically fallen over in the stream and is in need of help, support and encouragement.  The negative distractions are vast and it can be so difficult to shut them out, but one thing that I do is to treat my writing like a ‘proper job’.  Writers can often treat their writing time as a kind of indulgence and indulgence can bring with it guilt, etc.  With a ‘proper job’ you must turn up and start work or suffer the consequences.

There are days when I find myself swimming in that ‘Creative River’ and it is wonderfully refreshing, but still, on those days, I long to be in the ‘Creative Ocean’, with the multitude of other creatives.  I like to think of that ocean as Jesus, which reminds me of the words of an old Noel Richards song – “I want to be out of my depth in your love, feeling your loving arms around me.”

As a Christian writer, this is where I want to be, but I want to journey together with others, to share the experience, the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows.  One day we will all be there, but for now, for me, I paddle in the stream and every-so-often jump into the river.

Are you swimming, paddling or currently standing on the bank?

Images from Unsplash.com

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Can you walk on water?

When Jesus told Peter to, “Get out of the boat”, he didn’t hesitate.  He didn’t stop to over-think the situation or over-analyse, he just did it.  So why are we so hesitant to step out of our own comfort zone?  Why do we not put ourselves forward more often?  Why do we convince ourselves that we simply aren’t good enough?

In my career in charity, I climbed to the position of Chief Executive Officer and I quietly, inwardly questioned, “How did that happen?”  As a teenager (nearly 50 years ago), I was not a very likeable person, though I met a beautiful girl and I married her 40 years ago.  Again, I question, “How did that happen?”  I kind of fell into being a youth worker and a Christian Rap Artist, impacting thousands of young lives, but still, that question lurked in the back of my mind, “How did that happen?” 

I now know that this negative thinking about our own abilities is referred to as, ‘Imposter-Syndrome.’ This lack of self-belief is in us all at different levels.  Soon after Peter stepped out, he had a reality check, imposter-syndrome hit him and he started to sink, but Jesus reached out and took his hand.

In recent years I have made conscious decisions to put myself out there more.  It still feels alien, at times extremely nervous and uncomfortable, but still, we must metaphorically step out of the boat.  Over 30 years ago, God gave me the gift of writing in rhyme and I used that gift.  It was extremely uncomfortable when I first stepped onto a stage to perform, but I felt that He was holding my hand.  Publishing my first book was again a nervous and uncomfortable, yet exhilarating experience.  In my head came more questions, “Will people like it?  Is it any good?”  I am sure that any of my author friends can relate to these feelings.  On the day of publishing, even the most seasoned authors can feel elevated levels of vulnerability and anxiety, as we expose ourselves to criticism.

At times, this vulnerability can even prevent us, writers, from writing.  Fear can overwhelm and consume our creativity.  The Bible tells us that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind” – 2 Timothy 1:7.  When we are drowning, He will reach out and take our hands.  It’s taken me decades to really grasp this and I am still learning (aren’t we all?).

Lately, I have felt God telling me to once again, ‘Step out’ into the realm of public speaking and teaching.  In reluctant obedience, I have now arranged to present my first ever poetry workshops and as soon as I had agreed, I questioned, “What have I done?”  Imposter syndrome kicks in, I start to sink and God takes my hand.  We are not alone in this God is in us; so what is your next adventure?  What are you being called to step into?  Are you ready to walk on (metaphoric) water?

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Is Knowledge Power?

In 1597, Sir Francis Bacon published his work, Meditationes Sacrae.  In it he first used the phrase, “Knowledge is power” and the world believed him.  Throughout the centuries since, people have craved knowledge and more knowledge.

“I have two degrees”, quips the first person.  “I have three”, brags another.  A farmer eavesdropped as they passed him, then, commented, “Yet, you are ignorant, rude and have no common sense.  You ignored me and my sign and now my bull is going to get you… You had best run.”

I spent many years believing that Francis Bacon was right, that is until I had a ‘Eureka’ moment and I started to share my knowledge openly.  The farmer above shared his little bit of knowledge and he averted a potential fatal wounding.  In my charity development work, I had risen to the considered powerful position of CEO, but it wasn’t until I stepped down from that position and started to share my knowledge that I had a revelation.  The recipients of my help now regarded me as having the power to help them and I realised that it is the sharing of knowledge that is true power.

As a Christian writer, I have naturally joined the Association of Christian Writers.  This group of people has a wealth of experience and knowledge and every member is willing to share whatever they know, in order to help another writer.  This encourages me to do the same and it is such an unbelievable joy to help others.

I am currently preparing to deliver a poetry and rhyming workshop for the ACW Writing for Children group, which I am excited about.  However, another project that I am currently working on is both exciting and humbling.  A dying man asked me if I could publish his book of poetry.  He wrote over 100 poems during the three years after his son took his own life and they are his journey of grief.

I am using my knowledge and power to publish his book of poems and the Sunflowers Suicide Support charity will receive all of the royalties.  With our knowledge and power we can empower or disempower, the question is; what will you do with yours?

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  He lives in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I’m busy preparing for a challenge set by author Wendy H Jones.  The challenge is to use the national celebration days throughout October to market your books.  There are some interesting days, such as; national vodka day, boyfriend day and handbag day.  Who on earth dreams up these things?  It is a great challenge, but before I tell you my two favourites, I’ll tell you a short story.

A youth worker friend of mine was chatting to a young person who had been dealing with a lot of struggles and the lad said to him, “Why can’t people just be nicer?”

My friend responded by telling the boy that this is the second of the Ten Commandments, ‘to love your neighbour.’

Getting back to Wendy’s challenge, one of my favourite days is ‘Do Something Nice Day.’  As I think about this and my friend’s story, I ask the same question as that young lad and I question, “Why do we have a, ‘Do Something Nice Day?”  If we all did something nice every day, then there would be no need for it.

It is so easy to do something nice every day and it fits in with my second favourite day, ‘World Smile Day.’  It’s so easy to smile at other people instead of having that long, grumpy face.  There is a technique called, ‘smile talk’ which is as the name suggests, to smile whilst talking.  This technique has been proven to lift our mental health.  It’s so easy to do, will change you and could even change another person’s life. 

There’s a well-known story about a young man in San Francisco, who jumped off of the Golden Gate Bridge.  His suicide note read, “I’m walking to the bridge to jump off.  If just one person cares enough to smile at me just briefly on the way, I won’t jump.”  So let’s support ‘World Smile Day every day and in doing so, do something nice every day.  Turn your frown upside down you never know you could be saving a life.

A final caution, I now smile a lot, but it has landed me in trouble a few times.  I have to always remind myself NOT to smile when someone is telling me some bad news.  I’m sure that I will smile when I see some of the other author’s posts for this crazy challenge.  

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, including 'The book of PSALMS in Rhyme.'  Based in Stroud Gloucestershire.  There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.  An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.  A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website

What's in a name?

I published my first book, The Golden Thread, in 2015, so I've been writing for over 6 years and have now published 8 books.  Though I have written blogs before, this is my first venture onto 'Blogger' and so far I am most impressed.  As this is my first blog, I thought it best to introduce myself a little.

I love to investigate the meaning behind names, particularly when creating a character for a novel.  Their name must have an appropriate meaning to reflect the personality, temperament and nature of the subject.  Do you know the meaning of your own name?

My name, Brendan, is derived from the Gaelic name Breandán, which is in turn derived from the earlier Old Irish Brénainn and it means, ‘Prince’ or ‘King.’  Wow, I am royalty.  This may explain why I was not at all daunted on the two occasions when I have been honoured to meet members of the Royal Family.  The first time was when I was invited to one of the Queen’s garden parties and the second when I showed Prince Edward around the charity that I worked for.  Incidentally, the name ‘Edward’ means wealth (that’s interesting).

Image from Pixabay

Now, what about my surname?  If you have not yet realised it is Irish Gaelic, pre-10^th century origin, derived from the name O'Conbhuidhe meaning 'the descendant of yellow hound'.  Yellow hound was most likely a Gaelic Chieftan.  I am proud of my Irish heritage (my dad was Irish) and I do consider myself to be Irish (though born in England).  I also like to use the name, ‘Yellow Dog’ in honour of my ancestors.

This is why I call this blog, ‘Yellow Dog Blog.’  I am also a drummer in a band called, ‘The Shaggy Dog Raconteurs’ and my band name, well obviously it’s ‘Ole Yella Dog.’  My final tribute to the origins of my name is in the name that I publish my books under, you guessed it,‘Yellow Dog Publishing.’

As for my middle name, Mark, that means, ‘consecrated to the god of Mars.’  I laugh at this one because as a Christian, I feel that I am consecrated to the God of the Universe.

My name is Brendan Conboy, King Yellow Dog.  I do hope that you start to follow my blog and enjoy getting to know me through my random rambles.  Now go and find out who you are. 

Brendan is a Christian poet and author of 8 books, based in Stroud Gloucestershire.

There are 'self-made men' and 'God-made men', Brendan is the latter.

An associate speaker with Christian Vision for Men.

A member of the Association of Christian Writers.

Click here to visit Brendan's website