I haven’t blogged here for over a year, which is apparent if you check the dates. There’s been much water under the bridge, too much to account for in any detail right now. But so far 2011 included delicious new friendships; the deaths of two people important to me; a rekindled interest in the work of Abraham-Hicks; continual letting-go of stuff in an effort to sell my house; and plodding progress with Peregrino Kids, the working title for the children’s book I’m writing.
Now, after a debate with myself regarding whether to blog again about my upcoming trip to Spain, I’ve decided I would, as much so I have a record myself as so others can read what I’m doing.
In a few days I’m off to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela again: traveling alone this time for the first twelve days, then jumping in with a tour group that’s really a fund-raiser for a documentary movie on the Camino.
What’s my intention this second trip? Why am I again walking the Camino, or at least parts of it? This time, I have at least one very specific purpose.
In the last couple days I’ve been rereading the first ten chapters of my children’s book (for 8 – 12 year olds) about the Camino. Reading along, I felt quite discouraged and judgmental and bored with it for awhile—though I do think it picks up and becomes engaging after about fifty pages. So now I know I have a huge rewrite ahead and the last third of the book to draft for the first time.
Thus my inner work on the Camino will be to become open to and allow inspiration, enthusiasm, and plot ideas to show up. I want renewed awareness of the spirit of adventure and the spirit of the Camino. I want renewed trust in and respect for myself as a writer. I desperately want to feel/allow/permit my characters to show up with their authentic personalities without manipulating or contriving them. I want to allow my unconscious to toss up shining, twisting, and turning adventures, so that each chapter delights, arouses interest, and builds momentum. And I want to enjoy all the process and take copious notes and pictures.
Oh, this business of composing fiction is a long and arduous camino in itself. And yet I know the fun of it, and that’s what I want to experience! So I’m off again, intending to stay tuned to the adventures and discoveries of Jimmy (10) and Lizzy (12) and their home-schooling mother on the marvelous and ancient Route of St. James.
