17 Comments

I love this. I'm a collector by nature. I'm always picking up little things (physically) wherever I'm at, as well as being a people watcher. I've used this technique in the past, but completely forgot about it. Great article.

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Hi Christina! Thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, I "people watching" is its own form of collecting. I get so inspired by simply sitting in an airport or train station and watching, eavesdropping and so forth.

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This is an excellent sensory exercise and a way to flex our imagination muscles!

I have been curating my way through the old island farmhouse of my childhood this summer--a museum of antiques, books and heirlooms just begging to be written about. With my parents’ recent passage, I’m last in the legacy and often left only with my imagination to tell the tales.

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Oh I imagine there is rich fodder for storytelling in the books and heirlooms you will discover, Amie. You may have to "perhaps" on the page with some of the things you find, create whole narratives from your imagination. Good luck!

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Aug 16, 2022Liked by Kathy Fish

Thank you, thank you...for this inspiring letter. Tips on pulling one self up from being dragged down by, in my case a self diagnosed writer's block, is like drinking a glass of water filled with tinkling ice cubes on a hot day. I'm out to practice the A.B.C's

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This is great to hear, Sheila! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Enjoy your gathering!

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I’m a collector of so many things, so I love this tip! Looking forward to your next workshop announcements!

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Thanks for reading, Laurie! <3

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As a creative magpie, this piece resonates with me.

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Ah I love the term "creative magpie" Eugenie! That's perfect. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks!

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Books!! I collect books. Many I read. Some I don’t. But I buy them. Mostly used. Certain books I never fully read but rather scan particular sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters when the mood strikes. I love the smell of books. Being surrounded by them. They’re like long lost friends. Silent and kind.

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Michael Mohr

‘Sincere American Writing’

https://michaelmohr.substack.com/

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Lots of great wisdom in that Orwell post, Michael. I keep my book close at hand, too. I don't know why I bother to neatly shelve them, I'm always pulling them off again. I like to "sample" books when I'm in need of inspiration.

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Ha!! Yes precisely!!!

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Thanks, Kathy. Sorry to have missed you at West Cork-we left the week you got there. Looking forward to a workshop!

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Aw, shoot. That would have been great. It's so beautiful, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by, Annie!

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