Here’s the serious, factual bio for Rae:
Rae lives in Perth Western Australia and is a married mother of two adult daughters. Her blog is her hobby, a means to explore creative writing. When brave enough, she wants to dip her toes in the ocean, so to speak—so far, her pinky toe has made it. Her goal is to be worthy of print.
By day, she works as a trainer and assessor, and her work goals are to develop, mentor and support her students.
Her motto is: ‘I have one life to make a difference.’
Now, here’s my version of Rae’s bio:
Rae and I first met when I started blogging back in 2013, and since then, through our shared love of writing and reading, we’ve become firm friends.
I know of few people like Rae. For starters, how many people stop on their way to work to buy a homeless man a toastie and coffee? She’s one of the truly good people on this earth, but she has no idea how good she is. She’s intelligent, generous and courageous. She has boundless energy, can always laugh, and she just accepts everyone as they come. I always feel good after spending time with her, and I think I’ve got the better end of the deal in our friendship. She’s as genuine in person as she comes across online.
You can find Rae at her website, I opened my mouth and it ran away without me (this happens to me, too, Rae—no wonder we’re friends), and on Twitter.
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WHY DO I WRITE?
Why do any of us write? That is a stupid question to myself that I don’t have an answer to.
Do I write for peace of mind, to share a story, or to contain, those voices in my head? To escape into another world, a fantasy? To walk an imaginary life while in someone else’s shoes? Be it the love of language, of reading, or fulfilling a dream, or whether you’re a reader, a writer, or a wannabe, write for the joy it gives you; write for that gift that you have even if you don’t know you have that gift.
Be it the love of language, of reading, or fulfilling a dream, or whether you’re a reader, a writer, or a wannabe, write for the joy it gives you; write for that gift that you have even if you don’t know you have that gift.
You do.
Find Your Tribe
A tribe that won’t judge, assume or laugh at you, but will laugh with you. I have writing fits and starts. Life gets in the way. Prioritise, I hear you holler. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. I have learnt not to be too hard on myself. Stress sometimes takes it toll on my confidence. I worry that I’m wasting my time, but what the hell? I’m writing for me first—those thoughts calm the quakes in my body. Of course, knowing if I’m any good would make my heart sing. My mentor tells me to just write. That I can do.
Ruby
Ruby’s story will not let leave me alone. Often when walking or alone, Ruby talks to me. Sometimes we argue. Conversations that we have between us are laughable. Observers probably think I’m mad—perhaps I am. I wonder where she will go, how will she escape from where I’ve placed her. In danger, in love, her fierceness troubles me. She’s ruthless, or is she ruthlessness enough? She is plotting to murder someone. She’s an introvert and here I worry that those who don’t truly understand introverts won’t get it. Ruby is the silent, but deadly type. Am I asking too much of her?
What have I learnt so far?
Attend workshops and surround myself with like-minded people. That makes my soul do a happy dance. As does falling into my story.
Do I doubt that I can write? HELL YES!
Do I fear being laughed at and talked about? HELL YES!
Have I got a thick skin? HELL NO!
Would I do it all over again? HELL YES!
Life is too short so they say. Follow your dreams they encourage. Take every opportunity that floats your way, and most important of all: find someone who believes in you.
Rae x
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If you’d like to write an essay for Writers in the Attic, you can contact me here. I’m booked until May, so you have plenty of time to write something! I love reading the essays I’m sent, so please don’t be scared to take the plunge.
600-1000 words is a good length, and all I ask is that the topic is writing related—anything to do with your writing life or what writing means to you.
I acknowledge the time and effort involved in writing these pieces and send a small gift as a thank you.
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NEWSLETTER
I finally found time to write a newsletter and sent it out last week, so click the link if you missed it. Amongst other things, it has news about my novel—it now has a title!
Louisa Lawson (yes, the suffragette and mother of Henry) comes and chats to me about my current novel. I declare it normal.
Haha! I think every novelist would consider it abnormal if their characters didn’t chat to them. I’d certainly miss mine. x
Does it matter that she wasn’t in the novel until she came calling and pointed out why she’d make a great addition? Still normal, right?
Totally normal! If anyone tells you differently, sit them down with Louisa and she’ll set them straight. 🙂
She so would. Talk about a firecracker. Can’t believe there aren’t more books dedicated to Louisa Lawson. What an amazing woman.
She sounds amazing! I don’t remember reading anything about her at all, but you’ve piqued my interest …
So timely! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us Rae and for the inspiration to simply keep on writing!
I’m glad you found Rae’s words inspiring, Susan. They’re a good reminder for all of us to keep writing, and never, ever give up! 🙂
Thank you so much Susan x
I’m so intrigued by Ruby. I hope we all get to read about her one day, Rae! All the very best with your writing 🙂
Thanks for posting Louise!
Thank you Louise, I am about to start the third draft of my measly 19 thousand words. I think I am a procrastinator, I just want to get it right xxx
I hope we get to meet Ruby between the pages of a book one day, too, Fi. 🙂
I adore Rae and agree with everything you said about her. Ruby will make a great protagonist one day I’m sure. Good luck and keep working on her, Rae xxx
Thank you Michelle for all of your encouragement and support. You girls are making me blush xxx
We’re Rae groupies! We’ll be the first in the queue at the book signing. 🙂
Love the title of your blog, Rae, and the freedom to write for the hell of it, into all those as yet unknown places and characters like Ruby. Good to meet you here.
Hello Elisabeth and thank you. You to x
I love the blog title, too, and believe that uncontrollable mouths are so surprising and such fun! 🙂
A lovely positive post, Rae, and a nice reminder that we write, first and foremost, for the love of it. And I love how Ruby ‘talks’ to you – a sign you’ve really connected with the character – bet her story will be fantastic!
Hello Helen, thank you. I hope so xxx
Hi Rae – you’re very welcome xx
I love that Ruby chats to, Rae, too—some characters are like that, aren’t they? You’re right about this being a timely reminder as to why we write—what would be the point if we didn’t love it?
Thanks for visiting, Helen. 🙂
Thanks, Louise – sorry I’ve been ‘away’ for a little while. Loved this post xx
And yes, some characters are definitely like that! 😁
Glad you enjoyed this, Helen! 🙂
I love it, Rae. I feel so very glad that we’ve met in person as well as in the cyber world, and I agree with Louise – you always make me smile.
Hi Lily, thank you. I’m glad we have met to. It makes a difference when you can not only put a face to a name but a personality as well. I love to read and hear how you are coming along in leaps and bounds with your writing. I hope cow town is treating you well xxx
I forgot that you two have met! How lovely to reconnect! 🙂
Can’t wait to meet Ruby, Rae. You are truly an inspiration xx
I want to meet her more than ever now, too, Joyce! I can already see there’s going to be quite a queue at the book-signing! 🙂
Great post. I’ve “known” Rae for a few years now through blogging and have always loved her writing. I love her final line – Take every opportunity that floats your way, and most important of all: find someone who believes in you.
There’s so much wisdom in this piece, so many lines worth remembering. That last line is a favourite of mine, too—we just need one person who believes in us and then we can survive anything. Thanks for visiting, Jill. 🙂
Stunning – your words and that photo! Love it all. Love this series, Lou. I am so envious of your WA writer tribe. You are so lucky.
It’s a beautiful photo, and so are the words. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series, Jenn, as I’m so proud to be its host! We are a tight bunch over here in the West—you’ll have to make your way over here and join us … 😉
Oh Rae, you are a dichotomy! Fiesty, yet sensitive. Certain, yet prepared to reconsider. Dedicated, yet realistic. You are all of us Rae. Thanks for making me feel normal, even if it’s just for a little while. Mxxx
Rae’s post has obviously resonated with people, and I think you’ve hit the nail on the head as to why, M. Each of us carries an identical-but-polar-opposite twin inside of us—we’re all living, breathing paradoxes.
Yes, I think I must agree, Louise. A great way of describing one of the many alternate selves we (I) seem to harbour within. 🙂
Makes life exciting, doesn’t it?! 😉
I agree Rae is one of the truly good people on this earth..in fact, I think you both are!
Rae I’m sure you will see your story in print one day x
Glad you agree, Kristy, and I’m sure we’ll see Rae’s book on the shelves one day! 🙂