LittleHelen

PJ Ryan ♥

Nicole, I have watched your writing improve astoundingly since I have been peeking at you on redbubble. Obviously you have always been a classy writer. Do you credit redbubble for giving you the courage perhaps other sites haven’t?

I first began writing poetry at 13 years old. I’d been through a lot of trauma and tragedy and i wish i could remember the first piece of writing i ever did. I do have a book of some of those poems because a friend asked for all of my poetry and she wrote it out in her beautiful hand writing and presented it to me in a gorgeous hard bound book. She wrote something inspirational for me in the front and wished me on my way creatively. I never really made much of an effort with my writing although i knew i wanted to write forever (and share those words with others).

I knew i had a gift with words and rhythm. I was able to make people feel things deeply and take them on a journey. I found writing to be an incredible release emotionally. I found that my worst experiences helped others too, so sharing my words helped people to relate to their own lives and those around them.

I’ve only just now (since joining RB) began to endeavour to chase my dream a little. Previous to here, only ever submitted a few pieces of writing to poetry.com until they started chasing me down to buy anthologies that i’d been selected for. I never did buy one of those.
Since i’ve been at RB, i’ve had the opportunity to be continually inspired and to grow as a writer. I’m a busy mum to 4 children (yep, count ‘em) and it’s a challenge to be able to write as i want to. I look forward to the time when i can write constantly and concentrate on my novels. I tend to be quite a prolific writer and it’s almost teasing (and very testing sometimes) for me not to be able to sit and write as i want.
I’m a big believer in things ‘happening for a reason’ and there are little steps along the way that i’m jumping on (yes, like a frog on a pond of lilypads).

Do you remember your first encounter with a native on redbubble and what your initial thoughts were?

I was selected to display a piece of writing at Brunswick Street Gallery titled Barefoot alongside other RB artists.
That night, i met my first RB natives including lisag, bellmusker, luckyvegetable, Michael Alesich, Jo O’Brien, Paul Vanzella .. (forgive me if i forget anyone). The timing was impeccable because life had been very secluded for me for a several years following some personal events and the births of my three youngest children. Meeting everyone that night was like walking into a room of old friends. Every Melbourne Writers meet i’ve been to has been a gift to sit around a table with such fabulously creative people and i’ve enjoyed chatting with everyone, including and especially your good and gorgeous self.

An artist who completely overwhelms you?

My watchlist includes so many artists and writers who astound me.

My good friend Aglaiab never ceases to amaze me. Her unique creative expression, process and delivery is awe inspiring.
Jessica Tremp is an artist that i admire greatly. Her ability to deliver so many forms of creative expression is outstanding to me.
Holly Ringland completely captivated me from the first time i read her words. She seems to resonate within me and takes me to a place i’m not in a hurry to leave. Her words literally leave me salivating sometimes, so succulent and filled with delicious aromas and tastes.
The words of Mstrace enthrall me because she is raw, blunt, sensual and shocking. I love all of those things. Her passionate resonates.
bellmusker absolutely floors me. Her worldly words takes me to places i’ve never travelled to and also she returns me to places i have. Her ability to encapsulate senses with sharp eyes and an open mind is a gift i am blessed to view. Paul Compton is one particular artist that completely transports and inspires me. His illustrations are the most sublime, sassy and endearing images.
Two artists and writers I’m currently enjoying viewing are rexinkpen and Biographyofred. Deliriousgirl was one of the first artists i communicated with on RedBubble. DG writes descriptively with a raw, succinct and sensual voice that transports.
I’ve really enjoyed watching LisaG evolve as a writer and her wise words filled with philosophy and yesterdays sometimes brings tears, laughter and plenty of head nodding.
An all time favourite writer of mine is Yasemin Sumner … her fable telling and ability to take me to a vast amount of places is impressive. I think she has a massive future as a succesful writer.

Right. See, i’ve started that damn list. Stopping now, not because i’ve run out of names, but because i could fill pages with artists that overwhelm me in one way or another.

Who, what or where inspires your words?

I write about life; yours, theirs, his, hers, yesterdays and tomorrow.
My own life journey has been a never ending muse .. and those around me .. perhaps someone i don’t know, but i see something in them. I hear words and melodies in music a lot and i’m enjoy that creative process. I can honestly be picking up biscuit crumbs from the floor and start getting words in my head about fragmented pieces of you and life and the carpet fibres and blah blah blah … lol
I don’t hold a pen any more to write pieces .. my hands are damaged (broken bones which has led to arthritis) and so i type everything. The irony of a writer. Ahah. Hmm. Yep. I wonder though how long i will be able to keep typing for. Thankfully i bang it out quickly.

Your ultimate holiday?

I would enjoy a beautiful house by the sea, multi level with fire places and huge glass windows. A big spa bath overflowing with aromatic bubbles, plenty of wine, good food and friends. A place for the kids to run wild with the wind in their hair, salt on their lips and simple days filled with laughter, love and memory making.

Things you treasure most in life?

Truth. Time and space. My husband (who is truly my best friend in this lifetime and probably others) and our incredible children – the most real and prettiest things i’ve ever seen or loved. My friends are really important to me to because i consider them family really. I’m fairly deep.

I have a Cosmo magazine in one hand and an old love letter in the other…I’m offering you one of them…which would you choose and why?

Definately the love letter. No matter whom it belongs to.

Where is Nicole likely to be found chilling?

Chilling? Hmmm haven’t you heard that mothers of 4 children, who try to write books, don’t really get a chance to ‘chill’ … but i totally enjoy spending time in a comfy chair or around a big old wooden table with a bottle of wine (red or white dependent on the season) and a platter of beautiful nibblies including dips, breads, crackers, cheese, twiggy sticks and baby pickled cucumbers. I find writing very thereauputic also and i enjoy having the time to sit and write without interuption. Lots of other ways i can chill .. but it’ll all be in the book :) haha

The name of a song you remember from your childhood?

Shoop, shoop, diddywop, coma coma wang dang? Please tell me someone remembers that!?
Grand Master Flash and the furious five “the message”:http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1579384145

Loved this because it was like poetry.
I was a big Blondie fan. In 1980 i was about 10 years old and loved dancing on my cousins billiard table to “Atomic”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW6OrdLkCLU
From a young age, i enjoyed music that i could sing and dance to. I was always very animated and enjoyed words. I would perform song and dance routines in my lounge room and back yard for my family and friends. I danced from as young as i could stand, my mother enrolled me into dance classes at an early age and so it begun – my love of dance and tunes. I got lost in clubs, festivals and underground raves for a good decade and a half. My husband was a DJ when i met him and his incredible knowledge, appreciation and respect of all music continually fascinates me. I wish that i could sing but it’s not so pretty. I don’t play any instruments, but did strum a guitar for a while. I’d love to play piano or guitar because i want to write songs. Ah, things to do, things to do.

Thank you for the opportunity to blurt a little about myself.
Thank you to RedBubble and to everyone whom is a part of the amazing technicolour rainbow that it is.

Thank you PJ ‘dipped in chocolate’ Ryan ;)

xx

The lock of hair in my heart
pinholes for water
Love me like sludge
Pretty little yesterday machine