A little bit of news...
There have been word clouds brewing in my sky for some months now that I’ve been impatiently waiting for to burst so I can run out and meet them, these big fat plump clouds, and stomp in their puddles pooled around my toes, squelching and plodding in their absolute joy…
I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I never have been. However, at Christmas time last year, something wild and hungry in me started to stir amidst the warm awakening of new beginnings and slowly, like watching a sign come into view, I started to see that my red-heeled shoes had arrived at an unignorable opportunity. Declaring 2009 my Year of Yes, I decided to gather up my butterfly net, my corkboard and magnifying glass and pin down my biggest dream of immersing myself in a life of writing. Then I figured that if I was going that far, to quit my job and life as I know it to pursue this dream, I might as well make the most of it and throw in another long-time yearning; to make the most of my UK heritage and live in England (I’ve never been to the UK or Europe before). You know, two birds with one stone sort of thing. So, while at home with my folks during the silly season at the end of last year, I set to work on my pursuit of the unimaginable – I began applying to England’s top universities to become a 2009 postgrad Masters student of Creative Writing.
Applying was a massive process – taking on not only the requirements of the universities but also the UK visa office required many patient friends and many late nights of hot chocolates and No Doz study habits from my undergrad student days. I had to compile a writing portfolio of varying lengths and styles, a ‘Statement of Purpose’ essay, a comprehensive resume, my education qualifications, extensive job references and writing references. After turning my mother’s house inside out, I found I was able to gather together everything except writing references – I was stumped. And I was trembling in my boots about the dishwater results of my Bachelor degree transcripts – all of the Masters courses I was looking into generally required Honours marks in an undergraduate field of study. I undertook my BA when I was in my late teens and not a unique story, it was a pretty troubled time for me. Unfortunately this was sharply reflected in average results across my degree with the occasional spattering of high distinctions in (funnily enough) my writing subjects. So, I didn’t have a writing reference and I didn’t have the marks on paper that the unversities I’d set my gaze on demanded I have before even thinking about applying. Nevertheless, the wild hunger persisted and the only place I could think of to go was the place that had snowballed my writing development and confidence in the previous year: Red Bubble.
Without knowing her all that well at the time, the first person I went to was the stellar Bellmusker – a writer of such calibre that very rarely will she not steal your breath from your lungs with her words. Within a few bmails, Bell had fed the wildness and hunger in me. I was replete, stuffed and so full of self-belief and determination that there wasn’t any room for doubt. Bell, for the woman and person and writer you are, thank you for helping me to achieve what I have. Not only did Bell write me the most humbling brilliant and sincere reference of my writing ability to these universities, but she single-handedly completely convinced me that my writing portfolio would overshadow all bureaucratic educational requirements and my words would stand on their own (quivering-with-nerves) feet.
And what do you know… eeeeek… they did!
When I began to receive responses to my applications requesting interviews (one unversity blanket-accepted me without interview on the merit of my writing portfolio) I started to feel the air shift and change and the atmosphere electrify; the calm before the storm clouds were brewing. LIfe began to feel impossibly insatiable. I couldn’t sit still. In my sleep, the shape of my dreams started to solidify under my fingertips, the colour and fragrance of my words on paper woke me in the middle of the night, my mouth smarting with the taste of ink. The phone interviews across the hands of clocks and the waves of seven seas left me sleepless and giddy. The wait for outcomes was interminable… but finally, finally... the emails came…
It is sheer pleasure…to…type…these…words… after weighty decision-making (Oxford was in the mix), I have accepted an unconditional offer of study and will be a 2009 student of the University of Manchester’s Master of Creative Writing program. I will be studying under such novelists as Martin Amis and MJ Hyland and will be living on campus! I leave Australia in a few weeks and still, despite all the little bruised stars on my skin from all the pinching I’ve been doing, I can’t believe this opportunity is mine. The countdown is on!
In the lead up to my depature and to kick-start celebrations, I recently took a drive north to sugar cane country where the whispers of my family tree catch on the country breeze and settle at the feet of my grandmother’s kitchen table. Over pots of tea leaves that left tannin sketches at the bottom of every cup, I listened to stories of the women whose footsteps I walk in, who have always whispered stories in my ear.
L-R: my grandmother, with her mother and her sister – a rare afternoon of shenanigans amidst post-war life.
I learned the secrets of my grandmother’s stew and scone recipes, held my breath as she clasped the strand of her oldest pearls around my throat and for most of the week I was with her, sat in awe amidst piles of photographs and hand-bound notebooks learning, as a woman, of my grandmother’s unfulfilled desire to be a writer. Side by side, we spent hours of one honeyed afternoon planting seedlings in her garden that was declared a patch of earth all my own where I will grow under my grandmother’s watchful eye while I’m on the other side of the world, growing word gardens all of my own.
I saw the tethers in her eyes that were tied to my dreams.
As I tore myself away from her to drive home, my grandmother pressed something into my hand and said, a reminder for you, my girl, of who you must always answer to.
So, it was my 29th birthday a few days ago. To celebrate the year ahead and the Manchester countdown, my beautiful Libby flew across the country and showered me with almost more love and goodness than I could absorb. She gave me my very own vintage (made in 1963!) writer’s cape (or poncho!?) complete with handmade brooch and arm holes at the front for notebook/keyboard access… my father gave me a Tolkien collection that I will take with me everywhere, my brother (torn between the practicality of a sleeping bag and jewellery) opted for a pair of June Carter-worthy art deco earrings (for my “college life” he said) and my mother gave me a platinum-encased namesake of the one character I have penned who never leaves me and is never far from my thoughts. Next week, I get on a plane to Melbourne to celebrate where this journey of mine all began – amongst the pages and canvasses of this here red bubbly world and all of the shimmery hearts who have let me wriggle on in and dance around madly like no one’s watching. I’m on my way, the fledgling steps of this journey are unravelling…
As artists, we all know how it feels to scratch our creative itch, whatever our addictions may be: words, paint, lenses… light, colours, stanzas or prose. And when we do, when we ride the high of being completely immersed in our raison d’être, there’s nothing better than sharing the elation, nothing better than vicariously feeling the rush of each other’s goodness shivers. I think that’s half the reason we’re all addicted to Red Bubble – the buoying support we give each other in our development as artists. To wrap up this rather long “little bit of news”, can I just say… from the very bottom of my boots and the seat of the tree in my heart… to all of you who have read my work, who have left such inspiring and encouraging feedback, who have made me applaud with glee at the applause you have left me… each and every one of those little morsels of support have fed the wild hunger in me that has gotten me this far, that has my ruby slippers at the threshold of this jump into my Oz, into my writing adventure. It’s enormously surreal and dizzying that it’s actually me who has the news to share with you… And I thank you wholeheartedly.
I can hear the first crack of thunder… the storm’s getting closer, the countdown is on. Won’t you come celebrate and puddle-stomp with me?
x
The University of Manchester campus, Whitworth Building
John Rylands Library: my future uni library – can you believe it?
madworld
Im in my naked feet, I will stamp in the puddles until they turn to mud beneath my toes, the rain will mix with my tears of happiness, I will drink your joy in and howl with sheer delight. God shit!! I am so happy for you, you so deserve this break…when Ive calmed down I will write to you, proper words..xxx I feel overwhelmed for you, can you believe it!!
Holly Ringland replied
so here i am trace, at home for a quiet saturday night in, sipping at pots of peppermint tea and rubbing my feet together in woolly felt pixie slippers. it’s so peaceful, i can hear the clock ticking and can hear the ocean a few blocks away. however this all changes when i come back to look at my bubble after posting my journal and read your response – i’ve let out a few raucous yelps of gleeful laughter at the hilarity and warmth of your beautiful comment – thank you so very much. i certainly can’t believe it… thank you for puddle stomping with me and howling with me at the glorious fabulous rain! bless you and your naked feet, i think god shit!!! is going to be my new favourite exclamation of overwhelmed happiness xxx
John Robb
Oh how wonderfully wonderful is that!!!
I’m so happy for you I’ll dance a little dance of happiness. :-)
Holly Ringland replied
oh isn’t it! SO wonderfully wonderful john!!! thank you so much for your little happy dance of happiness… i’ve done quite the little jig myself :) see you soon!
bellmusker
Baby, I’m pulling on my gumboots right now, and will go running out to dance in the storm and stomp in the puddles with you. I couldn’t be prouder of who you are and where you’re headed, and to know I played a part in that makes me more delighted than I could possibly express. I’m so, so happy that you’ve posted this, and I know the RB community will want to celebrate this journey with you. Now sit back in your glorious cape, run a finger over that stunning pearl ring, and watch what happens next. All the love in the world to you – we’ll celebrate in style when you land back ‘home’ in Melbourne on Wednesday!! x x x x
Holly Ringland replied
well honey, nothing makes me feel quite the way your belief in me does. you keep my step sure, my spine straight and my sights set on staying in pursuit of what i’m slowly realising is very shortly going to be my reality and not the foggy stitches of a one-day dream. what a storm we will dance up under my storm clouds, that you have been so elemental in helping me brew. thank you my girl of bells. thank you so dearly for everything. i can’t tell you how much i can’t wait for the flights between manchester and berlin… for real kriek in brussels… for words and wonder and giggles… that will all begin in a few sleeps time! xxx
AFogArty
Fantastic news Holly, well done, a fantastic reward for a fantastic mind.
Holly Ringland replied
thank you so much, i’m all blushy and giddy, thank you so very very much for your kind words. they mean a great deal to me.
sandraellen
Holly, you are such an expressive, gifted writer …this is ‘meant to be stuff’ ...i am so thrilled for you.
Have the best, learn the most, enjoy the wonder and write on!
Much love to you, thankyou for the support you generously sprinkled on me.
sandra xx
Holly Ringland replied
sandra! what a gorgeous warm kind thing to say, thank you so much for sharing in this with me – this is genuinely, most sincerely the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and has happened mainly in part to the confidence and belief i’ve developed in my writing through my interaction with the red bubble community. much love to you, thank you for your everpresent warmth and encouragement – i will most definitely write on! stay tuned for future adventures! xxx
Leith O'Malley
My mouth is also smarting with the taste of ink (great line Holly!).
So much so that I have to wisk off a quick congrats.
You legend Holly.
That issuch fantastic, deserving news and I’m so pleased. Keep us all in your thoughts and words and may the bards watch safely over you.
A red umbrella for the city of George Best my friend.. I’m so envious!
So much good news happening around these redbubblers lately.. exciting times :)
Holly Ringland replied
O’MALLEY! you’re so lovely. thank you so very much, i will of course keep you all in my thoughts and words and will not at all be leaving the bubble behind but rather taking you all with me on my travels and adventures that are yet to unravel and transpire. may the bards watch safely over me indeed, i will certainly cheers to that. a red umbrella – how’d you know? i would not have any other shade sheltering me from the gritty cold gray days that will be the kindling for my words and imagination. wholehearted thanks for your effervescent support o’malley, it is always treasured.
roybarry
Brilliant, brilliant news-one of RB’s finest, venturing north to the city of rain!!
Holly Ringland replied
thank you dearly roy! the city of rain – YES! for a girl from the aussie tropics and desert and equal shares of sunshine and warmth in between, i am possibly the most surprised by how much i am looking forward to the northwest rain of lancashire and all the enchantment that will come with it – for while i’m an utter glutton for sun, i can’t deny how much my muse and her words love the rain. i lived in the pacific northwest of the US for a year a few years ago and loved the gloomy rainy days… go figure… i can’t wait to get back to them… and wearing gumboots as everyday shoes! one of RB’s finest... good golly, that makes me wriggly with glee – thanks so very very much.
girlinthestars
congratulations holly, what a fantastic, inspiring journey you have started on… just lovely!
Holly Ringland replied
oh, thank you so much amy. these first few steps are wobbly and overwhelming but so entirely incredibly saturatingly satisfying. i don’t think i’ve ever felt more alive and it’s so intense and wonderful and completely exhausting – and it’s only the very very beginning! i really appreciate your lovely warm words, they mean so much… and i thank you, thank you, thank you.
Shoaib .
wow .. this is absolutely awesome… please accept my sincerely congratulations I’m sure you will do some great work
Holly Ringland replied
hey shoaib, thanks so very much. i don’t mind if i do – most humbly and gratefully accept your sincere congratulations :) ‘tis a little awesome, isn’t it? goodness, i certainly hope i produce great stuff! my knees wobble at the thought! thank you for the warmth of your words.
lianne
Dearest Holly –
What delicious, deliriously joyous news. I am just so overjoyed for you – but then, there was never really any doubt in my mind from the moment you mentioned this “dream” some time ago that it would come to fruition. You are without question the most gifted writer I have ever encountered – each piece you write moves me so deeply that I can feel its power in my toes, in my belly doing little flip-flops that are almost sexual in their desire to touch and taste and crawl under the skin of what you’ve written. I savor the tartness or the sweetness of it, feel the coolness or the heat of it, feed my eyes with the dark and the light and the color of it – and though momentarily sated, I constantly hunger for more, for another, for one more incredibly beautiful piece from the gifted Ms. Ringland. Holly – I am ever so happy for you but I have two requests – first, don’t let them change you too much (no fitting you into a conventional box, eh?) and secondly, please do continue to share at least some of what you are writing with those of us here who will be starving for another entree. Congratulations from the deepest well of my heart, Holly – tears of joy run down my face, but my toes are tapping out a bit of a jig!! Richly deserved my dear and most beloved Holly.
Holly Ringland replied
well, i don’t need to wait for the clouds to break now lianne as it appears i have singlehandedly created my own salty rain puddles to stomp in… this is what your support reduces me to every single time you have ever responded to my work. you honestly leave me completely speechless, i just don’t know how to tell you what an enormous part you’ve played in me sucking in my breath and getting up enough determination to believe in myself and my writing since i joined the bubble 18 months ago. thank you so very much. you make me smile – i can easily promise to meet your two requests you sweetheart. conventional boxes and cages have no place in my world (i repel from them in polar opposite magnetic proportions) and it will be one of the great pleasures on my life abroad to share my adventures and words that grow there with you. i sincerely and humbly thank you wholeheartedly for the incredible love and warmth your words are, and always have been, saturated in. i feel all too unique and special to be the recipient.
roybarry
And Holly-you are going to be about 60 minutes drive from the Cave i live in- I feel some collaborative shennanigans in planning!
Holly Ringland replied
collaborative shenanigans?!? count me in roy! although, i’m not sure how enamored i am by this “cave” you live in?
hehehe… this made me laugh out loud.
oneperfectkiss
Oh Holly darling….I am so, so, SO happy for you. You are one of the few writers that make my heart stop and my everything fill with undiluted emotion…..this such wonderful news!! I just know that you are going to be famous!! xxxx
Holly Ringland replied
jane… ohhhhh jane. i remember the bmail you sent me months and months ago that knocked the breath out of me, telling me how much you loved my words and what reading my work to meant to you. i remember i just about fell off my writing chair. so it is i, who thank you, so so so so much for every last detail you’ve soaked into yourself from wringing out my words the way you do when you read them. i couldn’t ask for more and am never unaffected by how it feels to know how you have felt my words. so thank you, thank you, thank you.
aglaia b
amazing dreams coming true
so beautiful are you, your words and stories.
the most lovely feeling i just got reading this holly.
i wish you all the best in your new adventures.
congratulations
damn!!!! how magnificent does that library look? ;
) xox) xoxpommy accents, especially on a male, are so hot! hehe ;
Holly Ringland replied
golly aglaia. i’m all melty now. i’ve gathered up your words, dusted them in sugar, and popped them in a little keepsake tin tucked away the way i used to hide boiled lollies my grandfather would sneak me. except i devour these words, the warmth and goodness they’re soaked in, and i thank you so very very much for your support and kindness. and seriously, shall we take a moment to pause and reflect on the actual magnificence of the library?!? i’m completely besotted with it – it was built by ryland’s widow after his death (john rylands was the richest man for a time in manchester) and had an architectual theme of gothic romance. urban legend has it that hitler was so taken aback by the library’s magnificence, he ordered that it not be bombed and instead moved brick by brick by berlin. fortunately, he topped himself before that happened. it’s the uk’s largest library and can’t believe it’s where i’m going to be permitted, welcomed to spend my days writing and studying! i had to giggle to myself when i got a recent email from student services telling me what i need to do to get my library card – i had to resist the urge to write back and just make sure that this is infact the library they’re talking about that my student library card is going to give me access to :) and as for pommy accents… when i swan around with the sillies putting on my best pom voice, everyone keeps telling me i’ll have picked it up in a week! big love xoxoxo
LindaR
Dearest Holly ~ my heart and eyes are full ~ mostly because I am so moved by your first steps in fulfilling your dream ~ celebrating your joy & achievement in beginning this journey, with muddle puddle splashes and loud whoops of joyful glee!!
Hear the secret of what I have learned in my 50 years of growing and learning, dearest Holly, what I believe with my whole heart most of all about me ~ as you learn and grow under these fine arches ~ and out in the open air of being in the world ~ you will come to know, what I and so many here have known all along…you have everything you yearn and wish for inside of you. So as you grow and learn, remember those red shoes were made for walking your way in this world, but also a reminder, in a click or two…you are already home, you already own all your wishes and rainbows, dreams come true ~ all inside of you! All that is left is to simply express, word for word, in your own unique and divine way that you do.
Don’t ever forget to remain true to you…listen and learn from others, drink up the ways that feed you and enlighten, inspire & teach you to grow to be more YOU…and then, with an arch of your brow, let rest scatter like the crows, keep the gin & tonics coming, and know…we love the pieces of your heart the very best xxx
Holly Ringland replied
so linda, after careful consideration, i think the only way i can respond here is to tell you that i’ve knotted your words together in strands of ribbons and bells that i will thread through my hair and wind around my wrists and ankles and wear… to be reminded of your wise whispers that i hear and will take heed of. the pleasure has been all mine, every time you’ve read my work and left a comment behind for me to find and discover and experience what it feels like to be a writer and to be read by someone in the world who feels that my words matter, outside of my own mind, outside of my imagination. how can i thank you for that? i don’t know, i’m at a complete loss… other than to tell you what a part you’ve played in my words unravelling and my spine straightening. thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lisa Jewell
Oh yes I’m crying….tears of sheer unadulterated delight. I can’t express in words LOL (how hopeless from a person who loves to write)…how happy I am for you. To say you deserve this opportunity is an understatement. You have worked very hard at your art; you have loved your art into a higher place. My god that library is amazing. I think I’d take a sleeping bag and just camp out hehe.
I shall express my love and thoughts in a hug when I see you soon.
Much Love xxx
Holly Ringland replied
oh darling… i’m going to hug the living daylights out of you when i see you. thank you so much for sharing in this with me. sleeping bags?!? hmmm… i’ll scope it out and let you know. it may just be pushing things a little far, but with enough exuberance and excitement, my powers of persuasion could be up for taking on university regulations! thank you for your love and thoughts and care, see you soon lovely lady xoxo
natapee
Your happiness was bouncing off this screen and straight into all of our hearts. I’m so pleased that you are chasing your dreams, its so inspiring Holly. Though I haven’t had the chance to meet you, I feel like you’ve shared so much of your soul and dreams, that I just wish that you continue to carry us all on your wings, as you set out to fly way way up high in the clouds. We’ll all be watching : ) Good luck beautiful xx
Holly Ringland replied
thanks so very very much nat. sometimes, you know, i forget that i haven’t met you in skin, so i understand entirely what you mean. i have more than enough room to carry you with me dear girl and through my words, my adventures will be shared, promise xx i value your feedback on my work enormously, it means so much to me. thank you.
fleece
awesome :) so you start in August?
Holly Ringland replied
thanks chris! classes officially start in september but i have much to do before then including a bit of swanning around the globe, you know, as you do :) see you next week sometime round the red bubble hood, i’m sure.
Paul Compton
Holly I am so thrilled I want to explode!!!!!! I’m positively simultaneously combusting!!!! So so so proud of you – you deserve this ever so much and I wish you all the best for the marvelous journey! (I loved that your brother got you art-deco earrings for your new “college life” – genius!)
My love to you always xoxoxoxo
Holly Ringland replied
paul! you are my favourite thing about today – i could hear you in this comment. you always make me feel so completely joyful, it’s this lovely little knack you have. thank you so much sweet boy, for feeling my news so utterly and responding with an appropriate amount of positive simultaneous combustion! i’m rolling around in your pride like a piglet in mud – i’m in melbs next week blossom… do say you’ll be rid of the flu by then and ready for a martini with me? my love to you always xoxo
Robert Knapman
I think I’ve just wet my pants….no that’s the tears of joy cascading down my face…and not stopping. Shine on Holly Ringland…just shine.
Holly Ringland replied
holy heck robert, i just laughed…no, squealed…no, guffawed out loud. this is the best thing i’ve ever heard! here i have been thinking that i’m the only person in the world who gets so happy they could wet their pants but no, here you are in solidarity with me :) thank you so much for all your lovely incredible support. i will do my best to shine, i promise. p.s. thank you thank you thank you so much.
gretchen .
go show them how it’s done gorgeous girl!!! my smile is stretching all the way with you to manchester!!! xox
Holly Ringland replied
oh my little shaktipat rachel gretchen girl… i’m going to give it my best shot! i’ll tie that smile to my index finger and take it with me :) thank you so much for all the times you’ve read my words and been such a strong support. much love xo
ArcadiaTempest
My feet are jumping…. my hands are clapping….I am whistling…..WHAAA HOOOO!!!! Such a fabulous undertaking….All my best wishes to you Holly.XXXX Gosh I am just so thrilled for you. :)))
Holly Ringland replied
oooh karensue, thank you so much… it does warrant a few whaahooos doesn’t it? thanks for sharing in my sillies and happpiness, i will tuck those best wishes into my pocket for safe-keeping. thanks for your kindness and warmth. i do sincerely appreciate it xx
Jess Andrews
Im so unbelievably happy for you xx
Holly Ringland replied
thanks jess! i can’t wait to give you a squeeze on friday, it’s all very exciting, isn’t it? responses that you’ve left on my work have always made me beam and i thank you so so much for that xx
PJ Ryan
oh girl .. where to begin .. i can’t wait to see you this week, i’ve got the biggest hug for you, filled with all the words that i can’t get out … so proud of you, to know you, to love you … i can see you walking down those big hallways (omg would take a frackin look at that building
AAAAAAAGH !) and you’re on your way lovely wordsmith .. big things ahead, big journeys and pieces full of the amazing hollyness..
I’m going to save your birthday hugs for soon .. blush can’t believe i missed it, belated magical wishes to you ..
AND SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL
love, love, love x
Holly Ringland replied
waaaaaaaaaah! nixie! jeeeeeeesus lady, there’s a whole lotta hugging to do. thank you, thank you, thank you… you humble me, you know. omg – look at the frackin’ building indeed – my palms get clammy every time i do! i can’t wait to squeal with you and giggle with you and love you… only four sleeps! thank you beautiful girl… my partner in crime right from day one xoxo
Selkie
I’m stomping in puddles while swinging a bright-pink umbrella around my head, catching pink-champagne raindrops on my tongue, with lots of laughs and selkie-songs on my lips for you, my dear.
I can only add to the squeeeeeeeel! And lots of well-earned hyperbole-n-hugs, all for you!
xoxoxo
z
Holly Ringland replied
well now, what a picture… this ol’ storm dance of mine is turning into quite the extravaganza… YES! thank you so much zo, it’s a real treat to be able to share this ride. do you think if i took myself to the seaside and squealed loud enough, you’d catch it on the other side?? thank you for your enthusiasm and encouragement sweetheart xx
Matt Penfold
Sheesh Holly, even this journal is a bloody masterpiece, I’ve tears in my eyes, There’s much truth in your words: “there’s nothing better than sharing the elation, nothing better than vicariously feeling the rush of each other’s goodness shivers.” I’m so happy for you, your writing really does speak for itself as it has spoken to so many here. I look forward to reading you for a long time to come, good on ya :-)
Holly Ringland replied
oh matt, this comment of yours has made me positively beam. thank you so much for sharing this with me and for the warmth of your very kind words about my writing. thanks ever so much… i’ll do my very best to write things worthy of reading. thanks mate!
Anne van Alkemade
That is absolutely amazing news. Good on you Holly for having the courage of your convictions. This is just fabulous.
Holly Ringland replied
thanks so much anne – i’m channelling my inner lion because, just between you and me, in amongst all the excitement and disbelief and thrill, my knees are knocking wildly with nerves! however… i’m going to give this everything i’ve got, knock-knees and all :) thank you warmly for your very lovely words.
Anne van Alkemade
Knocking knees? Then I am even more in awe of you Holly. That’s what courage is … doing something so significant even though it scares your britches off. LOL. xxx
Holly Ringland replied
scares your britches off...
BRITCHES! god, i love that word! yes anne, you sweet heart, my britches are well and truly scared off but significant this is, so hear me roar and growl and thunder and all other such claims and cliches of bravery and courage :) thank you so very much for these comments of yours, i have a cheshire cat smile painted all about my face xoxoxoxo
Damian
Yes, brilliant news Holls! What an adventure :)
Holly Ringland replied
yes, brilliant news d! i still can’t believe the adventure’s mine, i still feel like i’m talking about myself in third person: ‘have you heard about holls? mmm, going to england to write.’ your support has meant a great deal to me, so big thanks you lovely thing :)
ShadowDancer
Holly, my beautiful poetess friend. Most of us hold within ourselves the memories of when we read our first ‘take-my-breath-away-writing’. For me, there are three moments when I first read a persons writing that I was transcended beyond the limitions within my own life and was taken to another existence in a way I never expected; Anne Sexton, Pablo Neruda, and Holly Ringland. When I read Mariposa (with gluttonous hunger, I might add), I quickly ran to your bubble page and devoured each and every word you had posted. I was dizzy with delight, like a little girl with curls in her hair and a dress made of blue alencon lace, who had just devoured bonbons, biscotti, and mint tea at her first tea party. Over the months, as you have added to your portfolio, my amazement has grown with it. Your pen has a magic to it that lights minds and hearts afire. I knew that your journey was just begining.
I am so proud of you to gather the courage to take such an exciting step which will not only endow your own life with richness, but will do the same for so many that will be graced with your beauteous scribblings. I wish for you the experience of a lifetime in England, that the knowledge of language soaks into your skin and rushes forth with every exhale, and that you attain what you are seeking for your future.
Bon voyage, and don’t forget those of us that have languished over the images, hopes, and dreams that you have posted here. You are a red diamond, rare and shining full of natures beauty.
I bow to you, my sister of the quill. XXXXX
Holly Ringland replied
well peej, darling, this is my fourth attempt to reply to this staggeringly beautiful comment of yours: in each draft so far i’ve sounded like a complete jibbering idiot who can’t string a sentence together in gratitude. so here’s what i really want you to know – how grateful i am for all your incredible, incredible feedback on my work. your responses have driven me time and again to pick up my pen and to pull something apart in my mind until i can see something even in the darkest corner and write about it anyway. rest assured my quill-wielding poetess friend, that there’s not a snowflake’s chance in hell that anyone here will be forgotten or not included in my undoubted future firework-in-a-tin excitement and ponderings about the adventure and challenges that lie ahead. you beautiful girl… thank you for the immense kindness and warmth each of these words of yours are soaked in, i can feel it all.
Cassey
Brilliant news! I’m so happy for you. Congratulations and best wishes.
Holly Ringland replied
thanks ever so much cass, ‘tis the best news i think i’ve ever had to share.
fillette
Holly that is such brilliant news – congratulations. It is apt that you suggest puddle stomping as despite the promise of summer we are shrouded in rain clouds in the UK – but I’m sure you’ll get used to it. Your constant enthusiasm, passion and brilliance on the bubble are such a continual motivation. The halls of manchester will realise their own fortune in finding you I am sure. The way you write not only your prose but your thoughts reaches out to me and inspires me to keep believing that it all can happen.
xx
Holly Ringland replied
my deepest thanks for the loveliness of your comment fillette – i’m quite staggered by your words. you’re so kind… thank you so much. i guess essentially that’s what we’re all on red bubble for – the shared inspiration, motivation and knowledge that helps us to pick another thread and unravel another section of our creativity. thank you for all the encouragement you’ve given me and for sharing your writing with me. i’ve enjoyed so many pieces in your portfolio and genuinely look forward to every time i see your avatar pop up on my monitor with another bundle of your words waiting to be unwrapped. thank you so much for your support. this: The halls of manchester will realise their own fortune in finding you I am sure. made me positively beam xxx
Steph Granshaw
follow your bliss :)
Holly Ringland replied
hey steph, thank you so much – i will do my very best :)
Erin Lyall
Wow, that library is just.. amazing. After reading this journal I’m even more excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about your studies and travels. What could be more inspiring than moving to the other side of the world, living in a hobbit/Jane Austen house and reading in THAT library? It just sounds amazing… I hope you feel better very soon and enjoy the rest of your stay in Melbourne. xo
Holly Ringland replied
hobbit/austen house! yes! hehehe, i actually clapped with glee when i read this comment erin. thanks so much for all the giggles in melbs, i’m so glad i finally got to meet you. it was a genuine pleasure and i had the best time xo
Priscilla Rodr...
what a beautiful success story. good luck ;)
Holly Ringland replied
hi priscilla… thank you for your lovely comment, i appreciate it very much. i’ll take all the luck i can get, thank you :)
seeker19
Just saw this exciting news and I am absolutely thrilled for you!!
Holly Ringland replied
i think this is probably my greatest thrill of all… so i thank you for sharing it with me, dear wordsmith :D
minnow
what an amazing adventure you are off on. i wish you all that you need and more. Bonne chance Holly.
Holly Ringland replied
minnow, you couldn’t wish me more – the beauty of your comment really struck my heart. i appreciate it more than i can say… thank you very very much.
Anni Morris
What a sumptious journey this has been for my eyes tonight, in my little old villa in New Zealand…feasting on your words, it is like a box of exotic truffles; I am helpless to resist the sheer delight and surprise each holds. As I read your words, a different scene is set in my mind, am the observer, the fly on the wall.
My eldest daughter studied creative writing did her Masters at Victoria University in Wellington and is now in Cairns for two weeks attending Interplay a not-for-profit arts organisation committed to the development of young playwrights through process-driven initiatives that connect, nurture and inspire the global playwrights’ community. She is representing New Zealand, born in the UK.
Your work is a joy to read. I wish you well on your journey. ~ regards Anni :))
Holly Ringland replied
hello anni… what a gorgeous treat this comment of your has been for my eyes tonight, curled up in london town en route to Manchester… exotic truffle words… how you compliment me so with your kindness. thank you so much. and thank you for sharing tales of your daughter, who’s own journey completely inspires. thank you for reading my work, for finding joy in do so and for being so entirely kind and supportive. i tuck your well wishes into my travelling shoes and will wear them under every step.