Paint me like one of your Dutch girls
Something a bit different
Last summer, I joined a writing workshop that
ran. I’d been following her work for a while and decided to give it a go. I hadn’t done anything like it before and in all honesty, found it quite scary. Joining a call with other people made me feel nervous that I wouldn’t be good enough. That everyone else would have a wealth of writing experience I didn’t. That perhaps in some ways, I didn’t deserve to be there. But I loved it from start to finish and got so much out of the time. I wrote about that here. I’ve often returned to the exercises we did. I wrote about that here too. I’m a creature of structure and the rigidity of having ways to pursue writing even during the moments I’ve struggled has been so helpful. Like having trusty stabilisers on a rickety old little bike.One of the exercises was to write freely, taking inspiration from a photograph or image, making up a narrative as you go along. I’ve decided to try it on for size again, to push the boundaries a little, and exercise some more creativity. The last few weeks of writing for me have felt positive, which has been welcomed with open arms after months of having not a lot to say.
I didn’t want to spend too much time on the photo I chose. The main thought I had was that it could be interesting to reinterpret something classic. So I went for Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. I’ve felt a bit unwell this week (sympathy always welcome) so I don’t think it’s the most outstanding thing I’ve ever written. But I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll keep saying it that Drafting is the space to try and fail. A slap on the wrists for berating myself.
Shit I think I left the oven on. I was in such a rush this morning. Why do I always snooze my alarm 17 times? I didn’t even have time to do my hair properly after my shower. Thank fuck he wanted me to wear it wrapped up in a headscarf. I’m going straight to dinner from here this evening though. Don’t even want to think about the mess I’m going to have to deal with under here. Obviously will be shoving it up in a slick back bun. Chic.
Can’t believe I had to bleach my eyebrows for this. That fad was over before it had even begun and there’s absolutely a reason for that, Johannes. I’ve been sitting for weeks and would probably have made more money if I’d got a pound for every unsolicited comment, remark or joke than I’m meeting for this. I really needed the cash. I tried SeekingArrangement but got bored of all the admin after a day. Even signed up to OnlyFans as well but cringed at the idea of promoting it. I found an ad for this in the back of a crinkled Metro on the tube. Fuck it, I thought.
I do hate sitting still. I think my eye is twitching. My leg itches behind my knee and I don’t think in my whole entire life I’ve ever had the urge to itch in this very place until right in this moment. Do you think he’ll notice? Maybe I can scratch it against the chair a little. I’m also starving. I grabbed a banana as I was rushing out the door but it’s done absolutely nothing and I’m ravenous. We don’t stop for a break for another 2 hours. I’m wasting away.
The studio smells so bad. I think it used to be a pub and despite the fact it was converted years ago the stench of beer and ale has seeped into the floorboards permanently it seems. Is it weird that it kind of makes me want a cigarette?
God I hope I get to keep the earrings.
LOVED THIS.