Vibrant Imaginative People

February 2024, Issue No.24

Your VIP Newsletter from Soulla's Writing Room

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Hello my VIP and welcome to your February newsletter!

What's February been like for you? Other than the beautiful day of LOOOVE on the 14th it’s difficult to pinpoint what I’ve been doing through February without looking back on my diary. The month has whizzed by in a cloud of red hearts, red pen and red tape.

Let me explain. You may think that the red hearts have to do with St Valentine’s Day, and of course they do, but also with two fabulously fun, loving and totally heart-warming stories I was interviewed for. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen the reels and posts which highlighted these wonderful articles in Best and Woman's Own.

One interviewed me about the fun side of being a grandma (yiayia) and the other about my own real love story of how I met my partner, Alan.

What would your story tell me about the love in your life?

The red pen, metaphorically speaking, refers to the wonderful editing commissions I have been working on. I am truly grateful to the amazing writers starting on their journeys, working on their first full-length novel or working with me to build a productive and rewarding writing career. Meeting other writers is always a pleasure, and to be able to help them, is the one thing I enjoy about my writing career and where it is leading. Writing is a solitary endeavour, it has to be, but with the connections and relationships built with other authors, it makes it far less lonely.

And the red tape is all the stuff that goes hand-in-hand with GDPR, updating my website and the legal aspects relating to sharing my stories with national and international media. There's a lot of work which goes on behind the scenes and it's something I would not be able to do alone. Luckily I have a brilliant team in the wings who help me when I'm stuck or overwhelmed or just a bit too stupid to work things out for myself!

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What's the va-va-voom in your VIBRANT?

One of the biggest things having an impact on how vibrant I feel is following one of the most popular styles of fasting: 16/8 intermittent fasting. It’s been a seamless and easy, convenient, and sustainable way for me to not only lose weight but improve my overall health.

I have, in the main, been hiding from winter by snuggling in front of the TV, reading or getting cosy in front of our fire. Hot mugs of steaming tea have been accompanied by snacks, lots of them, so the 16/8 fasting regime has given me a focus and a strict framework to curb my cravings and snacking. I'm in my third week and I am beginning to feel the benefits.

I've included a link here but I am NOT a health professional and nor am I advising any of you to do this, but it is working for me and fits in well with my working life and daily routines. Please do your due diligence before changing your diet and always check with your GP or nutritionist if in any doubt.

And the other thing bringing some va-va voom and making life more vibrant are the first purple popping crocuses on my lawn. What first signs of spring are you noticing?

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Imaginative Scribbles of Sir Quentin Blake

There’s nothing quite like art pushing our imaginations and getting us to think about what we can create when we put our minds to it.

I recently visited the Quentin Blake Exhibition, Arc Gallery, Cromwell Place and was fascinated by how incredibly detailed the images made with scribble marks appeared when you studied them.

Do you appreciate art? What sort of art do you like to go and look at?

People Who Write...

This month's PEOPLE focus is on Eva Asprakis, an author. Eva was raised in South London by her American mother and Cypriot stepfather, who subsequently adopted her. She now lives in Nicosia, Cyprus, with her partner, and is the author of two contemporary fiction novels. Her work explores themes of immigration and identity, as well as sexual politics and complex family relationships.

I have read her debut novel, Love and Only Water, after we connected on Instagram (@evaasprakis) and I am looking forward to reading her next one, Thirty-eight Days of Rain, which is already receiving some wonderful reviews.

I asked Eva about the inspiration for her most recent book and she shared this with me:

‘Last May, I suffered a missed abortion due to complications with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Prior to that, three doctors had told me that I would never conceive. As a writer, I tend to process emotions through my work. This was how I coped in the weeks following my pregnancy loss, when my partner and I were forced apart due to visa restrictions. We could not grieve together, and so I channelled my feelings into writing a contemporary novel, inspired by our journey from accepting that we would never conceive, to conceiving and losing a child after all.’ She says that, ‘This is a story that I hope will make other women feel seen.’

I hope that you will be inspired to read Eva’s books and that they will give you a new or different perspective on some of life’s most challenging experiences.

Have you read a book which has helped to heal you? Have you written a book which has healed you?

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So, I will leave you with these final thoughts...

Healing, loving, enjoying life... it's all about balance, acceptance and growing into the people we are meant to be. I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and look forward to your messages. Sharing our stories is a beautiful way to make new friends and meaningful connections.

Looking forward to hearing from you, lots of love always

Soulla xxx

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