Spinning my wheels in space
trying to do everything at once
Thoughts race
Make them stop
Part of me just wants to stare
and think
and marinate
*It’s the day after. We had a massive workshop yesterday. A masterclass in writing. It felt like that, perhaps due to our excellent presenter Vicki Bennet. Vicki has a way of appearing calm, composed and warm whilst imparting a tonne of information. How she teaches means that every morsel drips into the brain. There is no waste.
I am still downloading
Which is what she said would happen. Vicki also suggested we go home and marinate in it all. A term which I love though I may be more of a percolator than a marinator.
I met a large group of other passionate writers. It was a heavenly way to spend the day.
I came home inspired
If you are reading my writing on Substack. Which I admit has been a strange little conversation in order to get my brain thinking about other opportunities in how I might use this platform, I wanted to let you know it is changing.
For the newer followers of this blog, in 2020, when the world went into lockdown and I couldn’t travel anywhere – I decided to write an online magazine called Audacity. Through Audacity, I interviewed many interesting characters, mostly creative types, writers, bloggers, poets, painters, photographers, sculpters, entrepreneurs, and other inspirational people. You can find links to the issues on my home page.
After five issues and six months, I decided that was enough. Audacity had turned into a beast that consumed far more energy than I had available to write within the 30-day timeline afforded each copy. I gave up my beloved publication and thought that was the end. The amount of time and energy I put into the magazine could never repay me in anything other than the joy of creating it. Unfortunately, that is not enough justification to write it when it took me away from my work and life, which did pay and was enriching and fulfilling on another level.
But this morning, I suddenly thought I could write a couple of pages or interviews (beginning with one) each week and put it behind a paywall. That way I would get a small return (a very small return) for my time, and Audacity and its wonderful characters and information could live on.
It’s okay for creative types in the city, but in the bush, we can be few and far between.
Anyway, that is the thought that is circling like a persistent mosquito. I don’t know if anyone would pay to read about other people or not. The huge popularity of Audacity was the ease with which it could be shared with no walls or barriers, where people had to swipe a card or enter details. That’s why it grew so fast, I’m sure. But with substack you just sign up once, and then the email is delivered to your inbox once a week.
I have learned a great deal through the experience of Audacity. The greatest lesson was that we should not give our energy away for free. I do that here on the blog and always will, but on substack, the opportunity exists to do things differently.
A very persistent mostquito.
Let me know in the comments if you would like to see it rise again, and if you would like to share your book and the story of why you wrote it, where your inspiration comes from, that sort of thing or email me at kate@athousandbitsofpaper.com and if I get enough interest, I’ll begin publishing again.
Here is to inspiration and the people that deliver it to us and others. It really does make the world go around.
Mine anyway π

Thanks sharing your words of the West. Anita
I’m a percolator too, Kate. I understand the excitement, and the nonstop thoughts, returning from such a fantastic experience with other writers. I remember well when Audacity was born. What a year. The issues were beautiful-I was so proud of you. Re: return investment–I often think of that. When I set out to write my little children’s book, it was my goal that I would have some return. I did for a while. Between January and May of last year, I visited over 350 students with my book. Schools were being “booked.” The cancer diagnosis changed everything. Forgive me for not knowing anything about Substack. Kate, I’m so far “behind”. I feel like I’m in 3rd grade, re-learning the writing process! I have a creative side; however, my inconsistent life impacts my writing. This morning I awoke with such lofty goals. Unexpected visitors (family even) showed up. I go with the flow as putting up “boundaries” has not been easy for me. I vote for following your heart and publishing on whatever platform “feeds” you the best. I’m a “hit and miss” on visiting you, and I apologize for that. I would not be consistent although my heart and soul are cheering you on! And I would revisit when I could as the magazine was not just aesthetically pleasing; it was heartwarming, motivational, and a joy to read! I KNEW and could SEE how much effort was put into each issue! I met such incredible people! I’m proud of you, Kate. The mosquito buzzes around my head here too. Just know I’m sending support, love, hugs, and many wishes and words of support! Sign me up (or I guess I’ll do the enrolling, lol) with Substack and I’ll do my best to support! πππ€π
Karla your comments always leaving me searching for a reply that does justice to the fullness in my heart that reading them invokes.
I don’t think I can.
You are the most beautiful human, I hope someday I meet you in person.
Love Kate β£οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Kate, once again I understand you so much. I feel that way after reading you. I just get you! You get me. Your words touch my heart so much. Iβve often imagined us being closer together and having adventures, walks, tea, coffee, laughs, tears,β¦it encourages me more than you know! Much love my soul friend. πππ
On that would be lovely -feels impossible at the
Moment but then, not as impossible as 2020 so there’s that π
Yes!! πππ