I am just over two weeks into Crowd funding campaign to raise funds to publish Into the Light. 40% raised. Thank you!
It has been a journey of excitement,
apprehension, kindness from friends and strangers. Well wishes and nerve
wrecking daily checking if I am getting anywhere near reaching the target.
Either way, Into the Light will be
published, preferably through ‘crowd funding’, alternatively through a loan
from the credit union.
Of course there was a lot of time spend on
this adventures weeks before the launch of the campaign. What to put up as
rewards, updating website, where to put what information, video to make, which media routes to
take, filling in the Fund It application... Media man Brendan did most of this,
but I had to be, and was, involved in every step along the way.
I had totally
underestimated the amount of work involved, and how it all would affect my
wellbeing. I was a ‘little’ overwhelmed by it all, but slowly finding my feet
and trust again.
And there is the other ‘issue’ of putting
yourself out there with one’s work. It can be a very vulnerable position to be
in. I create for myself - for my own ‘sanity’ in a way - a reason to get up for in the morning. What
others think of it is secondary.
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| Into the Light book in a box © Corina Duyn 2015 |
My usual creative route is to make whatever
I am making. May it be my sculptures, my tapestries, or books. I might write a
little about it on my blog, but the real
thing, the finished work, only makes it way ‘out there’ when I am finished with
it. The journey of creation is finished. It is ready to be ‘born’ and to take
its place in the world.
This time round, my project is ‘out there’
while still on its creative journey.
The book is very close to completion. I
have just a few pages to edit. The boxes have been designed and are ready to be
made. The printer and printing paper have been decided upon.
Is it more vulnerable to be out there with
an almost finished product than with a finished one? Perhaps not. There is
always that stage of vulnerability about your work. Do others like it, will they
love it, will they understand it, will it only be of use to myself…?
But then, I think back on all the amazing
kindness and support I have received along this two-year adventure. And the many
years before that of living, reading, note taking, thinking and creating. But
two years from the very first mind-map about Into the Light, during a residency at Annaghmakerrig.
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| sample page from Into the Light © Corina Duyn 2015 |
The writing has seen many an incarnation
along the way. Many! (see previous 'Into the Light' blogs)
They changed from long essays to these short observations now in the book. Some of the changes were dictated by my physical wellbeing which had deteriorated a little along the way. I became unable to write for longer than 20 minutes on the computer. Writing essays, broken up in short writing sessions does not really work.
They changed from long essays to these short observations now in the book. Some of the changes were dictated by my physical wellbeing which had deteriorated a little along the way. I became unable to write for longer than 20 minutes on the computer. Writing essays, broken up in short writing sessions does not really work.
I was close to giving up on the project,
but a stay at Dechen Shying Care Centre at Dzogchen Beara centre in West Cork last
summer, made me realize, again, that fewer words could tell a much clearer
story. Prayer flags bellowing over the courtyards, made me think of short
observations on loose sheets. This way I became able to work on one sheet at
the time. The task suddenly was less daunting. It became manageable. And FUN! And was a way to use my art as illustrations, as well as many of the nature photographs so dear to me.
One year on, and I find myself on the next
junction of my journey, inviting the public to join me. Inviting them to help
me to bring the book ‘into the light’ as it were. To bring the story of life’s challenges,
out of the darkness. My story was shared on radio programs, and in newspapers.
All a little scary! Maybe ‘little’ is an understatement…?
Into
the Light is out there, because of the goodness I
have received along the way, from friends, organizations, family, and strangers
only know to me because of the power of the Internet, and as a result of this
project.
My heart felt thanks to you all!
Corina
Of course, if you’d like to join me and
others on this adventure, please see my web-page or crowd funding page: fundit.ie
