Scarlett Van Dijk
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  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Sky Stone Series
    • Map of Branzia
  • Poetry
  • Other Writing
  • Contact Me
  • Other
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    • Links

Guest post: Jan Malique - A Writer's Muse

16/3/2016

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The relationship you have with your Muse can be filled with a bewildering range of emotions, ranging from angst, occasional stupidity (yours, not theirs) to the utterly sublime. The relationship is unique to each writer, much like our human relationships. As with these relationships the participants can take each other for granted, argue, make up and lose touch. It is often complex and can initiate great transformation. If this is rather far fetched for some people, it must be remembered that the Greek Muses were divine in origin and highly revered in the ancient world by artists, philosophers, poets and writers. They inspired, elevating the mundane to greater heights, so allowing the object of their attention to create and manifest works. The essence of their spirit and those of other muses still lives into our present times. This concept is not constrained by either a particular religion or spiritual path. Once could say they are the driving force within our subconscious, a part of Jung’s Collective Unconscious. In the final solution they are not here to write our work for us, we have to do the hard graft. Terrible realisation but unavoidable.

What of my Muse? Please take a seat, this may take some time. I encountered him as a child in the British Museum, London, UK. The Egyptian Rooms were of particular interest, what a civilisation! The animal headed gods of this ancient land were amazing to a child’s eyes. An utterly fantastic place for either child or adult. This fascination with ancient Egypt has remained enduring and unceasing. As for my Muse, this ancient deity seems to have lingered in the shadows for as long as I can remember. Anpu, but more commonly called Anubis is an immensely ancient figure, with more than a hint of shamanic roots. Originally presiding as the Great Lord of the Dead before being supplanted by Osiris. He is also known as Walker between the Worlds, a traveller between different states of consciousness and Initiator. An odd choice you may think but not without significance. Most of my writing has an underlying theme relating to ancient Egyptian and Jungian concepts. Death, transformation, eternity, gnosis. Not your usual light read, but please don’t let me put you off from tackling an emotionally intense story/article. These are the ones that stir and move the reader, you most importantly. 

This relationship hasn’t always been easy, as there have been many periods of wandering alone in the metaphorical desert. There have been occasional sightings of a lone jackal though…Writing had always been a dream of mine, getting published the cherry on top (and not a glacé cherry please). This has happened, with paid and unpaid projects under my belt. The writing is carefully navigated around work commitments but it would be wonderful to break for the open waters. Nothing is ever set in stone though, except if you are incising hieroglyphs on them. Perhaps a discreet petition to His Nibs (my Muse) might initiate a change, positive of course. He is known as Initiator for very good reasons. Initiations can result in profound transformations within the Self, often increasing self-awareness. An essential component of the creative process and life. 

I am constantly refining my writing and use a variety of tools to enable this process:
I manage a Facebook page devoted to ancient Egyptian magic and religion - www.facebook.com/TempleofKhem
I have a blog on Wordpress - 
www.strangegoingsonintheshed.wordpress.com

About Jan Malique

Jan Malique
I am a writer and blogger living in the UK and have spent most of my life exploring the Mysteries, both in a mystical and magical sense and still engaged upon the journey. C G Jung, Joseph Campbell and ancient Egypt have also been significant influences on my work and life. My writing is a consolidation of personal researches; a little idiosyncratic but always a reflection of who I am. Grief and Bereavement support are areas of particular interest to me, engaging my time in a voluntary capacity supporting the bereaved. These themes also colour much of my work. 

I have contributed to various paper and digital publications, including "Invoking the Egyptian Gods" , "Realm of Angels", Liferites and Axis Mundi magazines. ​

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Guest Post: Jenifer Theresa - A Few Helpful Tips

7/3/2016

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Hi everyone and thank you so much Scarlett for inviting me to your blog.

I have been creating stories since I can remember. I’ve had a love and interest in writing as soon as I learned how and as a child I would write my own stories and mini books for friends and family. It is only been in the last few years that I took this journey and really started on my book that I’m in the process of writing currently.

Although I have had no formal training and by no means considered a professional, I do possess a love of literature and the art of writing. I’m excited to be exploring this part of my life. I have a few helpful tips that I use myself. As a rule, I always carry a notebook with pens everywhere that I go. So anytime something comes to mind or I come across anything inspiring, I write it down. Also, by my bedside there is a journal and pencil, so if I get any idea in the night or morning I can simply make note of it.

I believe journal writing is helpful due to the fact that you can get your best ideas for book content through your own journal. I’ve been a part of writing groups and that has helped tremendously throughout this journey.
​
I feel through my journal writing and experiences this year is going to be amazing for my writing career. I’m hopeful that the book I’m working on will be published by the end of this year. I’ve loved helping people all my life, so the book I’m working on if a journey through my life with my experiences and I’m hopeful it will inspire and help others. I wish you success on your own writing journey. Happy writing and thank you all for having me.

About Jenifer Theresa

Jenifer Theresa
Name: Jenifer Theresa

Lives: Georgia with my two dogs Spike and Reeses
​
Work: I work at St. Francis hospital currently. I have always been in the medical field and I’m going back to school for behavior health science and psychology to soon be a life coach and further my career in writing as an aspiring author.

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    A Writer's Tale

    Scarlett Van Dijk

    Writer of young adult, fantasy series, the Sky Stone series, poetry and short stories.
    I hope to update this blog weekly with tips for writers and some personal stories. There will also be guest posts from fellow writers. Stay tuned!


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