YOU MAY NOT SEE THE INVISIBLE,
YOU MAY NOT FEEL THE INTANGIBLE,
AND YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE IN ACHIEVING THE IMPOSSIBLE.
BUT I DO.
THE FUTURE WHICH IS INVISIBLE, IS VISIBLE.
IT CAN BE FELT.
IT IS REAL.THE IMPOSSIBLE IS ONLY IMPOSSIBLE, UNTIL YOU ACHIEVE IT.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Write, Author, Storyteller
There has always been a belief that when I write, I offer people the perspective of my thoughts, views and how I see things.
There are writers who are journalists in the true sense of the word where they record events as they unfold or have already unfolded.
Then, there are the investigative journalist types, more commonly known as reporters. Clark Kent and Lois Lang of “Superman” come to mind. – They investigate for big scoops in news. They investigate “teaspoon” size scoops, too. It depends on the experience, the tip off contacts they have, and how desperate they are for what they may deem as newsworthy.
There are many other types of writers. The question you might ask is, “Where do you (meaning me) fit in to all this?”
I have not figured that out yet. I take keyboard typing and thumping as to computer screen, pen to paper, an artist paint brush to canvas, a figure skater to skating rink…. you get the drift.
I believe that each time I start writing a piece, I have a blank canvas where a few things come to play:
My dreamer mind – This is where everything flows, randomly – words, pictures, scenes of the past and that has yet to happen (the future).
My thinking hat – I try to rationalize things and facts and put them into perspective.
What should I write today? -There are times where I just have everything thought up in almost an instant and have an essay up in no time. Or, I am inspired to write up a quote. My writings are based on what I would like to share with people. Just like the artists as they splash paint on canvas and picture a painting. The same goes with music composers. They come up with something they want to share with the world, and the world adopts it. Take Trio’s “Da Da Da”. It hit the Top 40s.
What people want me to write – Wow! I am indeed, honoured. The confidence the readers and followers (bless their hearts) of Leatherpotato.com have, have offered and suggested topics that I should write about. The spectrum is so wide and far-reaching, that I don’t know where to start. Many of these are excellent suggestions. I have taken note of them. Interesting. I need to get into the groove of a subject. Yes, I have to get into that subject and feel its vibes. It has to stimulate the senses. Then, work on its potential.
One of these readers is my close friend and La Salle school, Klang (1) classmate, Mohan Singh. He gave me an idea of what my next book should be about. The angle he thought I should work from is very interesting. Food for thought.
I love to write. I still remember the time in 1967, when I was in my Standard Three (Year 3) B classroom, situated on the floor above then tuck shop (canteen) of La Salle School, P. J. (2) My table was by the window. Standard 3 was the afternoon session. I used to often look (more like stare) out the window and dream. While watching the current primary school being built. Most of the time, I would dream of what I would like to be when I grew up. Being a writer was not one of them.😏
My writing is as simplified as possible so that it can be easily understood. Then, when you look at one of Picasso’s paintings, you began to question the meaning of the word “simplicity”.🤔
Dreaming should be a subject major. I highly recommend it. It’s fun.
NOTES:
1. Klang is a city in the west of the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
2. Petaling Jaya or P.J. as it is more commonly known as, is more a suburb city in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.
THE BEST SOUCE OF MOTIVATION IS FROM ME.
1% COMES FROM ANYONE OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN ME.
99% COMES FROM WITHIN ME.
I KNOW I CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING I WANT IN LIFE
IF I WANT TO.
IT IS TOTALLY UP TO ME.
WHILE IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A WILL TO SUCCEED, IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO PREPARE.
I AM A DREAMER WITH AN ATTITUDE. I SEE A CERTAIN LIFE FOR MYSELF AND I WON’T STOP UNTIL I GET IT.
~ ALAN IAN ATKINSON
Writer, Author, Storyteller
maybe…
One of the most innovative inventions of our time must be the camera. Here, “our time” would be taken to mean that we get to use this invention when we are here and alive.
In 1816, Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce invented the first photographic camera. (1) Think of it. We don’t just get up one morning and say to ourselves, “Today, I think I am going to invent something. Hmmmnn. What shall I invent?” And in Joseph Niépce’s life, “I think I want to invent an image capturing device. I will call it a camera. “Today, the camera comes in all shapes and sizes and used for almost everything. Yet, it does not seem to have even scratched the surface of its full potential.
How many of us think that we aren’t smart (enough) to invent something. Yet, many inventions are by accident or a stroke of luck. A good example is “velcro”. George de Mestral was a Swiss electrical engineer who invented the hook and loop fastener which he named Velcro.
Story has it that de Mestral’s clothing became entangled in a patch of burrs and, this led him to wonder what made it stick. Years of research followed, and in 1948 he invented Velcro. (1)
Back to the camera. As I move closer to having my first book published, I have to create a recognizable “writer’s image”. The word “closer” here, is not so much as the distance between one object to another. Here, “closer” is in relation to time.
Funny how that is happening when a deadline has not been set. However, I am mentally preparing to meet a deadline, even though one has not been set. I am already visualising the next two books to be out in less than two years. But first, the first book.
I just realised that at any time, I always have three cameras with me. The most used camera is my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which is more than just a decent camera. Rated as the best smartphone camera (and still is amongst the best) when it launched. The next camera is the one that comes with my Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold 5. It is right that amongst the best.
Then, I have the Insta 360 Go3 Action camera. It is so small, I thought it can do anything. It can. I just have not made the time to really use it.
All these cameras are helps towards the writing bit. So, I am well equipped as you can see. I take pictures of what I see and tell write about them.
Readers will read the books, articles, essays, stories from the writers. They will know what flows from the pen, computer keyboards, etc that comes from the mind of the writer, the creator. This means that the writer is always behind the pen; as an artist behind a paintbrush, which he “tells his story on canvas”.
While grabbing a fast dinner, I fooled around with the camera. I thought the background setting was just right – grey, red and black. I had my newest hat, a flat cap, (which is the lightest hat I have), on. As my mind wandered, I started shooting. It is absolutely fascinating to think that what the mind can think, we can conceive, make it happen…that is if we put our mind to it. Is the writer an inventor?
NOTES
1. A camera is an optical device that captures pictures that can be kept internally, sent to another place, or both. These visuals might be simple photos or moving images like videos or movies. vedantu.com
2. The name “velcro” – is a combination of ”velvet” and ”crochet,” the French word for hook It is made of two strips of nylon. On one strip is a pile made of tiny loops. The facing strip is covered with tiny nylon hooks. When pressed together the strips adhere, but they can easily be peeled apart and put together again. de Mestral eventually sold the world license for Velcro and lived on royalties and profits from his Swiss factory. nytimes.com