When I was a teenager I loved to draw. I spent most of my lunch breaks at school drawing, mostly copying pictures from anime and comics, but that helped me get a basic knowledge of what to do and I did my own stuff too. I also used to write stories, though no one was EVER allowed to read them. Then between the ages of 17 and 20 something happened I’d rather not talk about and I pretty much stopped all that. I guess I got out of practice, and was far too critical of myself and found the antidepressants I was on made my hands tremble, so I stopped drawing all together. And that’s kind of been a theme. Same with the digital photo manipulation, my life went haywire for a while and I’ve found it hard to get started again.
Then I started working behind the bar at work. It’s amazing what serving beer can do for you! For the first time in years I feel creative.
Firstly I have found a new self confidence. I never would have seen myself in a job so closely interacting with people a few years back. I haven’t mastered the art of small talk yet, but I find myself chatting to strangers, something that used to terrify me. Finally people are not scary! Well, yes, they are but I can ignore it and deal with them anyway.
And I’m guessing the new self confidence has awakened the creative part of me again. I have an idea for a story bouncing round my head, that I came up with on a very slow shift whilst washing glasses. It revolves around a pub, and is probably a bit Ashes to Ashes meets Neil Gaiman, but I may just write it. I’d go into details but I’m always worried if it IS a good idea someone will pinch it before I do something with it 
And I want to draw! And photomanip! And oh my gosh I’ve not felt like this in years…
Now I just have to find the time.
