PORTRAITS AND TALES OF THE GREEN WOMAN

 

Indeed I'm one of the Green Women writers contributing to Brian Froud's fabulous (in every sense of the word) book. My piece is an eerie little fairy tale that's likely to lead to my being NEVER asked to babysit small children. (Is it my fault fairies steal children and drown them? Is it? Up the airy mountain, down the rushy glen ...) The book is out in October of this year with Abrams NY. They published my 4-book series The Chronicles of Faerie with gorgeous shimmery covers, in hardcover and paperback. I love Brian Froud's work and I've got lots on my bookshelves. Also admire Wendy Froud and the other writers who contributed, many of whom I know and have met over the years. #BrianFroud #WendyFroud #Faerie #Fairies 

THE DEEP ROAD TO SANTIAGO

DONE! FINALIZADA! My travel memoir about walking the Camino de Santiago completed at last! It's written in the Japanese style of haibun - lyrical passages of prose accompanied by haiku - specifically designed by its creator, Matsuo Basho, the father of haiku, to write of his walking pilgrimages around 17th century Japan. My title is homage to his most famous haibun OKU NO HOSOMICHI (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). 

"Their journeying is life, their journeying is home." 

#CaminoSantiago #pilgrimage #haibun #Basho #Travel #Memoir 

 

SOLSTICE BLESSINGS

Written by dear friend Stacey Walsh, a young woman with an old soul who co-founded the Phoenix Healing Centre, County Carlow, Ireland with her husband Ger. You'll find more of her writing here: 
 https://phoenixhealing.substack.com/p/i-carry-the-forest-in-my-breath. 

I am indeed coming out of the darkness after a serious health problem and much pain here at the end of the year. But the light is dawning and I will soon be back to finishing my new book. I also have a piece in a wonderful fairy book coming out in 2026 with Abrams NY who published my Chronicles of Faerie. More about that in good time (it's all hush hush for now). 

Meanwhile brushing up on my Spanish as it's my granddaughter's first language (family lives in Spain) while learning Mandarin at Trinity College, Dublin (Japanese last year) and continuing to translate Dante on social media, after moving from TwitterX'd to Bluesky. Lots of languages swirling around in my head! 

#languages #solstice #writing #healing #alternativetherapies #therapy

ART, GARDENING & DECOLONISATION

Finally got to the "Composting Colonialism: Towards the Radical Garden" exhibition in the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, Co. Wicklow. The group exhibition includes work in various media by Irish, Spanish and British artists. "Imbued with notions of displacement, class, exile, invasion, appropriation, theft and hunger, the history of gardening and horticulture on the island of Ireland and beyond contains the very recipe of colonisation, from the plantations of both people and forests to the introduction of monoculture food and cash crops." Here are two installations I particularly liked: Siobhan McGibbon's MAKING ODD: A GOAT, A BEE, A PSYLLID, FUNGUS, KNOTWEED AND ME (stitched shibori, Japanese knotweed, nettle and montbretia plant dye, thistle, Old Man's Beard, ground elder, cotton, latex, unreal clay) and Elida Maiques' BIOMULCH JACKET (SEEDED), agricultural fabric, open-pollinated Irish and naturalised seeds, plant-dyed wool yarn, hemp thread, wooden hanger, paper and watercolour. You can see the wonderful rest of them up to October 4, this week. #Irishart #Wicklow #colonisation #radicalgardening

FINALLY BACK TO WORK ON NEW BOOK

 After my year-long immersion in XR/immersive tech, I've returned to the book I put aside to play with AI, VR, AR, and film/audio/video game technology. (There'll be a screenplay using that experience which you'll hear about in time.) To get myself back into traditional writing mode and mood, I went off to a longstanding favourite place, a Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre in County Cavan: www.jampaling.org. I couldn't access my WIFI there so it's no surprise I got the first thirty (30!!!) chapters of the last draft done. Working away now at home, I'll be finished THE DEEP ROAD TO SANTIAGO by the end of June. More about the book anon. #writing #pilgrimage #haibun

 

Beautiful Poems in English and Irish

 

Turas Filíochta, A Poetic Journey (MH Press, 2024) Beautifully illustrated bilingual volume celebrating Northern Irish poet Pádraic Fiacc. 36 poems with Irish translations by 17 prominent Gaeilgach poets cover themes from landscape to birds, ancient tales to local histories (urban & rural) and, of course, the Troubles. "A voice for those muted by trauma and fear," writes artist Michael McKernon in the Preface. For Fiacc's genius weaves darkness into gold. "I am the blackbird of the ruined nest who rings." His translators include filmmakers, musicians, teachers, museum keepers and broadcasters from across Ireland. Reading the poems aloud in both languages helped me savour the beauty of word and the power of message. Some are as gentle as a lullaby. "Silvering/Our interrupted sleep." "Ag airgeadú/Suan atá suaite." Others are cold and cutting. "We all/Go down the road now sharp and small/As razor blades …" "Sinne uilig/Ag dul aníos an bhóthar anois, géar agus beag/Mar lain rásúir … [parentheses by the poet]. The notes at the end are a wonderful addition.  #poetry #Ireland #Irishpoets

JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY

Continuing my love for all things Japanese, I attended a workshop on Saturday facilitated by Azumi Uchitani - www.azumiuchitani.com - where we learned to write/draw/brush stroke the kanji NAGARE meaning "flow". (It is also the kanji for RYU meaning "prosperous", "dragon", "noble" when used as a name.) She led us through a group meditation and then the making of each stroke, first in the air by hand, then on plain paper and thin rice paper, and finally on cotton stationery. The gold kanji is the sensei's work. #Japan #JapaninIreland

 

 

OUT WITH TWITTERX'D, IN WITH BLUESKY

I have been meaning to delete my TwitterX'd account for some time now and finally got my act together to do it! Despite many happy years and friendships forged - before Elon Musk - I can no longer continue to support its toxic presence in the social media world. Out with the old and in with the new, this is my account on Buesky: @ormelling.bsky.social. If you're on there, let me know and I will follow you back. ##Bluesky #X #Twitter  (Photo: Warner Bros)

NIGHTLAND - Japanese Journal of Fantasy Literature

Received my complimentary copies of this fabulous journal about fantasy and fantasy authors. I was interviewed by one of their writers in Tokyo, during my speaking tour of Japan in May of this year. That "O.R. etc" on the lefthand side is me. I cannot read the article yet as I've only begun to study kana or Japanese script including hiragana, katakana (for foreign words and names) and kanji. But I can tell you that it includes first-time translation into Japanese of the early chapters of my most recent book PEOPLE OF THE GREAT JOURNEY, a work of magic realism for adult readers (offered free in PDF on my website). Yes there are fairies in the book but also a lot of intense and painful subject matter not appropriate for younger readers. 

 

IADT/CREATIVE FUTURES ACADEMY INTERVIEW

I was interviewed recently for a promo video about the Certificate in Immersive Storytelling course at Ireland's national college of technology and design IADT (Institute of Art, Design and Technology). A micro credit course that introduced me to the wonderful world of XRimmersive and AI tech. A new way to tell stories! Ideal for my cosmic sci fi tale dealing with our planetary climate crisis. Short version posted on LinkedIn and TwitterX. Longer version on CFA course page. #XR #Immersive #creativetechnology 

     

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF JAPAN

 My accommodation in Tokyo was the glorious International House of Japan in Roppongi which provided a spacious room with large desk, shelves, Wifi. and Japanese screens opening to a balcony. Perfect for working. Breakfast was enjoyed overlooking a Zen Garden in which I could walk day or night. And the tea lounge and lobby were used to hold meetings and interviews. It was also within minutes of a walk to a Metro subway, Shinto shrine, vast bookstore, cafes, shopping plaza, Asahi TV ... #Japan #writingcommunity #speakingtour 

THE MAGIC OF JAPAN

Whether it's the landscape or the people, Japan is truly magical. Met a Faerie king at one of my readings - Itabashi Library in Tokyo.Tadgh (stage name @bardoffairyhill on TwitterX) is a Celtic storyteller, speaks Irish, plays the lyre and has visited Ireland several times. As for Fujisan (the sacred mountain of Fuji) it is a dream to see, an aisling vision. #Ireland #Japan #IrelandinJapan #writingcommunity

JAPAN MAY 2024

 

Hit the ground running in Japan. Left Ireland May 1st in the morning and arrived in Tokyo May 2nd in the evening. Shinjuku-Goen National Gardens, Meiji Shrine and Omoide Yokocho ("Piss Alley") with pals first met in Outer Mongolia, taste of Shibuya with Irish poet, professor & haikuist Andrew FitzSimons, thrilling 4-hour deep dive into Kabuki and 2-hour spiritual experience with Noh, train to Yamanashi Prefectural Library in Kofu to see exhibition of Nishina Sachiko, one of my readers who grew up to be an artist. The library featured both our books. Lunch and visit to Yumeya "Dream Bookstore". #Japan #writingcommunity

TALK AT WASEDA UNVERSITY, JAPAN, MAY 2024

 We're drawing near to my speaking and research tour of Japan. Getting very excited. This is the latest flyer promoting my talk (front and back). Waseda is the university from which Haruki Murakami - one of my favourite authors  - graduated, and many of his characters also. #Japan #writingcommunity #cultureireann #cultureireland

  

TALK AT MEIJI UNIVERSITY, JAPAN

 

Flyer announcing my talk at Meiji 

University, May 14, 2024. It's 

getting nearer! Dashing about with 

last-minute preparations. I'll be doing 

some research as well as my talks on 

haiku, haibun and Kabuki Theatre. 

#Ireland #Japan #speakingtour

SPEAKING TOUR JAPAN, MAY 2024

It's getting nearer! My presentation is all green and gold, how Irish can ye get. The maps in my Japanese translations are, of course, in Japanese script and there will some in my text slides also: 日々旅にして、旅を栖とす "their journey is life, their journey is home" (Matsuo Basho, Oku no Hosomichi). Also some Irish: Is an turas i n-ailithre é an saol "life is a journey through a foreign land" (ancient Irish poem). And I'll be blathering away in three languages. #nihongo #gaeilge #Japan #Ireland  

  

JAPANESE SPEAKING TOUR, MAY 2024

Flyer for my talk at the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo. I'll be giving a PowerPoint presentation with lovely images of Ireland and some of Canada too! The 7 editions translated into Japanese by Kodansha Publishers are The Druid's Tune, The Singing Stone and the 4 books of The Chronicles of Faerie series - The Hunter's Moon, The Summer King, The Light-Bearer's Daughter and The Book of Dreams (in 2 volumes). My books include Irish, Canadian and American characters and are set chiefly in Ireland but with Canadian mythology and magic highlighted in The Book of Dreams. I'll be in Japan to give talks but I'll also be doing research on haiku and haibun and the use of creative technology in Kabuki theatre. As I'm there a whole month, I'll do a spot of travelling and sight-seeing as well, lucky me! Working away on learning Japanese. The 3 scripts are difficult - hiragana, katakana and kanji - but otherwise I'd say it's easier than Irish. #Japanese #Japan #Ireland #Canada #nihongo *Supported by Cultúr Eireann/Culture Ireland*
 

Living in the Metaverse

This is my new home environment whenever I put on my VR headset and where I spend time in between exploring worlds and apps. I can move around in my space station apartment, sitting or standing. Recently spent some time relaxing on the sofa watching 3D TV on a big screen. Then I headed off to VR Animation to join a wild quantum race that dashed through dimensions. After linking my whatsapp to my headset, I was able to share photos I took with my Oculus camera. #Metaverse #VR #XR #Creativetechnology

 

RENDR FESTIVAL 2024, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

 It was a deep dive into gaming, animation, AI, XR/immersive tech and more, including a networking meet-up hosted by WiiT (Women in Immersive Tech) Europe, open to all.  As well as international speakers on two main stages, there were art installations and gaming arcades (indie and giants). Got AI'd by AIAIAI.AI: The Forgettable Art Machine by Amsterdam artist Matthias Oostrik. Stayed with a Fulbright Scholar pal in the Seamus Heaney Centre and wound up giving a talk on AI/XR/immersive tech to her 3rd year creative writing class at Queen's University. 

XR IMMERSIVE WORKSHOP IN GALWAY

Really looking forward to this workshop in Galway on Monday. I've been upskilling the past year into creative technology and loving every minute of it. XR (Extended Reality) tech is that magic door into other worlds that I've been searching for since childhood. In my Oculus headset I've been around the world and back again from a forest in Borneo (where I went once upon a time in real life, upriver in a longboat) to a fiery volcano in Iceland to a mountain Tibetan monastery in Sikkim to a boat upriver in China ... Also enjoying VR animation for stunning artistic work by visual artists and art studios. And the immersive experience of Anne Frank's house and the one on Martin Luther King ...