The message from this person telling me how the meme made her feel was triggering because I knew my intentions at the time and it did not involve the intention to offend. Sometimes we don’t think about all the angles that our content will be viewed from. Is that our job as artists though?

Let me get one thing straight: I’m an advocate for whatever works. However, after writing my story organically, I was in a state of wonderment over the way the storyline unfolded on its own. It was an enriching experience, and added an extra dimension to my internal writing culture. I could never have imagined devising a plot embedded with such intricacy. You don’t need heightened psychic tendencies to use this approach. It’s about listening to your inner voice and being guided by it.

My reaction to chaos and my sensitivity to it contributes to my individuality. This sensitivity powers my connection to the universe and others, it enhances my ability to empathise, and I ultimately believe that it makes me a better writer, and explains why I am drawn to stories.

Aside from the obvious idea that one should always avoid eating fuzzy-looking fruit, my first life-lesson reminder was: if what you’re putting out is not your best work, and you don’t want to be held accountable for it, then don’t put it out at all. Fruit platters, or artwork, it’s the same principle.

I began to feel frustrated while I was communicating to the attendees. The words in my mind didn't make it out of my head via my mouth eloquently. My hands felt like balloons (Pink Floyd style), awkwardly placed on my body, getting in the way; were they trying to catch my words as they were falling? I don't know. They were a hindrance and I wanted to chop my hands off whenever I spoke.

It was important for me to make the transition to serious writer. I was trying to have a “no matter what” attitude when it came to my writing. Should I have cut myself some slack? Showing up each week — come rain, shine or Christmas — is what I’d expect from a writer who is trying to build and maintain trust with her readers . . .

I had forgotten that it wasn't my awkward public-speaking skills that caused me to succeed in my project. It was my photography; my self-expression and perspective via my creativity. Savour faire wasn't what the director was asking of me. It was my story. They wanted to meet the person behind the voice of the project.

We all have blocks we need to lift, otherwise we remain stuck. We don't grow - as creatives and as people. There is no inspiration to find in stagnation; catalyst thoughts cannot survive there.