Val escapes via Taurus Bull when her barge gets into trouble!
I waved a red rag and she rushed towards my blog ~ here is a cheerful Taurus, and one of the nicest people I've met in cyberspace, the fabulous Val Poore! I first got to know Val after I read her accounts of life on board barge, Watery Ways and Harbour Ways, and her magical book about life in South Africa (you got it - African Ways!). You can read my reviews of all three HERE, all Amazon links included.
Let us moor up here for a while, Val, so you may tell us about being a Taurean writer...
"Taurus the bull. That's quite something to live up to, or rather live with, for as the sign suggests, Taureans are known for being stubborn, intractable and when they've got their heads down and horns out, totally un-extractable too. I am one of these, and a fairly typical example. I seem to have all the 'difficult' characteristics that Taureans are known for to some extent, but I like to think I'm not too impossible or unforgiving...well, at least my sense of humour is in pretty good shape, so I hope that redeems me a bit!"
"That
said, being a Taurean can be very useful as a writer. Because of our
natural persistence, we bulls tend to be pretty determined to finish
what we've started. So, once the first page of a book is down, you can
be pretty sure the Taurean will make it to the last one. I've managed to
complete and publish five books and have nearly finished the sixth, and
that tenacity - or bullish doggedness (metaphorical animal mix
intended) to make it to 'The End' has really helped. It's also helped in
providing the material for my writing in that life has thrown a few
lemons at me and landed me in some curious places - on a remote farm in
Africa and a barge in Rotterdam to name two. The Taurean trait of being
practical and coping really saved me in these situations, and of course
gave me the stories to fill the three memoirs I've written. That and a
well developed sense of the absurd, which I think is quite a Taurean
characteristic too."
"Apart from this, bulls like fine, artistic things in life and good quality too. In writing, this translates to an obsession with getting it right. I'm not saying I always do, or that I'm fault free - far from it, and it can drive me nuts - but I proofread and edit to the point where I end up dreaming of catastrophic disasters involving missing commas, and having - horror of horrors - semi-colon nightmares. But don't worry, I won't bore you with the details...dreams know no boundaries when it comes to either reality or tedium.
All told, though, I'm glad the
astrological gods saw fit to plonk me on earth in May. I rather think
that if I didn't have these bullish traits, life might have steered
(sorry, couldn't resist that one) another, less exciting or creatively
rewarding course for me."
~ Val in the 1960s?? ~
Now, some famous Taurean scribes for Val.....
I couldn't resist this one: Jerome K Jerome, author of one of my favourite books ever... Three Men in a Boat!
.... and another of my favourite authors ever, and a jolly nice Taurus chap, John Boyne. A real 'we are not worthy' ~ if you haven't read him, do!
Coming next: Another luscious Leo!
Previous Posts:
Leo and Aries: Terry Tyler and Julia Proofreader
Pisces: Sacha Black
Scorpio: Jenny Twist
Oh you are just fab, TT! I was so excited about reading this and seeing what you made of it, I even checked in the middle of the night to see if it was up! I love the Jerome K Jerome match. So proud to be in the same space as him and lucky Julia! To meet John Boyne! And yes, I really am a full-on Taurean, except I like to think I left some of that self absorption behind with my adolescence :) Thank you!! As you know, I love these Z Files!!! Xxx
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that's what I do when I have a piece on someone's blog!!! I nearly put it on last night so I could add the link to all the other posts in readiness, but decided to get up early instead! Glad you like it xx
DeleteAnother brilliant Z File! I think we all need to adopt Val's Taurean trait of being determined to finish what we started ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou, a Gemini, finishing everything you start??? Impossible!
DeleteHaha, Shelley, it's stronger than myself. I just missed being Gemini by three days, but there's no doubt about my bullish tendencies :) I have some wonderful Gemini friends, though, so you are a fun and special lot! Thanks!!
DeleteNightmares about semicolons - ha, I hear ya, girlfriend! Lovely to find out more about you, Val.
ReplyDeleteYou too, dear Julia! I have so enjoyed these posts and loved the first one with you. A fabulous concept by TT to find out more about our fellows in the writing field!
DeleteWhat an interesting piece on one of my favourite writers and a lovely person, Val, who I think of as a real friend. You can tell how nice she is from her books, that's what makes the characters so attractive and likeable. What's more I am a Taurus and it's nice to read the positives, as opposed to the negatives (stubborn, tenacious in the face of logic etc). Proud to be a fellow Taurus!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Geoff!
DeleteBless you, Geoff. The negatives are really just the other end of scale of the positives, aren't they? I've really had to learn not to be too stubborn about holding on to my position when logic tells me I'm just wrong…tough stuff, that!
DeleteOh having the trait of finishing what you start is an excellent one to have and knowing nothing about this stuff I'm loving seeing the different personalities and how people think they apply to them - excellent stuff! Keep it coming and it's lovely to read more about you Val :-)
ReplyDeleteLOADS more to come...! :)
DeleteThank you too, Georgia! I've also loved reading about everyone else. Even if you're not into star signs, it's a great idea and so interesting to read more about our Twitter and blogging friends here. Big thumbs up to TT!
DeleteVal, I have often attracted Taureans as close friends. I can definitely see your determination after reading your Ways books. It is clear that you see things through to completion. But, you have one added asset that I don't remember my Taureans friends having and that is your wonderful sense of humor. It truly lightens things as you take life in stride and add that angelic touch! Lynn
ReplyDeleteAh, Lynn, thank you! I was born with a very sensitive funny bone. It doesn't take more than a slight tap on it to make me laugh. It can be a disadvantage at times as I often find things funny that I shouldn't! :)
DeleteKnowing Ms P as well as I do, I can testify to the fact that she is all of the above and more on the positive side of Taurus.. and stubb... er I mean determined ;-) very very determined.
ReplyDeleteHaw haw, Jo. You know me too well. Big *wink* :)
DeleteLoved this Val. Great stuff...
ReplyDelete