In October 2022 I visited Chania with a writing task; to explore identity and learn if I could write about that ...

I was hoping to learn whether or not I have the skills and discipline to write by the time I left Crete in early November 2022.

I uncovered a nervous reticence. I felt overwhelmed by the myriad ways I could tell the story that is the centre of my exploration. And I do not really have the experience to start making judgments about the best way to proceed.

I actually did sit down and stare at a keyboard every day. But I was stunningly unproductive. Every starting point I dreamt of the night before had disappeared or seemed a foolish or frivolous indulgence rather than something worthwhile. I'd get great ideas whilst out walking. But then forget them all as I stumbled back from the hills -this next photo by Hugh Bryan sums it all up really.

I really did not know how to become systematic about actually recording ideas and fragments of thought as they occurred. I had the tools for this right there with me - but not yet my process for this.