Introducing Ta Hiron

An Interview and Guest Post

Hello, my friends. Today, we have an interview and guest post from a fellow Substack writer I met through

Beth Kempton

’s Book Proposal Masterclass I took earlier this year. Please welcome

Ta Hiron

, who writes Notes my heart wrote.

Ta loves the idea of exploring a map to life, an idea that inspires her writing. She is a mother of two young children, aged four and five, and lives in Tasmania, Australia, where she loves hiking with her family and friends. She is penning her first book in which she will explore our relationship with love, life and self. I hope you will enjoy getting to know her and that you will check out her page.

The Interview

How long have you considered yourself a writer, when did you start, and what keeps you motivated to keep at it? 

As a child and into my teens, I immersed myself in collecting quotes and writing poems as a way of processing many emotions. I even wrote prose and circulated it amongst my friends! Somehow, I moved away from it for a decade. It is a long story, but I found my way back when I began my life-meaning search.

In reading your Substack newsletter, it appears that you have traveled quite a bit in your life. What was your favorite destination and how did it change you?

I love a lot about Japan and the Japanese, but Cambodia has to come close. Cambodia spoke to me in so many ways on a very deep level that lifted a curtain on life and our relationship with life's meaning. This was such a strong connection that I am still writing about it today, almost a decade later, as I still work through and try to understand the wisdom those temples left with me.

Where do you want to go next? 

If I could pick anywhere it would be Italy to rent a house in the countryside for a few weeks.

Can you share about any of your current or upcoming publications or writing projects? 

I am distilling all my life lessons and thoughts on love and self into a book. It is about life, love and self, that takes place as I travel to Cambodia, Japan and Nepal.

Other than writing, do you have any hobbies that fill your soul? 

I love reading and journalling in more of a productive, note-taking sense. 

What is the biggest goal you have in life -- you know, the one that is so huge you are afraid to say it out loud? 

To have a book published. I am ready to shout it now; it has been ten years in refinement, and I know it is time.

Do you have a favorite memoir you think everyone should read? 

I couldn't name one single memoir, prescriptively. But I have just finished Finding Hildasay by Christian Lewis and The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, both to better inform my writing about travel and self-reflection, and they were both amazing. It isn't a memoir, but if I did recommend a book, it would be Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. 

Do you waste much time, and if so, what do you waste it on? If not, please tell the rest of us how you avoid such nonsense. 

I have two children, ages four and five. I waste time staring out the window when I should be writing because I get so tired. I have little time to myself, so I try to make the most of it, but often, I am unproductive. Parenthood is wonderful, but it is almost all-consuming. 

Who are your two or three all-time favorite writers? 

Nikki Gemmell was my first love. I love her use of language and her Australian edge. I have all of Brene Brown's books and love the different angles she tackles things. I loved Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic and listening to her speak. Creatively, I highly recommend Austin Kleon's books and Substack. And of course, Beth Kempton's work is nourishing.

Your about section of Notes My Heart Wrote discusses at one point reducing your possessions down to five boxes to move to Tasmania, and you've been published in Minimalism Life's newsletter. Do you still consider yourself a minimalist? 

In my heart I desire minimalism greatly. In my daily life now, I have had to surrender to lots of children's toys. My husband and I are on the same page with less but the children are not and it is half their home. As much as I would like to reduce their toys down it isn't my choice, I can only ask they keep things tidy.

How does minimalism inform your writing?

The less I have distracting me, as every physical or digital thing does, the better focused I am on my writing.

Is there an area of your life that minimalism is particularly challenging? Do you have a certain category of belonging that tries to multiply in your cupboard (like black leggings, new notebooks, or more coffee mugs)? 

What has been challenging is the constant change that becoming a mother has brought. For about five years, my body constantly changed from growing babies to birthing and feeding them to recovering. That was long enough to find a way to be ok with not being able to have a simple wardrobe. So I am still trying to find the new normal in me. Also my house has all the accessories for children, but I do love it when we can move past a needed accessory, like when they were tall enough to sit in the table's chair, and we could move on the high chair - yay!

You seem to have been on a quest for meaning for some time. When do you first remember feeling this yearning, and what do you think inspired it? 

I think it began in trying to make sense of love in the wake of my parents divorce. It revealed to me that love isn't enough because they were better off apart. Then realising how fickle the emotion of love is, in how you can love someone but that doesn't mean they will love you. Isn't that a bit tricky and heartbreaking? It got me feeling down about all the hurt that love can cause and wondering how I was going to live with love. This got me then thinking about life's meaning, and it has simply gone from there, wondering about these big parts of life that really are the world inside of us.

What is your idea of a perfect day? 

I have various different ones. A perfect day is taking my children on a hike and sharing that love for the outdoors and bushwalking with them. But it is also a day for me to write and explore my ideas. It is also a day on holiday in a new country, learning about other people and their life.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Notebooks. I love quality notebooks and pens and journalling stationary and stickers...

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

I don't have one, but I come back to people who are kind. People like Gandhi, Jesus and Mother Teresa always inspire me because the one thing everyone needs more of is kindness. We have so much love to give, but oddly, we hold back sometimes for reasons we don't understand. I see things that confuse me, like when people don't approach others with love, but I simply come back to a reminder that my best way forward is with kindness and love.  

On that note, I’m pleased to share a piece that Ta wrote a couple months ago. Enjoy!

The handwritten lyrics of Bowie, Cobain and Lennon and the 5 reasons we love a peak inside another's notebook

as well as the sole reason we deeply crave the handwritten

By

Ta Hiron

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for ‘A Day in the Life’ sold for $1.2 million in 2010

In an era dominated by digital communication, handwritten notes have begun becoming more of an art form. They pull us in with curiosity about what is worthy of taking the time to handwrite it, even if it is from fifty years ago. Today, I marvel at handwritten lyrics that encapsulate the raw creativity and emotion of their creators.

Lennon's distinctive scrawl was often accompanied by doodles reflecting his playful yet profound approach to songwriting. Whether penning anthems of peace and love or introspective ballads of personal struggle, Lennon's handwritten lyrics encapsulate the spirit of an era and continue to inspire. My kids sure love the catchy, easy-listening sound of The Beatles, particularly requesting Here Comes the Sun on road trips.

‘Lucy in the Sky’ lyrics and drawing

Kurt Cobain left behind a legacy of handwritten lyrics that resonate with raw emotion and gritty honesty. Cobain's scribbles on torn pages and napkins capture what has proven to be the timeless angst of youth and provide a haunting glimpse into the inner workings of his troubled soul. From the haunting strains of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to the melancholic introspection of "Lithium," Cobain's handwritten lyrics serve as a poignant reminder of his enduring influence on alternative music.

Kurt Cobain’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’

David Bowie, known for his chameleonic persona and groundbreaking music, often penned in a flurry of inspiration. His lyrics offer a glimpse into the evolution of his iconic songs. He has lyrics scrawled in the margins of a notebook and meticulously crafted on paper. Bowie's lyrics are infused with layers of meaning and imagination, inviting listeners to delve deeper into his world.

David Bowie’s handwritten lyrics for ‘Ziggy Stardust’

What makes these handwritten pop lyrics particularly fascinating is not just their historical significance but also their tangible connection to the artists themselves. It is in this connection that we salivate.

As we become increasingly disconnected and overstimulated, a glimpse at something like handwritten notes is a thread into a window of a space where someone has taken the time to sit down and do nothing but think. It is along this thread of connection we find a growing hunger to which we can almost smell the contemplative space carved out we crave.

As we marvel over the handwriting of another, we find ourselves receiving;

1. Insight into Creativity: Notebooks often contain sketches, brainstorming sessions, and rough drafts of ideas. By exploring someone else's notebook, we gain insight into their creative process, witnessing how ideas evolve and take shape over time.

2. Authenticity and Vulnerability: Handwritten notes feel personal and authentic, providing a glimpse into the raw, unfiltered thoughts of the creator. Unlike polished final products, notebooks capture moments of vulnerability, doubt, and experimentation. This authenticity resonates with us on a deeper level, fostering a sense of connection and empathy with the creator.

3. Historical and Cultural Significance: Notebooks serve as historical artifacts, offering valuable insights into the cultural context of a particular time and place.

4. Sense of Intimacy: Flipping through someone else's notebook can feel like a privileged glimpse into their private world. We witness the innermost thoughts, dreams, and struggles of the creator. These connect to those deep, unspoken parts of us.

5. Inspiration and Motivation: Seeing the creative process in action can be incredibly inspiring. By observing how others work through challenges, experiment with new ideas, and push the boundaries of their craft, we gain motivation to pursue our own creative endeavours. Notebooks serve as reminders that creativity is a messy, iterative process filled with both triumphs and setbacks.

Our fascination with others' notebooks is rooted in a desire to understand, connect with, and be inspired by the creative journey of life.

Know someone else who loves notebooks? Sharing this post with them will be sure to make their day…