Say Yes to Adventure
After great success with my last fundraising effort selling tea towels and prints to all my amazing friends (and friends of friends), I have been wracking my brain about what I could do next. When someone asks me what my dream job would be, it's always the same - 'to design and edit a sports-based magazine'. So bugger it, time to stop beating around the bush just do it. And just like that 'Say Yes to Adventure' was born!
Since beginning my blog, I have met and been inspired by so many people, all with their own amazing stories. I've decided to pull a few of these together in a beautiful magazine, in the hope that it will act as a tool to keep inspiring others to get outdoors and keep saying YES to adventure.
I’m searching for stories from every type of adventurer, stories that capture everything that is awesome, challenging and emotional about exploring the outdoors. Personal stories that will give a glimpse into the life of the contributor. Whether it's a story, an image(s) or an illustration, this is a fantastic opportunity to see your work in print. Contributions can take any form: poems, features, interviews, recipes, illustrations, photo essays… the more creative, the better. Macro to micro, the other side of the world or your own backyard, the sky is the limit (or even further if you’re Richard Branson, bags not going on that first flight!).
While doing some brainstorming for this project, someone asked me to define the word ‘adventure’. Adventure can mean a whole range of things; one person’s idea can be so different from the next. That’s the central concept of this magazine – to offer a vast range of perspectives based around a common theme.
Why adventure? I was extremely fortunate growing up, having oodles of outdoor space in which to play, ponies to ride and was continually encouraged to give everything a go. Technology hardly featured, the TV wasn’t allowed to be turned on until 6pm, in time for the News (which may explain my secret love for Coro Street), but it was never an issue as we would much rather be outside anyway. I remember one school holidays Mum offered to take us to Christchurch to the go to the movies (Jurassic Park – all the cool kids were watching it), but we told her we didn’t want to go, instead of spending the day galloping around the local roads on our ponies. I mentioned this story to my previous workmates who replied ‘well that explains why you love the outdoors so much’.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m a sucker for technology. I own just about the full Apple set (iPad, iPod, iPhone, iMac…), I have a GoPro and like to keep my finger on the pulse with the latest gadgets. But even with all these heading outdoors into the fresh air still tops the list. I hope that Say Yes to Adventure inspires parents and children alike to put down technology (or take it with you to capture your adventure) and head out the backdoor to explore somewhere new.
Do you have a story, image(s) or illustration you’d like to share that can inspire others? If yes, then you’re the exact person I’m looking for. Maybe you’re already a photographer, or you just managed to take that lucky shot. Do you like to design and are looking for a project? Perhaps you’ve never written anything before but have secretly thought you’d want to give it a crack one day, but the opportunity hasn’t been quite right?
If you think you’re a terrible writer, don’t worry, I was abysmal at English in school, in fact, I would go as far to say it was my least favourite subject (that’s because I quit chemistry). After starting my blog, a friend half-jokingly asked me when I learnt to write! I know, yes I was that bad! My sister and I were in stitches one day reading my terrible stories from my 5th form English exam. I passed (just), but I’m pretty sure the examiner took pity on me (or got lost in my garble) and forgot how terrible the writing was. I’m not saying I’m Shakespeare now, but writing about something I’m passionate about it and it just seems to flow. I love it.
The saying ‘do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ pops into mind, which is great until the rent needs to be paid. So as much as I would love to, I'm aware that I can't entirely give up my day job just yet. This will be a project over the next few months, with the aim to go to print in February 2015. Say Yes to Adventure is a not-for-profit enterprise, with any funds left over after production and distribution going towards the welfare of the Rangers in Kenya, so your support is much appreciated. Stay tuned on how you can pre-order your own copy.
So I’m leaving it in your hands now. The feedback I receive will determine if this project comes to fruition, going from a much thought-about project to a physical, tactile, printed magazine. I’m known as a bit of a ‘dreamer’ in my family, always coming up with an abundance of new ideas ('Dad always said Wayne was an ideas man. Wayne, you're an ideas man' - The Castle), but this is one I would love nothing more than to buck the trend.
Please support this fantastic magazine so I can continue to inspire everyone to get outdoors and involved in an adventure. For more information head over to my info page, download a PDF of the Contributors Guide or send me an email - holliewoodhouse@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you, it’s just a matter of saying ‘yes’.