I don’t think of myself as a superstitious person, but I do have a tendency to see meaning in things that may be meaningless to others. Often the world seems deeply mysterious to me. Perhaps that comes with being a writer. Perhaps I’ve spent too much time in Byron Bay.
I have recently returned from a month in Japan. It was my fourth trip there, so clearly I like it. One of the things I particularly enjoy is seeing the Shinto shrines dotted all over the country. Everywhere you go there is a Tori gate that welcomes you to the spirit world. The Shinto religion has many gods and even objects like trees or rocks are revered for their kami or spirit.
On one of my previous trips to Japan I discovered the Seven Lucky Shinto Gods. Soon I started seeing them everywhere. They seemed to be calling me, so I bought a little model of the gods and took them home. My Seven Lucky Gods look a little like the seven dwarfs. They are all plump and smiling. Each one is about the size of a thimble and dressed in brightly coloured robes.
I am a bit of a collector of objects of significance. When I start a new writing project, I am often scanning for a touchstone that will symbolise the story. The object sits next to my computer while I write and it seems to give me courage. I suppose that’s superstitious, but writing is a leap of faith and you take help where you can.
I am currently working on my next novel, which is to be published by Random House in early 2015. The protagonist is a trendspotter who has always been able to predict the next big thing. Until one day she finds she can’t. She needs some help and this is where the Seven Lucky Gods come in.
It wasn’t until I had those gods sitting on my desk that this story really started to take shape for me. It’s been the same for my previous two novels. While I’m a pretty rational person usually, when it comes to writing I need my lucky object.
Do you have a superstitious habit or ‘lucky’ object that you rely on?
Comment on this blog to go into the draw to win a signed print copy of my current novel ‘Sex, Lies and Bonsai’ (or if you’ve already read that one I can send you ‘Liar Bird’).
Happy Australia Day and a big thank you to Shellyrae from Book’d out for organising this Australia Day Blog Hop! 
Lisa Walker 
And I should have said: Leave a comment by January 28 to go into the draw for the book and Click here to go back to the blog hop http://bookdout.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/its-the-australia-day-book-giveaway-blog-hop/
cheers!
I don’t have a superstitious habit, per se, but I am superstitious about Melbourne’s weather. We have this agreement – I love Melbourne’s weather, and Melbourne doesn’t rain on me (or do 40 degrees) when I’m organising an outdoor event. This has been working for me for over a decade now, and I’m getting increasingly anxious because surely such a lucky streak can’t last, but so far it has. And I really do love Melbourne’s weather.
(I’ve read Sex, Lies and Bonsai but would love to read Liar Bird.)
Hi Catherine, thanks for dropping in. I like your take on Melbourne’s weather. Hope your lucky streak of weather direction lasts! Glad to hear you’ve read ‘sex, lies’ and good luck with the draw, cheers Lisa
I love love love Japan! I am not at all superstitious but my husband is! His grandmother always used to do all of their major shopping on certain days and certain times of that day which were considered lucky. He still consults his mum before we make major purchases like houses and cars as to what time to make the offer.
Hi Erin, yes Japan is the best! I hope all your lucky timing has worked out well for you. Have a great weekend, cheers, Lisa
Not superstitious but come from a country where superstitions abound! Maybe thats why I went the other way. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment. I see you’re from Sri Lanka (?) and I can imagine there’s a lot of that sort of thing going on. Have a great weekend and good luck with the prize.
I’m not superstitious although I will sometimes listen to what my parents, uncles, and grandparents have to say. It’s partly because whatever superstition they have may have some factual reason or wisdom behind it or just because I want to respect their wishes and give them peace of mind. After all I do know that they wouldn’t want to give me bad advice.
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I think a lot of that sort of thng gets handed down in families and who knows, there’s probably some good stuff there.
I have an old horse shoe and a 5 cent piece that was flattened on a train line that have been with me in 8 homes in 3 cities since ’86.
Hi Terese, it’s so interesting to hear what people have as lucky objects. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, lisa
I have an angel pin that stayed pinned to my back pack the two years I lived and travelled overseas. I now plan to take it on every overseas trip. Great giveaway. Happy Australia Day!
Hi Melissa, Your angel pin sounds nice. Happy Australia Day to you too. Thanks for dropping by.
I wouldn’t say I’m superstitious, but I never ever put my shoes on the table. (I’m not even sure what it’s supposed to mean, but my nan never did it and didn’t like anyone doing it!)
I love Japan – such a beautiful country with lovely people and interesting things everywhere!
Thanks for a great giveaway 🙂
Hi Sam, Yes, Japan is fantastic, as you say so much to see! Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend. Cheers, Lis
I’m not terribly superstitious (about things like ladders and umbrellas) however I always pick the numbers 2 and 7 if I can – for example all of my four kids have a 2 or a 7 in their birthdate (the advantage of elective c-sections…!). Is that totally weird?!
Anyway, despite saying I’m not superstitious, I’m crossing everything and hoping to win Sex, Lies & Bonsai!
Ha, that is quite determined of you to plan your children’s birth dates Katrina! Good luck with the draw, hope you’re having a nice weekend. Cheers, Lisa
Can’t say that I am superstitious but I do have an affiliation with the number 8. All through my sports years, it was a number that seemed to follow me and even as an adult, it holds a place in things that I do.
Thanks for the giveaway – great work!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing 🙂 Have a great weekend, cheers Lisa
I try to build routines so that I find things easier. There are a lot of Sri Lankan superstitions though… Too many to recall. 🙂
Thanks for visiting Marisa. I’d like to go to Sri Lanka some time soon. Have a great weekend, cheers Lisa
I love your little gods! I don’t have a lot of superstitions about my writing, but each book usually accumulates a few little odds and ends, pictures, postcards, fossilised wood or stones – which sit on the windowsill to inspire me.
Hi Wendy, thanks for stopping by my blog! Yes I’ve got quite a collection going on around my desk too. It’s a bit like a little shrine 🙂 hope you’re having a lovely weekend . Cheers, Lisa
No, I don’t
Thanks for stopping by, cheers Lisa
I’m not superstitious as such, but I do follow ordered patterns in my life. It feels wrong to break from those.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing Mary. Have a great weekend!
I don’t have any superstitions at all.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks, you too!
Hi
Mine might sound a bit crazy, but I can never leave the volume on the tv or car stereo on the number 13. I am not sure why but this has always been the way it is. Any other number is fine, just not 13.
Ha, that is quite a funny quirk Michelle. It’s so interesting to hear what different people focus on with this ‘lucky’ or ‘unlucky’ thing. Thanks for sharing! cheers Lisa
I am not superstitious, but have recently moved house and just today unpacked my collection of kokeshi dolls from many travels to Japan. Your description of your little Shinto gods reminded me of my ‘girls’ lined up now, watching over me in my new home…
Hi Regan, Your kokeshi dolls sound very cute. I haven’t started collecting them, but now I feel tempted… thanks for your comment, cheers, Lisa
What a great premise for a story.
Happy Australia Day holiday!
Thanks Eleni, glad you like the sound of it! Cheers, Lisa
Happy (post) Australia Day, Lisa. I am so loving this blog hop, and learning about so many great authors and their ideas and inspirations. Not to mention the so very generous giveaways on offer.
I am a little superstitious – mostly with the things handed down from my grandparents and parents. I have also passed these on to my kids.
I never walk under a ladder, throw salt over my shoulder if I spill any, never put shoes on the table / bench, never open an umbrella inside…..
I also have a few lucky buddha’s around the house.
Have a great day.
Karen
Hi Karen, thanks for visiting my blog. the shoe thing is a new one to me, but someone else mentioned it too. I expect there is some logic to some of these supersitions, like walking under a ladder is just a bad idea! I’m lovng hearing about everyone’s beliefs. Hope you’re having a great day, cheers Lisa
I’m strangely superstitious about some things and yet I don’t believe it when it comes to others. It’s odd. But I think most of the time it comes down to how I’m feeling that day and whether I’m being optimisitc or not. One such thing I won’t do is say a certain something mary… it gives me the creeps. I think I’ve watched too many horror/paranomal movies. Not a good idea for a scardy cat really. Although its not a supersition perse, I also can’t stay lights flickering in mirrors at nights. It creeps me out with my over active imagination…
Hi Jess, I can’t watch scary movies or even read scary books, they’re fun but they stop me sleeping. Mainly I think superstitions are a bit silly but that doesn’t always stop me 🙂 Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment, cheers Lisa.