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Some online communities crash and burn through back biting and downright sneakiness by some of its members - I know, I've been there and it put me off online communities for a time. But then I found the wonderful Australian creator of the Soul Food Cafe and was tempted to join because of the wonderful work I saw there - and I've never looked back.

The heart of an online community is the one who puts it together. and Heather Blakey, the creator of Soul Food, is certainly the heart of the community she has created. She is passionate about helping other artists realise their full potential, and to this end she has created a vast network of sites, blogs, Squidoo lenses and Yahoo groups.

I started at Soul Food by joining in one exercise - I attempted to characterise my muse for an item on the cafe menu. Heather's warmth and encouragement kept drawing me back until one day I took the plunge and joined one of her `tours'. These are led by Heather's alter ego, Le Enchanteur, who lures you into the online fantasy world of Lemuria with inspiring writing prompts.

Heather has other alter egos, including Baba Yaga and the Amazon Queen, but it is Le Enchanteur who plays the pipe and sets us all voyaging to new and mysterious places. Lemuria is a place where you can be anything you want to be, and with Heather's hand at the helm, compassion, kindness and forbearance are the orders of the day. No one is allowed to let their snakes loose in this Eden - as a warm and supportive online community, Soul Food is second to none.

Heather is always scouring the web for new ways to express ourselves, and constantly challenges us to try something new. I had never blogged before Heather came along, now I am virtually addicted. Squidoo was another exciting way of self expression that she opened up for me - and her encouragement and kindness have opened up my imagination in ways I never dreamed possible.

There is no pressure to perform, though - I have been away from Soul Food for months at a time, but have always come back to the same warm welcome. It is as if I had never been away. All newcomers to Soul Food are welcomed and encouraged, and if they need it, mentored by the more web savvy members of the group.

We share our personal problems and know we will have a sympathetic ear. Heather has even set up a Temple of Solace blog, where we gather to offer to offer condolences or share our pain. In Lemuria, you are never alone.

We all have personal blogs which we share with each other, and are invited to take part in those blogs and journeys that Heather creates. There seems to be no end to the inspiration and enthusiasm to be found here. We engage all our talents, interests and passions to help build Lemuria, and find companionship of a most excellent degree at the Soul Food Cafe.

Now Le Enchanteur is taking us off on another wild trek, aboard the SS Vulcania, where we will journey for a year exploring new places and meeting new friends. Once again the excitement is palpable - I got so much inspiration from the last trek along the Silk Road, that filled my folders with stories and poetry, and even encouraged me to try new forms, such as the haiku and the haibun. Who knows what we will find this time? It is all up to the enchanting imagination of Le Enchanteur.

Every year Heather has gone the extra miles of producing an Advent Calendar to showcase the talent on Soul Food. This year's journey will culminate in a new calender for 2009. It is a privilege and a joy to be part of a community like this.

If your heart yearns for adventure and your soul longs for the nourishment of a community dedicated to art and beauty, why not join us?

Learn more about this author, Gail Kavanagh.
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