Thursday 31 December 2015

Ending the year on a positive note? December 2015

So to start the month, we had a workshop at Writers Group. It was all about the basics of writing and I have to say that whatever stage you're at in your writing, it is good to take a look back, get down to what writing is. It was really useful, full of tips and ideas, and also taught me that its okay to have put my novel to one side until you're ready to come back to it. What I also love about the group is how different we all are as writers. Some write regularly, or try to like me, whereas others don't write as much, but they still come along, sharing their knowledge and opinions on others work. Its just made me see myself in a different light as a writer, and that its okay to have some days where I don't write much or anything at all. That's life, and other things do get in the way sometimes, but when I do take the time and have the right motivation, who knows what I'll come up with!


My last column for the year was submitted and published, and I have already started work on a few new ideas for future columns. My next will be out towards the end of January so have a little time to decide which to chose and hone, but always good to have some ready in advance, especially if there isn't anything specific at the time of publication that I want to share and talk about. I'm glad that I took the plunge and decided to be a part of the group of columnists, it has been my one constant throughout the year, particularly when I've hit a writing low on other projects, forcing me to pick up my pen and just get something down, so long may it continue.

Work is still going on some of  my short stories, but with one finished and submitted before the deadline (of today), there are still at least two more to complete and edit before they are ready to be submitted. My pieces for the Writers Group competition is nearly there, with just the last bit of editing to finish off, so will be ready long before the end of January deadline. That just leaves the last one to pick up and carry on with. I'm about half way through and hit a bit of wall so hoping that after a little break and maybe a read out at the next manuscript evening, I will have a clearer idea of where I want it to go.

Another idea suggested to me by good friends is that of looking at writing a children's book. Its something that I hadn't even considered, but it certainly worth looking into and could be an interesting and fun challenge. I'm lucky that quite a few of my friends now have small children, so they would be a good audience to start with. By no means do I think that writing for children would be easier that writing for the older audience, but I like to think that I would try my hand at things, finding out what works best for me and embracing each challenge.

In terms of other projects, my Brighton story is still a work in progress and I have also had  a couple of other ideas, one based around Christmas (maybe I'll finish before next year) and other inspired by a new book I've started reading on NetGalley, so looking forward to seeing where they take me. I actually had an idea for part of my novel the other day too , which has been a long while since I've done anything in that, so there are a lot of positives and things to work on.

#lifegoals- I'm feeling very reflective as the year ends, with what I need to do and want to do next, both with my writing as well as other parts of my life. But I hope that I'm not just chasing a dream and some of my goals, as long as I work hard at them. will one day become a reality. A couple of my new years resolutions involve both reading and writing more and I'm determined to stick to them. With reading, I'd like to try and read some more different books, and having just won another through the CSMA reading room, it seems a very good place to start. The more widely I read, the better my writing will become, that's what all the help books tell me, so time to start taking some things more on board! And lastly one thing that has struck me recently is my tidiness. Is it that that's getting in the way of my creativeness? I hope not, sometimes you can't completely change who you are, but I can certainly attempt to work with what I have, so we will see!

Another very up and down month, but as another year draws to a close, I already have ideas and plans for what I want to achieve in 2016, so keeping my fingers crossed and staying positive. Who knows what the next 12 months will bring?

#amWriting 17 Of The Most Beautiful Quotes From Irish Writers:

Believe:

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a way of life: