Day 35- goodbye for a short while...

Having looked at the number of people actually taking the time to read my blog and also the amount of time its taking me to decide what to write, I've come to a decision in that I will change to just writing once a month. Its not really that I care about the numbers, more about what I'm saying. The last thing I want to do is bore people! I also think I'll have more to say and share. That's not to say that I won't still be writing everyday, I have more than enough to keep me busy! Thank you to all those who have enjoyed the blog so far and I will see you again in a month!

' What is the best way to write? Each of us has to discover her own way of writing. Writing teaches writing. No-one can tell you your own secrets'- Gail Sher

' You write because you need to write, or because you hope someone will listen or because writing will mend something broken inside you or bring something back to life'- Joanne Harris

' Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self' Cyril Connolly

' Get inspired and write a book'

That is what I will now attempt to do, and look forward to sharing my progress with you in a few weeks.

Day 34

'Writing makes me happy'

'We write by the light of every story we have ever read'- Richard Peck

'Books: Enter the unknown and discover something amazing'

Research is all part of the writing process, and I've spent more time recently trying to find out more information and inspiration to make sure that my story is right. Sometimes it's that research that then sparks the next sentence or paragraph, so all very useful, even if you don't realise it. I have so many ideas of different parts of my story now, its just trying to decide how to put it all into words that make sense and fit in with what I've already written. Discovering all these things and where it will take the story is, for me, one of the most exciting parts of putting a story together. However your idea starts, there will always be areas to look at and expand upon.

Work and free time is getting busier and quickly filling up, allowing less and less time to really focus on where my story is going (maybe I have my priorities all wrong?). I'm making the most out of my lunch breaks to try and keep writing, but looking forward to the Christmas break when I have the time to see the story as a whole, try and fit in all the different parts I have written. Have another article that I need to start planning too, so lots to keep busy with, as long as I stay happy too!

Day 33

'It starts with a scribble...'

' We all have a story to tell'

' A writer is simply a photographer of thoughts'- Brendan A. Trean

Another disappointing evening in terms of writing as jobs once again took over. But again, read my book and made notes as I went along. I'm finding that lunchtimes seem to be the best time for me to refocus and get things done, whilst at work, rather than in the evenings. Even if I try and make the time, I find I sometimes just need to relax and can be too tired to find the inspiration that I need. I just need to stop making excuses really and get on with it!

'Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery'- Henry Miller

It certainly has been for me so far. Since I started thinking that I wanted to do more and discovered how much I loved to write, its been a rollercoaster.  When I was just scribbling the odd poem and ideas, it didn't seem to matter if I didn't write some days, and that was even the case after doing the university module and online fiction course. But over the last six weeks or so, from deciding to start my blog really, I have felt this strong desire to need to write something everyday, and not just the blog. Maybe that's a small sign that I'm actually starting to feel like a 'real' writer, who knows? I just know that I have all these ideas and want to get them down on paper, and I end up feeling guilty when I don't do that! It's not always that I can't, but sometimes that I just don't have the time,

I think I'm just going to have to be content with what I can physically achieve in a day and accept that life and reality can get in the way of even the best laid plans. I'm only human, and until the day comes (maybe) where I can say that I write for a living, this is how things will be. So for now, its off to find my little space to sit and write, and make the most of it.

Day 32

' Don't be paralysed by the idea that you're writing a book, just write'- Isabelle Allende

' A grand adventure is about to begin'- Winnie the Pooh

' Books bring you on a journey of the imagination which heighten all your senses'

' Surrender to what is, let go of what was, have faith in what will be'- Sonia Ricotti

Already feeling much better today than yesterday, so that's a good start! Reading last night did indeed provide me with some notes and ideas, different angles that I can incorporate into my story, so have lots to start thinking about. So although I didn't feel I had a good day overall, it certainly ended on a more positive note, Also scribbled an idea for a poem, hadn't done that for a while either.

Have been out all morning at a meeting, but has been a positive experience, feeling a part of something, that I am contributing in some way to. And although being busy ( that is what work should be) has meant that I haven't had the time to even scribble things over the morning, I  do feel much more positive overall though, meaning that I then function better, both with work and in my writing. Although attempting to squash in all that I want to do myself into my lunch break, I still feel that at the end of the day, I will have achieved more. Plus, another evening in tonight, for a change, so the ideal opportunity to make the most of it, hopefully!

A constructive hour, impressed with what I managed to fit in! More story done, using notes made last night, and blog also done, not bad for a short space of time- hopefully tonight will be just as constructive!

Week 7- day 31!

'Write your first draft with your heart. Rewrite with your head'- Finding Forrester

' The greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make'- Truman Capote

' Write the kind of story you would like to read' Meg Cabot

' Starting a novel is opening a door on a misty landscape; you can still see very little, but you can smell the earth and feel the wind blowing'- Iris Murdoch

It's been a long weekend of singing and rehearsing but the concert is now done and I felt very proud of what we achieved as a choir. Now onto the next thing... As the weekend was so busy, I've had little time (or energy) to sit down and do any writing, so looking forward to seeing what this week brings, starting today!

Despite all my wonderful and inspiring quotes, not a great start to the week, so feeling a little downhearted. I was very distracted first thing this morning, trying to get some things sorted out, so didn't even really have time to work on the blog for today (otherwise I wouldn't have done any work at all), I had great plans for when I got home, but again, got caught up in things and feeling tired after the weekend, so sadly those plans did not materialise tonight, and no real enthusiasm either. I will instead, have to content myself with just a bit of research (reading another novel and a book about the area), in the hope that some positive notes and ideas come out of them. I can then start again tomorrow, feeling a bit more refreshed and with hopefully time to myself, with nothing else to worry over!

I could beat myself up over the lack of writing today, but that won't help anything. I had a really positive week last week, so will focus on that to build myself back up. Life has well and truly taken over today and I've not made any space for anything else. Still it's only Monday....

Day 30- end of week 6!

' I can write my book. I should write my book. I will write my book'

I don't know what other writers find the easiest way to write, but for me, I have to start everything by hand, and usually in pencil too, just in case! If I was to ask published authors, I would probably find that I am a little old fashioned in my methods, and that most people type straight away, or use an electronic devise of some description for making notes/ jotting down ideas. Saying that, whenever I have been to Writers Group or an event as part of a literary festival, quite a few people are sitting there with a notebook, pen poised! I don't know what it is about pen and paper, but I just find my words flow easier, plus I write quicker and better by hand, than I type (I swear I have dyslexic fingers!). Hence carrying more than one notebook around with me, all full of different things, and ready for when ideas pop into my head, plus I do have a bit of a love of all things stationary...

Had the new rota for the Write Away column yesterday and I'm not down for the week that I'd worked out (more people now added to the rota) so have now abandoned the piece I'd started and been trying to think of a few new ideas that would fit around / be relevant to my publish date. Something else to get started on and keep me on my toes!

Having that type of day today where I'm not in the mood for doing any work, but not unhappy, just distracted. Think it's a Friday thing! I've attempted to do some work, but just want to write and chat! So now I suppose I had better attempt to re-focus and at least start working, even just for a little while...

' It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop' - Confucius

'I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul'- Invictus

Day 29

' My head is a hive of words that won't settle'- Virginia Woolf

' The first draft is just you telling yourself the story'- Terry Pratchett

'Stay motivated. Focus on progress, not perfection.'

I feel proud of what I've achieved so far this week in my writing. Still a long way to go I think, until the first draft is finished, but at least on the way, and hopefully heading in the right direction. The feedback from Writers Group was just what I needed to spark some new thoughts and ideas and to spur me to carry on with it. Who knows whether it will be a short story, as I originally intended, or maybe a novel (as someone suggested), we will see! Apart from doing some more detailed research, which has proved to be very useful, as well important for getting the small details right, I'm also planning on trying to read some novels of a similar genre and topic and/or set in the same kind of location, in order to glean more tips. I don't want to copy someone else's work, obviously, but think it's also important  to read other work to influence your own, as well as bringing out your own voice. Like I've said before, there's no copyright on ideas, and each person will put their own take on an idea in order to bring it to life.

' First drafts don't have to be perfect. They just have to be written.'

I spent more time today working on my story and it always amazes me, as I start to write, where the story goes. I'm not always sure when I start what I want to say, but the words just seem to flow as soon as I put pen to paper, it's exciting!