April 2018- Finding the love again…

I can’t believe where this year is going, and yet another positive month to add to it! It’s such a good feeling to be able to say that once more.

It has been a month of more typing, and I’m nearing the end of notebook eight, with only the current one left to work on. And it continues to be a learning curve for me as I write up the parts I’d already forgotten about and see where the gaps are. And the most positive part for me is that I’m falling back in love with my story again, losing myself in my own hand written words each time I type them up or scribble some new thoughts, or even type some new parts within the old. And that’s such a great feeling, I can’t tell you how much it means to me, after all the moments of doubt. I can see where work needs to be done and I can’t wait to get started on it. I have this novel in me and I will finish it!! Wow, feels amazing to say that!!

I’m finding that I write better when I give myself a limited time each day, there are much less distractions. Although I say I would love to write full time and one day that might ring true, I have found a way now that currently works for me. Okay so it may feel easier at the moment as I’m typing, the minute I sit down I can carry on from where I left off, but my mind is still working, thinking, planning. And so I hope this continues when I’m ready to move to the next stage, and it won’t be much longer now.  But by giving myself that time, and only that time most days, I feel that I am at least achieving something amidst the jumble of everything else. And so I’m making the most of my writing time, protecting it. That hour a day is much more focused as I limit myself to that time to write, I achieve so much more!

‘Until you put words on the page a novel is a marvellous thing that moves with your thoughts & becomes great. Then you begin to write & words don’t capture the brilliance you imagined but you struggle on hoping it will at least be decent’ Liz Fenwick

‘A crappy first draft is worth more than a non-existent one’

Quotes from twitter that have really struck a chord with me, inspired me. It’s so important to take inspiration from others, and use it to help my own journey. Despite my positive comments, I have still had the odd moment over the last few weeks of self-doubt and its other’s words that can have that uplifting feeling that is so much needed. And after a week off whilst I was on holiday, it was so good to be back to writing again, like finding an old friend, another lovely feeling. And despite that week off, I’m happy to say that another 14,893 words have been typed up this month, and I’m over the 120,000 mark overall, so another milestone. I know once it is all typed up I will have too many words, but that’s the whole point of editing right? And I can honestly say now that I’m looking forward to that next stage, to finally put my story together. I’m finally moving forwards. (Oh and by the way, that word count doesn’t include the extra scribbles that I’ve been doing, so even bigger yay!)

Whilst the support from tweets, articles, posts online have been important, I still feel the need to try and find another writing group. Not necessarily something I physically go to, but hopefully something online, that will have a wider reach and find others at a similar point to me in their writing journey, wanting the same from the group. I have found that I’m writing better, maybe more now that I’m not going to my local group, and it was good to begin with, don’t get me wrong, but I just wasn’t getting what I needed anymore. And I know I have some good support in my friends, I do miss the advice, sharing of thoughts, the like-minded people.  I hope I find the right type of support for me. ‘Writing is a lonely business  and we all need a little help.’

‘Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself . Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal.’

The Power of Books and Words

Never underestimate the power that words can have over someone. Something so relatively simple but that can have a very big effect. Whether it be a book- fiction or non-fiction, or an article, blog post or just a simple tweet. Other people’s words can speak to us in a way that we never expected.  I feel lucky in that I learnt to read at a young age. I have been able to devour books of many authors, discovering new worlds and losing myself in the places created in those words written by talented others. Now I know that the same cannot be said for everyone. There are people who cannot read for whatever reason, or those who just don’t like to. But even the few words they see around them can have an impact, if you read or not.

And I continue to be inspired by others words, whether they be real life stories or fictional ones, they can all be just as powerful. And they make me determined to do more, both in my life and my own writing and reading. Let me tell you about just a few books and writers who have inspired me.

Rowan Coleman and Julie Cohen- Both brilliant fiction writers whose books I have had the privilege to enjoy but for also helping me on my own writing journey, with their advice and workshops that I attended. Their writing retreat last year was the best thing I could have done for my writing, even if I couldn’t see it straight away.

Miranda Dickinson- For just being herself! I was lucky enough to meet her as well as read her wonderful books, but just the daily motivation she gives herself and lends to others continues to push me onwards with my own writing.

Jane Austen- She was a powerful writer long before her time and how her books are still testament to that even now.

Liz Fenwick- For bringing Cornwall to life and inspiring me in my own story setting.

Henry Fraser/ Matt Haig/ Bryony Gordon- I feel I should be discussing these separately as they are all amazing people in my eyes, for sharing their difficult and personal stories with the world and helping me and others to see things differently and to overcome our fears, whatever they may be.

Eva Woods- ‘How to be happy’ A fictional story that I have just finished reading that spoke volumes to me and got me to write this post. I strongly recommend the book, and maybe you too will see how the power of someone elses words can inspire you.

I could go on with other writers- J K Rowling, Jojo Moyes, but I just wanted to get down my thoughts and share what others words had done for me. I hope that reading can do the same for you too.

March 2018- I Believe in Unicorns…

‘Believe in your story absolutely as you tell it’ Michael Morpurgo (I Believe in Unicorns)

Well, what another positive month and I feel so happy to be saying that. As before, I have spent the month continuing to type up from my notebooks and learning as I go along. The month started well with a snow day allowing me to find extra time to write as well as working on research notes and using inspiration from my holiday pictures. And very much as the above quote states from the master storyteller himself, I feel that I really believe in the story that I’m trying to tell, and becoming lost within the world that I am creating. And there have been moments of new writing too, as I either scribble or type new parts around those I’ve already written. It’s just so exciting  to see my story coming to life and just how I want it to be told. As always I am inspired by others, but putting the words in my own way, telling my story and really feeling it all come together.

The biggest achievement this month, and quite a milestone to mark is reaching the 100,000 word mark!!! It’s something I wasn’t sure I would be able to say, but am extremely proud to have reached such a significant point in my writing journey. And yet there is still more to do. Out of the nine notebooks that I have currently scribbled in, I’m now typing from number 8 and so the point is getting nearer when I can see just how much I already have. Only then will I be able to work out how much more is needed, and I’m hopeful that I have more than I actually think and the elusive first draft will be closer to completion. And I’m excited to read it all, to see all my threads finally come together.

Back to some of the new scribbles that have arisen whilst I’ve been typing, it has certainly been a good curve ball in that I already have thoughts on how to expand what’s already there. Besides that, there was the feeling of doing some actual writing, new words on the page. It has certainly been a little while. But saying that, I know that my typing exercise is very important in moving forwards and knowing where I am, seeing where the story maybe no longer works in places or fits in the overall plot, and adapting things as I go. And so my time has certainly not been wasted. It has been extremely valuable , to take a step back and think, as see already where there are still things to work on. But as the month ends and another is on the horizon, I can report that another 18,940 words have been typed this month, as well as more scribbled, so I’m taking that as another achievement to add to the list, as well as building on what I managed last month.

Talking of having targets to work towards, it’s been something very much on my mind. There have been a few days where I don’t feel that I’ve done as much as I could have done, and momentarily that has frustrated me. But then I got to thinking. What about giving myself a small daily target?  500 words maybe, something to work towards whether typing or writing. Okay so 500 may not seem like a lot, but better to start realistically, and then exceed on the good days when I can. I realise I’m a bit late to the game in this sense, but all in my own time, you know me!

But other than writing, I want to share a few other things that have also been on my mind. Firstly, how do you prioritise what to read?? There are just not enough hours in the day! I have a whole list of galleys on my kindle as well as writing books and my psychology magazines to read. They are all important in their own right, and as the quote says’ If you want to be a writer, you must to two things above all others, read a lot and write a lot’ – Stephen King. But just what order do you decide to read things, that’s where my struggle lies.  With both work and writing, I am feeling that there is never the time to catch up without dropping something else. There is so much I want to read and I want to do it all now, but I can’t and therefore it features lower down on the list of priorities, and books or articles are started but not quite finished. Just something else to work on!

A whole weekend at home, quite a rare thing for me I have to say. And yet I loved every minute when I did have one, just a couple of weeks ago. Even the job of cleaning and how it made me feel after I’d finished, that I’d achieved something, however small. The time to indulge in other hobbies too- cross stitch, music, films that inspire, reading and spending time with good friends. Its all so important, to get the balance right. But also managing to fit in some writing. It felt good to have some kind of loose plan and succeeding at ticking a few things off that I’ve been meaning to do for a while. It makes me more determined to enjoy the spare time more often, instead of always trying to fill it. Although this is not a bad thing either, but sometimes it’s good to just stop for a little while and do the little things that can also bring so much pleasure.

And so we’re at the end of another month, and I’m looking forward to what the next may bring. Small steps….

February 2018- Flying….

‘Find something you love doing and just fly with it’

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing and it has been my only constant for the last few weeks. What has kept me going is my writing and I think I would be lost without it now. And besides the obvious, I have been putting the words to good use.

For starters, writing through my emotions  to help understand and work on what’s going on in my head, and maybe using the words in other ways. To be perfectly honest, some days my writing is my only happy place. But I don’t want this entry to be all negative. And so instead I’ve been trying to put my personal frustrations, particularly at work into something more positive, by scribbling a column idea! I was particularly pleased with this as there have been points when I start to think that coming up with fresh ideas for the column begins to feel like a chore rather than something I’m excited about doing, which I was at the start.  But after 3 ½ years of writing 340 interesting words each month, that excitement quickly fades, even seeing it in print each time. But thankfully, just when I was on the verge of giving up on it, there was a small flurry and I have some ideas saved up now, which should last a few more months. I may still stop writing for it at some point, but not just yet. Writing shouldn’t feel like a chore, so once it does, that will be the right time. After all, writing, in whatever form should  be fun and exciting in its own way. So back to where I was, so easy to get carried away! I’m in a funny place right now with work, where it is too quiet. And while some crave that low point to have a chance to draw breath, I’m not one of those people. I like to be busy, challenged. So when I’m not, I struggle to motivate myself to do what little I do have. I’m also nearing the end of my secondment in my current role, and whilst I do have something different to move onto, which I’m looking forward to, it’s that strange time in-between and I would rather be writing! As much as I try not to worry too much, there are certainly days when I struggle to do what I’m paid to do. Thankfully I don’t seem to be having the same slump with my writing and for that I’m grateful. Onwards..

The epilogue is now written!! And I can tell you that it was an amazing feeling to have at least achieved that small goal. It might not seem like much, but it was a milestone for me and I can only hope that it will make the rest of the journey to completing my first draft that little bit easier. I’m already working on ideas that I’d already started but not finished for the earlier parts of the novel, so I’m beginning to fill the gaps and join the dots at least. And I’ve done what I said I would do. For the last few weeks, apart from a few scribbled thoughts, nothing new has been written, and instead I’ve carried on typing up what I already had. And up to today, 15.706 has been covered over the course of the month, with so much more to go. But I think that’s pretty good going! As I type, its bringing fresh ideas and thoughts, especially how I can expand on some areas. It’s really giving me the visualisation of how the novel will flow and feeling it all coming together, as well as using the time to think and build on. It’s certainly becoming an enlightening task as I remember where I was when I first wrote some of the words, and I’ve been using those memories to build in the excitement of those moments, making them feel much more real. I’m getting lost in my story again and that is a fantastic feeling.

‘Embrace the beautiful mess of a first draft- if all the bits are there, you can edit it later’

Sound advice  shared once again by the fantastic Miranda Dickinson.  And I do finally feel okay about it all. As Miranda also says, just reading this and realising I’m okay, has really ‘taken the fear away’ so thank you once again lovely lady, you remain a constant inspiration to me! As I continue to type, building even more of my story, I’m learning so much, especially about my characters and where I want them to go. I suppose in a way, the task of typing is almost like a second draft, as I see what I like and dislike and what can be added in and taken away. It’s a steep but enjoyable learning curve, but I’m getting there slowly!

And in other news… the short story I was working on was finished and submitted before the deadline, so it is just a waiting game now. I don’t have too much confidence in it getting anywhere, you never know, but I’m proud that I completed something by a specific, unmoveable deadline, so proof to myself at least! And it was good, just for a short while to work on something a bit different.  And on that note, I’ve recently had some thoughts and sparks of ideas for other short stories, maybe another novel, who knows? But whilst I’m excited, I’m also a little worried. Its ages since a new idea really grabbed me and began to form itself in my head, but I also don’t want to detract from my WIP. Can you have two big ideas at the same time?? I’m not sure. And so, whilst the new ideas continue to jump out, I duly write them down, but nothing more. I think I know that I have to finish number one first, to give it all that it deserves. After all, I don’t want to just give up on years of hard work and perseverance  when I feel I’m so close. So only when that is done, and I don’t feel I can do anymore, will I look at my other ideas and give them the time and head space that they need, and just hope the initial magic is still there.

So if you’ll excuse me, I have work to be getting on with…. J

January 2018- Start as you mean to go on….

Can you write too much? A big question to start the year, but one I have been dwelling on somewhat. And my answer? I don’t think so. Only now as I have accumulated over 75,000 words, and that’s just what I’ve typed up, with two and a half notebooks still to look at, I think not. My story is now much clearer and becoming even more so the more I write and type. I’m still discovering new ideas that I want to include as well as finding other parts that I now don’t like. But its all part of the process, and can be edited once I get to the end! I can finally see, I hope, where I’m going and where I need to have been, how I got there and that’s an amazing feeling. It’s certainly taken long enough but I’m finally proud of where I am. Continued research as well as the newly scribbled thoughts and ideas have re-inspired the earlier parts of my novel, which will really help to fill in the gaps. It’s amazing to think that it’s nearly four years now since I started the idea for my novel. It was just that then, an idea and thoughts of maybe a short story. I could have never imagined that the idea would have grown as it has and be as long as it is, or even that it still wouldn’t be finished. But I know from listening to other people’s journeys that it can take time to finish that all important first novel, so I’m not going to worry to much. But one thing I do know is just how far I’ve come in that time, both as a writer and the amount of words that I’ve achieved. I wouldn’t have believed it at the start, but I’ve certainly proved to myself that I have it in me to write a novel, and I can finally feel that the end is getting nearer.

Talking of the end… I have written the end of my novel!!! I was given some advice a little while back from Julie Cohen, a writer I have had the pleasure of meeting and learning from, that in order to get past the part where I was stuck, I needed to write the end. I would then know which direction I needed to be heading in. So Julie, I hope you are proud that I finally followed your advice, sorry it took me a while!  By writing the end, I finally know where I’m going and the realisation that I’ve actually written more of the story than I thought. So with that in mind, once I’ve finished the epilogue, I have taken the decision to try and step back for a bit, to catch up and see just how much I have done. Not easy when new thoughts keep popping into my head, but will attempt to do at least! I need to get everything typed up so it’s all in one place, making it easier to look through as a whole and mark up what goes where, BEFORE writing anything else new. Otherwise there is a danger of going too far and  not only getting lost again, but forgetting what I’ve already done and re-writing parts without even realising I’ve already had that very same idea before.

I’m trying to use time where I can. For example, travelling on the train for a weekend away sparked new ideas as well as being useful writing time. I try to write every lunch time during the week, but I sometimes feel it’s just not enough. I want to start using weekends more too, before they start to get busy again. January can be a relatively quiet time, so I need to be using that to my advantage. And I have in some ways, so I need to continue that moving forward where I can. It’s very easy to fill weekends and evening with lots of other things, and push the writing to the bottom of the pile. And don’t get me wrong. Sometimes that needs to be done, particularly when the weekends are the only time I have to catch up on the jobs that need doing, or enjoying some other creative tasks. It’s getting the balance right. And by feeling determined in all different aspects of my life, it is certainly helping the mind-set. By keeping my writing log, it’s useful to see just what I have done. This is particularly prevalent to look back on on any off days. I happy to report that there haven’t been many recently and I hope this continues. It gives me that allowance to accept that I can have time to do other things too and not feel guilty. But I still try to write on those days when I feel like I’m struggling. Words can still appear from ideas or trying to pick up from where I’ve left off. And okay, so I may not  really like anything I scribble on these days, and I feel stuck, but then there is that small ray of hope that these words can be rewritten when the time comes and the mood is better. At the time I’m frustrated as to why I feel like this, and there is no real reason to pinpoint why I feel like this, especially when the day is much like any other. But I know I can come out the other side, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.

There has been time where I’ve had the chance to work on some other writing projects, and the space from my novel, just for a short while cannot really be a bad thing I don’t think. I’ve been working on an idea for a short story that I hope will be ready in time to submit for a competition. I’ve had a few ideas for a while now but have only just recently begun to write the story. It may be a bit late given that the deadline is only a few weeks away but I now I would regret it if I didn’t at least try at having a shot at it. Besides it’s been a bit of a breath of fresh air, to work on something completely different in style, voice and subject. So we will see what happens! I might be taking a little break, but I think any writer needs that now and again, but at least I’m still writing and it gives me a chance to explore my ideas. Talking of ideas, there are still plenty of column ideas to work on, but at least it keeps me going for a bit! By taking that little bit of pressure off, I’m finding things a little easier, so I’m not prepared to give up on the column writing just yet! I will continue to try and surround myself with my own inspiration and my desk and room seem the obvious place to start, I just need to take the time to look at what I have and use it in a positive way. Otherwise what’s the point of having it there? I’ve chosen pictures and quotes for a reason after all.

‘It’s not where inspiration comes from, it’s where it leads.’

So as you can see, a mostly positive start to the near year, so long may it continue and be a sign of what the year ahead may bring….

The novel continues to grow....

December 2017- Looking back...

And so another year is drawing to a close and I can’t quite believe where the time has gone!  It is always a time for looking back, for reflecting. And I’ve certainly been doing a lot of that, learning along the way.

In a complete turnaround from what I said last month, I realise that in some ways I’ve been focusing on the wrong things. Okay, so work takes up most of the hours in the week, that’s life. But it’s how I spend the rest of my time that’s important- being the real me. I may never have the perfect job for me, and let’s be honest, how many of us really do, unless you’re one of the lucky ones. Most of us have to just fit in the dream around the reality. The more I wind myself up about work, the less time I am thinking about the important things. Focus on that and maybe the rest will follow. I just need to recharge my energies into what is important to me. Work is important in its own way of course, but it’s not everything. I have a good job in a good place, and for that I will now try to be more grateful.  I attended a workshop run at the uni on how to be more confident and it has certainly given me food for thought and tools I can use. I need to stop trying to be someone that I’m not and just be me. I’m sure that given time, I will be a lot happier.

 It certainly seems that I’m an all or nothing type of person, which is probably why I’m not good on the nothing days. But I am learning that its alright to have those days and that the next time I pick up my pencil, I will be able to pick up from where I left off before. And its good (and okay) to have other interests and make life balance. So not only am I learning more about myself, but also about my writing, helping me to be better in both aspects. The time off at Christmas highlights just that. It has been a mix of feeling guilty that I have that extra time to be writing, but also the need to refresh ( and be ill, in my case!) And actually, it has given my thoughts time to come together, ideas forming when I least expect them to. Writing is still a job in some respect (even if I don’t get paid for it) so in that sense, a break from the everyday is needed here also.

But onto what I have been doing for the past few weeks! First off, I’ve been trying not to think too much and just write. And it seems to be working well. I tend to pick up from where I’ve left off the day or even week before, and if not from that particular section, finding another or starting a new one from one of my may scribbled thoughts. And it seems to be working well, as I find the task of sitting down to write slightly easier and the words seem to come in reasonable flurries. I’ve begun working on a more detailed timeline, from the arrival of my character to the end of the book and it’s really helping me to see where certain sections would fit as well as making me see if my plans for both the story and characters are realistic. I’m really feeling my story build as I carry on each day and enjoying feeling it come to life. I’m now only beginning to see what my main sections are, and as I type up what I already have, where these words would also fit. There will be some of course that don’t make the cut, but for now, it’s just about getting it all down and then I can start the mammoth task of sorting and editing it all. And despite some ups and down, both in writing  and my personal life, I’m working to channel my emotions into my writing and my characters, making a positive from a negative, which can never be a bad thing. And talking of things, I made the most of a snow day (as I couldn’t go to work) and spent the majority of it writing. Well typing really, but I have still so many handwritten words to commit to type, that I felt it was an excellent use of the unexpected time that I had. I hand write at all other times, so the typing has somewhat fallen behind (still working from notebook 6, but scribbling in number 8, which is nearly full!) and it works for me as a way to keep all my words and ideas in one place and see what things I’ve already done, as well as what I like and don’t like, much like creating some kind of second draft, following the handwritten first. It may sound like a slow and laborious way of doing things, but it works for me.

I’m constantly inspired by the books that I read- the style, genre and the similar settings and ideas to my own novel. But I don’t see it as copying, just gleaning the thoughts and interweaving them into my story, to be told in my own way. There will always be stories similar to the one that you are trying to tell, but it’s how I will tell my story that is important. And I strongly believe that everything I read is helping me to become a better writer and motivate me to continue with my own story.

‘If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time- or the tools- to write. Simple as that.’  Stephen King

So with that in mind, I need to stop looking back and think about moving forwards. A new year is approaching, a clean slate. And that’s what I want to keep doing, moving forwards. Both in my writing and in life in general. No going backwards or harking back to the past, it won’t help. So, looking forward to 2018, what do I hope? Well, to finally finish my first draft for one. I have moved on so much this year, as I have since starting my novel, however many years ago. And I will get there. Much like I said last year, it might take a little longer than 12 months, but that’s okay. As long as I continue to write. For the first time, I now feel that it is becoming whole and I can see everything much better than I could, even just a few months ago. So maybe my goal is moving closer, only time will tell. Here is to a much clearer 2018, all round!

‘Write. Writing is what makes a writer, nothing more and nothing less.’

‘Above all keep on writing and don’t give up.’

November 2017- Seeing the wood for the trees

You don’t put yourself in what you write, you find yourself there’

Feeling that is becoming even more of a prominent statement for me, especially recently.  I’ve been thinking a lot  about my life, where I’m going, what am I am doing or indeed want to do? It certainly has an impact on my wellbeing and there has certainly been moments where its affected my writing if I’ve been unhappy or unmotivated with what essentially I spend most hours of my day doing. But writing (at the moment, long may it continue) is my one happy place. But whilst it cannot be a full time endeavour, I need to find something that makes me feel happy (ish) in a similar way or I am in danger of sliding down a slippery slope which I don’t want in either aspect. I just wish I had an inkling of what direction I should be heading, as currently a little disenchanted! Or maybe I’m in the right place, just the wrong job as I feel inspired by sitting amongst the students in the library?! Only time will tell, but I just want to be careful in protecting my writing.

 I’m feeling positive with where I am at the moment, having had a few strong weeks of writing, both new scribbles as well as typing up the original words.  I’ve been focusing  on particular sections and building the story and certainly written more than I have in a long while, consistently at least, and I can say for the whole of the month! I really feel that I’m becoming a part of my words and created world and that is a lovely feeling. So as instructed by Miranda Dickinson, who remains a constant source of inspiration for me, maybe I should be changing the name of this blog to ‘actually I am a writer now’! I am only just starting to believe that as I continue on my writing journey.

‘Write your first draft with your heart and re-write with your head. The best key to writing is to write, not to think’ Finding Forrester

And that’s just what I’m doing. So I’m bound to have the one day where things don’t seem to go to plan and the idea that I began with isn’t forming itself how I would like it to, but I’m still writing! Okay, so I may not be happy with what I’ve just scribbled every time, but at the stage I’m at, its about getting the rough skeleton down onto paper, to be reworked and built on later, so I will try and allow myself the odd off day, that let it be okay. That’s one of the reasons I continue to keep my writing log, which I started about a year ago now. It gives me something to look back on, especially on one of those particular days, and see just what I’ve achieved. The number of notebooks full of ideas and words is also testament to just how far I’ve come (or is my writing too big, as I work on number 8?) . With over 70,000 words currently typed up- both ideas to work on and more established scenes- with lots more still to do and ideas still surfacing as I write, maybe I’m doing something right then? This novel is the most I’ve ever written for anything, and that is a both a strange and exciting feeling.

Of course, there is still lots of work to be done. I’ve been looking back as I type and in previous notebooks to see where I’ve started to work on particular scenes, and later where I have revisited the same ideas.  Its proof to me that I do have good ideas, but I now need to bring the words together, or my novel will become a lot of repetition of certain sections and forgetting about others! I need the time to really look at what I’ve already written and catch up on my typing if this is going to work moving forward. But at least I’m aware of what needs to be done and the ways any issues can be resolved, I’m starting to see the novel as a whole now, which is more that I could say a few months ago. I just had to find my way and be patient. And by working on particular sections, using a draft plan I have drawn up, I finally feel I can ‘see the wood for the trees’ and am becoming much more focused as a writer.

As I continue on my journey of becoming a writer, I’ve become a more critical reader. Whilst still enjoying a majority of the books I read, I can also see and know where I want my writing to be in comparison, how I want it to read and where I fit in. I think this has been an important learning curve and step. So I will continue to read more widely and broadening my horizons, letting writers inspire me in different ways.

‘If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.’ Stephen King

Re-read my blog post from this time last year and realising that although I might still be saying very similar things a year on, I absolutely feel  that I’ve come on further in both my writing and my journey. I can’t believe that I’ve been writing this blog now for three years which means my novel has taken even longer! But I’m still moving ever forwards and who knows, maybe 2018 will be the year for me?

‘Every day is a good day’ Henry Fraser

‘Write what you can discover’ Loretta Milan

A Writer’s life

Mind whirring

Fingers twitching

Hair pulling

Foot tapping

Tired eyes

Blank page

Pencil poised

Never still

Ideas flying

Words brewing

Notebooks full

Inspiration lurking

Keys tapping

Rambling thoughts

Mental block

Showing up

Magic happens

Story created

Writers life.