Today's task was to write a list about something. I chose one from the suggested ideas and here is today's contribution - it's not very interesting!
List of pet hates /irritations
Rudeness - it takes no time at all to be polite and it can really make someone's day.
People not saying please or thank you - I was brought up to say these and I am appallled when people don't say them. Maybe I'm of an older generation but I think it's important to acknowledge when someone has done a service for you.
Unkindness - why must folk be unkind to others? Does it make them feel big or clever? It's a mystery to me. A little kindness goes a long way.
Thoughtlessness - again I don't understand this one. A moment to consider the other person and everyone feels happy and valued.
Litter - so much mess, such lack of consideration for the environment. Again, I was brought up to take my litter home or find a bin. I couldn't drop anything on the floor.
Bigotry - this one has surfaced big time recently. I wish everyone could listen to the other point of view, acknowledge it and move on. We don't have to agree but we can all respect the other viewpoint.
Thursday, 2 January 2020
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
Five Minute Writer - January 1st
I wanted something to kick start my writing habit and Nicola Young suggested I take a look at The Five Minute Writer by Margaret Geraghty. It's filled with ideas and exercises to do which give you something to write about when you feel blocked or stuck. Maybe just when you're not sure what to write to kick the habit off on any given day. So I'm using these exercises to get into a good, regular writing habit. And to keep myself accountable I'm planning to post what I write here so everyone can see when I fall behind or lose the habit.
The first exercise asks about rituals and ritualistic behaviour. Here is what I came up with in my allotted five minutes.
The Power of Ritual
Filling the kettle is a time to contemplate. Only a few seconds until there is enough water to boil but it is a time to stare out of the window and wonder at the world. Someone is passing, where are they going? Early morning bus to catch maybe, dog to walk usually. The water fills the kettle and I place and plug, a blue light glows to signal electric current passing. The wonders of modern convenient living. No need to draw water from a well or pump, no need to build and light a fire. All modern living happens with the click of a switch. The national grid connects me to every other soul who is making tea at 7am. Steam rises and I pull the kettle from its cradle, pour the water onto leaves and wait, staring through the window again. I seem to spend many minutes watching through windows. Kitchen, lounge, bus, coffee shop. All panes I have watched the world through. I must have seen many thousand souls passing by the windows, wondered at their lives, guessed who they were and where they were heading.
The first exercise asks about rituals and ritualistic behaviour. Here is what I came up with in my allotted five minutes.
The Power of Ritual
Filling the kettle is a time to contemplate. Only a few seconds until there is enough water to boil but it is a time to stare out of the window and wonder at the world. Someone is passing, where are they going? Early morning bus to catch maybe, dog to walk usually. The water fills the kettle and I place and plug, a blue light glows to signal electric current passing. The wonders of modern convenient living. No need to draw water from a well or pump, no need to build and light a fire. All modern living happens with the click of a switch. The national grid connects me to every other soul who is making tea at 7am. Steam rises and I pull the kettle from its cradle, pour the water onto leaves and wait, staring through the window again. I seem to spend many minutes watching through windows. Kitchen, lounge, bus, coffee shop. All panes I have watched the world through. I must have seen many thousand souls passing by the windows, wondered at their lives, guessed who they were and where they were heading.
Tuesday, 31 December 2019
2020 - hopes and thoughts
It's that time again when everyone makes resolutions that they hope will transform their lives but which in reality are forgotten or broken by the end of January. I came across a quote from Mark Twain which I thought summed this ritual up rather well - 'Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.' Nothing screams failure like a resolution broken, does it? So I refuse to set myself up to fail and have decided to look back at the last decade as we slide into an arbitrary marking of the passage of time and reflect on what I'd like to achieve in the next year.
Over the last decade I have gained a whole tribe of strong, supportive writer friends. Some I have been fortunate enough to meet up with in person, some are only virtual friends but without fail they have given me support and so many laughs. You know who you are, ladies, take a bow. Without this tribe I would have let my writing journey stall so many times. and I look forward to a year filled with more words and with the real possibility that I will get them out into the world to find their audience. So a huge thank you to everyone who touched my heart and picked me up over the last ten years.
This writing lark can be tough. It's often solitary, frequently frustrating but somehow we keep going. If, like me, you have stories in your head then they have to get told one way or another. So in 2020 I really want to find the audience for my stories. Whether this is through traditional publication or another route I do not know yet but there is sure to be a way to find my readers. I am also going to revive my previous idea of sharing some stories via a podcast. I have had some interest online from other writers who might like to share work this way so that is an avenue I intend to look into next month. Listen out for my dulcet Brummie tones!
I am also aware that during the past decade I have done my fair share of caring for others. That won't change, it's part of my DNA, but I do want to do more self care next year. I have found a couple of activities that will bring some creativity into each day and I hope to find some peace and fulfilment doing those. I also want to take better care of my health. Many years of putting others first is starting to take its toll and as the years advance I see the need to nurture myself a bit more. I am overhauling my diet in view of the spectre of diabetes and my fitness needs so improve as well. Baby steps are being taken and I hope to improve things further next year.
So I wish all who I love a fabulous 2020 filled with joy, peace and success. I raise a virtual glass to you all and look forward to celebrating all our achievements next year.
Over the last decade I have gained a whole tribe of strong, supportive writer friends. Some I have been fortunate enough to meet up with in person, some are only virtual friends but without fail they have given me support and so many laughs. You know who you are, ladies, take a bow. Without this tribe I would have let my writing journey stall so many times. and I look forward to a year filled with more words and with the real possibility that I will get them out into the world to find their audience. So a huge thank you to everyone who touched my heart and picked me up over the last ten years.
This writing lark can be tough. It's often solitary, frequently frustrating but somehow we keep going. If, like me, you have stories in your head then they have to get told one way or another. So in 2020 I really want to find the audience for my stories. Whether this is through traditional publication or another route I do not know yet but there is sure to be a way to find my readers. I am also going to revive my previous idea of sharing some stories via a podcast. I have had some interest online from other writers who might like to share work this way so that is an avenue I intend to look into next month. Listen out for my dulcet Brummie tones!
I am also aware that during the past decade I have done my fair share of caring for others. That won't change, it's part of my DNA, but I do want to do more self care next year. I have found a couple of activities that will bring some creativity into each day and I hope to find some peace and fulfilment doing those. I also want to take better care of my health. Many years of putting others first is starting to take its toll and as the years advance I see the need to nurture myself a bit more. I am overhauling my diet in view of the spectre of diabetes and my fitness needs so improve as well. Baby steps are being taken and I hope to improve things further next year.
So I wish all who I love a fabulous 2020 filled with joy, peace and success. I raise a virtual glass to you all and look forward to celebrating all our achievements next year.
Monday, 2 December 2019
Getting on the Submission Train
One of the things I promised myself - and others - at the last writing retreat I attended was that I'd start submitting my manuscript to agents and test the waters. So far I have managed one submission a week and got one rejection so far. But I am asking myself some deep questions. And I thought I'd share them here.
Do I really want to be traditionally published?
Well, the fact that I'm sending off my queries to agents would suggest that I do. I have fantasies about wandering into bookshops and seeing my book on the shelf. Not on the best sellers shelf, just quietly on one of the shelves. I pick up a copy, stroke the spine and stare at my name on the cover. Pride swells in my chest and I wipe away a tear - well this is a fantasy... So I think having a physical book on sale in a shop is the ultimate goal for me.
What if I can't get it published?
Being realistic I know that getting representation is tough and getting a publishing deal is almost tougher. So with my practical hat on I know that I may have to pursue other ways of getting the story out into the world. And here I think I'm open to the world of self publishing. I also know that the burden of publicity weighs heavily on a self published author but I think I'm ok with that. So as one door closes, who knows what opens.
Why is it important that my stories get out into the world?
I think everyone who writes does so for an audience other than themselves. The goal is to share what you have written, to let others enjoy your stories. And here I fall down because I promised that I would share some of my work via a podcast and I confess that I have done nothing to make that happen. So maybe that is a way I can share some of my work, maybe I need to be more focused next year and make it happen ...
So that is where I am as I send my letters and samples out into the world, wondering what I am doing it all for and crossing my fingers for positive reactions.
Do I really want to be traditionally published?
Well, the fact that I'm sending off my queries to agents would suggest that I do. I have fantasies about wandering into bookshops and seeing my book on the shelf. Not on the best sellers shelf, just quietly on one of the shelves. I pick up a copy, stroke the spine and stare at my name on the cover. Pride swells in my chest and I wipe away a tear - well this is a fantasy... So I think having a physical book on sale in a shop is the ultimate goal for me.
What if I can't get it published?
Being realistic I know that getting representation is tough and getting a publishing deal is almost tougher. So with my practical hat on I know that I may have to pursue other ways of getting the story out into the world. And here I think I'm open to the world of self publishing. I also know that the burden of publicity weighs heavily on a self published author but I think I'm ok with that. So as one door closes, who knows what opens.
Why is it important that my stories get out into the world?
I think everyone who writes does so for an audience other than themselves. The goal is to share what you have written, to let others enjoy your stories. And here I fall down because I promised that I would share some of my work via a podcast and I confess that I have done nothing to make that happen. So maybe that is a way I can share some of my work, maybe I need to be more focused next year and make it happen ...
So that is where I am as I send my letters and samples out into the world, wondering what I am doing it all for and crossing my fingers for positive reactions.
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