Thursday 25 October 2012

Writers’ Outing

Sue Johnson, Heather King and I visited Croome Court, a National Trust property in Worcestershire last Friday. Even the shuttle bus seemed to know that we were writers.

 
Shuttle Bus

We were blessed with a lovely day. Heather King writes Regency novels and kept scribbling madly in her notebook about things like fan etiquette! Heather has just sold two novels, so look out for news of these here in the future – well done Heather.
 
 
Croome Church

 
Heather King and Sue Johnson
walking to Croome Court
 
We wandered around the house and grounds, had lunch, bought books and talked loads. It was a lovely uplifting day with lots of inspiration for future writing projects.

View across the park to Croome Court
 
Where have you visited lately which gave you writing inspiration?

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Morton Gray – AWOL

I’ve been missing! My guilt at not posting on my blog is growing HUGE! Then I tell myself that everyone has times when everything seems a little overwhelming.

Step-Dad got through his cancer operation okay. My mother has found it hard, especially as she likes her space and my step-brother and step-sister have been staying with her. Why are the hospitals always so far away? No joke to be driving so far at nearly 80. Cue another guilt attack.

Hubbie is only having one evening meal a week at home at the moment with his punishing work schedule – which I suppose increases my work schedule too. Add in a few other family issues and my blog has not got written.
 

On the positive side, in a bid to avoid a couple of return journeys from school, last week I tried driving to the Park and Ride close to school and spent the day in The Hive at Worcester. This is the new library, archives and hub building in Worcester which has a strange gold roof. The Park and Ride was fantastic – I’d already written three character studies by the time they dropped me off. I found a table in The Hive with a view of the moon and the Malverns and edited non-stop for two hours. Lunch in one of my favourite cafés The Ginger Pig and then back for another two hours solid editing. A thoroughly successful day and one I hope to repeat often.

I have come to the conclusion that I will edit more successfully away from home as there are less distractions. Does this work for you too?