Tension

I am becoming more and more aware of how I hold tension in my body. Making a conscious effort to release it means that I have to check at least four times and hour and breathe. I keep thinking back to when I was pregnant with Daniel. Having decided that I wanted a relaxed child, I kept my self relaxed and floated through the pregnancy. It was wonderful as things which would normally have stressed me just drifted by. I suppose the pregnancy hormones must have added to this state as I don’t seem to have been able to achieve it since.

It is a vicious circle, being tense means that I breathe less deeply and an more tetchy (but maybe that’s to do with being menopausal with a seven year old!) There is the other effect of course – if I relax more I let out my stomach muscles and look fatter. Maybe I’d better start a diet too!

Proud of Self

Well I’ve got to be proud of me or who else is going to be! I managed a chapter of my book today, despite looking after Daniel all day.

I took him to the playground and wrote sitting on a broken ride. Then we went to our favourite cafe (The Old village Stores in Wolverley). I had yummy cake and latte and Daniel had his favourite pancakes. The owner of the cafe says she’s going to give him a special pancake award at the end of the summer for the most pancakes consumed! He then played in the brook and I wrote. He did manage to sit in the said brook and had to come home on a plastic bag for a complete change of clothes.

Maybe I can finish my novel during the summer holidays, as I’m sure he wasn’t really aware I was writing, apart from to ask me if I was still writing about Normans. Good news on that front too – the BBC have very kindly arranged a season of programmes about the Normans, so hopefully I’ll be able to do some of my research watching the tele. The summer seems to be speeding by already, so I’d better enjoy it while I can. I am resolving to live and write each day as it comes!

Question for anyone listening

I am becoming increasingly frustrated with my performance (or lack of it) in my chosen roles in life. At the last count these included - aspiring writer, degree student, family historian, jewellery maker, decorator, gardener, mother, wife and homemaker.

The question I am asking is – should I give up all of these, except mother, wife and homemaker? Would I be happier ensuring that my home is clean and tidy and everyone has what they need? Responses please.

Count down to end of term

I have never known the days go so fast when you are on the countdown to the end of term. Already planning tennis and football summer schools and putting dates in the diary for summer outings with friends. As a result of all this planning it looks as if seven weeks of holiday will just zoom by too and then (not to depress you) I suppose it will be the countdown to Christmas. Yikes!

I did write an estimated 525 words at the end of last week. No, don't get excited - it wasn't on any of the novels I have on the go, or part of my creative writing course, it was the labels for the jewellery I was selling at the school fete on Saturday. Very proud of my £106 profit. The fete did well this year with proceeds looking to be over £2000. Not bad for a small school.

Any way I'd better close and get on with my next assignment - 2000 words on two turning points in my life. Now which to choose.....

Fat Writer

I have a question for all the writers out there. How do you stay slim and write? I have been writing much more of late and this has involved lots of Maltesers, cups of latte and dunked biscuits. This is resulting in a fatter writer. If I ever get a book launch I will have to do some serious slimming for it. Help please.

Another question in my mind is whether a writing project is ever finished? My plot keeps changing and evolving and I wonder if it will ever be in concrete enough form to be published. Keeps me on my toes though and makes my mind do overtime. I really enjoy asking a question to myself about the plot just before bedtime. The answer is always there in the morning!

Writing Workshop

Went on India Grey’s National Trust / Mills and Boon writing workshop on Sunday. I wasn’t feeling too well so wondered if I had been wise taking on the two hour drive to Cheshire. (Ironically India had been down in my part of the world the week before.) Quarry Bank Mill is a delightful property straight out of Elizabeth Gaskell’s "North and South". We were shown to a room which was set up for a wedding – confetti on the tables, white bows and a big blow up bride and groom. The wedding had been the day before apparently, but the person setting up the room thought it was appropriate for a Mills and Boon workshop.

I have followed India Grey’s blog for quite some time and wondered if I would recognise her. That was no problem; she looked just like her photograph and had a delightful air about her. It wasn’t a conventional workshop, but then I’ve done loads of those. India was inspiring and allowed me to believe that publication was possible. Mills and Boon are apparently actively seeking writers. I’d already got quite a way through a novel I’d working titled “Norman Knights” and I think with a little tweaking this could become a submission to Mills and Boon’s historical imprint. I wrote up 1000 words last night and intend to do the same today. Thank you India for allowing me to believe in myself again.

Inconvenient Places

I can't believe how my mind works in inspirational ways in the most inconvenient places!

Picture the scene, I'm in the shower. Just as I'm soaping myself or applying conditioner to my hair, my mind floods with ideas for poems, stories or novels. Result? I have a lot of toilet roll tubes in my study. I emerge wet and dripping from the shower and grab anything to write on. Now the clever ones amongst you might say - "Keep a notebook in the bathroom". The thing is, if I do that then the thoughts seem to dry up (no pun intended!).

Then there is the car. I am happily tootling along country lanes and thoughts start to flood my mind. I have been known to pull over in lay bys and scribble like mad. More often I drive faster, repeating my idea like a mantra and dash into the house to scribble. A writing colleague has a lovely small Dictaphone in her car. However, following my shower experience would the purchase of such a facility make my thoughts fly away?