Uni, pj day and a write-in

Morning folks, I'm up bright and early due to a busy day. I have a uni session this morning, I'm currently waiting for the train to Birmingham, studying Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and Chopin's 'The Awakening'. After which, at midday, I am attending a Camp Nano write-in - my very first session meeting up with the Birmingham group.

I had a pj writing day earlier in the week and managed to get my planning completed. For me, I feel it is purely mind set that can determine my productivity. I select empty days on the calendar and literally create a designated date - thankfully family/household can indulge me.

Ok, I need to dash, my train has arrived. Catch you laters x

Update: my uni session had my head spinning so it was a delight to switch to the write-in at Cafe Lounge's basement. It was obviously a regular occurrence as the other ten knew each other very well, but they made me very welcome. I stayed for three hours and was quite amazed at how much I achieved. I'd previously doubted how much work I'd achieve in company but it really wasn't a concern.

Solitary, Nosiness and obsessive genes

Morning folks, I hope this post finds you happy and healthy. I'm just entering the second week of holiday so need to crack on this week with my work. Last week, I managed a fair amount but it was squeezed in between the fence painting and shed building that has consumed our household. Boy, have I painted some fencing - which has amazed the males in my world, though I think the stamina and lack of back ache comes down to my 'plodding genes'. Which got me thinking; which of my qualities helps my writing?

When I look back on life certain characteristics have always been present in my personality. Firstly, my ability to be solitary and alone for hours, even days on end. Some people despise it, don't they? Me! I love it! My parents hated this, worried about it in fact. I've always socialized when needed too but returned to my comfort zone of one a.s.a.p. It may sound pretty selfish but essential if you wish to write.

Secondly, my nosiness gene helps a lot. I hear or see the tiniest details and I'm instantly curious; who? What? When? How? Why? I met people, honestly I do socialize sometimes, and drink in anything unique about them. Which coupled with my skill of listening and a freakishly excellent memory for detail means I can recall on so many of life's encounters and experiences.

Thirdly, I have an obsession about time. Sounds crazy doesn't it but as a teenager my father was seriously ill and I realized at an early age how precious time is. I remember being shocked realizing that a week has just 168 hours! Even more so, on witnessing people waste those precious hours! Anyway, as an adult, I waste very, very few - which might explain to some, who know my in the flesh, why I'm always 'busy doing' - it's down my time obsession.

Finally, but definitely as important, is my imagination. I can be lost in another world, live it, breath it and feel it in a childlike manner. You know when young children are absorbed in a task and they don't answer you? That's me, my imagination takes over and I'm elsewhere when writing.

I feel quite fortunate to have discovered a role that must be helped by specific characteristics - could you be a writer without being nosey, needing company of others around the clock and wasting those precious hours?

On that note, I'll love and leave you - I have a work to do which isn't going to write itself. X

Bovary, The Secrets of the Shadows and novella

Morning folks, I start with a confession - I missed my writing group meeting last night. Having taken full advantage of the holidays, I lost track of days and thought it was Tuesday, nope it was Wednesday. I realized just in time to text a quick apology. Tut,tut!

On a brighter note, I've complete my uni essay discussing Flaubert's Madame Bovary and Collins' The Woman in White - not the easiest assignments for me but, hey done and dusted. I now start studying for my final assessment prior to the exam season, oh the joys!

I'm currently reading Helen Phifer's 'The Secrets of the Shadows' - her second novel published by Carina. I don't usually read crime/contemporary horror but make the exception as she's my RNA writing buddy. So far, I've read 20% of the book and am gripped by certain characters:Annie, Father John and Sean... I'll let you know how I get on being the scaredy cat wuss that I am. Please check it out as she's currently number one and number five in Amazon's contemporary horror charts.
www.amazon.co.uk/The-Secrets-Shadows-Helen-Phifer-ebook

Let me love you and leave you on a writing note, my novella plotting is coming along nicely. Yesterday I wrote a few pages note regards character and setting - today, I'll prepare my scrapbook of ideas and pictures.

Catch you later x

Holidays - novella v fence painting

Hi folks, it is official - I'm on holiday! So, my plan for today was to start plotting a novella. I thought I could work on this project for the next few weeks. So, I got up early, as you do, to make a great start but somewhere between the landing and my writing room my brain seriously malfunctioned. I had the strange idea that if I paint a garden fence panel, just one each day, by the time I return to work the whole garden fence would be freshly painted and looking beautiful. Lordy, Lordy. I have to confess - after seven hours I now have a beautifully painted garden fence and not a single word of the novella plotted or written! What am I like?

So, my plan for tomorrow - to start plotting a novella!

Catch you tomorrow folks x

RNA Birmingham Chapter meeting - writers' workshop

Morning folks, I write this as I sit on the train heading for a RNA Chapter writing day at the new Birmingham library. Our workshop is being lead by author and RNA member, Sue Moorcroft. It's going to be a full day of writer indulgence from 9 till 4pm.

I have to be honest and say, I am totally exhausted having completed my March challenge. But I only have myself to blame, though it has made me wonder at the output and the physical cost that writing has upon our bodies. I'm sure anyone reading this that have never written for extended periods might be shaking their heads, but I kid you not my back isn't back to normal, I did have a sore neck and have had several headaches since last weekend - which I 'm putting down to the writing stints. So, why do we do this to ourselves? Just because we love the written word? No, I did it because the finishing line was in sight and I was desperate to meet my deadline. Could I have moved the deadline date? Of course, but deep down I didn't want too. And, that's the point! I've moved deadlines before and they've become rolling dates that suddenly become pointless.

My birthday was last Tuesday, 1st April - yet another reason for my writing deadline - it was a day job day so I made the most of it by pranking as many pupils as I could. Lots of giggles on my part and numerous groans on theirs.

And so, back to this week. I have a writers' meeting on Thursday for which I have homework to complete before hand. Other then that, my mind is free to dream, muse and plan a new plot line in my head while my manuscript is away.

Enjoy the weekend folks, I shall return later with a mini update regards the RNA Chapter writing day, enjoy!

Follow up: What a fab day! Twenty writers shared, laughed and learnt so much from Sue Moorcroft, who it has to be said was very humorous throughout the day, and also very honest. I came home with my head buzzing and my heart uplifted eager to pursue my next project. If you have the chance to attend one of Sue's courses, I 'd recommend you go!