What am I?
I’m a writer.
It’s what my business cards say.
What I’m described as in legal documents and my Tax ID.
And my list/portfolio contains some eleven adult books, one childrens’ book and a number of short stories and anthologies.
So…
… writer I am.
I don’t actually talk an awful lot about my writing, or about the artform in general. I talk more about my surroundings and alternate interests. My writing is just that little bit private and I don’t share its progress much until it gets very close to publication.
I intermittently share the odd paragraph on Facebook, sometimes in a blog post, but those who follow the blog know I’m an old windbag about a coastal life, about gardening and family and about embroidery. Those activities are a means of balancing out a busy life.
Right now, spring is racing toward us at the speed of light, evidenced by tulip and crocus buds almost ready to burst, almond-blossoms drooping in the rain (!!!), the first freesia out and smelling divine. Although the above pics give no intimation of the weather outside as I write this!
Suffice to say, my blood starts to fizz with excitement when I can see evidence of spring. I love gardening and my groundwork plans begin to sprout. Not only that, I can almost smell boat trips on the seabreeze.
After a flat period of embroidery recently – that empty phase when one finishes a piece one really loved working and then waits for something else to fall into one’s lap – I picked up a needle the other day and just felt that the next few hearts I embroidered for 1000Hearts.com would be a bit special. That same evening, I found a pattern for a fish cushion which really excited me.
And to add fuel to my fire, I was alerted to a very sweet pin cushion kit from the UK that tempted me to buy it.
I have also been going through a flat period of writing after the passing away of my friend and researcher in France, Brian Cobb. One grieves. But the other evening, I said to myself ‘Write anyway. There’s always the rubbish bin.’
I wrote four pages on paper (I handwrite my original manuscript) and let it rip with no concern for rule and regulation. My characters are emotional and there’s a depth to them I love which is promising. AND, after reading the first. 50,000 words, my editor believes there’s a story there!
Your question – Do I have a story?
The answer is a resounding Yes! 100%
Where to start? Perhaps with the characters – all favourites of old. So grand to see them all, Toby especially. Mind, Ariella is a joy, too, the attraction from Henri – another great character, is a pleasure to read. I hope that goes somewhere nice.
And Cecile. A lovely soul, castigating herself at every turn. She too is a joy to be with!
Then there’s the story – the relics, the quest, a storyline developing so nicely, pulling all the threads together, almost as though Fate itself is lending a hand. I like it very much!
I think it must be a form of spring-cleaning, all this newfound energy and inspiration. It lights a creative fire. There’s no pressure, just a desire to create in the round, if you like. In the garden, on fabric and on paper.
And amongst this is the familiar crescent of my favourite beach, the rhythmic pull of the waves, the stridency of seabirds and the fragrance of effervescent sea air.
It’s a good time, despite Covid-19 and the state of the world. As long as we keep our goalposts close and take pleasure in the small things, imagination and creativity seem to take care of themselves. I should have remembered that a few weeks ago.
Cheers all…
I am sitting here quietly at 6:30am, listening to thunder, the sound of rain bouncing off my spare room window and seeing the occasional flash of lightning while thinking of the birth of my youngest son on this date 38 years ago and looking at emails. Then I come upon a wonderful post by a lovely author on the other side of this big blue ball. I’d like you to know that I look forward to you sharing your thoughts, photos and snippets of your life. Places I will likely never experience in my lifetime but am able to get a glimpse of through your shares. Things that are important in your life that reveal why I enjoy your writing so much.
These past months have been something we all will remember in times to come in different ways. Once, many years ago, my Dad said something to me that has kept me going through thick and thin “When times seem tough, it’s really only a test of your intestinal fortitude. I know you can do it and your Mum and I are right here behind you” He passed away a few years later but that encouragement has stayed with me ever since and brought me to where I am at this moment. During Covid, I was able to continue working safely as well as having more time for the things in life that are important to me – my husband and family, picking up my knitting which has been sorely neglected, sorting boxes of photos, culling my bookshelves to share with others and just being able to slow down a bit. I am so thankful for the life I’ve had and continue to live.
I am also happy that you have another story and I look forward to reading it when it arrives!!
(I don’t know what possessed me to share these thoughts today – it must have been your post 😉 ).
Time for a tea, what I shall whip up for breakfast when my hubby wakes and then a call to my son on the West Coast when it’s a decent hour for him LOL
Judy in rainy Canada
Judy, what a lovely comment!!!
You make my day, truly, by your support.
I love your father’s saying. We have so much to thank them for, don’t we? My mum and dad were the same.
As an aside, we have just finished binge-watching 13 series of Heartland to which my OH and I became addicted. More than anything, it was the Canadian countryside that took our breath away. That and the solid writing of each episode and the scope of a family saga. Canada is beautiful!
Prue, the Canadian West is truly breath-taking and I always get the same feelings of awe whenever I can get out there to visit. I live in Ontario at the very southernmost part of Canada which is flat and has a mix of farmland and urban areas. I can actually see the US from my workplace as it’s a mile on the other side of a river.
Hubby and I watched a 4 part series recently on public television (NOVA) called Australia: First 4 Billion Years – a fascinating watch and although I remember studying Australia in Geography, this gave me new insight to just how interesting and beautiful it is.