More than Writers

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Hang on, folks, the almost eternal January is nearly over! Fresh year, new start and all that but have you run into writing difficulties yet?     I have learned over time every writer has writing difficulties so it isn’t just us, though it may feel like it. Knowing what can trigger finding writing a struggle is good to know. The chief one for me is over-tiredness.   When I feel like this, I ease off. I focus on little bits of writing and increase my reading. The former helps me feel good I’ve written something (and often you need a morale boost at these times). The latter relaxes me. Being relaxed helps me write more later.    I also get plenty of sleep.  Once I could write into the small hours. Not any more. Am not sorry. I’ve found regular hours at a more sensible time works better.   Remember this is temporary. You love writing. We all get tired. If you are over tired a break is what ...

Image Credit:  Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Where there are writers, they will fall either side of The Great Debate.  To Plan or Not to Plan, that is the question - whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to work out a outline or to accept sometimes you’re going to box yourself in because you didn’t (otherwise known as a sea of troubles).   With apologies to W. Shakespeare, late of the Parish of Stratford-upon-Avon. I wonder how many drafts he did but suspect the fact he had deadlines helped him focus. I plan. I don’t plan everything. I need enough to get me started, whether it’s a blog, a flash fiction tale, or my columns elsewhere.  I knew from the start of this I would misquote Shakespeare for what I hope is humorous effect. Am not sorry. Am sure he would be delighted to know he still inspires writers - that’s my excuse. I have only abandoned two short stories. I’ve been writing for over 25 years. That isn’t a bad return rate but why did this h...

Image Credit:  Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Picture this. You meet a new writer who likes your work (wonderful), has bought your book (even better), and they’re after writing advice from you (flattered to be asked). What do you say? My thoughts are:- Be well stocked up on tea, coffee, or other non-alcoholic beverages. Writing is hard work (and alcohol doesn’t aid concentration). You need something to keep you going. Biscuits may prove to be your Slimming World consultant’s friend! Having to get up every so often means you get screen breaks! It’s an ill wind and all that. Do keep hydrated. Dehydration does nothing for creativity.  Despite writing to screen, it pays to have pen and paper handy. I often have ideas for stories while working on blogs. I jot these down and examine them later. Sometimes they’re excellent and I use them. Sometimes they’re not as good as I thought and I discard them. There seems to be an unwritten law stating the busier you are wi...

I've just passed my three year milestone on the blog. What a privilege! There is a full set, apart from Feb '19 when I was going through a mega stressful time trying to access residential care for my 97-year-old Mum. When Wendy took the risk of offering me a slot it felt like a BIG challenge. In awe of the quality contributions and writing credentials of others, I knew I'd have to hit the ground galloping. What if ideas failed me ..... if I couldn't hit deadlines ..... if nobody wanted to read ..... if technology defeated me ..... ? Then there was the generous dose of imposter syndrome that I finally owned up to in my April blog this year. People were bound to see through me! But Wendy encouraged me to have a go, taking me by the hand, guiding me through the technicalities and outlining the brief: ' write about writing, reading and/or Christianity in 500 words.' Now Wendy has handed over to Rosemary and guidelines for contributions have recently come under fier...

This time last year, I was spending lovely long, sunny days at my laptop creating the world of Isabella M Smugge. I had loads of time, hardly any work left thanks to the pandemic, no idea what I was doing and was delightfully naïve about the whole business of publishing.   A year on, the deadline for delivering the MS of my current WIP, “The Trials of Isabella M Smugge” to Instant Apostle is 1 st July. As I write this on 6 th June, only twenty-four days remain. I have been closeted with Isabella and her world for weeks now, surfacing only to eat and sleep. I’ve had to fit in lots of freelance work around her since most of the work I lost in lockdown has come back and then some.   I very much enjoyed Fran Hill’s latest blog in which she revealed her own recent experience of writing a book. Her notes to self (“Is the asthma important to the plot?” and “Didn’t I say she had red hair in Chapter 1?” and “If the aunt in New Zealand surfaces, will she need a subplot to herself?”)...

Today is the deadline for me delivering my manuscript to the publisher. I began this week full of enthusiasm after the brilliant ACW Writers’ Day in Birmingham. However, I also knew I had an almost insurmountable amount of work still to do to meet the deadline so there was some trepidation mixed in with the enthusiasm. I began the week by reading the Bible and in prayer, seeking God’s inspiration and anointing to help me finish off my book. I was bowled over by the verses for Monday in the devotional I am working through, particularly this one: ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.’ (Psalm 32:8) I immediately had a vivid picture of God watching over me in love as I write, helping to give me direction. Yes writing is a struggle. It is difficult and takes so much out of us. And yet God loves to see us being creative, using the talents he has given us. In the last few weeks leading up to t...

I am good at meeting deadlines. In fact, in my book, (not the one I'm writing but the one I'm living), the worst thing you can do is fail to meet one. I was once so horrified to discover that I hadn't sent a document to a senior leader by the eve of the given date, that I spent half the night completing it. Having sent it, with many apologies for only just  meeting the deadline, I received a reply early the next day. "Dear Deborah, There was no need for the apology. Literally. You sent me this completed form two weeks ago! Do hope you didn't break a leg doing it again! But thanks, anyway..." Well, yes actually, I did... Apparently the term deadline originates from prison camps during the war, referring to a physical line or boundary beyond which prisoners could not go. They were usually about 20 feet away from the inside wall and anyone who crossed them would be immediately shot. This makes sense to me, which is why I experience mild terror if I think t...

  My writing self Thirty years ago when I first started working, I decided that most teachers fall into two categories – bossy, organised types or dreamy, creative ones. I concluded quickly, and reluctantly, that I was the latter. It was a lonely moment. There aren’t many of us. Even today most colleagues are the sort who have shredders and put next day’s date on the board. If I had a few extra minutes at the end of the day, I’d be double mounting a leaf rubbing or writing a model calligram (or stuffing my shredding pile under the bookcase). When the Head brings the chair of governors round, I’m the one cross-legged in a patch of sunshine cutting out ladybirds. I quickly learned though, that those who are respected in teaching, as in most jobs, are those who are organised – they plan ahead, they meet deadlines, they keep their word. They’ve set their emails to read “Science Co-ordinator” or “Phase Leader” under their name so they, and others, know who they are. ...

Starting out with one Hat Some days I feel a lot like Bartholomew Cubbins with his 500 hats: I take one hat off and find another one in its place. We all have many hats: mother, father, employee, employer, writer, editor, taxi driver, friend … the list goes on. Juggling all those hats can feel overwhelming at times. My professional hats include writer, editor, photographer, student, publisher, proofreader, website designer and manager, teacher, ACW Events Organiser, and probably others that will come to me as soon as I hit publish on this blog post. No wonder I feel exhausted so much of the time! (Well, that and ME/CFS …) So what’s the secret to juggling so many hats? I wish I knew! But here are some of the things I’ve learned. What works for me may not work for you, so feel free to offer your own juggling tips in the comments below. 1. Organisation. I have all of my different projects listed on a To-do List – though I confess I don’t always look at it! Nevertheless...