So cute...

Beth will be leaving her creche to go to preschool in September. They had a photographer in a few weeks ago to take pictures of all the kids and put robes on the ones 'graduating' to the next school. Here is Beth's photo...

So cute :-D

Inspiration

I've been taking my writing seriously for about a year and a half now. In that time, there have been short stories, articles, blog posts, one completed novel and one in it's first draft. I have notebooks everywhere; beside my bed, in every bag (yes, I have many!), on the kitchen table etc. The reason for this is I like to have them on hand whenever I get an idea. In truth, I have been keeping a notebook handy for longer than I can remember, long before I ever thought writing could be my career.

I try to keep certain notebooks for specific types of writing, e.g. newspaper pieces, blog posts, novels or themes like romance, sci-fi, drama, and so on. I try... Of course, I'm completely unorganised and a lot of the time just grab the nearest one to me at any given time. This is because I know inspiration is fleeting. As any writer will tell you, inspiration can grab you at any time; walking for the bus, in a waiting room, having a drink in a bar or coffee shop. However, the one time (for me anyway) that most of my inspiration comes, is at night, in those moments before sleep comes. Many times in the past I've sketched a whole novel in my head and thought, I'll definitely remember that in the morning. Do I? Do I heck! I can't even remember the basic premise. Usually, it only takes a few key sentences in the notebook to help me remember the next morning but, without that, the story would be gone.

Now, of course, for the time when there's no inspiration... This usually happens when I sit at my computer, ready to start a new chapter/paragraph. What do you do then? 

If you wait for inspiration to write; you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter. ~ Dan Poynter

You just crack on with it. The first few sentences might not be very strong but that's what editing is for. You push through that barrier. Everything needs a push to get going and once you're going you keep going, for as long as possible. Even if the day outside looks like this...

Goals for May

It's May Day, the start of summer. Although, the weather has been a little better here, it is still not great. Very chilly but bright.

I'm doing some goals for May in the hope of actually achieving something by the end of the month. I've been drifting a lot lately and it's time to knuckle down.

May Goals:

1. Finish The Devil in the Clouds.

2. Get out on the road (waiting for provisional license).

3. Lose 7lb (about 3kg). I fell by the wayside during all the weddings, time to get back on track.

4. Clear garden. The front garden is almost done but a lot needs to be done on the back garden. I took 'before' pictures and want to do an 'unveil' here during the summer when all the flowers are in bloom.

5. Read The Quiet American by Graham Greene and The Famished Road by Ben Okri.

I think that's enough for now!

Hope your May Day is going good :-)