A Stroll, Some Cards, A Flutter, Some Words... All In A Day's Work For A Writer

What a day!

I've walked 10 miles on a round trip to see my niece this morning and then come home to lose on the Grand National, draw with my nanna at cards and then progress my second book in my latest romance novels by 5,460 words (it doesn't sound much, but believe me it is!)

So I went out for a walk, partly as preparation for my 100km walk in May for Demelza Hospice for Children but also so I could visit my little two week, almost three week old niece, Emmy. Boy, is she a cutie. Upon picking her up and holding her squarely in front of me, (supporting her head of course before you reel away in horror) little Emmy opts to sneeze not once, but twice in my face. Safe to say, I was not terribly pleased but then I saw what I swear was a smile and it made me laugh at the situation. She is amazing.

When I reached home, Nanna and I had a game of Five Crowns (if you haven't heard of it, Google it! It's amazing.) After breaking out into a four - one lead and with just three games remaining, Nanna in true form pegged me back to four - four and subjected me to one of her laughs that tells you, you've been bamboozled again!

We watched The Grand National and I didn't get a winner. It was genuinely sad to see some of the horses fall, reminding me that I don't really like the sport because I don't think it is a sport. It's cruel. Next year maybe a boycott for me!

Following The National, I moved into my fortress of solitude, aka my bedroom, and began work on editing the final parts of episode 4 of the sitcom before proceeding to book two of my four part book series, based in New York. I'm really enjoying this project and hope to have it published soon. It's in-depth, heart-warming, funny at times but also quite sad - don't worry, I think the sad is heavily outweighed by the rest of the descriptors mentioned above. Today I wrote 5,460 words and as I said, it doesn't sound like much but it is when you go over it and re-write it seven or eight times. After a while, you feel as though you are there on the sofa with them, discussing the life you have created as if it was you own (but that's a good thing, right?)
Anyway, its been a long day so I'm going to hit the deck.

Thanks for reading, best wishes as always and leave me a comment. x

Getting Ready to Wander the Globe!

So today is the big step towards backpacking.

I went to the Chinese Embassy. They've taken my passport for the next fortnight (I hope) and I wait patiently to see if they'll permit me a visa. I know people say, 'You'll be fine, no worries,' and I nod my head contently, pretending they know what they're talking about when they have never applied for one, but these things can still go wrong. Today alone, I have seen two separate applicants coming away from a visa agent, almost in tears.

Anyhow, I'm optimistic and the countdown until I leave for Beijing is well and truly on!

One thing that did get me through was Alice Peterson's Ten Years On novel. Definitely worth a read!

Tomorrow, I'm off to Ashford to have needles stuck in my arm for all kinds of vaccinations against South East Asian diseases. Lucky I'm not squeamish!

With regards to my writing, I am finishing off episode four of the sitcom I mentioned in the previous post with my co-writer tomorrow. Perhaps a sample may surface in the proceeding days, perhaps not. If it doesn't, I'll add a short story.

Thanks as always for dropping by and best wishes x

Busy Easter Bunny.

So it's turning out to be a busy weekend, both writing and with family.

Saturday, I spent near to 10 hours writing my sitcom script. It's coming along really well, with three complete episodes written and half the fourth currently underway. Yesterday was also a particularly big milestone in my so far amateur writing career because I allowed another to assist in co-writing. Suz, who also acts as my editor, sat down with me and went through my ideas and gave her own, before we laughed our way through script writing episode four.

I was actually pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was working with somebody else. There is always apprehension when letting others hear your ideas but Suz shares a similar comedic mindset - I don't know if that's a good or bad thing!

Watch this space.

In my private life, on Sunday, I found myself at home with my family, including the newest addition to the family. My 2 week old niece, Emmy is visiting with my brother and his wife. A household of normally four is today occupied by nine people (my other brother and his wife came down too). It fills me with a sense of sadness that this is no longer a normality at my parent's home. Those days are gone but that is life.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a post dedicated to feelings of sorrow. Despite the change mentioned above, I am still happy that I have a family so close and that we all enjoy the time we spend together.

We played the usual family games, had the usual family debates and enjoyed each other's company over a lamb and turkey roast. It's weekends like these that I will truly miss when I go travelling.

Thanks for reading, with my best wishes x