Scrolling through Twitter the other day I noticed a post from a fiction writer asking his followers if 2020 had been their worst year yet. ‘Not even close,’ I thought. It’s true. 2018 will forever be my ‘annus horribillis’, even though ‘horrible’ feels like a massive understatement when describing the loss of your mum, your… Continue reading …resilient
I've not blogged in a while because I've been editing my novel. I sent it to my editor on Friday, word-blind, exhausted and more than a little nervous. It's as good as I can make it on my own - now I need a professional to steer me in the right direction. Handing over my… Continue reading …elated
I had a 'Joy day' today; a full day dedicated to basically following my heart and doing exactly what I felt would bring me joy in the moment. It was a complete change from what I had planned, which was an hour-by-hour schedule of writing, online courses, shopping and housework. But I woke before my… Continue reading …joyful
Working in communication, I'm a natural news hound. Pre-crisis my day would start by reading the paper online before even getting out of bed. I told myself the blue light helped wake me up.Once up, I'd listen to the Today programme. At lunch, it would be The World at One, Sky News or CNN. PM… Continue reading …disconnected
Clutter has always jangled my brain. While it's a cliché that some writers can't work until their desk is clear, this is very real for me. Don't get me wrong, my desk is nothing like the one in the picture below and my office is an Aladdin’s cave of pictures, plants and knickknacks, but everything… Continue reading …uncluttered
I got turned down for an emergency Covid19 survival grant for our holiday let business today. I didn’t realise how much hope I had invested in it until the slightly curt email arrived informing me that, due to the volume of demand for help, the panel had said no. What we do now, I’m really… Continue reading …disappointed
Over the years I’ve tried so hard to cultivate a meditation habit. I went to classes but stopped when I realised that paying a tenner a time to fall asleep on the floor of the village hall was a bit of a waste. I’ve tried tapes (yes, we’re going back a bit!), apps and books… Continue reading …mindful
After my mum's death, I had therapy to try and navigate through the minefield that is grief. It's a process that I don't think ever really ends. There's no finish line, no tape across the chest moment and no finishers medal. That's the hardest part I think. Coming slowly to the awful realisation that there… Continue reading …grateful
Today has been glorious. We're lucky enough to have a garden and while it's only small, it's a haven to me. I'm not a great gardener. I'm very much of the 'shove it in the earth and see' brigade, but I can both lose and find myself when I'm out there pottering with only the… Continue reading …ready
It's all about being... 