• writer • philosopher • dog magnet •
One of the 2019 Emerging Writers Festival workshops I enjoyed was Madeleine Dore’s Reaching the Finish Line, but it was mainly about overcoming fear. Overcoming Fear of What? I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I tell you that procrastination is all about Fear. Fear is like cancer; it’s not just one thing. Big F Fear is a word that…
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Seeing as I revised my 2019 planning and combined my 2017 and 2019 goals and themes in April 2019, a 2019 Mid-Year Review hardly seems worthwhile. But I feel like 2019 to date has sucked big time, and while I’m pretty sure that’s just recent events overshadowing the rest of the year, it’s a good idea to take another look…
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Due to a recent transplant rejection scare, I’ve lost track of June 2019. It took up a lot of brain power and time, but thankfully was just a scare. Though it’s really time to take myself in hand and make some changes. I seem to recall I felt quite positive at the end of the month, and it amazes me…
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I recently went to a writer’s conference. And that was kind of funny; writers are generally solitary creatures. Even in a crowded room we’re busy being alone. Like koalas, we prefer being in our well established territories, and are more likely to attack than cuddle other writers. Okay, maybe not attack, but definitely not cuddle. So it makes a conference…
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Just recently I’ve read (and written) a few stories about World War II London. I’m inspired to write a Stress Free London Blitz Dinner Party. Food shortages not withstanding, it’s easier than you think. Food Yes there were food shortages, and rationing – mainly meat, tea, dairy, sugar and manufactured sweets. Fresh vegetables were hard to come by, but people…
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Conference Season is upon us. On the one hand, you’ll get a few days out of the office and maybe make some new friends and industry contacts. On the other, you have to come up with a Signature Wardrobe Conference Outfit… Climate/Location/Activities The venue will probably be big and air-conditioned, somewhere city central, like a hotel or dedicated conference space….
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I’m working on a new book I’m hoping to release before Christmas, so over the last few weeks I’ve spent many happy hours snooping about in 150 – 175 year old private papers. Letters, notes, drawing – someone thought to save them for posterity My book concerns one of Victoria’s most significant men; Edward Wilson (1813 – 1878). He’s the…
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I’ve been thinking about minding the beeswax of business. It started when I was happily watching a period drama. You know the kind of thing – lovely clothes, beautiful houses and lush gardens. Cold relationships between the rich and aristocratic families, but much warmer with their domestic servants. So it came as a bit of a culture clash to see…
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May 2019 marks a small but significant change in direction for little writing business. It seems that April’s clearing out had freed some time and space for other concerns. It remains to be seen whether that’s a good or bad thing. There’s nothing to see just yet, but if it works out as I hope, there’ll be a significant difference…
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I don’t believe in writer’s block, I believe in the logic of creative pursuits. Generally, when I sit down to write, I just write the next sentence. I ask what’s the next logical thing, and then I write it down. And then the next sentence, and the sentence after that, followed by another sentence. And then I’m generally on a…
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Do you have control of your life? Most people would immediately say yes, but few bother to think about how. Or if in fact they do. Following on from Mother’s day, I’ve been musing about my mother. I admit I am probably more fond of her now that she’s dead than when she wasn’t. We butted heads most of my…
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It’s been a busy couple of weeks. I have so much to do that I’m not sure what to do first. Or second. Or last for that matter. I’ve been sick, DB’s been sick and pretty girl’s been sick. She was so sick she slept through the last episode of Game of Thrones! (Actually, I dosed off too). There were…
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Sometimes it’s funny what you find isn’t it? You start an internet search with a clear goal, and this leads to that, which comes round to the other. And before you know it, the day’s gone and you haven’t found what you were looking for. Though you may have found something interesting instead. Like an epic library catalogue from the…
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April 2019 turns out to have been a big month for getting rid of junk, working on my business, and indirectly on personal goals. During which I created a colourful and imaginative flowchart artwork made from assorted sized, shaped and coloured sticky notes. That I should have taken a picture of before I took down. Which nicely leads into the…
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I mentioned in my Winter Wardrobe Plan that I needed new undergarments. But it was a kind of off-hand addition that suggested there was no particular need or rush. But, I just bought some. And they’re amazing! I can’t believe I waited so long. Which makes me think how it’s funny what you get used to – ugly droopy drawers…
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