'Rhinestone Cowboy'

Have you ever been transported back in time by a song? I'm sure we all have at some point in our lives... I'd feel a little sorry for you if you hadn't. Well, it happened to me this week having taken a phone call to inform me that my grandmother had died. I was seated in the Library of Birmingham, currently my favourite building, waiting to attend my writers' group when the sad news came through. I was expecting the news so it wasn't such a shock but I wasn't where I'd imagined I might be taking such a phone call but given the nature and circumstance of her death - it was a pretty good place to be.

Afterwards as I quietly sat watching the world go by and absorbing the news a song burst into head - without warning, manners and no apparent thought. It simply appeared. Not a song my grandmother would sing or have chosen as it doesn't represents her personality in anyway, but it did signify a specific moment in time for me: Glen Campbell's 'Rhinestone Cowboy'. Any relative reading this has just grimaced and is still staring in horror at the screen at such an unlikely association. Hey, I'm just being honest, I can't help how my creative brain stores memories and images!  Anyhow the track burst onto my head transporting me back to being 6 years old, seated in Nan's 1970s lounge, where I'd sat mesmerised by the words/images on hearing this track for the first time in my life - on vinyl, I may add. The images and sensations were so, so vivid - as if I were actually back there. Anyway, for the rest of Wednesday evening the song was like a backing track swirling about my mind until sleep arrived.

Thursday morning after that initial 'eyes open and brain remembers the event of yesterday' shock - it started up again. I taught five lessons, conducted detentions and attended another writers' meeting with 'Rhinestone cowboy' blaring in my head.

Friday wasn't as bad, but still I simply had to silence Glen Campbell crooning in my head.

Music has always been a powerful stimulus in my life that I consciously use to my advantage while writing to create moods, situations and visual reminders... and sometimes it takes over of its own accord.

So, having no choice but to submit and welcome Glen Campbell as the new addition to my song box of memories I thought it best to reorganise my list of 'Desert Island discs'.

1. 'We love to boogie' - T Rex
2. 'Town Called malice' - The Jam
3. 'Dancing Queen' - Abba
4. 'Bring me sunshine' - Morcombe and Wise
5. 'I vow to be thy country' - a traditional hymn
6. 'Let it be me' - Everly Brothers
7. 'I want to hold your hand' - Beatles
8. Rhinestone Cowboy  - Glen Campbell (should you wish to hear the inside of my head for the last four days!)

Having regained silence, I'll return to my desk and begin my writing - chuckling every now and then because this surprise musical experience really hasn't been the memories of my nan that I'd have banked on!

Apologies to anyone that has spoken to me since Wednesday but now you know what was occurring in my head!

My writing room - one year anniversary

Ever wondered how productive having you own writing space would be? For numerous years whilst pitched in the corner of the dining room, with more traffic than Piccadilly Circus, it was a question I regularly pondered. I spent hours longing for my own space. Frequently, I'd moan about household distractions, constant interruptions or even the lack of respect that my creative corner received from others. Was it an excuse to avoid knuckling down to write? An excuse for my lack of focus? Or simply the truth expressed by Ms Woolfe - I needed my own room.

Today 3rd January 2015, I can answer those question honestly, with evidence to support*. Ms Woolfe was correct, I simply needed my own room. It wasn't plain moaning and griping but an honest desire that I knew would enhance my productivity.

Today is the anniversary of my writing room, the single spare bedroom that I emptied then quickly refilled with writing paraphernalia. A room that I have visited each day since taking ownership, a room that has become my creative space where I've managed to produce 213,704 words. I'll type that again, if felt good - 213,704 words. OMG! Who would have thought it? Those 213,704 words have been shared between novels, short stories, poems and blog updates but each and every one has sprung from my muse and my fingertips.

I always knew a writing room was going to be a significant advantage to me but having experienced the last year... I would suggest all would-be-writers start fighting for 'your space'.

I feel there is a psychology regards the writing room:

• I flip straight into writing mode on every visit.
• My work notes scatter the floor - on returning I pick up the idea thread as if I'd never left.
• A validation has emerged regards my work and efforts.
• Others have developed a recognition regards my efforts.
• Everything I need to write is in one space making the task feel easier.
• A level of professionalism has developed  - no longer my hobby.

Subconsciously I knew what I was missing, I needed a 'Narnia' - that special place where the magic could happen. In short, taking ownership of my writing room has possibly been the most significant step I've taken towards my writing goals.

Here's to a fresh writing year - fingers crossed that by 3rd January 2016 I'll have a lot more to celebrate!

* Yes, I'm a spreadsheet freak who writes down her daily output... but hey, it comes in handy for knowing your productivity x

My writing room...

Happy New Year!

A huge and heart felt thank you from me for following my blog. I wish you all a fabulous and sparkley happy New Year... I pray that 2015 is as creative and productive as 2014 was. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Just a quick note to wish you all the Christmas you desire. Whether it be a crazy family filled one, an intimate quiet day, a party-all-day one or a cosy snuggled day with those you love - I hope all your dreams come true!

I have had a fabulous day so far, my hubby bought me a very special road sign which links to my current WIP... I absolutely love it. He's my hero, armed with a hammer and nails on Christmas Day, he's already hung it in my writing room. ❤️

Reading books for 2015

Many months ago I wrote about my rekindled love of reading. I've manage to read 27 novels during 2014 thanks to the Goodreads Reading Challenge, so my intention is to continue into 2015. Yesterday, accompanied with a large glass of vino, I took a leisurely hour to select 20 books from my little green bookcase - books that keep calling my name as they are long overdue to be read.

Below is my selection, not necessarily in order:

Choices for 2015...

I can't possibly predict the number of ebooks I'll read in 2015 so made sure I left plenty of reading room for the unexpected - but the first ebooks of the year will include:

A suitable young man - Anne L Harvey
It started at Sunset cottage - Bella Osborne
The olive branch - Jo Thomas
Anything and everything written by Helen Phifer - hopefully book number 4!

So here's to 2015, where I'm hoping to lose myself amongst the pages of these delights.

My Little Green Book Case... an old picture...
as now it has piles of books stacked
infront and on top!
.

Holiday, promotion and a plethora of bugs

It's official, I'm on holiday! Given my absence for two weeks you won't know just how good that feels. I've had a nightmare, quite literally. I wrote my last blog regards November being such a dream then bang! December serves me a plethora of bugs, colds and coughs.... the worst I've had in years. I stopped writing... for four days solid, that's how bad I was. To be fair I haven't completely recovered but I can write... a sure sign that I'm on the mend. The effect on 'December Daily' a pledge made with my friend Bella Osborne has been a immense turning it from a daily task to a game of weekend catch-up - definitely not what we'd pledged and shook hands on. 

Some good news, I secured myself a promotion at the day-job which alleviates uncertainties and stresses. All good news in my book.

You know me well enough to know I have plans, a tick list and a whole host of mini goals prepared for this holiday. Over the next seventeen days I hope to write, blog and tweet on a regular basis - so please take my hand and let's step into Christmas.    

November 2014 - missing you already x

It is official November 2014 was the most productive, informative and pleasurable month in my writing career. And, just 6 days into December... I'm missing  him already.

My November started in Sneem, Ireland where I was completing a research trip so I can finish off my current project. We'd had four fabulous days chatting with the locals so I was truly sad to leave.

The 1st November also triggers my 'crazy gene' in relation to NaNoWriMo forcing me begin my opening chapters at the airport, whilst waiting to fly home.

By the 15th I was well on track to complete Nano ahead of the usual schedule so was pretty happy with myself. Then delight of all delights, I was invited to attend Alison May's writing day in Birmingham. I can honestly say, I had a huge light-bulb moment in relation to the psychology of writing. You'd think I'd have figured it out before having got my name plastered on a BSc Psychology (with honours) - but I hadn't. Anyway, the moment was this... when I'm talking or thinking about my work I always use the same phrase 'I'm writing a book' - that term will be repeated for nine months/a year. The thing is my brain gets sick of the same 'task' so begins to dwindle... which in turn effects how I think about the project. When the reality is 'I'm planning a book', 'I'm drafting a book', 'I'm doing major edits on my book....' you get the pictures I'm sure. I need to recognising the actual process which will help reassure my brain that we are moving through the stages and the finishing line is in sight. Sounds simple... but until that day I hadn't realised what I had kept doing. Now my little brain is happy and skippy knowing that one huge task 'I'm writing a book' has been cut into sizeable chunks. Based on this epiphany moment I even did homework for Ms May, seriously on a Sunday morning! As a visual learner... I have printed and laminated (you've got to love my teacher gene) a series of cards that clearly state which stage I'm in... woo hoo the correct card now hangs beside my desk as I work... just in case my brain forgets where we are and goes all dwindly again.

I also purchased a second hand wooden chair as my back ache was becoming unbearable... I don't think it's a coincidence that the selling household lived directly opposite a large old-fashioned pub. So hush... 'cause if you tell the Blue Boar I'll deny all knowledge... anyway, they can't have it back I've now painted it in Annie Sloane's Louis Blue!

So much and I'm only at 19th! This was a first for me 'The RNA Winter Party'. I had the cheek to ask the big boss of the day job if I could leave 25 minutes early. I took a gamble and it paid off with a resounding yes and a very generous signature. I promise: I shall repay you in day job loyalty terms for granting me the time. I could actually attend the party and be with my writing buddies.

We had a fabulous night, I was introduced to so many more wonderful writer bods and was able to catch up and hug many of my already known lovelies. As always at an RNA do - my gushy girl fan moment was with Jo Thomas... such a warm, lovely lady (if you haven't read The Oyster catcher yet, you must)... and bless my buddy Bella Osborne for her quick-thinking-fancy-pants-phone-snapping moment, I have it captured for ever. I voted Talli Roland as the nicest, most supportive, uber glamorous, well-dressed women gracing our Earth... thank you to whoever it was that gave her a helping hand on the path to publication inspiring her to follow suit and always, always support other writers... there's a lesson for us all.

I already know that I shall try to attend every London party because I had a wail of a time. From the pre-drinks in Waterstone Piccadilly through to the very slow late night train from Euston - I didn't stop laughing... which one hilarious moment with Bella Osborne, captured by the official camera gal at the party, had better have been deleted!!!

22nd November dawned: my NaNo was complete. I have managed to write 50,004 words in just 22 days - seriously, I was in shock. As I'd said to everyone that was following my progress the book is just flowing out of me... an usual experience but it did. My brain having been booked and psyched up for a 30 day stint told me I couldn't stop there, so we didn't... by 30th November I had managed 60,019 words! On validation NaNo's electronic system confirmed and awarded 60,105 words - I'm not going to quibble.

Every day in November was driven by my writing, it's no coincidence that I loved every minute of the month. This writing game is a funny pursuit but with  months like that I'll just keep plodding x