It’s six years in April since I started writing Home Thoughts; pretty much unpublished, largely unread and free to let off a bit of playful steam. Lately, I’d begun to think this blog had run its course; family either side of me deserve a bit of privacy to get on with the nuts and bolts of their lives and months of grey skies, endless rain and constant cold have worn me down. Then a lovely reader left a very appreciative comment about Home Thoughts on another post which reminded me that one of the best things about writing is connecting with readers and encouraged me to renew my efforts here. Thank you, Chanpreet!
One of my aims this year has been to recapture the joy of writing. Achieving the dream of being published brings a fear of never being published again which is not exactly conducive to creativity! My head is full of future books and I’m enjoying writing Book Three, but I’d still like to overcome the inner critic who slows me down. I’ve recently reread Hilary Mantel’s Ten Rules for Writing Fiction (one of my favourite articles ever is her hilarious account of not winning prizes here) and finally got round to buying myself a copy of Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. I can tell you that the ‘morning pages’ are hateful – absolutely the last thing I want to do the minute my eyes open is to reach for a pen and yet, and yet, I can feel something changing. I’m not sure I like the finger-wagging tone, either, but I’ll persevere. One writing book I do very much like though is Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. One sentence in the preface always stands out for me, ‘You tell the truth,’ she says, ‘and you depict it in detail’ – such a simple and straightforward reminder of what to do.
And finally …
In other news Move Over Darling is on the list of eligible books for the Wales Book of the Year. A couple of other writing friends are there too, including my fellow Choc Lit writer, Evonne Wareham and Honno author Juliet Greenwood. I’m not exactly holding my breath to be shortlisted, ah, but wouldn’t it be nice?
Painting is 'Rain Setting In, Pembrokeshire Coast' by Tom Tomos
Comments
Good luck with the competition!
Plus, the pictures are nice.
Thanks for the links.
Then I read the prior comments, and your replies and feel greatly reassured.
I am so happy that your most recent novel is getting additional recognition, and know that I am already looking forward to reading the book that you are now working on.
You've a unique voice Chris, and we veteran readers of your blog know that voice to to true and witty and one that draws us close. Perhaps it't that familiarity that makes it even more interesting to see how you enter the minds of other characters that appear in your novels.
Keep writing, keep running...stay away from those uncontrolled bad doggies!
I very much like Tom's posted painting. It shows that grey and water and Weather can be beautiful.
xo
Sheepish, thank you. Sorry to hear the winter blues have got you too - I hope the sleep regime is working. Here's to spring!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll make the shortlist. I have every faith that you will.
We all go through up and downs, and while winter may weigh heavy, it will always be followed by spring. Perhaps taking some time for yourself and your family would be something you could do. We'll be here.
Ah, Chanpreet, I was seriously thinking about calling a halt to it when you commented on my RomCon post and said you enjoyed following Home Thoughts. It was that connection that made me reconsider. I guess it's a good example of how important reader feedback can be, especially when I was feeling at a low ebb. I would be very surprised if the judges for the Wales Book of the Year were bold enough to go down the romance route - but let's see what happens and many thanks again for your very kind thoughts.