It's Monday morning, the birds are singing and I am totally refreshed having spent the weekend at a writing retreat. If you know me, you know that I love nothing more than packing my car on a Friday afternoon and trundling off to wherever for a weekend of dedicated writing. So having spent the last three days in the delightful company of three other authors - I'm now home to start a fresh week.

I appreciate that some readers might not fully understand the significance or mindset which comes from attending writing retreats. Over the years, I've had many people suggest their costly, their indulgent and possibly, not productive but I believe otherwise. As always, I set a goal: 10,000 words. I managed 8,500 during the retreat and finished off on arriving home with a weekend total of 10,332 words! I can't complain about that. 

It wasn't a tutor led retreat but a dedicated writing one, so I set up my writing spot in the dining room and away I worked, thanks to the delightful delivery of tea!  

I had a change of scenery, laughed a great deal given that my co-authors are hilariously witty and have eaten some truly delicious meals. What's a girl to do, but enjoy!

And so, begins another week of writing boosted by a weekend away working!​

I'm a firm believer that creativity supports and encourages my writing. Earlier this year, I shared my sketches uploading each piece throughout the month, so I'm repeating by 'sharing' during August. I'll even include my 'painting by numbers' peacock which is coming along very slowly.

As an aspiring author you don't look much beyond the dream of one day being published. You hanker for that almighty 'yes' from an editor or agent, yet rarely question the world you're entering. It comes as a great surprise to encounter the other elements of a published author's life. There's the in-person library talks, the on-going social media presence, the on-line book groups discussions, the competition giveaways, the advice requests, the mentoring queries and the flow of 'Thank you' messages from grateful readers which fills your week; each provides an interesting and pleasurable aspects outside of writing your book.

Last week, I experienced the ultimate thrill! 

As a youngster, I wasn't encouraged to pursuit higher education post 18; my parents were pretty old-school in believing that I needed a full-time job before 'life' followed a set path. At the time I knew no different, so trusted the guidance I had. By the time I hit my twenties, I actually resented that guidance. I may have collected average grades throughout school, but I was nobody's fool! The education system appeared to be behind me, the chance of university and qualifications felt like a missed opportunity, and yet I yearned to learn more. It didn't help that my sibling attended uni for a short time before being kicked out for spending all his time in Pizza Hut!!!

So imagine my delight on discovering The Open University! Boy oh boy, how life changed from that moment. I was able to study two degrees: psychology and English literature before completing teacher training. It wasn't an easy route, but a necessary one for me. Whilst focusing on my OU studies and securing the 'day job', I spent my free time working on the 'dream job'. It'll come as no surprise, that as part of my English Literature degree, I was eager to study the OU's two creative writing courses. I learnt so much about the basic 'tool kit' and creative foundation necessary that I adopted some practises as my own. That was back in 2008 and 2009!

Last week, some 12 years after studying their two creative writing courses, the OU interviewed myself and Shereen Malherbe, a fellow author and OU student, to create a study resource for inclusion as course material for their current Creative Writing course. OMG! This interviewed topped every other event I have undertaken as an author. I was literally blown away to be given the opportunity to share my experiences, publishing route and study journey with other OU students and aspiring authors. 

It's quite amazing to think I have literally gone full-circle, 'day job' and 'dream job' thanks to The Open University.

As mid-August draws near my mind has already sprung forward into autumn; my favourite time of the year! Since childhood, I've always aligned September with January in relation to new beginnings and goal setting - this year is no different.
For the forthcoming season, I'm going to focus on reading my 'classics' - something I've let slide in recent months as I've tried to juggle modern fiction alongside. For the remainder of 2021 I'm heading back in time!

Like most bookworms, I plan my reading order, record my completed books and actively seek out specific books to enhance my experience. To a non-reader that must sound crazy but its what us bookworms do. I can get as much enjoyment from selecting a pile of books to fill the next three months as others would from a night out. Seriously, that's simply me being honest!

I currently have a 'book challenge' which I'm partway through but I've come across a stumbling block; I can't remember how three listed books end, so have refused to scribble them from my challenge list. I definitely read them years ago, could discuss them if someone asked, but for the life of me I can't remember the endings. So, my September read, or more specifically 'reread', is to revisit the following three books.

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Wilde
Mrs Dalloway - Woolf
The Catcher In The Rye - Salinger      

Each book is a short read, so by 30th September I'll have the satisfaction of crossing them from my book challenge, once and for all.

In October, I'm thinking of tackling an epic read - one of the chunky doorstoppers which litter my book shelves; I'm tempted by Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. November might be claimed by Hardy's Jude The Obscure and December ... well, I haven't got that far in my planning but I can hear Dickens' calling to me! 

Today's the day, folks! My final entry for Camp NaNo has been submitted resulting in 55,688 words written for Project A and an full edit of Project B during the month of July. I'm thrilled to bits with my achievement; I'll be honest enough to explain why.

I usually blog regularly during a NaNo month to update you guys on my progress. This year, I opted for weekly Instagram 'lives' because low and behold life threw me an bloody 'big obstacle' on day 9!!!! You know how it is, life is tootling along just lovely and then bang! Out of the blue comes the unexpected pulling the rug from under your feet. The long and the short of it was I experienced a retinal migraine, but initially on attending A&E they thought it was much nastier and life changing (I can't even bring myself to type it).

Me being me, I took to researching all I could on the subject as I needed to understand the hows, whys and wherefores. During that time, I was grateful to have my daily NaNo projects to take my mind away from my health. After 19 days of non-stop research and sleepless nights - I was given the all-clear health wise and a final diagnosis of 'retinal migraine' was awarded on 27th July. Phew, what a relief! 

As an author nothing is ever wasted - I've told you that before, haven't I? There was only one thing I could do with my newly gained knowledge. So, I changed a plot line for one character in my Project A and they too suffered a medical emergency, though much, much worse than mine. There is always a silver lining, folks! Always.
​

Many authors don't read their reviews as negative remarks or ratings affect their creative muse. We've all been there, the one negative remark blots out the 20 compliments you are given. I have always read my reviews, I hope I always will. I find them useful in many ways. Firstly, as the initial reaction to my books - always a relief when my dedicated readers are happy. Secondly, I note the particluar elements which they enjoyed and highlighted; these become the ingredients for future books. My plot ingredients tends to be love, life and laughter with a sprinkling of loss. The settings, locations, character traits are frequently commented on by readers and again, I take note of any helpful snippet.

I'm not saying is doesn't 'sting' when you receive a negative review, but I can't please all readers with my style of story telling. No artist ever can! Monet didn't paint a waterlily which pleased us all, John Lennon didn't pen the perfect song and Rodin couldn't capture the human form - if they can't, I certainly won't! 

Today is the day! I'll hibernate for the month of July working towards my writing goals. Last night, I stayed up until midnight as is my habit for these challenges and wrote until one in the morning.  

Goals:
Project A - 50,000 brand-new words
Project B - an editing task on a 98,000 word manuscript

I've stashed a load of teabags in the cupboard, the freezer full of fish fingers and have a pile of post-it notes detailing my plot. So, I'm good to go!

I'll update my 'home page' counter each day and via Instagram 'Live' each Thursday evening. 

If you're an aspiring author, why not join in by opening a document and setting a feasible goal for the next 31 days. Or get onboard by visiting NaNo and officially signing-up for the month.

On publication day there is a whirl wind of publicity, social media banners and a flurry of messages from well wishers. As the days pass the activity surrounding a book slows and it is down to author promo and readers to keep the book buoyant within the charts.

This morning, thanks to the help of my fabulous readers - this happened! I'm chuffed to bits to reach number 52 in Amazon's 'Contemporary Romance' chart. I can't make this happen for me, but readers have. Bless ya x

I've done it! I took myself off into the big wide world to my nearest coffee shop and sat there like in the 'good old days' and wrote words. Seriously, it felt amazing to be doing something so basic after the 15 months we've had. And the bonus was the words simply flowed. They flowed so much that when my writing hour was through I was so tempted to stay for longer and order a second coffee (like I did pre-covid). I didn't though, because other folk wanted to sit down and I'd have felt guilty for hogging a table.  

Instead, I came straight home and wrote some more words to celebrate!

It seems funny even writing a blog post about a coffee shop writing session which previously I'd do at least twice a week, without thought or planning. The local coffee shop for most writers is the space in which they can freely work whilst gaining a little social time amongst human beings rather than staring at our four walls. 

I've missed it so much ... so I went back again this morning for a second session. 

I'll apologise now for the blog update when I'm allowed to write in a library! Boy oh boy, that will be heaven!