As you’re aware I attend several local writing groups – each of which differs in its structure, format and organised events. Two of the groups have an calendar of writing competitions where a prompt or theme is given and the members create whatever is required be it a poem, an article or a short story. Last night, was the dead line for the annual short story competition.

For the last four weeks, I have been tinkering with an idea off and on. I’d written the first draft and was happy with the raw details but over time my editing had flattened the spirit of the piece. Sadly, I did that fateful thing of ignoring the piece hoping to return but actively avoiding it - knowing I wasn’t happy with the direction my editing had taken it. Basically, my short story had entered the ‘messy’ zone where I needed to work hard to polish it and bring it back to life – which can take time and constant rereading. A danger zone for me. The easiest option was to not enter the competition. But I wanted to. I haven’t entered any of their competitions before and having been a member for eighteen months felt that I really ought to. 

Sunday night, I worked on the piece but didn’t feel my effort was reflected in the version saved to my laptop. Monday morning, on rereading the short story - I decided not to enter the competition. But all day my conscience was nagging at me ‘you really ought to try’. Tuesday morning, I got up extra early and was determined that come what may I would enter the piece, as I liked the original idea which fitted the theme perfectly. I had until five o’clock to sort out the ‘messy’ version. I needed to hand the competition piece in at the evening’s meeting. I worked my little socks off crafting and creating until the messy mess was refined and refreshingly like I’d originally imagined. I don’t have a printer at home so used my local library to print the polished piece, hence the five o’clock deadline. And at seven thirty, I proudly presented our group’s chairman with my anonymous entry for judging by a nominated third party. I’d done it! 

I’ve just reread the piece to myself. I’m pretty pleased with my efforts, though I’m not pleased with my ‘flip flopping’ whilst creating it but I’m chuffed with the end result. We have one month to wait for the results to be announced – so I shall let you know in due course. 

In the meantime, I’ll start another competition piece and promise myself to avoid the ‘flip flopping’ scenario by ploughing on with the piece. 

Update 30th April: My story wasn't placed by the competition judge but I took delight in that the writing group enjoyed my story when I read it aloud on results night. I'm glad I entered as it gave me a slightly different focus for a period of time.

Last night, I had the pleasure of giving an author talk to my local Women’s Institute group at their monthly meeting. I took along my 14 books and numerous objects that I use to plot and plan my writing. I spent 90 minutes explaining my publishing journey from my beginnings in a local library, aged just five through to my debut publication aged 47! The audience were absolutely fantastic; the ladies hung on my every word. Between the moments of laughter and reminiscing - you could have heard a pin drop! 
 
Topics covered were:
 
Childhood habits                                                                   Romantic Novelists’ Association
Book clubs                                                                              Extraordinary women
Hope & dreams                                                                      University
Katie Fforde                                                                           Literary agent
Family values                                                                         Teaching English 
My first computer                                                                 Bank clerk – first job
Pride & Prejudice - Austen                                                  Narnia
The YTS scheme                                                                   Writers’ groups
Short stories                                                                         Creating maps
Village life                                                                              Expectations & potential in life
Rejections                                                                              Librarians
 

On Tuesday and Saturday of last week, I attended a local writers’ circle – different groups in different locations though I class both as local to where I live. The Tuesday posse is an established group that’s been running for decades. It has an annual calendar with specific writing competitions, an annual subscription and a formal committee whereas, the other is merely a year old with very little structure and different people attend each session. When I posted on social media that I was ‘heading out to a writers’ group for the evening’ a follower posted the question ‘Do you find it beneficial?’.

It's not the first time I’ve been asked such a question. Each session equates to two hours out of your busy week, three if you count the travel time and what for? Heaps of creativity is my answer! I’ve never shared my work at the Tuesday group as I attend purely to mix and mingle with other creative types: writers, poets and other listeners. I don’t wish to take up their time asking for a critique on work which I know has an editor’s interest. Each session, I sit back and listen to their contributions and provide the odd snippet of feedback or advise, if asked. But it's invaluable to me what occurs when I’m listening to other writers read aloud – my mind begins to generate ideas, images and plot points for my own work. New ideas are formed, plot holes are filled and language choices that went awry earlier in my day suddenly spring to mind. I always have a note book to hand while attending and jot down my ideas throughout the evening. It’s amazing how many scenes have come into existence while I’ve listened to other creatives read aloud. The amazing part is my ideas are totally unrelated to theirs, no connections or similar themes and yet, my muse generates. Maybe my brain switches into a creative mode stimulated by the vibe in the room – who knows. 

The Saturday group, created by a local library so has no subscription fees, has some writers attend purely to chat and network amongst the group. I take my laptop to each session and sit writing my own manuscript whilst others are happy to simply nurse a cup of coffee. I never get huge amounts written as the stop-start nature of the discussions and questions interrupts my usual flow but I always produce something. The writing group is so informal that number aren’t high, one month just three of us attended but it became our most productive session as all three of us wrote and planned for the year ahead. Last Saturday, with five of us present, the discussion was as varied as ever and mainly revolved around indie authors and the various attitudes towards their work. The conversation flowed in many directions, highlighting various points of interest, some of which were new to me being a traditionally published author. 

Both groups are monthly occurrences and have become a stable fixture within my calendar enabling me to benefit from productive writing sessions in subsequent days. 

They say 'birds of a feather flock together' throughout life this has proved invaluable to me. Whether attending is beneficial for other writers – they’ll need to decide for themselves!​

February turned out to be a busy month for me - not what I had expected but hey, life does that sometimes. I juggled with my routines, hustled and jostled with what I needed to complete each week. And so, my daily reading time was whittled away to non-existent on certain days. I managed to finish a couple of books: Jane Austen at Home book by Lucy Worsley and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell - I’d recommend both but for very different reasons. I’m still plodding through Salman Rushdie’s tome though given there is so much detail, I’m struggling to remember who is who and what is what!

Two books read, one partially finished and an epic slow read - that's my reading for this month.

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse - Charlie Mackesy - read and reread (then hugged it for a while).
Little Women - Louisa M Alcott - read*
Jane Austen at Home - Lucy Worsley - partway through**
Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (still reading a few pages each day - getting there).

* Little Women has haunted me for quite a while. I read it as a teenager and wasn't impressed by the story, probably too young to appreciate the writing style. I then skim read it for my English literature degree at a time when I was falling out of love with reading - which is part of the course on an English lit degree! Due to these previous experiences, I've never felt that I'd truly 'read' the book and so it has remained on my 'TBR' pile for years. I'm glad I gave it a third try and enjoyed my time with the March sisters - I only wish the teenage me had been a little wiser when encountering it the first time but hey, ho.

** I'm loving 'Jane Austen at Home' so am savouring each detail as Worsley has explored so much more about Austen than  previous biographers. Well worth a read.

My current drawing has taken far longer than I ever expected but finally, I think it is finished. Drawn using graphite and coloured pencil it has given me immense pleasure in recent weeks. I intend to have it photographed and displayed on a canvas. Thank you for the messages received via social media asking about my progress. I haven't attended art classes since school, but learnt by watching Youtube clips in recent years - there's hundreds to choose from. Give it a go, you'll never know otherwise!

As many of you know, my journey as an author began at the age of five when I regularly attended our local library, with my father on Saturday mornings. It was my first experience of freedom where I could choose what I wanted, be alone in a public place and enjoy the delights discovered in their children's corner.

From September 2023 to September 2024 - I gave 15 talks in my local libraries telling my story, explaining my path towards publication and sharing my books. I met many wonderful library readers, librarians and some potential authors on my travels. Most importantly, I hope I spread the word and importance of using our local libraries for entertainment, social connections and knowledge.

With each book publication, I donate half my paperbacks received from my publishers to my local libraries, ensuring that library users can read my books on publication day.

In return my wonderful library readers have delivered to me the largest amount I have ever receive from the Public Lending Rights fund. Many people don't realise that every time you borrow a library book the author receive a tiny payment ... but little by little that amount becomes a lot. It is paid annually each February. I've seen my statement. I'm thrilled to think that readers browsed packed shelves, selected and borrowed my books time and time again equating to a borrow rate of five figures! I know, I screamed in delight! Readers will never know how much that matters to me - the little girl who sat quietly on the 'padded poof chair' in the children's section of her local library. Thank you xx   

I haven't had an official 'Bucket list' for several years, since I was 40 in fact - that's just a year or two ago now! But since I've self-proclaimed 2025 as my year - no lockdown, no ill-health and no life-lessons. I've drawn up a list of several things, big and small, that I'd like to achieve before 31st December 2026. I won't manage all of them in the two years but a gal can dream!

You'll probably remember that last year, I passed my piano exam - twice! A mini goal that I'd set myself during lockdown and I finally managed to claim a 'merit' grade. I embarked on a journey of volunteering in the community - a desire I'd had swimming around my head for a decade or so - tick. I even managed to visit one or two sightseeing trips which I'd meant to complete before now but they were waylaid by ill-health.

So 2025/26 has an official bucket list. Big, small and seemingly insignificant things are listed but each means the world to me! I'll let you know as I tick each of them off the list - please don't think big, jaw dropping moments - some are the smallest pleasures in life!