Looking forward.

January- for me this month has flashed by.  I've no idea why.  Usually January is a dark, dreary, never-ending stretch of four long weeks, when most folk feel a little down-trodden after the excesses of the festive season, money is in short supply, and travelling to and from work is done in the pitch black.  Just this week, though, I've noticed the days are getting a little longer, the bulbs are popping up in the garden and the promise of spring seems to be just around the corner.

I love Spring.  The plants and shrubs are covered in big, fat buds and it's wonderful to see the fresh, green shoots appearing tentatively in the flowerbeds, ready to face whatever the weather throws at them.   Spring is like a brand new start, every year, and for me this time it is especially poignant.

When my eldest son was diagnosed with a serious illness last November it was a very bleak time indeed.  The anguish we felt when his consultant told us the news was indescribable.  Thankfully, he is now okay, and although he will need regular check-ups for the next ten years, he has come through that period with renewed vigour and a serious determination to follow the words of his Oncologist and "get on with his life".  Teacher training won't be easy, but I'm very proud of what he's decided to do.   I'm also pleased to tell you that my youngest son has also decided to go down the same route as his brother, so watch out for Mr Lain and Mr Lain, future primary school teachers in the making!

For that reason alone I am stealing their mantra and applying that same determination to my own writing career.  For the moment, and until I retire from my day job, writing can only ever be part-time for me, but from now on there is going to be no more dilly-dallying.  Life is too short.  So - what does that mean?

It means -

I've finally polished the three chapters of my work-in-progress ready to send to the fabulous Kate Walker, whose writing retreat I have signed up to in March.  (And yes, I am very nervous about this).

I'm determined to enter this competition run by Prima Mills and Boon. A couple of my friends on Facebook have won similar competitions and although this one is massive, and probably so far out of my league, I am still going to have a go.  There's nothing lost, is there?

I've also registered for Romance Festival 2015 on the 7th and 8th February.

Until next time.

Kim x

So - this my first attempt at making a blog EVER.  I've been thinking of setting one up for quite some time, and did ask my son a couple of weeks ago if he would help me, but he's gone to watch the football so I'm quite proud of the fact that I've done it all by myself!  Of course over the coming weeks it will need to be tweaked decoratively but hey, I've made a start!

I'm sat at the table drinking my favourite fruit tea (blackcurrant) and looking with disgust at the streaks on my living room window.  It's a huge window and does need a clean, but my mum always told me not to clean a window when the sun was shining (more streaks apparently) so that's my excuse for not doing that today.

What I really should be doing is polishing my first three chapters of the wip so it's ready to submit to Kate Walker in early February.  In mid March I'm due to attend her writing retreat at Weetwood Hall in Leeds and I can't wait.  I've already done her introductory writing course last year at the same venue which was utterly fantastic.  I met so many lovely people and came away with loads of hints and tips and lots of advice from Kate.  If you ever get the chance to go on one of Kate's courses, then you will definitely benefit - I know I did!

On social media at the moment there is also a Mills and Boon competition where one needs to submit an 800 first chapter plus 1000 word synopsis in order to win a publishing contract.  One of my Twitter friends has just had this happen to her through another writing competition (eek!) so that's inspired me to have a go.  Massive congratulations Lynne Shelby - can't wait to read your first book.

I'm also due to submit another contribution to Heidi-Jo Swain's blog in mid February, so all of these things are swirling around my head.  Heidi-Jo is another of my Facebook/Twitter friends who's had a lot of success this year.  Well done Heidi, it's all thoroughly well- deserved!

I've just renewed my membership of the RNA NWS, which is the  marvellous scheme for new writers run by the Romantic Novelists' Association.    I'm determined to be much more organised this year and  not submit my typescript at the very last minute.  This is my third year on the scheme and hopefully by now I'm getting much better, and learning the craft of writing.

So - what to do first?