Since the 1 January I’ve probably wished a Happy New Year to lots of different people. What I haven’t done though is update my blog since goodness knows when. So here we go.
As I write this, on a freezing cold Saturday in January, snow is falling - and has been now for almost four hours. Not heavily - but steadily - so it’s getting to the stage where the view outside our window is starting to look a little softer around the edges.
So - what have I been up to since my last blog?
So - what have I been up to since my last blog?
Well - in early December I spent a wonderful five days in Bristol holed up in a hotel bedroom. Sounds peculiar - I know - but my DH was on a course with work - so I decided to go with him. We breakfasted together every morning, then he took an early train to where his course was. After that I was free to write - to get on with my second book - as yet unnamed. During that week we also met up with a friend I used to work with - one of my very best friends. She and her husband have gone back to their roots in Devon after spending several years in the North-West. I don’t blame her - there’s nothing more wonderful than returning to where you were born - and I should know - as DH and I returned to the North thirty years ago after living in the South for a while. I loved my work down there - I made life-long friends - but I was homesick - terribly. Luckily, my DH could transfer back, so it all turned out for the best.
Anyway, I digress. Just before Christmas my RNA NWS report came back from my reader. In the interim, between sending it in and receiving it back, the first chapter of my story - Tethered by Twins - had been placed in the Harlequin/Mills and Boon SYTYCW15 top 55. I was on cloud nine, and even though I didn’t progress further in the competition, I finally felt as if my writing might be getting somewhere. Unfortunately, my reader didn’t think the same. He or she thought there was quite a lot wrong with my manuscript.
Devastation was not the word. In fact - for a while - I couldn't even switch on my laptop. My confidence plunged to an all-time low. I’d also booked on to Kate Walker’s Advanced writing course in Fishguard in February, so straight away I cancelled my place. What was the point of doing an advanced writing course when I couldn’t even get the basics right?
I’ll admit I sulked for a while. Then I sulked some more. But - eventually - after emailing Kate and other writerly friends - I’m now back on the course - and looking forward to it. Being knocked down - Kate said - and picking yourself up - is all part of becoming a successful writer.
As I strive towards publication - this sort of thing will happen - I know that. But giving up is not an option, so this year I will keep on blogging - and writing - and see what 2016 brings.
Wish me luck.
Until next time.
Kim xx
