Progress

I have been making slow but steady progress getting the next issue of page seventeen ready. Last Thursday I finished editing the stories, and made a good start on the layout. That was mostly finished by lunchtime Friday, although I hadn't written the foreword or started on the contents pages. Not to mention several other fiddly bits and pieces.

I am still getting there slowly, although today hasn't been a good day for getting anything done. There have been way too many distractions. I hope to spend some solid time on it tomorrow morning though, and have Thursday as backup. I definitely look forward to printing off a copy to deliver to the proofreader on Friday.

Then I will be able to start thinking about the launch on Saturday November 8. Not to mention get on with the study I have only 4 more weeks to complete.

Buddies

While I am still on a self-imposed writing ban (until the editing and layout for page seventeen Issue 6 is done, ready to go for proofreading), I have managed to find ways to organise my writing. I know that may sound rather odd, but with so many things to do and only little slots of time to fit them into, my writing time definitely needs to be organised.

The novel I am keen to write, that I have mentioned a few times here, is the current focus. A writer friend, L, is also keen to make waves on her own novel and is currently doing a lot of the (historical) research she needs to do before getting started. Meanwhile, we have made semi-plans to buddy up to keep each other motivated, inspired, honest, and all those things that help a writer to keep on writing.

We're going to meet first up in January to make plans that we will stick to throughout the year. Of course, the one thing we already know is that each month we meet, there will be muffins. Unless there's cake. And coffee.

So now, all I need to do is to make a good start on my background work (read planning, character development) before then so I'll be able to make a cracking start come January.

Back

Here I am again after a little break from everything. Well, everything writing related. And back I will have to be...in full swing, as there is an absolute heap of work to do for page seventeen before I need to get Issue 6 off to the printer. But I'm not going to go into that today.

Rather, I was pretty chuffed the other day to come up with a second sub-plot for the novel I am scheduling to write in 2009. Well, at least to begin writing. I will see how I go before making such bold claims. I'm not so thrilled with the way the idea came to me, as it required a friend to experience a tragedy, but I am pleased to have a good idea.

Not that I will use what happened to my friend. I am loathe to do that kind of thing, but her experience affected me in its own way, and my own feelings led to an idea that is again, off on a tangent.

I even wondered, as I was making notes of the new idea, whether it might be a better place to begin the novel, as it means beginning with my protagonist in quite an emotional state, but I suspect it might be more effective if I leave it until her character has been established. Either way, there is no need to make a hasty decision...surely I will change my mind dozens of times anyway, such is my nature.

MWF

Well, another Writers' Festival is over, and unfortunately I wasn't able to get to anything this year. Not a single event. But I knew that would be the case, so I'm coping fine.

And anyway, all is not lost completely. I've had reports about various events from several friends and even through email, their excitement has inspired and motivated my thoughts, and I am keen to get back into my own writing...soon...soon.

Meanwhile, I hope to hear more reports from excited festival-goers.