Week Three / Week Four

God only knows what happened these last two weeks.  I was struck down with something, but I am still not sure what it was.  Hopefully it has now passed and all I can do is look back and wonder what caused the extreme hedaches and tiredness that I experienced.  I am just grateful that I am finally feeling almost back to my self.

We did get to see Rick Wakeman at Lincoln Cathedral (although we were very close to not going!).   This was a recording of 'Live Portraits' so it was very interesting from the part of production etc. See: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits/updates/94917  Can't wait for the DVD to be released...

Week Two

Continued to sort out the 'Creative Space'. Now all I have is a number of piles that need my attention, but the room itself is looking fit for purpose.

Sorted all my favourite Internet sites from the Dell computer and passed on those only that are current to the new computer.  Also reduced the emails from over 200 to a smaller 30 to be dealt with.

Went to the library to pick up 5 books I had ordered.  In the week I read 4 of them.  Two of them were by Shaa Wasmund (www.shaa.com/) Do Less, Get More and Stop Talking, Start Doing Action Book.  Both books I had read last year, but it didn't hurt to give them both a skim read to remind me how brilliant they were.  They both emphasise the need to declutter; mental as well as physical clutter, to slow down and to take time to pause and reflect.  They also mention the need to control the paperwork!  Highly recommended!

Another book was Diet Rehab by Dr Mike Dow (www.DrMikeDow.com).  Interesting as he discusses how stress can make you fat and how junk food is not a reward but an addiction!  He also discusses the need to find the time for our passions for the good of our health.  Point taken!

There was another book but it wasn't really 'me' so I skim read it.  I still can't NOT read a book but at least I can read it quickly....

My trouble is that as soon as I get a 'new' book or magazine I want to read it there and then.  This means that I may have pushed aside other jobs in order to do the reading.  However, it gives me satisfaction to return the books; making space once more in the creative room for more creativity.

I managed to file all recent information away into my Careers File and also applied for one job after ensuring my CV was up to date.  I applied for a position of 'Pet Carer' which involved writing a letter to sell myself.  We shall see how good it was....

The end of the week was taken up with three days off school due to SNOW!!

Being Arty in the Snow....

Week One as Full Time Writer / Unemployed

So, first week..... I thought it would be helpful to do a 'Done List' as opposed to a 'To Do List'.  

(Of course I have got a number of 'To Do' Lists, but these can be de-motivating if they are too long!)

Firstly, I proved that I was 'Supermummy' (and earning my keep) by giving a thorough clean and sort out of my sons bedroom.  I also sorted out his Karate classes, ordered his World Book Day costume and volunteered for a trip at school.  Oh, and I also sewed his badges on his Cubs uniform as well as sewed a cushion cover in our room.

Other rooms that got the clean and declutter this week were the bathroom, the hall and porch, and my creative space.  I have not finished the space as yet but it is clean!  While decluttering and cleaning I have been working on a 'Spring Clean' article, as well as finding items to possibly sell to increase my current savings.  Of course a spring clean also adds to the 'To Do' list with regards to the house but that is where those jobs will stay for the time being.

As part of the declutter I also went through a number of magazines I had saved.  Two have been moved into the 'Non Fiction' basket as possible markets.  The other one I am still reading.  Following our visit to Ann Cleeves I also read the second book that I purchased that evening.  I also managed to read an Agatha Christie.

On Thursday night I went to the theatre to see psychic medium Tony Stockwell (http://tonystockwell.com/) with two friends.  Not only was it a brilliant evening full of laughter (my friends also gave me a good boost with regards to my recent job upset!) but it also gave me an idea for a short story that I am hoping to write for a competition.

This week I also made time to visit a sick friend.  When I got there she had a huge favour to ask of me and we ended up visiting a local primary school as she wants to move her son from his present school.  This could be the start of an article if I feel so inclined, so not 4 hours entirely wasted.  This week, I also took my mother to the hospital; which took up another 4 hours of my week.  I could not believe how absolutely shattered I was at the end of the day after all we did was sit about waiting.  I think this confirms that rest is not always a good thing!

Finally, Saturday was a girly day shopping and then in the evening we went to see Icons of the 80's.  It was a fantastic night with lots of laughs; another reminder that its not always a good thing to shut yourself away.  We need to get out there in order to wet the creative juices!! However, I was totally out of action on the Sunday as every bit of me hurt from shopping, clapping, singing and dancing.

We Love The 80's

The lyrics were so much better.....

Go West and Nik Kershaw - what more can I say? Fan - Bloody - Tastic!!

Don't Read The Hype!

Recently I made the mistake of choosing a book purely based on the reviews and ravings from other people.  The book was IQ by Joe Ide

Conan Doyle as channelled through Martin Scorsese says Stephen Hunter (author of  G-Man), nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel, One of the best books of 2016 according to the New York Times.    Need I go on?

I liked the book.  I thought it was (trying to be) clever in parts, but I really think I would have thought more of it had I not read all the wonderful stuff about it before hand.  I was left feeling disappointed.  I wonder if I had just picked it up and started reading it whether I might have rated it higher than I do.

There is a sequel apparently - IQ is BACK! Sherlock Holmes meets The Wire in this fast-paced crime thriller from Edgar-shortlisted Joe Ide….        Should I try again?

Anne Cleeves at The Collection, Lincoln

Had a fantastic evening as usual with Ann Cleeves at The Collection in Lincoln.

Came away with two (signed) books; The Crow Trap and The Seagull (her latest Vera).  The Seagull is her 8th Vera novel and as with previous events with Ann she gave a wonderful talk.

The novel is based in 1995 Whitley Bay (the North East); which I remember having a few nights out in around 1992/3.  I hope it wasn't based on any of our outings...

I think I have heard Ann say before that she never plots.  I always think that is the way I will do it, but usually end up running out of steam after a few chapters.  The personality of Vera came quickly to her and, although Ann says she has little in common with Vera, she notes how each of us are carrying baggage of one sort or another around with us.

She told us that although she writes without too much plotting as she goes along, she will go back and add hints and extras to the story once it is finished.

Someone asked about 'Writers Block', which she admitted to occasionally suffering from.  She said you just need to accept that the bad days will pass and suggests going for a walk to forget about it for a while, or take long train journeys.  She also gave the (usual) suggestions of reading a lot and reading widely!!  And finishing (writing) the novel once you start it!

Why Crime Novels?  Because there is a sense of order being restored at the end, of justice having been done.  Murder / Suspects / Resolution.  Ann feels they are the social novels of our time.

She was asked about writing Shetland and the Vera novels and she replied she always has a rest in between them and then going back is like meeting old friends.

She compared writing to riding a wall of death - its fine until you think about it!

I came away more determined than ever to finish that novel this year before the big 50 and I have pinned the above photo to my noticeboard in the (so called) Creative Room!