To Florida and Back Again...

Well it wasn't quite an Unexpected Journey but it was a long one - Florida and back for ten days with a nearly-four year old and a nine month old baby (and my husband, of course)... Amid all the preparations and the frankly terrible sleeping pattern of the babe, my blog and my writing life have been much neglected. But today both boys are in nursery and I've pulled out my papers and begun to plan a new project. I'm still struggling with the novel and am beginning to come around to the idea that it might never take flight so I've decided to take the plunge and try my hand at writing for radio. Not something I am familiar with and it is going to take a lot of hard work, but I have an idea that really excites me and I can't wait to get properly stuck in. I've been reading a book 'Writing for Radio: A Practical Guide' and I'm going to listen to as much as I can lay my ears on. In the meantime I have scoped out the characters, plot and themes so it's just a case of knocking it together now. Right?!?

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Before the holiday I dipped my toes into giving talks/workshops. I did two: one at the local library ('An Introduction to Creative Writing') and a talk at a retirement group in Swillington about writing, my ideas and my book. It was an interesting exercise and I am very grateful to Rothwell library and Elderberries in Swillington for letting me have a go and for making me feel welcome - especially you Elderberries!! 

I've also been doing a reasonable amount of reading, although I have not been posting regular reviews. Since coming back from the NAWG conference at the beginning of September laden with books, I have a large 'to be read' pile and I will be spending a fair amount of time between now and Christmas reading and reviewing them. The NAWG conference at Warwick was as inspiring as ever - I returned with loads of ideas, so much motivation and with many new friends. I really do recommend the weekend as a wonderful place to attend workshops and meet other writers. It is so friendly and all the tutors are extremely approachable as a rule. For those unfamiliar with the organisation, it is the National Association of Writers Groups and they take individual members too (like me - it costs around £20 a year). The website is HERE and they run loads of competitions, some for non-members as well as members. Do check it out. The association also runs a retreat in May which I have never attended but am hoping to get to next year. 

In the meantime here are some of the books I have read recently: