November highlights

I decided before November commenced to give NaNoWriMo a miss this year. Instead my writing goal was to catch up with some reading and to rest. This turned out to be a goal that was both achievable and rewarding. 

I managed to finish reading a couple of books and start a few new ones. These included short stories, autobiographies, crime and festive novels. I also managed to add to my 'To Be Read' list, purchasing some gorgeous books at The Secret Bookshelf.

I caught up with reading friends, sharing our news and early festive cheer. Their early Christmas gifts were (unknown to the givers) very appropriately themed - there will be more news on this soon!

Needless to say, the Mars bar squares are long gone. During the month I took part in a couple of writing Zoom calls - one was a SCBWI Ireland catch up. It was good to reconnect and hear news and the presentations. Later in the month I attended a Zoom children's poetry book launch - so many fun poems were packed in. I got a lovely surprise in the post a couple of weeks later when a book prize arrived from a writing competition I'd entered.

And in between, I managed to get some writing done, including a new short story and some new poems. I'm thrilled that three of my festive poems have been published on the Dirigible Balloon's website today. Here is the link to one of them Calendar Countdown

A writerly weekend

I've had a lovely writerly weekend, despite some horrible wet and windy weather at times. On Saturday I was back down at Coney Island catching up with my writing group. The weather gradually cleared up as we caught up on news, drank coffee, ate blackberry and ginger muffins aka writing fuel and did some writing. By the time we were leaving, the sun had come out.

And it was still warm enough to sit outside with a coffee and another borrowed copy of 'The Author' when I got home.

Yesterday I had a meet up with another group of writers, some of whom I hadn't seen since before Covid. It was energising spending time with these talented, creative people and sharing our writing news (some of which is VERY exciting) as well as tasty treats (some of my chocolate brownies and lemon drizzle cake below).

I feel incredibly fortunate to know so many writers who have also become good friends over the last few years. They are generous with their time and their encouragement and I feel very blessed being part of these creative groups. And now that I'm fired up with the enthusiasm that rubs off when you're around creative people, I need to get on with some writing....

BookweekNI 2022

Autumn seems the perfect season for Bookweek NI to take place, when darker nights encourage more indoor activities.  This year, more in person events have been taking place.

I've been celebrating Bookweek by catching up on my reading, enjoying ebooks by Santa Montefiore and Jojo Moyes on the NI Libraries Libby App. I've also been reading books written by authors closer to home.

I've listened each evening to short stories from the newly published collection, 'Dance Move' by my writing pal Wendy which has featured on BBC Radio4 all week. 

I also tuned in and enjoyed some livestream events hosted by LibrariesNI featuring local writers talking about their writing.

And motivated by Bookweek events, I've got back to my writing again after a break, and submitted some work. Serendipitously during Bookweek I've had some exciting news about a book related opportunity but more news will follow in time about that. Stay tuned! 

What a difference a day makes

 We were back down at Coney Island yesterday for our writing group meeting. And while we all know autumn is on the way, it arrived with a blast yesterday.

The bright blue skies and sparkling sea we'd left behind at our writing retreat had gone, and had been replaced by grey clouds, drizzle and an angry sea. The dreich weather didn't dampen our spirits as we caught up on news over coffee and seasonal blackberry and ginger muffins.

We did some writing exercises, stretching our writing muscles. Later yesterday when the rain kept me indoors back at home I settled down to dip into a back copy of 'The Author' borrowed from one if the writing group.

This afternoon outside in the sunshine I enjoyed the tail end of summer and this magazine - there's some very interesting, informative and helpful articles in it.

In a blink it was over

And in a blink it was over! It seems no time since our writing group was preparing for our annual retreat. All year we look forward to spending a couple of days in a tranquil setting with fellow writers who have become friends.

My last minute preparations included baking summer berry muffins which went down a treat - Writers need writing fuel!

After we'd navigated our way through a traffic jam (rare at Coney) we settled in with coffee and muffins while catching up on news. This year a sandcastle competition was taking place on the beach as we arrived  - the cause of the traffic jam and the perfect inspiration for a group of children's writers.  I was amazed by the wonderful sand sculptures and sandcastles 

and inspired to put pen to paper at one point in response to these marvellous pieces of art.

My favourites were definitely the mermaids - I named this one Shelley

It's difficult not to be inspired in such a beautiful location where no two days are ever the same.

And we were blessed with beautiful weather which enticed us on to the beach for a paddle  - it was glorious in the evening sunshine - the perfect way to relax before dinner and after a day of writing.

New Anthology

Earlier this year I submitted a piece of work for consideration for a new poetry anthology being facilitated by the Creative Ireland programme.  Some time afterwards I heard my poem, 'Eau de Phosphorose' had been selected. And this week a copy of the anthology, 'Chasing Shadows' arrived in the post.

I'm enjoying delving into this gorgeous anthology  finding pieces written by writing friends from across Ireland. 

Sources of Inspiration

It's been a wee while since I posted on the blog. I've been really busy these last couple of months. We had a big family celebration last month and I was chief party planner, so unfortunately my writing had to take a back seat in the run up to the event. 

It was a privilege to be able to plan and organise my auntie's 100th birthday celebrations in Scotland. And I'm really pleased all went according to plan. She is an amazing lady who has inspired me and I'm pleased she inspired my nieces to write a poem to celebrate this milestone event. 

I was looking forward to getting back to Coney to see my writing pals when I returned home. But it was not to be. 

After avoiding the plague for the last two years, covid caught up with me and floored me for a few days. The fatigue lingered longer. I dread to think how I might have been without vaccinations. Thankfully it's behind me now and my former energy has eventually returned.

I was however able to join the Coney writers by Zoom - they were all there in person and I chatted with them. It was good to see them to relieve the monotony of self isolation but I soon tired and had to go and lie down! 

To help build up my energy and strength, we ventured out to a local park one evening for a walk. I'd heard from a friend that my poem 'Land of Linen' was on display here so we set off in search of it. After checking almost every tree in the park we were about to give up when we found it, in a very obvious place 🤣 

Seeing my work on display, alongside writing by Lord Carson and David Lloyd George (prime minister when my Auntie was born) helped remind me why I write and how much I've missed it recently.

So last week I sat down and wrote something new. Inspired by my new writing nook in the garden, I took the opportunity to enjoy the good weather when a couple of ideas nudged me to pick up my pen again.