Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been very conscious that I haven’t posted much to my blog. To be fair, even those posts have been sharing information from other places – a book review was one, but also details of how to help a fellow author, blogger and – most importantly – friend who was facing a tough time. As it was her funeral this week, I suppose referring to her situation as a ‘tough time’ is something of an understatement. I suspect she’d smile at that.
Indirectly, her mortality has acted as an additional driver to me. As I see my 60th birthday getting closer (not that close, but close enough), and aware of family, friends and acquaintances experiencing health problems, my own mortality is increasingly a concern. Not because I have any specific reason to be worried I’ll be shuffling off this mortal coil any time soon. More the fact that I can see it happening with increasing frequency – and sometimes little or no warning – to people I know. So I’ve been knuckling down more and doing what I want to with my life.
Time is precious for a variety of reasons, and certain things have had to take a back seat. Adding posts to my blog has been one of those. Writing a novel hasn’t. With two already out there for your delight and delectation, I could relax, but there are a lot more to come – provided I make the time and write the bloody things.
I’ve just completed the third draft of my latest. This will be the first of a series. I never wanted to write a series, but the concept for this one came to me a year or so ago and, while I wrestled with getting Carrion completed, I found it wouldn’t let go. I also didn’t want to write in the first person. Third person offers a lot more scope for getting into the heads of the characters, and the ability to flick from a scene with one character to a different scene with another can build up more momentum. So I prefer to write in third person. But the protagonist for this series didn’t feel right unless I told the story from inside his head.
So it’s been a challenge, but an enjoyable one, and I’m taking a few days away from it now to let it settle before I have a last read-through to make sure I’ve not left any glaring plot holes.
Which brings me back to the blog. One of the things I’d started to do more of over the last year or so is book reviews. I have a small pile of books on the desk in front of me at the moment and I’m well overdue reporting on those. While I give the novel time to breathe, I’ll get on and write those reviews. And maybe I’ll write about other things too. If you’ve been missing anything – pining for those Gigging Years, missing the Gogglebox – or just want to know more about my writing plans, feel free to put in requests. No promises, but I’ll do what I can.
Congrats on the third draft, Graeme. And it’s good to hear during your blogging break you’ve been making good use of your time and doing things you want to do instead of forcing yourself to do things you don’t really want to do. Isn’t that what life’s supposed to be about?
Thanks, Hugh. I’m hoping there’ll be more good news on the novel over the coming months as well. I’m really excited about it.
As for the doing what you want to do, I guess that’s what I’ve been trying to do more of. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I do try to put it back in its place!
Hope life hasn’t needed putting in its place too much for you…
Good luck with number 3, but more importantly getting on with life. I think as we get older we occasionally need a reminder (not always a good one sadly) that life isn’t a rehearsal and the clock is ticking for doing the things we want, and have the ability to do.
For me, Jill, writing is a big part of getting on with life. Book number three is the first in a series of at least six. I also have a trilogy outlined and a number of other novels waiting to be written. The clock is ticking, and I want to get these done before it stops!
Have a great weekend
Good grief you better get writing pronto. Didn’t mean to imply writing wasn’t important, just meant to urge you to get on with doing what you want – if that’s writing then good luck with the series.
There are other things I want to get on with, Jill, but writing’s something I haven’t given enough attention to. The ticking clock is giving me a little more incentive – and I’m loving it. And I’m sure you’ll feel the same about El Camino! I’m looking forward to the progress reports.
I’m glad you’re OK. I suppose we all think about what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives when we realise that there’s not that much left of them, assuming no accidents or illnesses. Lately I’ve started asking myself what I would be doing if I knew I only had a few weeks left and I haven’t come up with a decent answer. I examine the things I’m doing now and wonder about their value, not just for me, but for others. At least I have the leisure to think about such things, which is nice.
If there’s nothing rearing its head when you ask, there’s a good chance you’re already doing the right things, April. A wise man told me once that, when I decide on something to do, it should be something that gives me peace. Life can sometimes get in the way of that but, where I have a choice and it’s possible, that’s what I try to do. The material things dangled in front of us don’t generally give us that.
Putting all that aside, I hope life is treating you as well as it can in these interesting times – and that you have more peace than not.
That’s not a bad philosophy. As far as it can be at the moment, life is fine, thanks.
Glad to hear it. Stay safe!