Lovely Day

 Today was a really lovely day. For Tasha's birthday last week, I booked her a spa day in Bournemouth. Then I realised that she couldn't really go on her own, so I booked to go too. How awful lol. I drove down this morning, we had a lovely massage then enjoyed the jacuzzi and pool. Afterwards, we went back to her uni flat and I met all her wonderful friends (most of them for the first time). A memorable day.

Last night, Ruth and I went to see 'Marcel the shell with shoes on'. Although it's a PG, I wouldn't say that it was a film aimed at children. I got that feeling from the trailer and was even more convinced once it started. It is a spoof documentary about a shell who lives with his nan. It's about loss, bravery, courage and change. I loved it. Ruth and I laughed a lot, but there were profound moments in it. Wonderful.

The not-so-great news is that Ant has been given notice where he lives, so back to square one on that front. Very stressful, especially on top of planning Tasha and Reece's wedding (the boys' suits arrived today so I'm very excited to take them over for them to try on tomorrow), so I won't dwell on that.

I have done no writing at all for quite a few days. I have a skin biopsy tomorrow in the morning so I'm hoping to concentrate tomorrow afternoon when Jon is out playing Bridge. I really want to get the 9500 word story finished. I can't believe how long it has taken. It's all been in fits and starts. I need a good run at it.

Jon is turning out the light, so here's the quote for today:

“A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” —Thomas Mann

hahahaha I can't stop giggling at this. It is SO true.

The final instalment

Where has the time gone? A few days ago, I had a lovely email from the PF editor, informing me that the third and final instalment of the serial I wrote for them has been accepted. I don't know why it's taken me so long to have a go at writing a serial for them. Confidence, I think (or lack of it). I've had an idea rejected in the past, but in retrospect I hadn't really presented it anywhere near as professionally as I had this one. I now have a template that really works and actually helps to create plot and characters as you use it. I don't mean that it does it for you...just that the structure of it seems to make my mind develop the story and characters as I complete it. I have realised that a complete plot rarely develops in my head. It's the writing that puts flesh on the bones. I rarely have a complete plot when I start a short story. I usually know the beginning and the end, but have no idea how I am going to reach the end until I start writing. It's usually a surprise to myself 😂

I've seen some interesting films over the past few days. 'Plane' was actually better than I thought it was going to be. Last night, I watched 'The Son' (which was an Unlimited showing - card members only at an advanced showing). They gave us all a box of Maltesers as we went in (maybe to sweeten things up and counterbalance the story 😬). It wasn't a bad film - far from it. Hugh Jackman was brilliant, as ever, but the youngster who played the son with serious mental health issues was given a pretty dire script to work from. I wouldn't recommend it and I wouldn't not recommend it. It was certainly memorable! Anthony Hopkins made a brief appearance as Jackman's father, which made sense afterwards as I then realised the movie was by the French writer/director of 'The Father' in which Hopkins played The Father.

Still watching 'Strike' and enjoying it. I'm not consistent with what I'm reading though. I'm all over the place!

This morning, I aim to make a dent in the 9500 word story I'm writing. I've recently been editing the first half as I felt the tone was a little wrong for PF. I'm still not certain but I'll plough on and see how it turns out. I think my problem with this one is that the ending isn't clear to me, which is not a good way for me to write. 

Had a lovely meet up with a friend yesterday at Lytes Cary. Chilly, but wonderful to be out in the fresh air and catching up. It's been a while.

Babysitting tonight as Nikki and Jon are off to Bristol to see a Greenday tribute band. Hope they have fun!

Quote for today: 

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. 

You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. 

That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” 

―Octavia E. Butler

This has been especially evident as we are presently clearing out the loft - a HUGE undertaking. I just cannot believe how much I've written over the past 30 years. It's truly terrifying. I have folders and folders full of letters to and from editors of magazines, as well as letters from competitions I've been placed in. It's even more terrifying when I realise that, for many years, there has been no paper trail as everything has been via email. Thank goodness for that, say the trees!!! Anyway, reading some of the very early stuff was embarrassing. I'm relieved to say that there has been SOME improvement over the years...😅

TORTURE

Today I went to Waterstones to collect a book I had ordered. The staff in there are epic. Two of them have been in there for years and you know that you will get the most amazing service from them both. Today, someone I'd not seen before served me. Somehow, as seems to happen wherever I go (according to Jon), we ended up in a conversation that covered many topics, including writing, podcasts, minimalism and movies. The phone rang and the other staff member answered it. Someone came to the desk. The other staff member served them. We had a rare old time. His information on podcasts re minimalism (and also on Netflix) was so brilliantly timed as we are clearing our loft and some of the stuff is so hard to throw away). Eventually, I left with my book, having told the person behind me that the guy may have just changed my life. The look on his face was confused, to say the least 😂.

The TORTURE in the title is going to be not delving into the book before I have finished the 9500 word story, the serial synopsis and the first instalment to submit. Obviously, every new idea is 'genius' compared to the previous 'embarrassingly ridiculous' one, so it's nearly impossible not to dump it and start something new. I'm sure most people who create in one way or another suffer from this. If not, I am in awe.

The book it sitting about two inches from my leg. I should put it somewhere else, but I want to look at it, even if it's just the cover. Perhaps I can absorb the information through that? 

Obviously, I am going to be the next Sally Wainwright 😎😁.

Visitors tomorrow, and I will be meeting my sister and brother-in-law's granddaughter for the first time. I'm very excited. It's long overdue.

Popped into the tennis club this morning, which was so lovely as I haven't been up for ages. I can no longer play because of the pain in my thumb/wrist/arm, but just having a catch-up with a few people was revitalising.

Today's quote:

“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. 

Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. 

I can’t allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.” 

 —Elmore Leonard

Ha how true that is. I fight against this all the time. I often fail. My early efforts at creative writing sounded like an essay. Hopefully, things have improved since then.

Where have the days gone?

 It's been a good few days. Not sure where they have gone. Yesterday was busy, spending the day at Nikki looking after Molly, taking her for two walks, walking myself down to the village for a treatment, then picking up Albie and taking him to see Puss in Boots. He seemed to love it but was poorly at the end of it with a tummy ache. I thought maybe he was scared as it was a bit scary in places, but he was up last night with a tummy bug, poor little soul, so hopefully that wasn't my fault. 😕

On Tuesday evening, me and Ruth saw The Fabelmans, which was so good. When it finished, we sat there, just wishing it could've been longer, and it was already two and a half hours long. It was especially nice to have a quick message from Steven Spielberg before the movie began, thanking us for coming out to see it on the big screen. 

Monday or Sunday (I've forgotten) I saw The Whale. Brendan Fraser was amazing. Was that when I last blogged? I think it might be.

If you don't already know, I have an Unlimited Card which costs £17.99 a month. I do get my money's worth!)

Today's plan is to work on the 9500 word story I've been writing. I don't think I've been near it since last week. I'm freaked out to realise that the arthritic pain in my basal thumb joint that stopped me from typing before my most recent steroid injection is already starting to break through again. This is not helping my mood much because, for a short period, I'd been working pain-free (well, almost). Now I know what's coming again. I've requested another xray on that joint to see how much it has degenerated since the last xray, which was a couple of years ago. The doctor said she would put in a request so I'm waiting on a date for that. Also have a skin biopsy on 23rd. Same day as I am giving blood, I think, which I'm dreading a bit because I went along happily last time and it didn't go well 😭. I have an hour-long appointment to prepare my tooth for a crown in March, plus another appointment after that to fit it. Worst of all, I'm having my final wisdom tooth removed on 28th Feb. This I really am dreading because a previous dentist told me not to ever EVER have another wisdom tooth removed unless it is inside a hospital. I have put in a request to have it removed in the hospital but was refused. I think there is a massive waiting list.

Trying hard to compartmentalise all these things looming on the horizon. 

D C Thomson, who own The People's Friend and My Weekly as well as a lot of Scottish newspapers and magazines, have announced there will be huge changes, staff cuts and culled publications. Waiting with bated breath to find out which ones. It's hard to imagine MW and PF will go, but who knows? I feel sorry for all the poor staff, waiting to discover their fate.

Today's quote:

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. 

You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. 

That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.” 

―Octavia E. Butler

How apt that is for all areas of life.

Down, Up, Up and Down

Yeovil Town V Maidstone was definitely a game of two halves. The first half we were dire. Conceded a goal early on. We came out after the second half a different side, scored, then scored again. It was our game for sure. Then, on the 92nd minute, Maidstone were awarded a free kick and, if I remember rightly, we were given a yellow card, although we couldn't work out what for! Maidstone scored from this free kick in the 92nd minute and that, as they say, were that. 

A draw.

😭

A long walk with Leia and some friends this morning. I hit nearly 12,000 steps today - more than I have for some time. Tonight Jon and I watched season 3 of Strike (2 episodes), then he went over to Weymouth for a gig. Apparently they are called The Shakespearians. He will very late home as he left here after 9pm. This meant I could rewatch the finale of season 2 of Happy Valley, to remind myself what happened before we start watching season 3 tomorrow. I'm so excited. It's so brilliant. The writing is brilliant. The acting is brilliant. Everything about it is brilliant.

A short one today as it's really late/early. I want to finish my book before Jon gets home.

Oh and, Claire, if you're reading this...when you saw me looking like the Michelin Man at football, yes I did nearly overheat. I was wrapped up for Siberia. It wasn't as cold as I thought it'd be.  😂

Let's have a quote. It's one I need to remember. Very freeing. Anyone else relate?

“People are going to judge you all the time no matter what you do. . . . 

Don’t worry about other people. 

Worry about you.” 

Jacqueline Woodson

People's Friend website and musings

Apologies to those who aren't the slightest bit interested in writing, but after looking for something on the PF website, I thought I'd talk a bit about it, as there is so much to say. It is a fantastic research area and a bit of a rabbit hole. Once you go there, you can be down there for hours, poking around.

This is the link https://www.thepeoplesfriend.co.uk/

This takes you to the website's Home, but once there you'll read about this week's magazine, there's a writing prompt story starter to oil the creative wheels (there's also a backlog of these somewhere about, with what feels like an infinite amount of prompts), a link to Writer of the Week, the Fiction Editor's blog, articles and more. That's just the home page. There's a link to the writer's guidelines, How to get started, tips on writing seasonal stories, Writers' Tools and a lot more besides. There's also something called Writers' Round-up Hour on Twitter every Tuesday at 11am, which I ALWAYS forget about. I am going to set a reminder on Alexa for 10.45am Tuesday to remind me...but I bet I'll be out!

Just checked the calendar. I'm out 😬

Other sections on the website are cookery, craft and lifestyle. There's also free fiction to read.

At the moment, we're watching Strike. We've only just finished season one so there's lots more to go. Before the initial credits, I had no idea it was a Robert Calbraith/JK Rowling novel. I'm a bit out of touch there! Seems like there's a whole series of them (embarrassing). I remembered The Casual Vacancy but lost track of what she wrote after that. We've guessed some of the plot twists but it has been very entertaining and I'm very happy to be watching all the other series until we've caught up. It'll be Happy Valley next. Just waiting for the last one to be aired then we can binge it in a few nights. My memory is so dire, I lose track of the plot if I have to wait a week between episodes. Jon's not much better and we spend more time stopping it and going 'Eh? Who are they talking about?' then we do actually watching it.

I read some more of Richard E Grant's autobiography last night. It has really captured me, but I can see that we will soon be saying goodbye to his wife and I'm not looking forward to that bit at all.

Jon is clearing the loft - a MAMMOTH task. He brings it down and I have to make the impossible decisions as to whether to chuck something or not. A lot has gone to the charity shop. Some has to be thrown out. There is a lot more up there. Boxes and boxes of my stories, published and also rough copies. All my OU books. I will get rid of most of those, but keep all the TMAs and EMAs I did. There are old cards (birthdays, Xmas, Easter, Valentine's Day). Letters to Tooth Fairies and letters to Santa. Toys. Books. CDs. DVDs. Ornaments. Decorations. Mugs. Knives. Crockery. A travel cot. ('Get rid of it', Jon says. 'But what if Tasha has kids?' I reply. 'We'll need it again then...')

Arrrgh.

Had a quick poke about on the Open University's website earlier as I always keep a tab open (hahahaha surprised?). Fatal really. I saw what looks like a fantastic free course about film, and another about politics and media. It's almost breaking me to resist the urge to sign onto it. I really really really want to do it, but I know I haven't got the time. I'm in the middle of the synopsis proposal, then I need to write the first instalment, plus I'm halfway through a 9500 word story. I can't do it. I can't. I can't. I can't!😞

Let's find some inspiration from someone with a billion braincells.

That's a thought, actually. How many braincells do we have? 

Apparently we have 86 billion neurons and 85 billion nonneuronal cells. So we want someone with a lot more than a billion.

Anne Frank will definitely do.

“I can shake off everything as I write; 

my sorrows disappear, 

my courage is reborn.” 

Seems like a pretty decent reason to write.

Cinemas

Today Tasha and Reece took me for a bit of wedding browsing and shopping. It's very exciting. We have a fair few decorations already, some bought online and some given to us by a very generous friend. These will, in turn, be donated to another bride and groom-to-be after the wedding.

Afterwards, I went to see 'Tar' at the cinema. I can see why Cate Blanchett has been nominated for an Oscar. She was mesmerising. It's up for a number of Oscars, in fact. It's a really different film but it was some time into it before it was clear what the film was about. They had time to do that as its run time was 2hrs 38 mins. Unusually, the credits ran at the beginning. Very old school. I don't think I could recommend it because it was pretty slow-paced and wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea. Someone on the radio the other day said that if they don't know what a film is about within the first ten minutes, they will leave. They definitely wouldn't have seen this one through! It made me think about my sister Jane all the way through it as she is in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and has been for well over three decades (nearer four, I think!). I kept wondering if she would have enjoyed it because it was so deeply about music. I'm glad I saw it and I wish Cate Blanchett luck at the Oscars.

Talking of length of film time, we used to get a scan ticket at the cinema to use in the car park which gave you up to four hours free. Now, the new car park owners have changed the system. When you arrive at the cinema, you have to register your car reg number on an ipad, which logs you into the car parking system. It gives you three hours (!), which is very frustrating as films are very long at the moment. You are fine if you, for instance, arrive at 3pm because you don't pay in the car park after 6pm.  However, say you went to see Avatar: The Way of Water at midday. This runs for 3hr 12 mins. Add the trailers before it starts. The minimum you then pay at the car park is £1.50 (2-3 hours). You pay the difference on leaving the cinema, at the car park machine. Obviously this only happens if you go to an earlier performance, but it is frustrating because, at the moment, so many films are long. What is most annoying is that cinemas are struggling anyway. They really don't need anything that is going to put any potential punters off going.

I'll climb down off my soapbox.

Have bought some magnesium spray and just put some on to help the muscle pain, hopefully. Probably a really silly time to put it on, at bedtime, when I react to so many things. Fingers crossed.

No time to write today. Hopefully I'll manage some tomorrow. Must remember to put in another request on AskMyGp. I asked for an email but they rang me twice whilst I was in the cinema, which means that I now have to go back online and do the whole request over again tomorrow.

No comment.

“There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” —W. Somerset Maugham 

I should've realised

 Two days ago I blogged that I'd fallen asleep writing. Four hours later I returned to the laptop and said 'Just took some painkillers as, for some bizarre reason, my neck and upper back aches like mad and I keep getting pains in my chest.' That was a red flag! That night I woke up after being asleep for a couple of hours and couldn't move my neck. PAIN. It hadn't been that bad for years. I get bouts of this pain, but it's been some time since I've woken up not being able to move without crying out in pain. Needless to say, I had little sleep and didn't do much yesterday. Same scenario last night - poor Jon got shoved off into the spare room so I didn't spend all night trying not to wake him. I had the light on for quite a lot of it. Spent all morning in bed trying to nap but got up about lunchtime. Everything above the waist aches and I am walking around with a heated scarf around my neck (I know hahaha). Many movements lead to an 'arrrggh' but I have swept the kitchen floor and made macaroni cheese for Reece and Tasha. I didn't manage to go and help Nikki with Albie, which I was supposed to as the school was closed today. I feel awful about that because she had to do her training day online, but I couldn't have driven there or walked, let alone do anything when I got there. But, as the quotes have been saying, it's OK to fail. Sorry Nikki!

Good news today! I think it was around the 19th Jan that I did a rewrite for PF. The editor felt it was too long and needed some tweaking here and there. I did what I hoped she wanted and today they bought it. Rewrites often take as long as writing a story in the first place, but often it is worth the effort. They don't always buy the rewrite, but I've had a good hit rate with them.

Leia is beside me, tuckered out, as she's just had her second big walk of the day...this time from Louise. Every time I stroke her I get a little contented sigh. 

One upside of being stuck in bed is that I did find a way to read Richard E Grant's autobiography. I've not finished it but am probably about 3/4 of the way through. It was good to get some momentum and really get into it. I've just been to the Oscars ceremony with him and it has been interesting hearing anecdotes about various 'celebrities', some of whom appear to be truly incredible people and some of whom do not. I don't read celeb mags or anything like that, but reading letters he and his late wife received before she died from some of these people who were good friends to them was very moving.

Owen Wilson was one person he spoke about and apparently his persona is exactly how he appears on screen. Breezy, wowed by everything, positive, optimistic, gives one hundred percent attention to the person he is with but then he can be gone in a flash, off to the next thing that needs his attention. When filming, he is left to his own devices as he adlibs and improvises. I've always liked him on screen so am happy that he is as he appears. Funnily enough, he was in a film I saw on Sky Cinema last night when Jon was out at the football where I should have been (Marry Me, with Jennifer Lopez). A nice easy watch. Loved it.

Enough waffle. I am going to try and get to the cinema tomorrow night as it's the last night of Tar and it sounds amazing. Apart from people, dogs, books and some other things, my Cinema Unlimited Card is my very favourite thing. I'm praying they don't go bust because being at the cinema, engrossed in a movie, is like nothing else for me. The world stands still, you forget all your problems, and everyone else's problems, and inhabit a different world entirely. If it makes me cry with happiness or sadness, it's done its job.

Helen Frankenthaler:

There are no rules.

That is how art is born,

how breakthroughs happen.

Go against the rules or

ignore the rules. That is what

invention is about.

The Creative Writing MA I did talked about rules a lot, and how they should be ignored. Create your own boundaries. Smash the glass ceiling. 

And have fun doing it.