Nanowrimo - day 11

Oh dear, I've been naughty haven't I?

The whole idea of this blogging during Nanowrimo was that I'd keep you up to date on a daily basis as to how I'm doing and I haven't. But to be honest I didn't do any writing on Saturday, I went to a fantastic writing workshop in a fairy grotto. Yes I did say a fairy grotto and it was brilliant. I'll tell you more about that in another post and I'll put some piccies up just to show you that I'm not going mad.

Sunday I was at church and running kids around, Monday not a lot happened but yesterday. Well yesterday I wrote about 4,000 words and then something silly happened with the computer and I lost about half of them. I don't know what happened but I wasn't happy that's why I didn't post. Oh and yesterday was my birthday so the evening was pretty well taken up.

Today I've managed again about 4,000 words and haven't lost any and I'm happy. So although I'm behind with my word count, I'm determined to catch up. Another 4,000 tomorrow and the day after and the day after.... A little madness does help when doing Nanowrimo believe me.

The piccy tonight was taken a couple of years ago but it did make me laugh. It's a slug on a giant puff ball and I added the caption 'You're never going to eat all of that.'

Have fun

Nanowrimo - day 6

Day 6 and I'm less than 700 words behind where I should be so I'm really pleased with that. Hopefully I can catch up this weekend but tomorrow I'm going to a writing workshop in Craven Arms so we'll see. I'll let you know about that tomorrow whether or not I do any work on my novel. Hopefully I can, it's nice to escape to Tumbles Forge even if all the Parish Council do is bicker. Oh and by the way Tumbles Forge Parish Council bears no resemblance to any Parish Council I've served on - honestly.

The piccy tonight is one I took a while ago. A red admiral resting on the church wall. I've put it up because this afternoon was wet and very soggy and tonight they've said it's going to be cold so it's a reminder of the balmy days of summer.

Have a great weekend whatever you're doing.

Nanowrimo - day 5

Today has been a lovely day. This morning I pottered around the house doing odd jobs. Then Simon arrived and bless him, took me out for a good natter and a lovely lunch, followed by a drive through the Mortimer Forest and up through Wigmore and back home. The scenic route but it's so beautiful and the skies were wonderful. And when I got home I sat down at my computer and added another 1689 words to my novel.

When we out we were talking about finding time to write. If you haven't already read it, do read Simon's blog about making time to write. For me, during this week I've discovered that I write better in the afternoon. Monday, as I said was perfect, I sat down to write at 9.15

and boy was it a struggle. Whereas the rest of the week I've been busy in the morning, out over lunchtime so I've only had the afternoon and knowing I've only got that time has enabled me to focus so much better. This afternoon was lovely. It went very dark early, thanks to storm clouds, so I sat on my sofa with my laptop, a mug of coffee and the side light on and just wrote. It was so peaceful, to be honest I was dreading the lads coming back from work to disturb my peace. Selfish maybe but I didn't want my writing time to end.

Do my family appreciate what I'm doing. Most of the time perhaps not but I was thrilled when Rob did ask if he could put the television on and when I asked him to do it later it wasn't a problem. Hopefully this will continue and my family will respect my time to write. And Simon as for being back to normal in December I hope not. I like this. I'm not being selfish I'm being me and doing what I have to do, the same way others in my household do.

God I feel liberated.

The piccy tonight was taken in August at the top of the Burway in Church Stretton. For those who know that nightmare of a road with two hundred foot drops at the edge of it - yes I did drive up it, which is better than driving down it but it's still scary. The motoring equivalent to a white water ride - this is a white knuckle ride. But the view from the top is amazing. If you look closely you'll see Church Stretton nestled in the valley - it was a beautiful day that day and one I was fortunate enough to share with my Dad.

PS Thanks for lunch Simon. You take care and have a wonderful time in the Lakes.

Nanorwrimo - day 4

Over 1,600 words today, not as many as I would've like but it was another trip to Shrewsbury and then well, don't tell anyone, but I fell asleep on the sofa when I got back, not for long but it did take some valuable writing time.

However, I'm quite pleased with myself, still about 900 words behind target but it could be a lot worse.

I did go to choir last night. Oh there's trouble brewing. I can tell you because no one from choir knows about my blog so I'm alright. Looks like our leader, conductor whatever is going to be ousted. She went on holiday for a fortnight, left the choir in the safe hands of Arthur and everyone prefers him so.... well she's back on Saturday and the choir are going to tell her next Tuesday. I don't know if I'll be there because it will be my birthday and maybe the lads will take me out - ha ha, so yes I shall probably be there for the fireworks, five days late. You know the funny thing is the choir was only formed about six weeks ago and we've already started a rebellion. Fun and games.

And good news my son's car has passed the MOT.

The piccy today, I quite like the idea of putting random piccies on my blog was taken last Saturday down in Clun. Pretty isn't it?

Nanowrimo - day 3

Dead chuffed with myself today. Despite leaving home at 8.45 and not getting back until 13.30 after running number one son half way around the county and then having two trips this afternoon into Clun I have actually managed to write over 2,000 words. Okay I know I needed to because I was dragging behind but hey.... I'm only about 900 words behind where I should be. I would do that tonight but I've got choir and seeing as I didn't go last week I really ought to go this week.

However, that finishes about 21.00 so there is a chance, that's if Annie's not there because if she is well, we'll end up in the pub.

Now I'd better go and sort out the mess that's in my kitchen sadly life doesn't stop for Nanowrimo. Mind you number 3 son has moaned that it's just chicken and pasta tonight, I think he's bloody lucky he's being fed - don't you?

And the piccy, nothing to do with writing but it was very wet and stormy here this morning and I took this of a tree in the orchard at the back of my house. I love the way the sun is highlighting the tree against the dark background. Thought I'd add it to my blog to brighten up the page.

Nanowrimo - day 2

Phew sometimes I think I'm totally mad. Today is ideal for writing. I'm at home on my own, I've got my comfy sofa, my laptop, a cup of coffee and beautiful view not to mention peace and quiet but do I feel like writing? Do I heck. But no I'm sitting down and I'm doing it, besides writing my blog, checking my emails and just about everything else I can do on the computer besides actually write. Word is open though, underneath www.blogger.com so shall return to it and don't be surprised if I post again today.

Now come on Susie, get scribbling, think of all the others in the world who are joining you in this endeavour.... ok.

Do I need another coffee yet?

Nanowrimo - day 1

The first of November has arrived and with it the start of Nanowrimo. It's quite daunting to think that I've accepted the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Okay I've done it three times before but a lot has happened since the last time I did it in 2005, perhaps the most significant thing which might affect my chances of completing this challenge is the affect dear old 'Arfur' has had on my life.

Dear old Arfur is the pet name I've given to the arthritis which is having a serious effect on my hands so typing is a problem but hey nothing ventured, nothing gained and if needs be there's always pain killers and wrist straps. By the end of this month I could end up as a stoned mummy encased in neoprene - that could be fun.

But I'm excited, I know what I'm going to write about. I'm going back to Tumbles Forge, my village with people I need to rediscover, incidents and events that have yet to be created but that are beginning to happen in my head. I have a month on the sofa with my laptop on my knee, looking out across Clunbury Hill with my imagination for company. I can't think of a better way to spend November.

And to all my fellow Nanowrimo writers - good luck.