New Year, New Start

And so 2017 has reached its end. At times I have found it a difficult year, but there have been many positives too.

William Gladstone 

On the writing front, I had a handful of pieces published - enough to remind me what a thrill it is to be acknowledged in print and online - enough to spur me on to want to achieve more in 2018.

• 1 short story in Ireland’s Own
• 2 short stories in this anthology (proceeds to RSPCA)
• 2 poems in Yours
• 3 shout-outs in Mslexia and Writing Magazine 
• 4 news items in Writers’ Forum (winning a free subscription)
• 5 pieces of Flash on Paragraph Planet
• 11 letters in various magazines, including the iconic The Lady

Cake Stories, Jesmond

I’ve done things too. I’ve been places. I’ve met people.

• I read at my first Open Mic night
• I met up with three (previously online only) writing buddies
• I had a three week tour of the UK which I used as a personal writing retreat, blogging daily about my journey, including three nights at the beautiful Gladstone Library and another three in glorious Hay on Wye, and a visit to Dylan Thomas’ boat house
• I went to the Writers’ Holiday in Fishguard and made new writing friends there

Dylan Thomas’
writing shed

On reflection it hasn’t been such a bad year. I hope to achieve even more in 2018. I shan’t set any specific goals or targets, but this time next year maybe I will be able to report yet more positive writing news.

Thank you to all those who have supported me with words of encouragement along the way. Happy New Year to you all. I hope that 2018 will bring you every happiness and joy.

Melancholy baby

Blue Christmas

It’s how I’m feeling at the moment. Last Christmas was poignant but I coped. Stoical. Yet this year I’m really struggling. I’ve spent all morning trying to decorate the Christmas tree. Every little thing seems too much. Lights not working, batteries to change, all result in tears.

At what point does grief become self indulgent? I don’t know the answer. I spent time yesterday looking at Christmas cards for ‘my husband’, knowing I wouldn’t be buying one.

I want to write. I ought to write. Writing is a good therapy. Let the thoughts and emotions spill out onto paper - get it down, get it out. And this is as good a place as any to start. 

Does writing things down help you?