Island Life, Word Birds & Process #22
Waking early to a perfect Island Life scenario. Mist made of a million feathers, a sense of the Avalon barge, perhaps offering me a lift to the Isle of Apples. While my bath runs, I reread a handwritten letter from a friend & I’m reminded of what matters. Family, love, kindness.
Moments such as these stop me in my tracks. Gazing across the misty hill, I add writing to the list.
With another book fair behind me I confess myself – yet again – a reluctant self-promoter. I know it must be done & fair play, I do it quite well. It’s part of the process. I am indebted to Honno, my publisher; a bit of social media is the least I can do.
It was grand to be with other writers at the book fair, with readers who kindly bought my book.
And yet, today I’m experiencing relief because the next one isn’t until December.
The place in between stretches, uncluttered, silent save for the sound of the birds. I have need of them. To my astonishment, I’ve made it through the first half of the first round of structural edits on Book 2. It’s the second half that will test me however. It involves big changes. Good changes (I hope.) I must dig deep & put into practice the wisdom of my editor.
September is my favourite month. A new moon is emerging. My pencils are sharp. I’ve organised Premium bird seed & meal worms…
Onward & sideways.
Six years into this publishing thing, and I still hate promo. And I’m a raging extrovert! For me, it’s the time it takes away from writing that makes me hate it. Sometimes it’s fun. Sometimes it’s mindblowingly frustrating. Necessary, I know, but…yeah. Ick.
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You misunderstand, cariad. I don’t ‘hate’ promotion – I quite like it. I’m just not a natural self-promoter which is why I set aside specific times for it. Sunday’s mostly, call it a ‘day off’ from writing & usually I enjoy it. Right now, I’m deep in an exciting re-visioning of a story I already love so yes – absolutely – like you, I’d rather be writing! xXx
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It was lovely to have your company yesterday, Carol. You ‘do’ book fairs really well! Good luck with the re-write. I’m off social media after today fo r a while. Jx
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I remember! Have a lovely break & we’ll see you when you get back.
And thank you. For kind words, for everything. xXx
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Beautifully put, I need silences in my life, but for the sounds of nature x
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Thanks for dropping by, Lisa! Here’s to quiet space, with time to hear what we need & to be creative! xXx
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A lovely post! I feel the same about the time that stretches between events where I can potter and write indoors or wander and putter in the garden or woods. Happy process 🙂 xxx
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Your letter was a significant moment of inspiration for this post, Lou! Thank you for it! Here’s to the in between places & the time to use them well. xXx
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Trust your editors and the process.
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I most assuredly do & shall, Elizabeth! She is a genius. Or, as I occasionally comment, Yoda, only prettier… 😉
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