No, not Voldemort; my lovely son.
My eleven-year-old went on his school outdoor pursuits trip last week. In Scotland. In March. Yes, there was snow… And I missed him terribly. I mean, serious ‘didn’t I used to have two arms?’ missed him.
So, the weekend was spent in a contented haze, gazing at my boy (safe, alive, happy and well), and grabbing as many cuddles as I was allowed (thankfully, lots). He had a wonderful time and I’ve been reminded of how utterly blessed I am; total result.
In other news, I have been working lots. I have a secret project that is almost-ready to be revealed (subscribe to my newsletter if you want to be first to hear about it!) and I’m hoping to finish the zero draft* of a new book by the end of the month. It’s a bit of departure – probably classed as urban fantasy – and it may never make it out into the world, but I’m having too much fun to leave it half-written.
Hope you have a good week, and thanks for reading!
* Yes, most writers have ‘first drafts’. I’ve decided mine are so messy and disjointed they need to be downgraded.
12 responses to “He’s back!”
Hi, Sarah! I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to share with us. And when I read your comment about your first drafts needing to be downgraded to below that level I really chuckled. I write longhand, and though I try to leave enough space for edits later on my writing always look like a chimp had its way with a pen! I still like writing my first drafts or ideas in a notebook, regardless.
ooops….I though my first comment didn’t go through. Sorry 🙁
That’s okay, Judy, I’ve deleted it for you! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I do love making notes (and lists!) longhand, but I can’t write more than that – too slow and too messy and it makes my hand cramp 😉 I do love my downgraded drafts, though; it gives me the freedom to make (multiple) mistakes, take wrong-turns and generally write dross. Hurrah!
Yup….typing does give you the freem to just right a bunch of junk….then delete it easily when you look back on it.
…thanks for deleting my extra comment.;)
Love the idea of a draft zero!
Good luck with your new project – I’m intrigued! 🙂
Thanks, Elle! 🙂
Good to hear your son has returned safely. Hope he enjoyed his trip to Bonnie Scotland (and that the weather was ‘Bonnie’ for him! (We’ve had some really atrocious weather here since before Christmas, and it’s only just beginning to look a bit like Spring!)
Re First drafts/re-writing…I always feel it’s better sooner than later – when the very thought can be somewhat overwhelming! Believe it or not, I’ve reverted to ancient technology – and acquired myself a portable manual TYPEWRITER!! Sounds crazy I know, but my handwriting is so goddam awful I found I was spending far too much time trying to decipher what I’d written in my first drafts!
I use treble spacing so I can do all my ‘reworking’/corrections/additions/’memos’ etc in between. It’s lightweight, can use it anywhere, (altho’ I get some funny looks!) Does not run out of battery power, and doesn’t CRASH! Paid just £25 for it in a local s/h shop and it works perfectly. I’m in good company too – Hemingway and as late as Alistair Cooke (the latter refusing to use ‘modern technology’ right to the end) Good luck with your ‘Urban Fantasy’ – sounds intriguing!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Carl. I *love* typewriters and think it’s very cool that you write using one!
Well, it seems like I’ve got one fan! Most folk think I’m nuts – but I dinnae care – it works for ME!
Carl, that’s how I used to write till I got an electric typewriter.. showing my age here..
My hands couldn’t do that now. I did enjoy the rhythm of writing that way.
Hello Sarah, just wanted to say that I am looking forward to hearing of your new project, very intriguing! And also to say I have every faith in your work and have my fingers crossed that it will be published at some point!, best wishes Maggie
Thanks so much, Maggie – what a lovely thing to say. I really appreciate your vote of confidence today, as I’m reading over the Zero Draft and trying not to freak out about how much work it needs! x