Pinned
Two-thirds through a first draft. Got stuck. Doubled back to move forward and found the whole thing was built on a putrid marsh... What to do?
Procrastinating with an anonymous social media account to share the shame and struggle publicly seemed like a sensible place to start.
Thbptttttt...
Procrastinating with an anonymous social media account to share the shame and struggle publicly seemed like a sensible place to start.
Thbptttttt...
Five months unblocked. Found my stride. Picking my battles. It feels very nice to see the path unfolding under my finger pads. Persistence builds resilience. Just….keep…going….
April 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Five months unblocked. Found my stride. Picking my battles. It feels very nice to see the path unfolding under my finger pads. Persistence builds resilience. Just….keep…going….
I have reached the point where the book will now write itself (who am I kidding - but the slog of construction is done.)
Time to start building a frame to house project two. A departure into history. A tale of freaks - one tiny and powerful, the other a giant kept from small wants. What thrills!
Time to start building a frame to house project two. A departure into history. A tale of freaks - one tiny and powerful, the other a giant kept from small wants. What thrills!
February 28, 2025 at 6:26 AM
I have reached the point where the book will now write itself (who am I kidding - but the slog of construction is done.)
Time to start building a frame to house project two. A departure into history. A tale of freaks - one tiny and powerful, the other a giant kept from small wants. What thrills!
Time to start building a frame to house project two. A departure into history. A tale of freaks - one tiny and powerful, the other a giant kept from small wants. What thrills!
The best kind of progress is when things happen in your head. When complexity deepens - when epiphanies happen organically - when the path that was rocky, convoluted or difficult to see, all of a sudden is clear, exciting and pleasurable to walk down. Writing moves quickly - energetic galloping.
February 28, 2025 at 6:20 AM
The best kind of progress is when things happen in your head. When complexity deepens - when epiphanies happen organically - when the path that was rocky, convoluted or difficult to see, all of a sudden is clear, exciting and pleasurable to walk down. Writing moves quickly - energetic galloping.
Obviously not stuck now… no posts mean plenty of writing. Except for today, today is a rest day. Today is Sunday and for the godless of white, Northern European heritage, we feel no guilt for resting all day today.
February 2, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Obviously not stuck now… no posts mean plenty of writing. Except for today, today is a rest day. Today is Sunday and for the godless of white, Northern European heritage, we feel no guilt for resting all day today.
Reposted
Word of the Day, should you need it, is ‘crapulence’ (18th century): sickness or indisposition resulting from excessive drinking or eating.
January 1, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Word of the Day, should you need it, is ‘crapulence’ (18th century): sickness or indisposition resulting from excessive drinking or eating.
Resting on an appendix of research today. Always an unexpected joy.
The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Rejected by the canon for being problematic. Would have been known to the ordinary church-goer in the (pre-Protestant) 14th century. Beautifully absorbed into folk songs, carols in particular.
The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Rejected by the canon for being problematic. Would have been known to the ordinary church-goer in the (pre-Protestant) 14th century. Beautifully absorbed into folk songs, carols in particular.
January 1, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Resting on an appendix of research today. Always an unexpected joy.
The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Rejected by the canon for being problematic. Would have been known to the ordinary church-goer in the (pre-Protestant) 14th century. Beautifully absorbed into folk songs, carols in particular.
The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. Rejected by the canon for being problematic. Would have been known to the ordinary church-goer in the (pre-Protestant) 14th century. Beautifully absorbed into folk songs, carols in particular.
So, what do you reckon? A day of cool, grown up writing productivity tomorrow…Or sleep late, procrastinate and graze until bedtime?
Choices, choices.
#writing #deadlinelooms #gohardorgohome #authorlife #sundayrest #sundaywrite
Choices, choices.
#writing #deadlinelooms #gohardorgohome #authorlife #sundayrest #sundaywrite
December 14, 2024 at 11:58 PM
So, what do you reckon? A day of cool, grown up writing productivity tomorrow…Or sleep late, procrastinate and graze until bedtime?
Choices, choices.
#writing #deadlinelooms #gohardorgohome #authorlife #sundayrest #sundaywrite
Choices, choices.
#writing #deadlinelooms #gohardorgohome #authorlife #sundayrest #sundaywrite
Fellow scribblers, a podcast recommendation for you.
In writing with Hattie Crisell.
All the styles, all the writers. Discussing process and procedure. Peaks, troughs and triumphs.
If you’re in need of solidarity, solace and inspiration and you don’t already, get it in your head muffs.
In writing with Hattie Crisell.
All the styles, all the writers. Discussing process and procedure. Peaks, troughs and triumphs.
If you’re in need of solidarity, solace and inspiration and you don’t already, get it in your head muffs.
December 12, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Fellow scribblers, a podcast recommendation for you.
In writing with Hattie Crisell.
All the styles, all the writers. Discussing process and procedure. Peaks, troughs and triumphs.
If you’re in need of solidarity, solace and inspiration and you don’t already, get it in your head muffs.
In writing with Hattie Crisell.
All the styles, all the writers. Discussing process and procedure. Peaks, troughs and triumphs.
If you’re in need of solidarity, solace and inspiration and you don’t already, get it in your head muffs.
Am I a living Dunning-Kruger effect?
Does my doubt confirm my genius?
Or am I just a self-aware incompetent?
Will I live long enough to find out?
Well, thereby hangs a tale…
#writingdoubt #writinglife #authorthought #writingcommunity
Does my doubt confirm my genius?
Or am I just a self-aware incompetent?
Will I live long enough to find out?
Well, thereby hangs a tale…
#writingdoubt #writinglife #authorthought #writingcommunity
December 11, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Am I a living Dunning-Kruger effect?
Does my doubt confirm my genius?
Or am I just a self-aware incompetent?
Will I live long enough to find out?
Well, thereby hangs a tale…
#writingdoubt #writinglife #authorthought #writingcommunity
Does my doubt confirm my genius?
Or am I just a self-aware incompetent?
Will I live long enough to find out?
Well, thereby hangs a tale…
#writingdoubt #writinglife #authorthought #writingcommunity
- “For,” the old man told me, “we have all got a sperrit something like a spark inside we, and a sperrit can go large or small or down down quite small, even into a snuff-box.”
#lore #oldtimesense #writersresearch
#lore #oldtimesense #writersresearch
December 8, 2024 at 2:32 PM
- “For,” the old man told me, “we have all got a sperrit something like a spark inside we, and a sperrit can go large or small or down down quite small, even into a snuff-box.”
#lore #oldtimesense #writersresearch
#lore #oldtimesense #writersresearch
I’m back in the fictional world. They’ve let me back in. But only to look, only to tinker and fiddle with structure and show me how to tell their story. They won’t let me start anything new.. just yet.
I think they want me to prove my ability to speak for them.
#authorlife #writingcommunity #asylum
I think they want me to prove my ability to speak for them.
#authorlife #writingcommunity #asylum
December 2, 2024 at 7:54 PM
I’m back in the fictional world. They’ve let me back in. But only to look, only to tinker and fiddle with structure and show me how to tell their story. They won’t let me start anything new.. just yet.
I think they want me to prove my ability to speak for them.
#authorlife #writingcommunity #asylum
I think they want me to prove my ability to speak for them.
#authorlife #writingcommunity #asylum
Gypsy lore of the Welsh Marches in the early 20th century is recorded as encouraging bathing babies in water where willow bark has been boiled.
Science says the growth hormone and aspirin effect would help soothe little bodies.
Of course the main reason was protection against baby theft by fairies.
Science says the growth hormone and aspirin effect would help soothe little bodies.
Of course the main reason was protection against baby theft by fairies.
November 28, 2024 at 10:45 AM
Gypsy lore of the Welsh Marches in the early 20th century is recorded as encouraging bathing babies in water where willow bark has been boiled.
Science says the growth hormone and aspirin effect would help soothe little bodies.
Of course the main reason was protection against baby theft by fairies.
Science says the growth hormone and aspirin effect would help soothe little bodies.
Of course the main reason was protection against baby theft by fairies.
Somewhat strange not getting up at 5.30am to push on with the words, but my brain and body feel better for the extra zzzzs.
And it certainly makes for an easier day on the farm.
And it certainly makes for an easier day on the farm.
November 28, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Somewhat strange not getting up at 5.30am to push on with the words, but my brain and body feel better for the extra zzzzs.
And it certainly makes for an easier day on the farm.
And it certainly makes for an easier day on the farm.
Sin-eaters.
Traditionally thick around the borders of Wales and Scotland.
Often fringe members of society.
The last ‘working’ one last heard of early 1900s in Shropshire.
Metaphorically swallowing the sin of the newly dead so they avoid hell.
Ritual meals passed and eaten over the coffin.
Traditionally thick around the borders of Wales and Scotland.
Often fringe members of society.
The last ‘working’ one last heard of early 1900s in Shropshire.
Metaphorically swallowing the sin of the newly dead so they avoid hell.
Ritual meals passed and eaten over the coffin.
November 27, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Sin-eaters.
Traditionally thick around the borders of Wales and Scotland.
Often fringe members of society.
The last ‘working’ one last heard of early 1900s in Shropshire.
Metaphorically swallowing the sin of the newly dead so they avoid hell.
Ritual meals passed and eaten over the coffin.
Traditionally thick around the borders of Wales and Scotland.
Often fringe members of society.
The last ‘working’ one last heard of early 1900s in Shropshire.
Metaphorically swallowing the sin of the newly dead so they avoid hell.
Ritual meals passed and eaten over the coffin.
When the flow stops, there are a number of alternatives.
My inclinations are always drawn to;
1. Structural work - if my hatred for the piece is bearable.
2. Research
(No, giving up is never an option)
My inclinations are always drawn to;
1. Structural work - if my hatred for the piece is bearable.
2. Research
(No, giving up is never an option)
November 27, 2024 at 12:37 PM
When the flow stops, there are a number of alternatives.
My inclinations are always drawn to;
1. Structural work - if my hatred for the piece is bearable.
2. Research
(No, giving up is never an option)
My inclinations are always drawn to;
1. Structural work - if my hatred for the piece is bearable.
2. Research
(No, giving up is never an option)
A new tack.
If the boat is becalmed in this heading, I’ll try another.
Some beautiful group exchanges have made me see that after 14 months of good sailing, I’ve hit the doldrums. Burnout. No biggie. It won’t last.
Meantime; play, touch base every day, stop whipping the horse. But be finite.
If the boat is becalmed in this heading, I’ll try another.
Some beautiful group exchanges have made me see that after 14 months of good sailing, I’ve hit the doldrums. Burnout. No biggie. It won’t last.
Meantime; play, touch base every day, stop whipping the horse. But be finite.
November 26, 2024 at 6:12 AM
A new tack.
If the boat is becalmed in this heading, I’ll try another.
Some beautiful group exchanges have made me see that after 14 months of good sailing, I’ve hit the doldrums. Burnout. No biggie. It won’t last.
Meantime; play, touch base every day, stop whipping the horse. But be finite.
If the boat is becalmed in this heading, I’ll try another.
Some beautiful group exchanges have made me see that after 14 months of good sailing, I’ve hit the doldrums. Burnout. No biggie. It won’t last.
Meantime; play, touch base every day, stop whipping the horse. But be finite.
If in doubt… there’s always The Wicker Man.
"Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent."
Researching for tone and the uncanny.
"Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent."
Researching for tone and the uncanny.
November 25, 2024 at 10:08 PM
If in doubt… there’s always The Wicker Man.
"Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent."
Researching for tone and the uncanny.
"Do sit down, Sergeant. Shocks are so much better absorbed with the knees bent."
Researching for tone and the uncanny.
Reposted
The Wicker Man (1973) set under construction
November 25, 2024 at 4:10 PM
The Wicker Man (1973) set under construction
Still stuck.
But no longer on my own.
That is what a writing group is all about; the shared struggle. Nobody knows it better.
Truly blessed to suffer in such company.
#writingcommunity
But no longer on my own.
That is what a writing group is all about; the shared struggle. Nobody knows it better.
Truly blessed to suffer in such company.
#writingcommunity
November 25, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Still stuck.
But no longer on my own.
That is what a writing group is all about; the shared struggle. Nobody knows it better.
Truly blessed to suffer in such company.
#writingcommunity
But no longer on my own.
That is what a writing group is all about; the shared struggle. Nobody knows it better.
Truly blessed to suffer in such company.
#writingcommunity
Trying again. At the glass coalface scratching for words.
A more hopeful card.
Don’t give in to self-limiting beliefs.
You can. You will.
Keep going.
A more hopeful card.
Don’t give in to self-limiting beliefs.
You can. You will.
Keep going.
November 24, 2024 at 11:11 AM
Trying again. At the glass coalface scratching for words.
A more hopeful card.
Don’t give in to self-limiting beliefs.
You can. You will.
Keep going.
A more hopeful card.
Don’t give in to self-limiting beliefs.
You can. You will.
Keep going.
Thank heavens for outdoors.
Thank heavens for growing things.
Thank heavens for cows to be fed.
Thank heavens for all the ways I am reminded of the use of a life off the page.
Thank heavens for growing things.
Thank heavens for cows to be fed.
Thank heavens for all the ways I am reminded of the use of a life off the page.
November 23, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Thank heavens for outdoors.
Thank heavens for growing things.
Thank heavens for cows to be fed.
Thank heavens for all the ways I am reminded of the use of a life off the page.
Thank heavens for growing things.
Thank heavens for cows to be fed.
Thank heavens for all the ways I am reminded of the use of a life off the page.
Still stuck. Rough with the smooth, I know.
I am editing for now, but it feels like fiddling while Rome burns.
Rudderless.
Tinkering in small corners while the whole thing spins out...
It is all I can do for now.
I am editing for now, but it feels like fiddling while Rome burns.
Rudderless.
Tinkering in small corners while the whole thing spins out...
It is all I can do for now.
November 23, 2024 at 7:40 AM
Still stuck. Rough with the smooth, I know.
I am editing for now, but it feels like fiddling while Rome burns.
Rudderless.
Tinkering in small corners while the whole thing spins out...
It is all I can do for now.
I am editing for now, but it feels like fiddling while Rome burns.
Rudderless.
Tinkering in small corners while the whole thing spins out...
It is all I can do for now.
That’s much better. Fixing, forward motion after 2 weeks of stasis.
Hearing the problem character louder, clearer.
Come on Rachel, solidify.
Hearing the problem character louder, clearer.
Come on Rachel, solidify.
November 22, 2024 at 8:07 AM
That’s much better. Fixing, forward motion after 2 weeks of stasis.
Hearing the problem character louder, clearer.
Come on Rachel, solidify.
Hearing the problem character louder, clearer.
Come on Rachel, solidify.
Reversed star yesterday.
Knight of wands just now.
Let’s see….
Knight of wands just now.
Let’s see….
November 22, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Reversed star yesterday.
Knight of wands just now.
Let’s see….
Knight of wands just now.
Let’s see….
It'll be okay. I'll fix it. I can't not. There is too much invested: heart, soul, and small intestine.
Today, I feel too old, tired, sick, and stupid to do much else than return to bed and pray for the hot and cold snots to consume me in some Howarth-ridden-nightgown-clutching whimsical way.
Today, I feel too old, tired, sick, and stupid to do much else than return to bed and pray for the hot and cold snots to consume me in some Howarth-ridden-nightgown-clutching whimsical way.
November 21, 2024 at 3:33 PM
It'll be okay. I'll fix it. I can't not. There is too much invested: heart, soul, and small intestine.
Today, I feel too old, tired, sick, and stupid to do much else than return to bed and pray for the hot and cold snots to consume me in some Howarth-ridden-nightgown-clutching whimsical way.
Today, I feel too old, tired, sick, and stupid to do much else than return to bed and pray for the hot and cold snots to consume me in some Howarth-ridden-nightgown-clutching whimsical way.