Knowing what to write, writing and life

Life

Do you ever sit and not know what to write about? You want to sound interesting but you keep thinking of other things you should be doing?

I’ve been sat here for the last hour with Google doing anything but this blog post.  Researching Brexit and mortgage rates being one of them.  Conclusion, no one has that crystal ball to really know what the UK economy will look like next week. There are predictions which suggest I have no need to worry but it’s all a bit uncertain.  To me, Brexit is the unknown.  Why do I have piles of tins in my cupboard?  Answer Brexit… that’s the answer I gave my husband anyway, truth – tinned tomatoes are cheap, easy, healthy and versatile.

Writing

So, what about my writing?

Procrastination issues today and I’m struggling to get started.   Not knowing what to write doesn’t help.  Yes I really must make a list.

I’ve finally submitted my Paranormal Anthology story, (which is why I didn’t write a blog post last Tuesday. I was busy editing, fixing and typing).  I haven’t dreamt about it yet, which is good because it was scary.

I’m not a huge horror reader, though I do enjoy Stephen King. I’m currently reading Clive Barker’s – Imajica at the recommendation of Willow –  a fellow blogger.  It’s a huge book which right now I’m struggling to get into.  However, it sounds good.

I need to get back to my Time warp novel. I’ve left it too long now and I need to write the end. I read that  Stephen King  said that you should write your first draft in three months and not stop.  He was right, where I was optimistic and the story was flowing, I stopped.  I’m now struggling to get back to it.

My blog’s

Trying to keep up with posts and sharing, I feel like I’m sinking.  Lying in bed last night I was reading through the Word Press reader. I know there are so many blogs that I’m missing.   Writing both my blog’s is not just the posts. It is interacting with the blogging community.   Thank you to all of you that support me. I feel I’m playing catch up at the moment. I might always feel this way.

My reading

For the last week, Saturday 18^th till Sunday 26^th January I have been reading Debra Purdy Kong’s, Casey Holland books.  I’ve been carrying my Kindle, so I could grab any minute I could, to catch up with Casey.  Book six is due out on the 12^th February and is available for pre-order.  I’m looking forward to reading it.

I bought the children Kindle e readers last weekend.  They have read more in a short space in time then they ever have. I’m hoping the novelty doesn’t wear off.  I’m also hoping that all the books I bought them, do eventually get read.  They have loads.

Facebook Live

At the moment, I’m having a wobble in confidence.  For now, I’ve taken a break from it.

Lessons learnt from the last few weeks

1. Keep writing your first draft until you write ‘The End’. Otherwise you might loose momentum.
2. A draft – short story or novel can take many drafts before it is perfect.
3. It is a necessity to have people comment on and read your work before you submit it anywhere.
4. Try not to let people’s comments hurt. As writers, I’m sure we are going to receive plenty of negative comments on our work.
5. Follow your heart, only you know what is really right for you.
6. I still need to make a list of possible blog posts to help me plan what to write.

Today

Sat here now, yawning, I’m enjoying the peace around me.  All to soon though, I need to collect the children.

The temptation on a day off, to go back to bed is high.  Writing this blog means that I can’t do that.  I need to sit here at my kitchen table and construct a post.

I have recently found the pleasure of fruit in natural yogurt.  This year I’m making more of an effort to achieve more then five a day. Trying to add 80g of fruit to my morning yogurt seems a good idea to me.   This was made for my eight year old’s lunch box, he has said ‘yuck’ and refused it.  My six year old has now helped me eat it – Strawberries and yogurt.  (It tastes nicer then it looks).

Tonight I’m adding Cauliflower to mashed potato and cheese, an extra vegetable eaten.  I am trying to have a daily banana or an apple.. This will be the year that I make the effort to eat healthy.

I can get away with eating chocolate and biscuits till I’m sick, but the sugar is not doing me any good.  I need to practice what I preach.  This one might be a hard resolution to keep.

So, how do you know what to write? how far in advance do you plan?  I need to attack my pretty notebooks and have a constructive blog planning session.  Just life always gets in the way, and I guess it always will.

For more see, Distraction and writing procrastination