After yesterday’s internet failure this blog is a little behind and I’ve forgotten some of the things I was going to discuss, so I’ll work my way backwards and hopefully cover most of it…
Yesterday I spent much of the day in London, celebrating a birthday (not mine!). There is a definite vibe to the city that engages my senses – the juxtaposition of crowded streets and tree-lined parks, of overwhelming traffic and tame squirrels, that really reminds me how important it is to look beyond the surface of a place for the underlying stories. I see and hear people from all over the world who are experiencing the same sights and sounds as me, but in an entirely personal and unique way. I always knew this was the case but only since I’ve been writing have I thought about it so clearly.
I’ve also been working on the poetry for the wedding. I have to write it all up and spend the next few weeks fixing it all because it’s very rough and ready at the moment – but I hope it’ll be a bit of fun for people at the event as they go round from table to table and see all the different verses set out!
The notebook has been a great help with this, not just because I have it with me all the time so I can quickly grab it and write down my thoughts, but also because it engenders a sense of routine about writing which I need when I have so little time to do it! Plus if I see or hear anything that I think will spur a few ideas along the way I can refer back to it whenever I like – as long as I write it down!
And finally – We’re up to book 52 on the list – Lolly Willowes, by Sylvia Townsend Warner. It’s a new one to me but sounds like a book I’d enjoy reading so I may see if I can find it somewhere!
A short one this week, but I have been, and continue to be, so busy I can hardly think straight; this is the only way to keep any semblance of focus to the post!
Happy writing,
EJ
🙂
Becoming a writer 
Even in all the hurly and burly you are going through right now, do not forget to take a moment or two to stop, listen, and BREATHE! Sounds like you are up to your shoulders in tasks to juggle, so it may seem impossible, but that moment or two that you breath can help make the overflowing platter of responsibility actually more manageable.
For sure – I try to find some time to be still and calm and experience peace; that’s why I make sure I have five minutes of my lunchbreak just eating and having a drink, and not trying to do anything else. Ii don’t always get it, but I always appreciate it! 🙂