Looking back at 2019

I’m not keen on counting, but it’s good to review the year and consider some very lovely times.

Month by month, here are my writing highlights and a celebratory photo for each.

January

Delighted to have a rare poem published in Visual Verse

Bristol Old Vic — *Saw Emma Rice’s company in the brilliant ‘Wise Children’ here*

February

Had three flashes published this month. Particularly proud of The Man I Am Not Marrying, published in Spelk

Ty Mawr Retreat 2.jpg — *Miri, one of the cats at Ty Mawr convent where I went on retreat*

March

After a nail-biting time, signed a book deal with Louise Walters Books for my second novella, In the Sweep of the Bay, due to be published on 17th September 2020.

On the first day of spring.jpg — *Walking in our lovely hills on the first day of Spring*

April

Took part in both the Abergavenny Writing Festival and the Llandeilo Litfest.

Burlesca in Gabb Sq.jpg — *Abergavenny welcomed friends from our twin town in France, Beaupréau, for an Easter weekend of sunshine and music*

May

A wonderful week at Palazzo Forani in the village of Casperia in the Sabine Hills, north of Rome, led by ace flash fiction writers Kathy Fish and Nancy Stohlman. New writing, new friends, new food!

*Learning to make pasta, Italian-style, with Gianna and Carla*

June

Spent a day at the Flash Fiction Festival in Bristol. More great writing experiences – and lovely to meet so many writers I knew from internet connections.

Lazy Sunday for Feely.jpg — *Dear Feely, enjoying a lazy June day*

July

Spoke at another LitFest, this time in Caerleon.

Onwards and upwards 3.jpg — Visited a lovely garden on my birthday

August

Structural and line edits of In the Sweep of the Bay completed.

Stepp climb ahead.jpg — In training for September’s big walk!

September

Copy editing time for the novella. Challenged myself to write a (long) short story of which of which I was given paragraphs 1 and 20. Could be the bones of a new novella…

Hadrian's Wall. Day 2. 9 - Down into Sycamore Gap.jpg — Trekking on Hadrian’s Wall with Elizabeth, Eileen and Jane to raise money for the charity PSPA

October

Busy weekend at the beginning of the month: up to Leicester for the launch of this anthology one day and at the Crickhowell LitFest talking about novellas the next.