Camping at the Flash Fiction Festival in Bristol. I thought my camping days were over, but no! Lovely to see so many fellow writers and attend some great workshops. I even sang karaoke!
In writing: As, sadly, Louise Walters, who published by novella In the Sweep of the Bay, decided to stop publishing, I started working on a project to develop the book into a full-length novel, a saga going back to the 1930s and continuing until the present day.
August
In the footsteps of my ancestors
Great trip to Scotland, visiting old friends and also the place in Eskdalemuir where my paternal great grandparents are buried. I found that very emotional.
In writing: On my return I wrote a little piece for Paragraph Planet (which was published later in the month)
In his footsteps. He was a shepherd, but now there are no sheep. The hills are half-covered in plantations of firs- sitka spruce, he would never have heard of it. But he would have heard what I hear now – the meadow pipits, willow warblers, swallows. All of them, and the sound of the river, the White Esk, ever-flowing, dancing and burbling down the valley. My great-grandfather and me, walking the same land, then, now.
September
Rainbow over Newport Bay, North Pembrokeshire
I took on a challenge which was initially to walk 30 miles in the month in aid of Dementia UK. I decided to aim for 100 and in the end walked 134.5 miles – including some brilliant walks in West Wales – and, thanks to many people’s generosity, raised £1,255 for the charity. So pleased and proud and it’s inspired me to aim for a new walking challenge in 2024 – more of that in the New Year!
No writing really – walking was the most important thing for me in September.
The final part of my 2023 Snapshots series follows on 31 December.
The coming of Spring is always a joy – the variety of colours in the new leaves, and the blossoms. This is the acer in our garden.
In writing: Back to serious work on the next round of edits of my circus novel.
May
Laying in supplies for the Coronation
I’m not an ardent Royalist, by any means, but the coronation of King Charles was such a significant moment in our history, we had to watch it on TV. The music and the ceremonial were both extraordinary. We raised a glass!
In writing: Finished work on Draft 2 of my novel. And was delighted to have my short story , Spawn, published in Fictive Dream, an online magazine which I greatly respect.
June
St Antonin
Back to the English Bookshop in South-West France for a week, this time with my friend Katsy and also husband Oliver.
People say we get writer’s block because of fear – of failure, of success, perhaps just of being accountable. For we must stand by our words, I do believe that.
I used to like writing very short work, was a regular contributor to Short, Fast & Deadly. So I tried writing a few micros again, and something shifted. Perhaps I just got out of my own way.
I’ve started a new story. And this week I’m back to editing my novel.
Plus, there’s something else to tell you about. Soon. Be patient.
For myself, I have a new novella being published soon, I’m finally getting back to editing my novel-in-progress and I’m taking part in a workshop on lucid dreaming for creative writing.
For you, I’ve a little writing competition coming up. Prizes: publication here plus a book and chocolate.
Cath Barton 