A BRAND NEW CHAPTER

Today I’m starting another blog journey! Thank you for joining me!

You see, I am a novice writer, somewhat socio-phobic, but I have a real story to tell. I am busy writing this story - my book - with the hope of completing it this year.

The story itself won’t necessarily be revealed in these pages, but rather the process of its writing. It is a daunting project. It is massive, but already fully shaped in my mind. I know that getting it down on paper is going to be fraught with obstacles and since it's my first real attempt to write, Im hoping that you, my blog readers, will help to become my support structure.

My wish is also that, as a reader of this blog, you will become actively involved in it. As I share my journey with you, will you perhaps consider offering me advice, guidance and encouragement during its process?

Please feel free to write whatever you wish in the comments section of this blog:
If you hate my style, please feel free to say so!.
If you have a suggestion, include it!
If you have a question – ask it!
If you are inspired – show it!
If you want to encourage – do it!

So lets begin...

When I woke up this morning, the world looked entirely different. I opened the curtains and peered into the breaking dawn outside. It was going to be one of those 'gloomy' days. I took one more look at the misty setting and climbed back into bed to sit and absorb its atmosphere.

It had been raining all night yet the rain was still pelting down and the sun seemed behind schedule. Buckets of water were streaming off our roof, gurgling down our gutters and damming up onto an already waterlogged lawn. Only some birds were audible amidst the storm, and my dogs - in the corner of the bedroom - were totally lost in dreamland. I resolved to take in this gift I had been given - the inspiration for the day...RAIN!

You might ask:"How can such a day be an inspiration?"

Well, whilst I was sitting there, under the warm duvet, I remembered that section of my book that involved rain. The puzzle pieces of that part of my story seemed to slide together - clearly revealing that it was time to write it NOW!

Normally, I would get up out of bed, have my shower, do my usual duties and become distracted in the plans for the day, but since I have the privilege of prioritising these things I thought I'd try out something new.

I grabbed my laptop, opened a clean page and began to write...

I wrote for an hour and a half, hardly stopping for a breath. Questions I'd previously pondered seem to instantly answer themselves. That specific chapter was taking shape...and quickly! Scenes linked beautifully together, sentences flowed and my mind and creativity was soaring.

Eventually nagging obligations started calling and guilt got the better of me. I simply had to put my writing aside and tackle my day. I know its going to be difficult to schedule my writing to coincide with my daily routine but I also realise that I have to GRANT MYSELF PERMISSION for it to happen.

My story is really a collection of stories in chronological order. It could be termed 'factional' - half fact and half fiction. Each individualised 'short' story is a completed work, but together they form a whole and reveal a much greater picture. The beauty of this construction is that I can write it in pieces and not necessarily in the final order. Today's experience demonstrated to me that this is entirely possible and practical.

So what do you think? I know many of you are experienced writers... how do you approach your books? What are your sources of inspiration? Any suggestions?

Must go and write now!...will be back again soon!
Take care and reap the day!
C