With writing, as with so many other creative ventures, some projects seem to arrive almost "oven ready" (to borrow a certain politician's favourite phrase!), while others only materialise after a long period in a slow cooker. I'm currently working on one in that latter category. At long last it's beginning to take shape, and in a way that shape has quite surprised me. Years ago ago I was told to "listen to your characters", to "follow where your story takes you" - advice that's held good ever since and certainly holds good here. However at some point you perhaps have to rein the story in a bit - no story is ever truly finished, but its telling on paper has to have a conclusion. At the moment I'm tugging on the reins though I don't quite know where I'll come to a stop!
But after almost two months of ongoing technology issues and family illness, things are (if I dare to say it!) a little more on an even keel. During that time Spring appears to have sprung, with the snowdrops already going over and daffodils and crocuses in full bloom; the evenings are starting to draw out and the garden is beginning to make a take over bid for the house. But deadlines have also come and gone so gardening will certainly have to take its place in the queue here ...
At this time of year I always feel that things begin to look up on the more social side of writing life too. The first of the events on the Abergavenny Writing Festival takes place this weekend and the Cheltenham Poetry Festival is just around the corner. For a group of people who spend much of their time working in isolation, these opportunities to meet up with like-minded others, to talk about and to celebrate what we do, are, I feel, very important. Writing groups have always been integral to my writing life; for a variety of reasons, after a great ten years of membership, I'm no longer able to continue with Catchword in Cirencester. It's certainly been the most supportive group I've worked with, and I'll really value my ongoing informal contact with the other members.
