Thank goodness, a frost at last! The fire's stoked,
Harrogate smells of mulled wine and cinnamon and I've had my first mince pie –
or two. I love the change of season, love Christmas and never more so than
this year.
I was just thinking that it was time to change the record,
that I wanted to talk of something different to the thing-I'm-not-going-to-mention
today. Then late one Friday night when I really shouldn't have been messing
about on the pc but felt the urge to do yet more research into an all singing
and, err, spinning, spinning bike to replace the tired one in my not very Homes
and Gardens kitchen, an email plopped into my lap. It was from Black Pear Press
and it hoped I would be pleased to know that my short story, Fly Joe, had been
shortlisted in its annual short story competition. Pleased? I'd have screamed
if the rest of the house hadn't been sleeping – as much out of relief as
delight as I'd done my usual of convincing myself that the story was ridiculous
and I'd been a fool to enter the competition.
And then I learn that the
story is to be published in their anthology, hopefully before Christmas. Who
needs Christmas presents?
Next I hear from the talented and oh so studious, Judith
Arnopp, writer of intricately researched historical fiction, that she's awarded
me the One Lovely Blog Award in recognition of bloggers who share their story or
thoughts in a 'lovely' manner. Thank you, Judith, I'm honoured to have been
chosen. Judith writes her own lovely blog packed with book reviews and news of
her own seven titles which can be found here.
Something I must do when accepting the award is declare
seven cool facts about me. However, in the absence of anything cool -
embarrassing moments, on the other hand, give me a minute and I'll fill you a page
- I found myself rambling about my life,
all 46 years of it. My seven points currently read more like a memoir. I shall
spare you the read, as it's Christmas, and return with a pruned and smoothed
version just as soon as I've written some Christmas cards, iced the cake – oh,
baked the cake – finished present buying, made the Stollen (no, I'm buying the
Stollen), and made more mince pies than I eat.
 |
| This is Jon Bon Jovi, not my husband... |
One more piece of news before I go. I have had my first haircut. I sat for an hour, read my book, chatted and drank their tea. It was a
most pleasurable step back into a more normal reality. It's funny the things
you miss. The style is not one I'd have chosen but to use a writing analogy, I
see it as a Work In Progress, an advanced enough draft to expose it to an
audience, and a cue for me to wash and pack away my wigs. They've served me
well but I'm oh, so tired of them now. Even
better, my husband has also had his hair cut and so for the first time in ten
months, my hair is longer than his. He's not exactly Jon Bon Jovi himself, but
it's a step in the right direction.
Have a great week! I'm off to prune my words.
