Ten Top Tips for Writers

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Okay, so I’m thinking my blog is getting really dull due to me not doing very much. With that in mind, I’ve decided to try and make it more useful to other people who want to write. So, this week I’ve collated some top tips for people who want to be or who are writers.

Before that, a quick roundup of what’s been happening chez moi. Firstly, I’m getting new roof insulation put in today. My old insulation is shot to pieces, so it desperately needs replaced. I’m getting foamy spray stuff put on the inside of the roof. It’s non toxic and extremely good at insulating, but expensive. However, it’ll last for years and should cut my heating bills down, which would be good because it’s been snowy and freezing in Scotland for the past few weeks.

Secondly, I’ve started editing my Sisters of Sin novel. If you remember, I joined up with a group of international writers last  January/February with the intent of writing a book series together. However, the series hasn’t materialised yet due to the circumstances of the individuals within the group (lots of stuff has been going on) and the pandemic which side-swiped everyone (as it’s done for everyone else). The series was put on hold until now and it’s now we’re starting to pull it together with the intention of getting it out next January. I’ll keep you updated. It’s good to be getting back into writing. I’ve hardly been doing anything recently, just didn’t feel like it.

Thirdly, before I forget, how are you? Hope you’re all well. We’re find here, thank goodness, but getting a little stir crazy. The whole of the UK is still in lockdown again, which isn’t great, but it is what it is.

Fourth and final before we move on: did anyone watch It’s A Sin?? It was written by Russell T Davies – who is my favourite tv scriptwriter – and is set in the 1980s. It’s about a group of young gay men and their female flatmate and the impact of the AIDS epidemic. It sounds like it should be an horrific storyline, and it is harrowing and heart-breaking at times, but it’s such a good series. I highly recommend it. Plus the soundtrack (all 80s pop songs) is amazing – am hoping they put it out as a soundtrack you can buy! I’d forgotten how terrifying it was (as a heterosexual woman) when we were told about HIV and AIDS, so I can’t imagine what it was like for gay men at the time who were losing friends or dying of it themselves. I know there are still stigmas  attached to people with HIV and AIDS and prejudices against the LGBT population by some areas of society. However, I am so pleased we are not back where we were in the 80s. What happened then in terms of prejudice and hatred and fear was horrible. Anyway, watch the series, it’s amazing.

Right, now I’m going to go on to the writerly part of this blog post. Hold on to your hat!

  1. Carry a notebook and pen with you wherever you go so when inspiration/ideas strike you’ve got something to write them down in. You can also use your mobile to note down thoughts either as a note or as an audio piece.
  2. Write every day – set apart a time every day, even ten minutes, and write down something. Anything. This will get you into the habit of writing. It will also allow you to practise and develop your writing voice.
  3. Plan your writing – I know there are people out there who like to pants it (ie just write without planning) and I applaud those who can do that. However, I find that I can write every day and stick to a writing schedule if I have planned out what I’m going to say. You can plan your entire book or plan each chapter as you go. It’s up to you.
  4. Read, read, read – people ask me what’s the best way of learning how to write and I will always say read. That’s for fiction or non-fiction. I believe the only way of learning how to write well is to read exceptional writing. Then putting it into practise. Read everything: newspapers, magazines, online articles, short stories, poetry, fiction etc.
  5. On the subject of improving your writerly knowledge, research writing. There are lots of excellent blogs out there full of great tips and, seeing as how you’re reading everything anyway, why not read some of the great books on writing? My favourites include Stephen King’s On Writing, The Writing Gals, Craig Martelle, Save the Cat and  William Zinsser’s On Writing Well.
  6. If you are a fiction writer, write the story that you want to read. There’s no point trying to copy someone else. The best writing comes from a writer being passionate about their subject. The same holds true for non-fiction writers.
  7. Use strong words when writing. Passive, weak verbs make for weak prose. Instead of saying something was done to something (eg The girl had her hair done by the top stylist.) make is stronger by saying the person did the deed (The top stylist did her hair.)
  8. Don’t use cliches. Try to come up with  new ways of describing something.
  9. Get your story or text down and THEN go back and edit. And edit it some more. And edit it again. Don’t waste time by trying to get the perfect turn of phrase on your first go. Get the text down and then go back and zhoosh it up. 
  10. …believe in yourself. You can do it. So, what are you doing reading this blog? Get on with it!

Right, I am off to do more writing. Til next time!

Dawn x

 

 

 

A short post on a few things like watching telly and reading

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This is going to be a rather short post this week because I have nothing that interesting to report. My week is like this: work, clean the house, do washing, walk the dogs, feed the kids and animals. And that’s about it. However, last week I did have a Zoom call with my American and Australian writer friends and we’re now about to finally launch into getting our SOS series written and out. We’re aiming to launch the series next January (I know, it’s ages away but the year will go in quickly). So, that’s exciting.

I’ve finished reading my Dorothy L Sayers book and it was okay. I can’t say it was excellent, but it won’t put me off reading another Lord Wimsey story. I guessed who the baddie was halfway through the book and why he had done it. Tonight I’m going to re-read the first Harry Potter. Haven’t read the books for years and I love immersing myself in that world.

The images today have no specific link, but are images I found on Canva that I like so I thought what the hell and used them. It’s miserable outside here in Scotland: icy cold winds and rain. Some parts have snow. Not here, we’re in the lowlands so we don’t get a lot of snow. Anyway, me and the boy took the dogs out to the park today and didn’t stay long it was that cold.

I like the photo above. It reminds me of watching The Borgias. Loved that show.

So, telly hasn’t improved much. I’ve taken to downloading history programmes off the BBC iplayer. I’ve seen some of them before, but they are interesting to watch none-the-less. Started watching Twist on Netflix the other day. Meh.  I prefer earlier versions of it including the musical, Oliver. I love Dickens’ books and Oliver Twist is one of his best. This modern adaption didn’t not grab me at all, so I stopped watching after ten or 15 minutes. Not wasting any more time on it. Have you seen it? What did you think?

Still watching Finding Alice and still don’t know if if I like it or not. I’m giving it one more episode and if it doesn’t improve am gong to ditch it. Was talking to a friend on Zoom about it yesterday and she said the same thing.

 

Am finishing with an image of a castle. It’s Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. One day I will go there.

Right, am finishing up now. Told you this would be a short post. Until next time (and hopefully I’ll have something more interesting to say).

Dawn xx

Nothing new to report…sigh

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Royal Exchange Square – stunning at night. We were here today wasting time before the appointment.

I would love to be coming to you today to tell you about all the exciting things I’ve been doing since I last wrote a blog. However, like everyone else I have been stuck inside at home, working, doing housework and moaning about the rubbish things that are on the telly.

The most exciting thing I’ve done recently is take my daughter for an orthodontic appointment in Glasgow. We went this morning (it’s the first time I’ve been in Glasgow since last February, been avoiding it like the plague due to the Covid levels) and I was actually surprised how busy the city is. It’s not as busy as it is in normal times, but there are quite a lot of people walking in the streets or driving its streets. The other thing I noticed is the number of people not wearing the masks correctly. I shall say this only once: WEAR YOUR MASK OVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE YOU IDIOTS!! Anyway, we just went to our appointment and then went back home. I’ve spent the afternoon doing social media and watching the second part of Finding Alice.

Keely Hawes in Finding Alice

Talking of Finding Alice, I can’t make up my mind whether I am enjoying it or not.  The storyline is a bit close to home in the respect of the main character’s husband dies prematurely following an accident. As you may or may not know, my beloved and much missed husband died aged 52 of cancer nearly five years ago. I was a bit worried watching this might bring back too many painful memories, but that side of things has been fine. I just don’t know if it’s supposed to be a thriller or a dark comedy (there are comedic bits to it – maybe it’s just my weird sense of humour!) or something else. Anyway, I love Keely Hawse, she’s usually is superb programmes so I’m sticking with it to see how it ends.

Currently reading: Dorothy L Sayers’ Whose Body? It’s a Lord Peter Wimsey mystery and I’m enjoying it. I tried her books before and didn’t enjoy the one I read, but this is good.

Currently watching: apart from Finding Alice, my series of choice at the moment is the UK version of Shameless. So funny.

Right, I’m going to say cheerio right now. Got dinner to make, hungry dogs to feed and then I’m putting my feet up. Til next time.

Dawn xx

Books, walks and a very tired pug

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Because life has been so bloody awful recently what with the pandemic and what’s been going on with America, I’ve decided to cheer us all up with some exotic images and blue skies. You are welcome.

So, how have you been? What have you been up to? I can’t say I’ve been doing anything different recently.  Just working away as usual, staying home and avoiding people. I can’t believe we’re still in this position nearly a year on. Anyway, there’s no point in moaning about it because it won’t change things.

Here’s a nice pic to cheer us up some more…

I’ve been watching a South Korean historical comedy drama called Hwarang. The reason why we’ve been watching it is because a member of BTS is in it and the girl loves BTS. I thought it would be rubbish, but it’s actually good and highly addictive. There’s a helluva lot of crying in it, but apart from that I’ve been enjoying it.

Started watching Finding Alice. First episode: pretty good, lots to think about and wonder about. Looking forward to the next episode.

Reading: I’ve been reading India Knight’s The Thrift Book. Read this years ago and enjoyed it then. Really enjoying it again. It’s like reading it for the first time again. Am reading it as I’m trying to be greener and to further cut down on food waste.

This week I’m intending to give baking bagels a go. My mum has sent me a recipe which I’m dying to make. Will share the outcome with you.

Am just about to take the dogs out for a walk, so speak to you when I come back.

It is now 3.30pm and me and girl took our three dogs out for a walk down the riverside and along to the park. We intended to be out for half an hour. An hour-and-a-half later, we’re back. We met a lot of people I know who are other dog walkers so we stopped to have a socially distanced chat with them all. It was lovely to have contact with humans who are not my family members. And it was nice to catch up. The dogs too met quite a few other dogs who are their friends. Yes, dogs have friends too. So, had a bit of a run around with them. It was lovely. The three dogs – we took Bonya our elderly pug with us, I don’t normally, but she was so exhausted – are now sleeping, curled up in cosy wee balls. Except Bon, who is unable to curl up and lies on her front for sleeping. I don’t normally walk her as she’s older (we’re not sure how old) and doesn’t cope well with walks. She’s enthusiastic for all of five minutes and then you have to drag her. We have a large garden for her to run around in so she’s not missing out on exercise if I don’t take her. Not that she’s an excitable, run-around-crazy type dog anyway. Her favourite thing, after eating, is sleeping. I don’t even have to look at her to know she’s asleep now. That’ll be her shattered for a few days.

Right, I am going to finish up here and bid you adieu. Until next time!

Dawn x

Dogs, Chickens and 1920s Actresses

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So, it’s been a couple of months since I last wrote a blog and that’s because November and December were pretty busy what with various birthdays and Christmas to organise. Not that we saw anyone over Christmas – my entire family stayed at home in their separate houses. We saw each other on Christmas Day via Zoom, but apart from that we didn’t get together.  I also had a lot of work on before Christmas and had a chicken pen to erect which took a lot longer than I imagined (more on that soon).

Anyway, sorry for not being around. It’s been a weird time recently what with the pandemic, Brexit and what’s been going on in America with people storming the Capitol building.  But, I’m not going to talk about either because they are just too depressing, so I’m going to start this blog off with something funny. Here’s some great animal videos I got on YouTube:

So, how are you all? Hope you’re well. Hmmm let’s see what’s been happening? Well, due to the pandemic I have not been going out. We’re now in total lockdown in Scotland, which means we can only go out for vital things (such as food and exercise).  Even before this lockdown, I was pretty much staying close to home anyway. I have been taking the dogs out for walks though and it’s been lovely to speak to other dog walkers (socially distanced of course) along the way. The dogs have been a Godsend in this pandemic. They are just so full of joi de vivre and ours are such cuddly, loving wee munchkins that they’ve made being stuck inside more bearable.

Red chicken

 

I do still have the aforementioned chickens who have not laid an egg since October (gurn – I miss their eggs, they were gorgeous), so are not pulling their weight!! Ha hahaha. I’ve bought them a bigger, walk-in pen for two reasons: firstly, I had to get them under cover as there’s Bird Flu about and it’s the law that your domestic fowl have to be kept away from wild birds.  They are not enjoying being incarcerated, but there’s nothing I can do about that. They’re original pen was too small, so I bought and constructed a new one. It’s much better, they have far more room.

Secondly, I was thinking about doing it anyway. They had been free range, but they cause chaos in the garden. I can’t plant anything as they eat anything that resembles tasty greens and they make a mess. So, into the pen they went and that’s where they’ll stay.

For the first time, I created and sold a calendar on Etsy. My Amazing Actresses of the 1920s and 1930s was packed full of beautiful black and white images of famous actresses of the time. And they are selling quickly. More coming soon. If you are looking for a calendar and fancy this one, buy it here: Amazing Actresses of the 1920s and 1920s Calendar 2021 | Etsy     

I’m definitely going to do them again for the end of this year along with some other ones. Watch this space for more details!

What else have I been doing? Been back knitting for my Etsy shop. This time it’s vintage tea cosies. Will get those up for sale soon.

Books

Books I have been reading include Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown by Lady Anne Glenconner. It wasn’t as good as I had hoped. Although, in saying that I don’t know what I expected it to be like. It was nicely written and a great account of Anne Glenconner’s life as Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret, the wife of Colin Glenconner and as a mother of five. She had a lot of good times and some tragedy, but this is not the tell all I’d expected. There aren’t any truly juicy stories, which I’m sure she knows a lot of, but was still relatively interesting.

I’ve started back reading the Harry Potter series and here’s why: my interest in rereading them started up again through watching the entire film series with my daughter. We’ve only just today finished watching them. I really like the films, but the books are SOOOOO much better. So, will be starting The Philosopher’s Stone tonight. For films, we’re starting on the Star Wars franchise.

TV

TV over Christmas wasn’t great. There were  A LOT of reruns. However, I did watch a few things that I really enjoyed including the All Creatures Great and Small Christmas special, Bridgerton (wow, the Duke – you know who I mean ladies) and (oh joy!) the second series of A Discovery of Witches (which only came out on Friday and I’ve watched the entire series). I also watched The Alienist on Netflix and it was really good. If you like Victorian crime drama, The Alienist is for you.

Cooking

Other things I have been doing over the festive period include getting back into cooking again. And it’s been quite enjoyable. I lost my love of cooking around the same time as Ian becoming ill and never really regained it. But I started up again over Christmas and I’m enjoying it again, which is great. I’ve made various dishes – most of which my daughter has turned her nose up at – including a very lovely Chicken Korma curry at the request of my son. Weirdly, he did not eat it, but the girl did. So that was a sort of win.

Right, that’s all I’ve got to say today.  Going to feed the dogs and get the dinner on. It’s sausage and mash tonight…or should I make sausage and mash and Yorkshire pudding? Oh yes! The latter sounds great! Til next time.

Dawn xxx

 

 

 

New doors, lumpy pug and Will Smith

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Hi everyone! How are you all? Keeping well I hope. As I write this, the pandemic in Scotland is getting worse. There are more cases and deaths. It’s awful. However, we try and remain cheerful. Our area has very low numbers of cases, so we’re grateful for that. Anyway, let’s not talk of bad things, let’s talk of nice things. Todays’ images are all puppies because I love dogs and they make me cheerful.

This week, I’ve been doing my usual busy stuff: the script is coming along slowly but surely, I haven’t written a word of my assassin book although I’m very nearly finished it and my social media business is going well. So, it’s all good. I also actually managed to go out this week – I met a friend at our local pub for lunch. It was lovely catching up although weird as we had to wear our face masks going into the pub and exiting, but could take it off whilst sitting having our meal. I had the macaroni cheese, which was very good.

We also had joiners in replacing a door my daughter smashed by slamming it in a bad temper. Our house was built in the 1970s, so had glass doors leading into the living room and the area that was the dining room (now my office). The doors had a glass panel either side. None of the glass was safety glass, but thankfully myself and my husband had put plastic over all the glass when Emma was born so that if there was an accident, the glass would not shatter and hurt her. I always detested the panels and doors, so not my taste. So, I got the joiners in to replace the broken door and its twin opposite and remove the four glass panels. These were replaced with gyproc, the doorway was widened and new doors were installed. I also got a new front door installed while I was at it. It’s not finished, but it’s looking so much better.

Reading – I’m reading and loving Dorothy Whipple’s They Were Sisters which is (unsurprisingly) about three sisters, one of whom has a horrible bullying husband. It’s about their relationship with each other and how they try and help the one with the horrible husband. Loving it so far.

Watching – watched the Will Smith film Focus, which also starred Margot Robbie. I’ve only just found out this came out in 2015. Never heard of it before. Anyway, it was quite good. It wasn’t superb, but it wasn’t crap either.  The story twists and turns, and I guessed a few of the twists, but it was a good enough watch on a Friday night.

Took our pug, Bonya, for a check-up at the local vet’s. She has lumps that have been slowly growing. They are probably cancerous. She had two lumps, which we had removed and analysed, before. They were cancerous, so we reckon these two possibly are too. We’ve been keeping an eye on these lumps for a couple of years ago. The reason why I haven’t had them removed is that the first lump only appeared after she had had a second operation to remove a lump. We had only had her a year. I got her dressed, then she had a lump removed and then another. I just felt she had been through enough. With these two lumps, I could get them removed, but here’s why I’m not: she’s an older dog, we don’t know how old and I don’t want to put her through yet another operation. Also, as a pug, her breathing is terrible and I’m worried if she’s put under she’ll not survive. The lumps are not bothering her. They are not painful, they are slow growing and have not moved into her lymph nodes. So, having discussed it with the vet on several occasions we have decided just to leave her be. The wee soul was, I think, just used for breeding before we got her. I am her third owner that I know of. She didn’t act like a proper dog until 12-18 months (we’ve had her three years now) after we got her:  she stuck close to me at all times, she didn’t roll and run on the grass in the park, she didn’t play fight with the other dogs. She did nothing. Now, there’s no stopping her (when she’s not snoring somewhere, as she is now): there are some very noise play fights every day between all three dogs, she once rolled in something nasty and I was so proud, and she does go off on her own now in the house and when we’re in the park (not too far away, but I let her go and sniff things). Anyway, we’ll keep an eye on her and see how she goes. If she needs an op, we’ll do it, but hopefully she won’t.

So, anyway, that was my week this week. A bit more interesting than previous weeks, but still not super exciting!  I am going to leave you here and wish you adieu. 🙂 Til next week,

Dawn xxx

Urggghhhhh

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It is so hard to keep positive. This pandemic feels endless. I just want to get back to normality. The only good thing to come out of this will be we should all be more grateful for our lives and what we have.  I’ll not be taking popping into Glasgow for lunch with friends for granted again, I can tell you. Or going round to the pub. Or going out for dinner.  Or the cinema. I know I can go out right now to the pub or cinema (I don’t live in an area affected by the last Scottish lockdown rules). However, it’s not the same. Any time I go out, all I’m aware of is staying away from other people so I don’t catch Coronavirus. I just want to go out or visit family and friends or even open post without thinking about this horrible bug.

Anyway, that’s this week’s rant over. How are you? Hope all is well with you, your family and friends. What have you been up to? Please tell me something interesting because I’ve done nothing but work and clean this week. Life is rather dull. We are pushing forward with the script and this week has been great fun working out the next steps of the story. It’s very complicated.  I haven’t worked on my novel because I’ve been busy. The good news is I’ve been doing work for a  new client and it’s great. What else? That’s about it.

Am reading E M Forster’s Where Angel’s Fear to Tread. I love the way he writes, so beautiful. It’s a lovely book and I’m really enjoying it. Oooh have just discovered there’s a film version. Need to look it out.

Films and tv – I don’t know if you agree or not, but tv has been pretty rubbish lately. I’ve been mostly watching films and a couple of tv series that are good, including the remake of All Creatures Great & Small. Watched Kenneth Branagh’s version of Murder on the Orient Express. Although he is good as a detective, he isn’t convincing as Poirot. However, it’s a great version and the cinematography is beautiful. It’s a great cast and I thoroughly enjoyed it again.

Right that’s me for this week. Til next week,

A very bored, very fed up

Dawnx

 

Is it just me or is lockdown becoming really tedious?

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The lovely Matt Bomer in White Collar.

How’s your week been? Much like last week, I’ll bet.  This virus stuff is getting tedious isn’t it? I know we have to stay away from other people as much as possible, but it’s hard. I daydream about going out as normal, meeting friends and family for lunch and having a laugh. However, in Scotland we’re not allowed anyone else in our houses. We can go out and meet them for lunch, but it’s just not the same. It’s not as relaxed. It’s always at the back of your mind that you could have Coronavirus and not know it and then pass it on to someone else, even though you do your best to stay two metres away.  I see Donald Trump and his wife have now been diagnosed with it. I really hope this is a wake-up call to him.  I don’t wish him or anyone to be seriously ill or killed by this disease, but he’s been so casual about it all in the past that it does feel a bit like karma that he has it. I hope he takes it more seriously now and starts listening to the experts about wearing a mask etc.

A wealth of lovely patterns and hand-knitted items at my shop.

Anyway, that is my moan for today. So, what have I been up to lately? Well, it’s much the same as always: I work on our script, I write my SOS book, I work on my social media business and my vintage knitting business, Vintage Knit Treasures (that’s got some items for sale in it now including scarves and hats, see here for more info). It’s been very much ‘Groundhog Day’ for us, as I’m sure it’s been for everyone else. I have been comforting myself with watching tv (yesterday I decided to start watching White Collar again cos I love it and Matt Bomer is just yummy). Watched Enola Holmes and really enjoyed it, although I thought the ending was a bit flat. Really hope they do another one. Millie Bobby Brown is really good in it and Henry Cavill (does that man ever smile?) and Sam Claflin play her brothers Sherlock and Mycroft beautifully. Plus they are both good to look at. 😉  What? A girl needs a bit of eye candy every now and again. Widowhood can be quite dull you know!

Millie Bobby Brown leads the cast in Enola Holmes.

That about sums up my week.  It feels lately that we’re just sitting in limbo at the moment.  We can’t look forward to Halloween or Guy Fawke’s because that’s been cancelled. I had to tell the kids they couldn’t go out guising this year (guising is the Scottish word for trick or treating) and they were disappointed. Our local Guy Fawke’s Night celebration at our scout hut has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Tell you a laugh, my American friend, the lovely Terry Wells Brown asked me why the British celebrate Guy Fawke’s Night and I told her about the bomb plot to blow up parliament and the king in 1605 and how it was stopped and ever since then we celebrated every November 5. Then it occured to me: do we celebrate because it was stopped or because he tried to blow up parliament?? I hadn’t really thought about it before. Obviously, the celebration must be about because the plot was stopped, but if you speak to people about him they talk about the Gunpowder Plot with glee and Guy Fawke’s almost like a hero.  It’s almost like it’s a bit of a joke that it happened. 🤔   On Guy Fawke’s Night, we let off fireworks, have sparklers and have a party. There’s always a bonfire where an effigy of Guy Fawke’s is burned (the real Guy Fawke’s was tortured and hung for his part in the plot). Hmmm.

Guy Fawkes was also known as Guido Fawkes.

Moving on to Christmas and I fear we won’t be able to visit family on Christmas day.  It will be rubbish, but if it has to be, it has to be. The worst case scenario will be that I will set up a Zoom call with them. Anyway, we have 12 weeks (?) til then. Hopefully something good will happen and the virus will die off (miraculously) and we will be able to get together after all.

Right, enough of my musings. I am away to do some work (I’m always working, keeps me out of mischief!). Til next time.

Dawn xx

Working and making – it’s been a busy week

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Right, so I’m turning over a new leaf next week and getting up earlier to write. I’ve taken on some more work in my social media business, so I’ve been lacking time for writing and it’s killing  me. The whole point of giving up my PR job with the NHS three years ago was to spend more time writing. So, up at 6am on weekdays it is. 😱 Really hope I can do it. No, that’s not the attitude. I can do it.  I am also going to bite the bullet (this blog is already full of cliches!) and do some live FB talks on my author FB page. I want to really start to push my author business and that’s part of it. Plus it’s a nice way of connecting with readers old and new. Wish me luck.

So, how’s your week been? Mine has been uber busy as usual, but it’s good because I’m working for myself and doing things I love, including my work doing social media for my clients. Social media was made for me, I love creating posts and imagery.

My son has been isolating for the last two weeks after being exposed to a fellow pupil with Coronavirus. He’s out of isolation today and I’ve never seen such a relieved 12-year-old. Although he’s been loving being at home and playing online with the other kids that were also off for the same reason, he’s missed his friends and getting out. Thankfully his test was negative and he hasn’t developed any symptoms since. Phew. I kinda knew he didn’t have it. He’s the picture of health, thank goodness.

Anyway, I’ve barely been over the door myself I’ve been that busy with work. The script continues to go well. We did an early read through last week of what we’ve done so far and it’s going well. Really pleased with it. It’s a long, slow process working with two others, but it’s fun. We work well together. Next week, we’ll be continuing to develop it. We’ve done about an hour’s worth so far, but we want to make it a series so have a lot more to write. It would be wonderful if, when we finish, it’s taken up by someone like Netflix and made.

My SOS (Sisters of Sin) novel continues. I’m on the home stretch, but just can’t slot in the time or energy to finish it. Hence, my plan to start getting up at 6am to write it. Needs must.  After this one, I have another SOS book to write and then I’ll do another Nina book. Also musing with writing a fantasy series, been working on developing that through using mind mapping. So far I’ve worked out the main characters and some of the story for the first book (hoping to have a series of seven books eventually). It all depends on my getting down to work on it and that depends on time and energy levels. Still, the desire to do it is there.

This week, I’ve also been working on some items to sell in my online Etsy shop, Vintage Knit Treasures. I’ll share those once they are ready to be seen in public. 😊 Talking of the shop, I’m going to love you and leave you now to put more patterns up in the shop.

Til next time,

Dawn xxx

PS I don’t know what the hell is going on with FB images today, but I can’t get my images to look any bigger. Hopefully, it’ll be sorted out by the next time I post.