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We\u2019re now nearly halfway through January and I know lots get miserable at this time of year. It\u2019s ages until pay day, the weather\u2019s grim and the days short. When I was teaching this was the term I struggled with the most. Getting up at sparrow\u2019s fart to scrape ice off the car, returning in the dark, chilly playground duties – all with the glitter and excitement of Christmas a long way behind. It felt uphill all the way until February half term. If you\u2019re a teacher, I\u2019m sending out my sympathy – and thanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve written before about ways of getting through. Suggestions include using those nice smellies you had as gifts to indulge in long baths and pamper sessions, forget any attempt to diet until the weather\u2019s warmer, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows and read a good book. I\u2019m lucky in that I have a fat hairy spaniel who likes to cuddle up. Ralph radiates heat!<\/p>\n\n\n
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These days, for me, January can be a really productive writing time. It\u2019s a useful month to hunker down and get some words written. There\u2019s not much on and, besides, it\u2019s too cold to do much else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 2024, a writing year when one obstacle after another hit me, I\u2019ve begun 2025 writing like a demon. I currently have two projects on the go: a Shiny New Idea which is a dual narrative in its very early stages and the first draft of what will hopefully become the next Lullbury Bay book. Not sure how this has come about but a few things spring to mind.<\/p>\n\n\n
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I\u2019ve begun a journal. I often begin a writing session with it. I record how I\u2019m feeling, what issues I\u2019m having, tips to move forward. Hopefully, as it builds up, I\u2019ll begin to see patterns in my writing behaviour. I already know I begin well, with lots of enthusiasm and that this stalls at 30,000 words. Yes, it\u2019s always then! I\u2019m still analysing why. Any suggestions welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m also taking part in a 1000 words a day challenge with a really supportive writing group. This has been revolutionary. Promising to write 1000 seems doable for me. I\u2019ll often write 1200-1500 which means I feel great for having exceeded that day\u2019s target and have words in the bank for a day when I don\u2019t have the time or inclination. I\u2019ve also discovered my natural writing time of the day is late afternoon. I have to \u2018clear the decks\u2019 of chores and other stuff before I get down to it.<\/p>\n\n\n