Writing my Wings
Hello all and welcome to November’s recalling of creative and imaginative musings! A little later than planned, I apologise, but such is life when there are plenty of exciting moments and school-related events within the month to keep you occupied. But as the saying goes, better late than never! So here we go…
I have found myself more recently continuing to write my novella in the spare moments the opportunity presents itself. It is so satisfying to sit back and look at how my creativity is progressing with each line I write, to see my story grow in depth and word count each time I put pen to paper. I know it will be a substantial job to write all of my handwritten chapters on to a computer once I have completed my first draft, but for the moment I am enjoying the immediacy of being able to write wherever there is paper and a pen - especially when I am writing with the gorgeous fountain pen I recieved last Christmas from my boyfriend. Besides, I can be editing phrases whilst I am typing them up, which then saves me a job later on. In terms of the plot itself, I am roughly halfway through the storyline. Without spoiling too much, I am currently at a chapter I have been looking forward to writing. It is a point where characters are assessing the hardships they have been through and are starting to put aside their distrust for one another and discovering how best to work together. To me, it marks the end of one phase and sets a tone for the approaching thrilling events that are about to occur. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays when I predict I will be very close to finishing the piece. Or at least at a stage where I can continue to maintain the exciting pace to finish the novella fairly early next year. It feels so good to be in this capacity to write creatively once more. I definitely feel this is thanks to the fondness I have of my current job and likely career path. All good things happen for a reason, after all.
Speaking of extra motivation for next year, the competition which, I realised recently, I have been wanting to submit work to for nearly ten years - oh my goodness! - has announced this year’s winner and as such, has opened next year’s competition. Now, it has become somewhat of a tradition for me to promise myself that I will enter the proceeding year’s competition once this year’s has finished, however with where my novella stands and my gradually growing confidence in myself, I feel it in my gut that I will be able to submit my work next year. For years I think it has been a case of the right place and the wrong time. The previous novel I wished to enter is a project I keep adapting and growing to make it better with each addition and I think it would be a worthy contender. But it’s just not ready yet. I needed to admit this to myself. This time last year I was forcing myself to do something that wasn’t in my power to complete and left me spreading my time and focus far too thin. But we make these mistakes to grow and I know this has made me a better writer for it. Besides, I feel very passionately about this current piece. There is something about the voice of my main character which burns like a fire in my creative soul, more alive than any other character I have written about or in the point of view of. I read somewhere recently a quote that said “if you don’t see the story you want to read on the shelves, then write it yourself”. This is calling to me at the moment and I am really enjoying this process. Of course I am aiming to do my best, but just to submit to an official competition with the chance of publication is a very exciting first step for me. It makes the chances of seeing my writing in shops all the more real! I am always my own worst critic and a constant perfectionist. For once, I just have to believe in myself and what I am writing to tell a meaningful story to the world.
As for an update to my school career, it is still early doors yet but it is looking very hopeful for my potential teacher training to be an English teacher! I have had a few days’ teaching and it is fair to say I am very much enjoying leading the class into discovering why English is such a fascinating subject. With most of the focus being on creative writing too, it has been amazing to see the creativity of students in a range of abilities. I keep thinking something, someone guided me here and I am very thankful for it. I feel it in my gut for the first time career-wise this is where I am meant to be. That for me brings a sense of closure and excitement at the probability of a, yes, daunting but very worthwhile endeavour too. I have felt myself floating in a lost state of mind ever since I finished my Masters. It is the slump students often talk about, where you concentrate years of your life on studies and then have a very faint idea of where you wish to be next. It has taken me at least a year to basically allow myself to relax into where I need and want to be. It turns out it is likely back at university again, but this time to build on a career I am extremely happy to be progressing in. We all need time to think of ourselves and, sometimes, to go with the flow a little. This is new for someone who prefers to organise everything to the last second, but I suppose there is beauty in the unexpected. You often do not realise what you need until it finds you. So, yes, I am nervous but hopeful. We shall see what happens after the Christmas break!
Speaking of, it is lovely to see the festivities both in school, at home and within my home town. Christmas is without a doubt my favourite season for all the good times, positive spirit and seeing the faces of loved ones as they open their surprise gifts. Of course the plentiful food and luminous lights are a huge positive too! I am hopeful for this year’s celebrations and for the approaching year. I wish everyone the best, also!
Finally, you will have noticed a gorgeous new charm on my bracelet. This is because my boyfriend and I recently celebrated two years together. Now, I am not going to go into huge soppy details here. I just wanted to finish this entry by saying how very lucky I am to be with someone who encourages and inspires me to be not just a better person, but the best writer I can be. Life is all the more sweeter with both my loves in my life, writing and him.
This is where I leave my blog for this month. I shall try to find the time over Christmas to update you on December’s musings, but just in case I do not find the time I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope the New Year brings all the happiness you could wish for!"
See you in 2023!
Emily