Don't worry, I've not gone all trendily hygge but when the weather turns cold and the nights are dark, then staying in hugely appeals to me. If I'm writing a book, I am never alone anyway. There's always research to do, books to read, and writing to refine, a process which I thoroughly enjoy. Parties, socialising? Not usually bothered. Give me the solitary occupation of writing, and I'm as happy as the proverbial Larry!
Sometimes, I sit at my desk so long that my back aches, and I don't even notice that the heating has gone off! That's how embroiled I get in the process. Writing is, to me, like breathing. I cannot imagine a life without it.
My writing takes various forms. To start my day, I usually compile or curate (that's a good word) information to disseminate on my local website, Bude & Beyond. This is now my routine! Interestingly, I don't always realise the value of the site but many people read and enjoy it. To quantify, the stats told me that 25,986 people looked at our 'be local' section of the website (one of four parts) in January, averaging 838 views a day, so that's not bad going! People read what I write. It makes what I do for the local community seem worthwhile. 'Free' (of charge) isn't always without value.
For me, book writing takes two forms. There are the books I've written because they have been commissioned by a publisher. These are more a job of work, and sometimes feel like it, too, but they are good discipline, forcing me to write about things I might not otherwise tackle. In the past, I edited and published books, the focus on accuracy, speed and saleability. Books become very precious to the author, but to the publisher, they are income generating objects. I quickly learned as a writer to be less protective about my work, to accept editorial advice (although I have not actually had much to date) and see books as units of sale.
Now, a deep fascination has to grip me to spark off a new book idea. Previously, as a mother of young children, I co-wrote books on labour/birth, stillbirth and neonatal death and infertility and IVF (via an independent publisher, Scarlet Press). These were all based around parental perspectives/interviews with parents, because we only ever formally heard the official, medical views, so I wanted women (mothers particularly) to be heard. What was it really like to endure a stillbirth or infertility or a tough labour? I found out, in spades, from people who very honestly shared the most private and emotional parts of their lives with me. What an amazing privilege. Interviewing people about what really matters to them is totally rewarding. At that time, I was also writing regular features for various baby magazines. You can see where my interests lay!
My most recent book grew from a local history commission. I encountered the fascinating artist, Pamela Colman Smith, when researching Bude, where she died. My interest was sparked and she became my enduring passion until I completed my manuscript in August, which is now with Fonthill Media awaiting publication in 2019.
She has now been succeeded in my creative imagination by Charlotte Payne-Townshend, wife of George Bernard Shaw, confidante of Lawrence of Arabia, and an intriguing woman in her own right.
Once I get the bug, then I can't let go. You can see from this little tale of Affetside School that I have terrier-like qualities, something I also apply to my book research. This case went to the Appeal Court of the High Court. http://affetside.org.uk/school_history.htm and it was really quite hard going, requiring many hours of grappling with legalities.
Then there's the editing, my old job for many years! I do less of this now because I no longer work as a publisher, but I so enjoyed choosing manuscripts and working on them to make them as good as they possibly be, giving people a chance to tell their stories!
Invite me out in spring!