Getting Inspired Again!

I have been away from my blog for ages and have been busy with work, which is a tyrant when it comes to my writing as well as a million other things, and have subsequently dropped off my writing progress...and it was all going so well. However I am getting back on the horse and with a holiday imminent I am taking my laptop and planning some writing for the evenings when little ones are snoozing. I was able to revisit Wheal Peevor last week with a friend who was visiting us and it again inspired me to pick up the reins again. It is three months since I first visited it and the site was much greener and had a totally different feel to the stark greyness of February. I have also made contact with Rebecca Anderson who has written, "Knife" and "Rebel" as a Christian writer of children's sci-fi and fantasy. Not only do we share writing interests, but she also likes A-ha and Doctor Who and has Cornish links. She has been very gracious in answering a very inquisitive email that I sent her and her answers to my many questions have given me new vigour to persue a planned route with some of my characters that I was uncertain of.

In addition I have also had a tentatively positive email from a Christian publishing firm asking to see the full manuscript of the Daniel material that I have written. It is just a request to see more, however anything that is not a straight, 'Thanks but no thanks," is an encouragement to me so watch this space.
The photo above is Wheal Peevor in May and the picture here is of a tunnel through a cliff at Portreath beach...just thought it was FAB. It conjured up images of smugglers, secret passageways to other worlds and it also just made me feel my pause in writing was over. The great thing about living here is that I do not have to go very far to experience the something beautiful and inspiring to help me lift a tired work head and work on the joy of writing again. It is extremely good to be posting again as I have missed hearing everyone's news and talking writing again.

Writing Progress

Well the inspiration gleaned from the visit to the mine ruins is definitely working. I sat down this past week and have rewritten three chapters. I have been able to use photos I took on the day to describe scenes and events in the early stages of the book. I have found my characters more believable and have been able to work the principle of 'showing not telling' through the MS so far. I find myself being uber-critical though, chopping every adverb I see, when actually sometimes they are required. Also I am worried it is not pacy enough; are my characters people will care about?; Are my plotlines too complicated for 8-12 year olds?
However all this worrying and self critique aside I am writing again and that makes me smile lots and lots. I felt lost without being able to write and making the time has meant my house is a mess and I am pressed with my other jobs to do, however a good friend reminded me today that I should be writing because I am passionate about it and not allow the guilt that so easily pervades my thoughts to stop me. Writing should be a joy, a blessing and a balm for the soul in a world that is an ever increasing 'microwave' culture. Yes being published will mean deadlines and more pressure, but to enjoy being creative within that is a privilege I hope to enjoy one day. I am looking forward to the prospect of being published one day and all that may bring, but for now I can meander down the river of pleasure, enjoying creating and experiencing the new worlds and new characters, I am creating, exciting my spirit and stimulating my creative senses.