January 1st 2025: the sky is grey, and outside sways in blustering winds. Inside, time to ponder days gone by and look ahead to footsteps new. And somewhere between the ruminating and the planning, time to pause.
New Year’s Eve was spent painting, while outside, intermittent fireworks dotted the skies. More on my current work-in-progress painting another time, but several other artworks came to fruition in 2024, inspired by visited waterscapes, lily ponds in particular. The first is from The Lost Gardens of Heligan, with a touch of magic added, a place where bush and tree crowd busy pools and giant pads weave sturdy, watery webs.
The second is a woven piece, part landscape, part imagination, and with a nod to the many heron sightings the year blessed me with.
And the third place, a lily pond mosaic, pools of interconnectedness with thanks to the communities that feel like home.
In the world of writing, it’s been wonderful to meet new readers at various events, as well as catch up with fellow writers who offer so much to inspire. WorldCon in Glasgow, the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention, was a highlight, taking part in panel discussions, and seeing the live interview of Nnedi Okorafor, an author who brings Africanfuturism and Africanjujuism into the hearts of our home.
Publishing news for 2024 included an article in FOCUS, The British Science Fiction Association Magazine for Writers, and it was great to grab my copy at WorldCon.
Next stop, and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again in April for Eastercon, Belfast style.
And while the edits continue for my next novel, Book 3 of Blood Gift Chronicles…
Time to pause for a breath of fresh air, and the magic of Dartmoor, among ancient oaks, mossy boulders, misty woods and granite tops.
Wishing everyone and happy and peaceful New Year 2025!
xxx