A Writer’s Life

With the impending publication of ‘Return of the Mantra’ (coming out this spring!!!), I’m in a reflective mood. Seeing the cover for the first time, it really hit home: the novel that has lived in the safety of my writing room is about to walk out into the world.

It started with pen and paper, all those years ago. I tried A4 then began cutting it up into notesized bites. Before I knew it bits of paper were stuck all over the walls, with notes of characters and scene ideas, like a moveable flow diagram. As it took shape I went back to A4. Via a typewriter I finally purchased my first computer, and soon, with Mia the cat draped over my shoulder, it was flowing.

I never had an issue with writer’s block. For me the issue was knowing when and how to stop. An ending came to my first novel, but only when I had committed to a sequel. Actually two sequels.

There’s something safe and cosy about my writing room, with a window that looks out over an alley that cuts through red brick terraced houses. And as I practise stepping out of the comfort zone, speaking about my book to anyone who will listen, I think about the changes afoot.

I’m finally comfortable enough with Facebook and blogging, but I know I must venture further into the world of social media. The time is coming when I must dip my toe in the water of twitter and finally get my head around the hashtag. It’s not the only change afoot. The beloved desk is overdue to be replaced. I’ve hung onto it like an old friend for too long, but it’s too small. A purchase from Steptoe and Son costing a grand total of £5. It’s a reminder of childhood, actually a relic of someone’s. One of those desks from the old days at school, with a lid that lifts up. When I bought it the blue paint was chipping, and there were scratch marks of age old graffiti. But it got a makeover of white paint – gloss was what we had. It’s filled with stationary I was sure a writer would need: envelopes, a hole-punch, stapler, and a yellow highlighter pen. Of course the lid doesn’t get opened from one year to the next and the highlighter has long run dry. Word for Windows cut and paste does the job.

So from the safety of my writing room I’m preparing a short piece for an open mic night. It will be the second I’ve done; a chance for my protagonist to introduce herself prior to the novel. It turns out she has something to say, and I’m finding that delivering her thoughts in public are easier than delivering my own.

It begins, ‘Suni says…’

Happy Thursday!