January, a month of resolutions, has been slow. I’ve been editing one novel, working on another and starting some new poems. It’s hard to feel satisfied at the end of a day. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve edited 89 pages of my novel, Making Good. There’s a website, London Writers’ Salon, which began during lockdown. Throughout the day it has zoom slots during which writers can connect with other writers for one hour. Between 8.00 and 9.00 am each working day, I edited. I’ve worked on 89 pages since the beginning of the year. Some scenes are complete, some may be eliminated and others added. Slow progress.

With the historical novel I’m currently working on, I’m plotting the scenes I need to incorporate in Part 2. That isn’t as easy as it sounds. In Part 1, I’ve introduced 5 characters and their stories. Each of them inadvertently becomes involved in riots which take place in the city centre. The description of the events are given by those involved – both police and rioters. The plotting involves meshing the two parts of the novel. At this stage the novel is called Kaleidoscope and that’s what I’m trying to evoke.

It is hard to measure progress.  I’ve numbered each scene. In theory I should be able to celebrate each time I’ve completed one. Because I need to juggle scenes around, remove them sometimes, that can prove impossible. Therefore I note the time spent on the  process. I’m hoping that when each scene is in draft form, I’ll  be able to write more quickly and easily.

Luckily I’ve completed an online zoom poetry course run by Jonathan Davidson. At the end of it each poet submitted 3 poems for the Grand Reading Finale. I was pleased with all three of mine though they may need  tweaking. All are in a file which I can look back to develop the work further. The Finale was truly a celebration of five weeks’ work.

Probably the best analogy for evaluating Work in Progress,  is planting and growing seeds. At the beginning of the year I sowed radishes. All I’ve got are spindly stalks and two leaves. Plus the promised radishes on the packet. Growing potatoes is easier. Even they need to be chitted. That is, the roots allowed to form before planting. To increase the chances of a successful crop, I then plant them in small sacks of compost in March or whenever it gets warmer. They need water, heat and they grow. Tender attention.

Winter is a time of hibernation. A time of patience and hope. So, with writing. Luckily, there are novels, books and poems already written. I can enjoy those as my work grows.

Reading: In Memoriam – Alice Winn A highly acclaimed debut novel. Set in First World War and about Public School boys who volunteered to fight like so many thinking they’d be heroes. Which they became, but not in the way they’d expected. The horror of the fighting and deaths was painful to read, their search for love a true page turner. Meditations for Mortals – Oliver Burkeman – perfect for the beginning of a year when plans may be unrealistically high. eg. he suggested that the To Do list might be viewed as a menu from which to choose one or two items. The Last Remains – Elly Griffiths – a page turner and the end of the Ruth Galloway detective novels I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Blackbird Singing at Dawn – Wendy Pratt and May Day – Jackie Kay are two anthologies I’m still dipping into.

Photos were taken when I was on holiday in West Haddon, Northamptonshire. We had two dry days. The brake wagon originated in North East railway and we spotted that on Brampton Valley Way. It’s good to walk on but uneven for touring bikes. The blue sky walk was on the way to Winwick – though we didn’t know it. We learned in the pub that evening, Winwick is 2 horses and a pony.  Poetry: Jonathan Davidson ran another of his excellent online courses on writing short poetry. It ended with participants reading one poem of their own, and one of another participant.  Open Mic event was held at Leamington Library and led by Emilie Lauren-Jones. Warwickshire libraries are running a variety of events throughout the county and are worth looking at. Jonathan Davidson’s Short courses can be found by email: jonathan@midlandcreative.co.uk