In January, I set myself the task of summing up my week every Sunday in 25 words or less. I’d love to hear your sum ups too. Here’s mine for this week.
The sun arrives and fades, returns
Winks, splutters, twists and turns
As I volunteer, write
Gaze in wonder at the Iron Giant.
Bennerley Viaduct, where Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire meet …
What can be more important, as a writer, than words? I love words; their meanings, their origins and use. I particularly like discovering new words.
My quirky word for today is quidnunc, which I first came across in the film, Love Happens. It means an inquisitive or bossy person and its origin is from early 18th century Latin – quid nunc? What now?
I’m sure, at some point, quidnunc is going to appear in one of my stories. It’s too good to pass over.
Do you have a quirky word or a favourite word to share? I’d love to hear from you.
It’s that time of year when many of us talk of New Year Resolutions. I admit I gave up making them many years ago. They felt more of a burden than a help. That’s not to say I’ve become aimless or goalless, however.
Today, I looked up synonyms for the word resolution and discovered the phrase ‘Determined in Mind’. It refers to having a resolute unwavering focus, which sums up very well what is needed as a writer.
I left my blog hanging in the last few months of 2025, a run of health issues sapping my energy and sometimes, though not always, my creativity.
Nonetheless, 2025 was a year of writing, of finishing pieces and continuing to go to my supportive writing group. Most significantly, I finished my children’s (middle grade) novel and it will be published at the end of April 2026. Here’s a sneak preview …
The front cover image will be finalised shortly. It’s very exciting.
Whatever your plans are for creative writing this year, I wish you well. Keep at it. I first dreamt of writing a book for children when I was 11. By the time The Clocker is published, I’ll be 67, so never give up on your dreams.