Ah, now I have the John Denver song in my head. Apologies if you have too.

As you may have guessed, I am about to head off to sunnier places for a couple of weeks. This means there may not be a blog post again until the end of November. With some trips, the goal is relaxation and rejuvenation. This is one of those trips, so wifi wasn’t a ‘must have’ when looking at places to go. If I’m having fun and can post then I might. If I can’t or I don’t want to, then I won’t worry about it. Instead, I’ll be doing a little bit of research for a book I intend to publish next year. Tapas and Paella will feature heavily in this research, if that gives you a little clue.

So, time for the usual weekly recap…

Creative – new ideas and first drafts

First week of NaNoWriMo is underway. I am happy to say I have made it to over 35,000 words so far, which feels like an epic achievement. I’ve spent the entire week battling with a boring winter cold, so part of me is dreading what I’ll discover when I come to read it back. I’ve been on so many different kinds of medicine I expect it will be a bit trippy. Seventies hippy fiction anyone?

Editing – the slow, tortuous road to publication

I’ve tried to steer clear of any editing this week, but haven’t managed to escape it all. Deadlines are horrible masters but you can’t always avoid them. I find editing requires full focus and with the aforementioned sickness, I struggled to keep that up for more than 15 minutes at a time. So anything that could get put off did. I’m only human!

Publishing – and all the other bits that go on behind the scenes

I’m working to get something done that is very deadline specific. It is one hundred per cent seasonal, so much will depend on whether or not I can still get my parts done in time, given that I will be away. This is my choice to make, but it’s not an easy one. The trip is part research, part vacation. If I focus too much on this specific thing, then the vacation element gets cut smaller and smaller. I’ve had a busy six months. I know that if I don’t take a time out now, the long term quality of my life will suffer.

Not to mention the fact that my wife will be very unhappy with me. That is something to be avoided at all costs.

Planning and dreaming – what’s coming up next week

I am determined to carry on with nano until it is done, however long that takes. It may have to wait until I get back, or I may enjoy tapping out the rest of the story poolside. If it has to wait, then it should still be before November 30th, which is good. I like having the flexibility.

Other than that it is sea, sunshine and sangria for me. Whoop!

Writing Best Bits

Getting the words down. When you feel physically ill for days at a time, that is a victory in itself. Never underestimate it.

Weekly success score: 5/10 – Lots of words, but gruelling. I deducted points for misery and runny eyes.