CHRISTMAS FUN

Days before Christmas and I’ve realised something very important. Normally, I write my blog as a draft within the pages of my website. On the odd occasion, like now, I do it on my laptop, then copy and paste it over. I read my last blog through before starting to make sure I don’t repeat myself—too much.

This time I scrolled down my archives, amazed to discover I’ve been writing one a month since my birthday in May 2015. That’s ten years. Well, that wasn’t the surprise. It was the fact I have not saved one blog on my computer. It hit me hard, What If? (No pun intended to my book titles—maybe just a little one).

What if the website who host my site goes bust? I’d lose everything. Noooo! There’s enough lines for a book on its own. It gave me a bit of a scare. These aren’t fictional words I’ve invented, these are real elements of my life, thoughts on my progress, my beliefs. A bit like a journal or diary.

So here I am, over the last couple of days downloading every word. I’m aiming for a year a day, so it should be completed by 2026. Of course its also created part of my blog here too. LOL

I have several activities running now, apart from the usual Karate, Tia Chi and yoga. My writing continues apace, two novels on the go, and though I said in my last blog that I’ve put picture books on the back burner, I’ve found a new illustrator who I’m hoping will be brilliant for the next one, The Hairy Tortoise.
By the way, Mustard & Marmalade went down quite well at the launch and I still have some folk planning to collect several. Local schools, and others in Kent are starting to show an interest in the picture books, with orders and requests for school sessions. I didn’t know other authors charge! I don’t. Might need an agent if this area continues to expand. Any one know a good one, let me know.

As many of you know I run a local writing group, Inspirations. We have completed our content for Violet, the next anthology. In the holiday I will begin the process of editing content, Identifying front cover images and formatting, all in preparation for publishing in 2026. I have approached Violet Tea Rooms in St Lawrence and they have offered to be part of our Book Launch. Seemed a good idea and it’s a lovely place. If you get a moment to visit tell them Carol the writer recommended it.

Finally, Phoenix Community Group has started its first project aimed at improving areas and elements in Thanet. We welcome single, one-off requests to help out, or longer projects like this our first which involves tidying up some of the side streets around Thanet.

You can see us out about on Thursdays removing litter clogging up drains, removing hundreds of black tie-wraps, baby wet wipes left on pavements and other delightful objects. We have reported fly-tipping areas and on our last session, a drain where a person decided it was okay to pour a whole tin of paint down it, subsequently blocking the drain completely. Honestly, leaving it in the tin next to a council bin would have been better.

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On an up-note have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and hopefully I’ll either see you in the New Year, or hear from you in the comments. Best Wishes. Carol.

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