Another blogging Wrekin Writer

Dean King has joined blog land with a blog called, I love this, Gnome on a Rock.

Welcome Dean

Check his blog out

Sick of the snow

Stuck in the house.

Looking for something to do?

Want to write but motivation not forth coming?

Oh tell me about it. Last night and today the powers that be decided to dump another six to eight inches on top of the snow we already had and have had since before Christmas. I'll tell you, not happy, not happy at all.

Oh yes, the news and the weather forecast tell you different 'Shropshire had another two inches today' not in south Shropshire they didn't, it was chucked in bucket loads and very big buckets at that. Check out Simon's blog because not only did we have inches of snow, we also had winds and drift.

Me I've totally had enough of it. I haven't been able to get my car out to go to the shops. No I'm not being precious the nearest shop to me is five miles away along untreated roads, not a good idea in a new sports car with wide tyres that my son informed me when I got it that it will skid like a bas***d.

But never mind all the stuff about the weather. We've got long, cold winter evenings to fill and there's only so much television you can watch. So for the fiction writers amongst you who don't want their precious typing fingers to seize up check out competitions. Most of them only cost pennies to enter and who knows. So for information on UK + writing competitions check out .prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm and cheer up your long winter evenings.

Good luck

Just for a laugh

Imp to angel in one easy step

My beautiful niece Emily.

Do we always need to state the obvious?

It's winter!

And yes outside temperature on my car is reading -11c on Thursday evening at 10.22. What is went down to after that I have no idea - I went to bed.

More snow but isn't it beautiful?

When I moved to Clunbury I discovered Ida Gandy. Ida was the village doctor's wife at the end of the 1930s and she writes about life in and around the village. When I read her book, the thrill I got when I read her description of the orchard in the village, the very same orchard that is at the bottom of my garden. It's a magical place because from my kitchen window I've seen a woodpecker hammering away, I've watched a lamb being nurtured to its feet by its mother. I've seen rabbits and children playing, watched kestrels, pheasants and all sorts of other joys, many whilst washing up.

And once again my wonderful orchard has confirmed what an incredible place it is. The snow and frost have claimed it. Mother Nature has painted every branch, every blade of grass showing another facet of its incredible beauty. This sounds smug I know but aren't I lucky?

Writing Magazine and Writers' News

If you haven't had your copy don't wait for the snow to go, get the skis out and head to the Newsagents quickly.

Why?

Well let's say Wrekin Writers are very well represented in the February edition. Simon Whaley has written an article  'Find the time to write,' and in the article he has used three successful writers within the group. Di Perry, Janet Johnstone and Julie Phillips speak about how they find the time to write but better than that they give their top tips.

Not that I'm biased but it's well worth a read.

Also in Writing Magazine and Writers' News Fiona Smith, who is also a member has letters in both magazines.

A promising start not only for the group but more importantly for the individual members.

What's the chances of that?

Today is Darren Bailey's birthday (Publicity officer) and Bryan Vaughan's birthday (Treasurer). I hope you both have a great day.

Eyes and no eyes

I have met one of the most amazing women I think I shall ever meet in my life. Her name is Veronica Thackeray and she lives just down the road from me in Hopton Castle. I first met her in the summer when she employed my youngest, non gardening son to be one of gardeners. She asked if he could tell the difference between a flower and a weed. He replied 'can I ask?' Which was obviously the right answer because she hired him. Little did I know at the time just how much of influence this woman was going to have on my life.

How do I describe her? Physically, she's tiny, always immaculately made up, quite stunning to look at it in many ways with her smooth skin and delicate complexion, yet she's ninety years old. She's the sole carer for her disabled ninety eight year old husband as well as being a writer, a painter, a campaigner to list but a few.

She has lived a long and full life. During WW11 she was a member of the S.O.E. Yes we have a former spy living down the road in the Clun Valley. I've heard her talk about the early days of the war, when she got married to a fighter pilot and within nine months he was declared missing, presumed dead. She didn't have his death legally confirmed until after the war. She married again this time to a busy doctor and raised a family and now when most would be more than ready to retire, she's got a new book coming out at Easter.

At the moment I'm reading one of her books that she kindly lent me. Wondering in Wales and the Borderland is sadly out of print now, which I really think is a damn shame because it's one of those books that takes you by the hand and leads you gently through the countryside, leaving images although unseen by your eyes or more than visible in your mind's eye.

Last night I was reading about Bishops Castle and Cefn Einion both places I thought I knew quite well that was until Veronica took me around them. Not only does she bring the places to life she spices it up with conversations she's had with people who were happy to share their memories. Suddenly what is quite a pretty market town became to me, alive and vibrant as I saw it through someone else's eyes.

However at the end of the chapter she recalls a book she had as a child called Eyes and No Eyes. Two characters going around the same place one sees nothing and the other sees everything and revels in it. I suppose we'd say nowadays open your eyes and see.

Veronica is a writer who has her eyes and mind wide open and is able to use all her senses in her writing. I wonder what kind of writer you are - I hope you're eyes and not no eyes and that for 2010 you'll keep them both wide open.

Have a wonderful, happy, busy and prosperous New Year.