Goodwood

Goodwood

Saturday 26 April 2014

#amwriting again

I am writing again, getting back in the swing of things and Phew that’s a relief

I have to thank the lovely Ange Barton @angebarton for nominating me to accept: ‘Pass-the-baton’ and encourage me to get back into my writing.

I stopped writing around six months ago when I became distracted by a bright shiny new project that took all my energy and absorbed my creative talents in a different area. I got to choose colours and design new layouts, pick fittings and furniture as I refurbished a one bedroom flat into an urban oasis of calm.

This tired, grubby flat which had alarming holes in the ceiling, has been transformed! I was undeterred by the random holes; and now they are a distant memory.

Today the flat has a warm, welcoming feel to it (a new heating system was installed); it has a lovely modern kitchen with whacky appliances that I’ve not read the manuals for or used yet.

And the once soulless bathroom is unrecognizable. It is a windowless room, not something I’m keen about but there had to be a compromise and this was it. Strange but since the revamp I hardly notice that there is no window, no external light, it’s so bright and clean now.

There are still a few jobs to be done and other creative tasks that I will enjoy. I’ve resurrected my old Singer sewing machine and discovered that I can still sew straight lines. Phew. The practice I put in many years ago, it seems, is deeply embedded. This came as a terrific surprise.

So here I’m back at my pc waffling my way across a blank page, hitting the keys one at a time (with wonky fingers) hoping that what I’ve written makes sense!

I write because I want to get the ideas out of my head and on to paper.
I write because I think I have something to say and record.
I write because I enjoy writing.

By accepting this challenge I wanted to regain my focus so I promised myself
Firstly: to join a new writing group.
Secondly: to write a blog article twice a week.
Thirdly: to be kind to myself.

I accepted the baton on 21st April. On 22nd I joined a new writing group- I’ll write about this next week. Yesterday, 23rd I had a stab at writing a blog article, which I posted, phew and yes I’m being kind to myself. And I wrote a brand new piece this morning so I'm feeling good.

Over the coming days I will need to select another writer to pass the baton too and I’ve no idea if it’s breaking with tradition by asking: but are there any volunteers to accept the baton?

This question when voiced in a class usually meets with silence…prove me wrong…

As I have to pass the baton by 27th

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Formula One v Rounded characters

For those of you that know me... I love Formula 1 it’s a sporting event I’ve always loved.

If anyone watched last weekends Grand Prix, for the first time, in China- they could be forgiven for being unimpressed. It was a rather subdued affair. Uneventful to say the least.

How do I know this?

The Brazilian Grand Prix (two weeks ago) had me shouting instructions and yelling ‘abuse’ at the television. That race was absorbing, frightening, packed with action. Gripping stuff. I find I always support my favourite racing driver and curse the anti-hero!

This weekend I could have multi-tasked and read a book rather than actually watch the race but I didn’t, I remained steadfast and watched the event unfold, to its final chequered flag.

My hero is Lewis Hamilton.

I find his passion for his profession fascinating. He won his first world championship at the tender age of 23, and now he’s a seasoned driver who has not won since 2008 and he has a habit of saying what he thinks and wearing his heart on his sleeve. If he’s having a good day we can tell by his facial expressions and when he’s not we can read his body language. He’s not good at hiding his feelings. And he speaks his mind. None of this should distract from his amazing ability.

The reason I find Formula One so alluring is because a race is action packed and can often reflect the ups and downs in writing, because there is always tension between drivers (characters), team mates (protagonists) and rival companies (antagonists). Each events ends differently.

On race days the drama unfolds rapidly and can without warning spiral in to a frightening turn; especially if there is a collision or an accident, and the safety car comes into play. Hopes, dreams and aspirations can suddenly dissolve.

The most famous drivers can be seen as rounded characters and well known to the public and fans or less known drivers might appear to be slightly flat.

The side issues this year may distract fans from what’s going on, on the track because the rules have changed significantly and this has shaken up the pack, what we once thought to be certain has been turned this event on its head and 2014 promises to be a fascinating year ahead.

No two races will be the same.

Dramas will unfold.

Rivalries will continue develop.

F1 is not to be missed…Come & join track side and see for yourself…