Writing Spirit

Mmm… or did I mean sprint? I don’t know about you but with all the chronic news at the moment I definitely could join this adorable little dormouse in hibernation! What about you? However, my writing spirit is fighting hard at the moment and she (yes, a spirit with a gender) will not let me sit back on my heels and give up.

So, I thought I’d provide an update as to what me and my spirit have been up to:

• In September I completed the HB 90 course with the very inspiration Sarra Cannon. It has literally changed the way I work, honestly. HB stands for Heart Breathings the name under which Sarra shares a wealth of writing resources and courses. The 90 for ninety days. I’ve been playing with quarterly planning for some time now but only around the edges. This course was well worth the investment and I’m loving my Kanban board. It’s the first time, in what feels like forever, that I’ve felt like I’m making progress and not messing around getting zilch done. I love it.

 

• One of my three goals for the quarter is to work on the series I’m planning to write. I’ve already written the first book but I wanted to plan out the whole series before I move forward. Using Sarra’s workbook and watching her video’s have helped immensely and I have 12 books sketched out briefly, as of this week. Things may change as I move forward but I have an end in sight and a path with markers along the way. So very excited.

 

• My second goal was finding some space to create something I can only describe as a ‘feel good factor’. Like many, all over the world, I’ve struggled at times to cope with enormity of what is happening with the virus. Even though my day to day life hasn’t changed in big terms, it’s meant that I haven’t been able to see my family or close friends. We last saw folk in February, just before lockdown. The only place I go is the shops and back, armed with masks, gloves and hand gel as well as a bucket load of anxiety. So I needed activities to t help me through these feelings of panic. I’ve started a short, yoga routine in the morning and an evening mediation before I turn off the light. Both have been great in helping me to relax. And I’ve started drawing and sketching.

 

• Finally, I made a big decision to step down from the writing group at the end of the year. I’ve been managing it for 10 years and it has been a great support and helped me to discover my writer within. A decade is a long time but it was the right time… if that makes sense. I shan’t say too much for now and although I’m sad about leaving I’m looking forward to new opportunities, new connections and moving forward. It shall leave a huge gap in my life and I’ve made many special friends.

So what about you? How are you planning to spend the last few weeks of this manic year? Hibernation or fighting back?