Hello dear friends,
Welcome to my first letter to you about my writing adventures.
The aim of these letters is not just to keep you up to date with all that I am getting up to, but also as a way to keep myself accountable and writing. They will be sent out every other Friday, barring illness, holidays, computer melt downs…
First, there are a few things I would love to know about you, I’m nosy like that.
Where you are in the world?
Are you a writer?
If you are a writer, what do you write? Feel free to leave links in the comments below.
I would be thrilled if you would drop me a line, or leave a comment at the bottom of this letter. Seriously, I really would love to hear from you.
A little note before we start, if you are looking for my letters about angels, they can be found here - Guided by Angels
Right housekeeping done, on to the writing stuff.
This first letter covers the background stuff, and going forwards I will add in weekly word count, competitions to enter and people and things I have found helpful.
Why Angels?
I will assume you have not read my other letters and launch right in.
Last year I painted a picture of an angel.
So what? I hear you ask.
Ah, but Daisy, for that is her name, is a special angel. She wanted to tell me her story, a grand tale of daring-do, of angels and humans fighting the negative emotions in this world. It is an epic tale, and I have currently written 50,000 words of the rough draft, and the first 5k are out with beta readers ready for entry into a competition.
Why Dragons?
The Dragons came in when I took part in the 3 Day Novel contest last September. As you needed to write your story during the 72 hour window (yes, just 72 hours to come up with an approx. 21k word story) of the competition I needed a different story-line. I love folk-lore and history, and whilst researching the history of the Isle of Wight I found a tale about a dragon. The 3 Day Novel story wove elements of that legend into the actual history of the island during the dark ages. I will add more details about the dragons and magic of the island in future missives.
Where and when do I write?
I usually join the London Writers Salon Writers Hour every weekday at 8am UK time, and the weekend offshoot on Saturdays and Sundays. Links are below if you would like to take a peek, the sessions are free for all, 4 times a day Monday - Friday. Just turn up and write in companionable silence for 50 focused minutes.
I have a desk which looks out onto fields and Arreton Down, a lovely view to contemplate when staring into space plotting and thinking. My usual routine is to light an oil diffuser and an angel tea light holder, turn on the fairy lights, pour a cup of tea and begin writing. Usually I write by hand. I find writing with pen and ink quite meditative, just allowing the words to flow on to the page. Once the days writing is done I transcribe into Scrivener if it is for a particular project.
“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”
– Maya Angelou
Next time: word count, competitions you could enter, useful resources and lots more.
Until then, keep writing, and most of all keep using your voice to tell your story.
Yours in Pen and Ink,
Tracy
Is there anything you would like me to keep you updated about or any questions? I am not an expert, but may be able to guide you to the person best suited to help. Just drop me a message or leave a comment to let me know.
I love this! Also, your desk view is just sublime! 🌈 💚
Where you are in the world? I am an Australian in Montreal (for now!)
Are you a writer? Yes, it feels good to say so instead of "aspiring" but yes, I AM!
If you are a writer, what do you write? I write my substack each week "hi, lauren deborah!" the digital journal of a chronic oversharer. I also work on submissions of personal essays and such on the side as well as my first ever script...
Looking forward to more volumes of this!!! 💖