So cute...

Beth will be leaving her creche to go to preschool in September. They had a photographer in a few weeks ago to take pictures of all the kids and put robes on the ones 'graduating' to the next school. Here is Beth's photo...

So cute :-D

Inspiration

I've been taking my writing seriously for about a year and a half now. In that time, there have been short stories, articles, blog posts, one completed novel and one in it's first draft. I have notebooks everywhere; beside my bed, in every bag (yes, I have many!), on the kitchen table etc. The reason for this is I like to have them on hand whenever I get an idea. In truth, I have been keeping a notebook handy for longer than I can remember, long before I ever thought writing could be my career.

I try to keep certain notebooks for specific types of writing, e.g. newspaper pieces, blog posts, novels or themes like romance, sci-fi, drama, and so on. I try... Of course, I'm completely unorganised and a lot of the time just grab the nearest one to me at any given time. This is because I know inspiration is fleeting. As any writer will tell you, inspiration can grab you at any time; walking for the bus, in a waiting room, having a drink in a bar or coffee shop. However, the one time (for me anyway) that most of my inspiration comes, is at night, in those moments before sleep comes. Many times in the past I've sketched a whole novel in my head and thought, I'll definitely remember that in the morning. Do I? Do I heck! I can't even remember the basic premise. Usually, it only takes a few key sentences in the notebook to help me remember the next morning but, without that, the story would be gone.

Now, of course, for the time when there's no inspiration... This usually happens when I sit at my computer, ready to start a new chapter/paragraph. What do you do then? 

If you wait for inspiration to write; you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter. ~ Dan Poynter

You just crack on with it. The first few sentences might not be very strong but that's what editing is for. You push through that barrier. Everything needs a push to get going and once you're going you keep going, for as long as possible. Even if the day outside looks like this...

Goals for May

It's May Day, the start of summer. Although, the weather has been a little better here, it is still not great. Very chilly but bright.

I'm doing some goals for May in the hope of actually achieving something by the end of the month. I've been drifting a lot lately and it's time to knuckle down.

May Goals:

1. Finish The Devil in the Clouds.

2. Get out on the road (waiting for provisional license).

3. Lose 7lb (about 3kg). I fell by the wayside during all the weddings, time to get back on track.

4. Clear garden. The front garden is almost done but a lot needs to be done on the back garden. I took 'before' pictures and want to do an 'unveil' here during the summer when all the flowers are in bloom.

5. Read The Quiet American by Graham Greene and The Famished Road by Ben Okri.

I think that's enough for now!

Hope your May Day is going good :-)

Blue Skies

Not sure what to write today. Haven't planned anything so will just wing it.

Outside, the skies are blue but it is still a little chilly. It's nice to see a bit of sun though, I might spend a bit of time in the garden later after I do a good bit on my MS. I'm finding it tough to finish. I don't know why exactly. I suppose it's to do with all the distractions lately, there has been so many! I was writing in my notebook mostly. Have to type it all up now but at least I'll catch mistakes easier.

I did a reading during the Dundalk Book Festival at the weekend. I really enjoyed doing it but the chapter I read had a mistake in it. So annoyed about that. I guess reading it a million times and sending it out to be edited still won't catch everything :-/

Doing a reading of Bleeker Avenue in The Panama Cafe, Dundalk

Last Tuesday, we got a dog. We are fostering her for three weeks before we can officially adopt her. Her name was Pep before she came to us, Beth has renamed her Pepperoni Pink Flower. She is a large Jack Russel Terrier and is so cute, she was even house trained!

She loves Beth and Beth loves her

It's been a bit of an adjustment but not completely different to how it was before. Just out in the park everyday, standing in the rain while she does her business, no major changes. She wants to sleep in Beth's bed every night but I'm not letting her. Would be afraid she'd scratch her by accident or Beth would wake her in the middle a bad dream and Pep would turn on her. 

A few little white fluffy clouds have appeared in the blue. Now, for a bit of writing...

My Busy Week

On Saturday 13th April, a dazzling bride walked down the aisle of the church. She was preceded by her gorgeous flower girl goddaughters and three beautiful bridesmaids in pink. It was a lovely service and, as always at weddings, there was a tear in my eye.

The weather was not the best unfortunately. What was a medium wind when we entered the church turned into a gale force wind by the time we exited. The rain was also coming down in torrents. The church itself is situated on top of a small hill on the coast. It is also where Beth was christened in 2010 and I had my First Holy Communion in 1988. We had a great view of the white horses thrashing the beach as we ran to the car. Of course, my hair was ruined!

After a brief stop for sandwiches in a friend's house, we made our way out to Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. Beth and I checked in, ooh-ed and aah-ed at our room (and massive bathroom), and then went to the reception. The food, atmosphere, speeches were all very enjoyable. I even spent most of the time partaking in adult conversation! Beth and the flower girls had great fun together.

We left the party at around 10.30pm. Beth doesn't like loud music and, wow, the band were loud! We were up early the next day, checking in with the bride and having a big breakfast. Beth and I wandered around the grounds a bit after breakfast before heading off at 11am. Thankfully, my friend Anthony was very good to drop us (and collected!) to the airport. 

The turbulence out of Dublin was terrifying. I did my best not to show how scared I was in front of Beth. She was loving it and squealed every time the plane jumped. Luckily, the landing in Blackpool was nice and smooth.

My Dad collected us from the airport and we went to the hotel, after a brief stop in with his new wife's family. There I met with her daughters and their children. The youngest granddaughter was a little jealous of Beth but that's perfectly normal at her age (3).

We stayed at The Melville Hotel (click here to see my review). It was perfectly fine and typical of the type of accommodation you would find in a UK seaside resort. We were treated very well by the staff, well, apart from waiting forever for breakfast on the last two mornings!

On the morning of the wedding, Beth, Dad and I walked the twenty minutes to the Methodist Church. We had a quick coffee while waiting for the church to open (we were quite early). Beth explored the church until Imelda showed up five minutes early. Beth held the eldest granddaughters hand and walked down the aisle. I was so proud of her. All the ladies were in white, with Beth and the bride holding bouquets of green, yellow and white.

The service was different to the one in Ireland but no less special. The female minister was very friendly. The eldest granddaughter and I did two readings, the same readings that were read at Deborah's wedding on the Saturday. Rings were exchanged, blessings given and then it was time to eat.

We went to The Zen Restaurant in St. Anne's. Food was fantastic and the wedding cake was divine.

On the Tuesday, Beth and I went to Nickelodeon Land at Pleasure Beach. It was so much fun!! I won a huge Spongebob Squarepants for her (delighted with myself). 

It was tough squeezing him into the suitcase!

We relaxed on the Tuesday night before we had to say our farewells on the Wednesday. The flight out of Blackpool was nice and easy but Dublin, again, was a nightmare. There were only a few people on the plane. It was one of those small propeller yokes that need a push down the runway. Out of about twenty passengers, six were children, including Beth. The delighted shouts and weeeeees with the turbulence almost made it bearable.

And that was the end of our wedding adventures!

The big news I have is that we are getting a house visit from the Dundalk Dog Rescue this evening. We are getting a dog!! I'll have photos and more details when we get one but for now we just have to be checked out and sign some forms. We're so excited!

Happy Birthday to...

My blog!!! Three years ago on this day I started this blog with this post. I originally started the blog just to document what was happening with Beth and her development but quickly turned into a bit of everything, including my new career as a writer.

Tomorrow, I will do a long post on the weddings and Blackpool, but for today I'm just saying Happy Birthday and a few photos. We've some exciting family news that I'll reveal tomorrow too!!

Oscar the dog at Cabra Castle

Beth in the church

Beth and me with the newly-wed Debs

Beth having a ball with her friends

On the plane

Little flower girl

Beth with the newly-weds

At Nickelodeon Land, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool

Getting a hug off Dora

Having fun with Spongebob

Facebook Competition

I'm doing a Facebook Competition at the moment so stop on by for a chance to win a copy of The Secret Beneath Bleeker Avenue! The comp will run until this Sunday, 14th April and all you have to do is like and share the photo :-)

Link to Facebook Competition