Annette V Hart's Blog: The ramblings of Annette Hart, page 13

History teaching...

I've just read an article in (yesterday's) Guardian about the decreasing importance given to history in English schools and yet the positive role the subject has for society. It was by Simon Schama and he put into words very eloquently what I have felt for a long time - especially about the total disregard for huge swathes of our history. And those same periods would be great for engaging children, marrying celebrity and soap opera with political and religious intrigue.
The only problem is feeling powerless to make yourself heard or to help make a change.

Poppies and poems.

I have bought my poppy and now I shall dip into a new book of WWI poetry I've recently found.
Having an increasing interest in family history, my thoughts do turn to those in my family who fought, worked, suffered or died during those 2 World Wars: my Great Great Grandfather on the frontline in Belgium and my Great Great Uncle stuck in Rhuleban internment camp WWI, my Grandfather in heavy duty rescue during the Blitz (and the family bombed out), my other grandfather - a farmer and therefore reserved occupation - who still served, great uncles in all 3 services, various happy and sad evacuees. It is our delight that we still have one of my Grandmother's (a prolific diary writer) diaries - that for 1940, the year in which she met my Grandfather.
My thoughts always go most to my Great Uncle and his comrades who died on HMS Laurentic in 1940; I can't think of anything worse than dying, perhaps slowly, during that long, cold and dark night in the North Atlantic. We still remember them.

I have arty genes...

I can definitely say I have arty genes because not only have I acquired it via parents and grandparents I am sure I have now passed it on. My children have recently shown artistic ability in school work and makes at home for which I am very pleased and proud. Ollie's work has particularly become very precise - I'm sure he could follow in my architect dad's footsteps and do well in technical drawing.

What is it with being a writer (and a paranoid perfectionist)?

Here I am with a wonderful pile of newly printed books but within minutes I'm worrying about something: could this bit have been better, will it appeal to readers, why didn't I ask for that to be changed, have any mistakes slipped through the proofreading process? Writers are never happy, always seeing improvements! And perfectionists worry about the results even when they can no longer be changed. I need to let go and enjoy what is in front of me.

At least I've enjoyed seeing my illustrations in print for the first time and my children have flicked through to find ones they helped with the modelling for.

My new book's arrived!

It was exciting to receive a large parcel today - a real box of delights for me, not only the pristine complimentary books but book marks, flyers and posters. If only the children would share my enthusiasm - although they were keen to flick through and find my illustrations. It seems funny to be getting the books before it is officially published at the end of next week.

Selling problems...

Having got all excited at finally having a publication date for my second book, I have now discovered a problem that needs sorting before that date. I had no idea that my book is currently unavailable in the US - why when it is easily available through Amazon UK, etc? I think I need to discover an easy way to sell my book online myself (besides through my publishers), perhaps through my website.
It's soooo frustrating! Nothing ever seems to be easy.

The naming of parts...

I'm enjoying the task of writing the bones of a new story so much that I don't want to stop to figure out names. I have my main characters' names but whenever I come across a new character I think 'Don't stop - work out the name later' and now I've got quite a few to sort out! Although my countries are fictitious, I do like to give them names appropriate to their 'feel', (e.g. Anglo-Saxon) and the inhabitants names follow suite. It means spending time working around a few, mixing and matching beginnings and endings, or, occasionally, searching for names with appropriate meanings.

Productivity...

I'm feeling very creative at the moment: chutney, sloe gin and a new story. Well... intermittently productive, real moments of excitement and achievement surrounded by more mundane tasks. I intend to have a go at making candles next, between more chapters of the book and endless washing.

Publication due...

I am finally getting excited because, despite a few hiccups being ironed out, I have now the cover of my second book which is due to be published at the end of October. I can't wait for my box of books! Once I get the finalised date I can set up a giveaway too. Yippee!

Trying to work...

My work just seems to be full of ups and downs at the moment. I am trying hard to organise some booksignings; the shop staff are very positive and helpful on the phone but then you get a negative response by email. Is this a fob-off technique? I also got excited at writing a new story today: drafting a plan, characters, even a first chapter. But that was followed by children with homework problems and a tempramental computer! My enthusiasm is put on hold until I finish this.

And now I just have an inkling of a cold starting...