Annette V Hart's Blog: The ramblings of Annette Hart, page 15

Cross with myself...

I know it's been hot and close here recently but I've struggled to get on with some new writing. I have a story I've started and I go for walks to stimulate ideas but then I get busy with more mundane chores and write nothing. And when I have been free, I find silly jobs to do or get sidetracked by somebody else's book. Why am I prevaricating?

Anticipation...

With everything in the air at home, (husband's job on the line), I am looking forward to some good news and am eagerly awaiting both the cover of my next book and a publishing date. I am expecting the latter to be in August but the former can happen any day. I hope the illustrator added the changes I wanted and it is always exciting to see both your name and title in print. It all feels very out of my hands...

All shopped out...

Never mind 'Sex and the City', I've spent 2 days trying on about 15 dresses - several twice - before finally choosing one I am happy to wear to my cousin's wedding. And now I have to find some shoes...

I know lots of women love shopping for clothes but I don't! I end up muddle-headed and dispondent; I think it's the cruelly harsh lighting and full length mirrors that show up every stretch mark and lump. Surfice it to say, I am not the smallest woman on the planet. Finding nice - and not frumpy - clothes that fit/suit my figure seems excrutiatingly hard!

I would much rather shop for food and my children.

Party time...

...but not for me! My youngest daughter's 5th birthday, and first birthday with school friends, is going to be a traditional affair: lots of young girls dressed as princesses, enormous amounts of pink and plenty of old-fashioned party games. I suspect the cats (and possibly my boys!) will stay hidden for the duration. My mum is making the cake and instead of putting a Disney princess on it, she is making a dress for a doll in the style of my lead character! (Although the only red-headed doll we can find is the rather brash Ariel!)

Competition promo and a bit of excitement...

I'm buzzing today having just spoken to my youngest son's class about writing and now I've been organising a competition promo for my current book with the teen girls' magazine Mizz. It'll be great to finally get some advertising - even if I've had to organise it myself!

Meanwhile, our 8 month old kitten has suddenly progressed from catching worms and spiders to mice! I had a shock the other night when a little furry face appeared under the sofa. I wasn't sure who was responsible for the tiny visitor until Misty ran in yesterday with her mouth very full, growling because she didn't want to give up her prize! I think a new collar with a loud bell is in order - I don't want her catching the baby blue tits when they start arriving like her big sister!

A dreadful Mother's Day weekend (thanks Ofsted et al)...

We spent Mother's Day visiting our parents and explaining why we probably will be moving.

Since Rob's school failed their Ofsted inspection at the beginning of the year under the new Ofsted procedures (going from good to failing in 3 years!), the County Council are gunning for Rob. Momentarilly they were supportive and then they started covering their backs. They said they would give him the year to turn things around but it's beocme apparent that they want him out - whatever the SATs results.

And now a few parents have started a vicious letter writing campaign to the Council, attacking the school, the Governors, some ataff and my husband in particular. Privately other parents have been very supportive but County are just hearing from the vocal few.

Even if he kept his job, neither he nor I want to stay here. I feel I don't know who I can be friends with, who I can trust.

Ironically, Rob had been planning to move on this year but now what's happened has made it very difficult for him to get a job, especially one of a comparable level. If only my writing career had taken off better, we could safely say 'sod them'! I don't like the way education has become just about politics and statistics so I don't really want to carry on teaching - but it's what I'm trained for. Any ideas anyone?

Pride...

Not about my books! I'm feeling very proud of my youngest daughter right now. All my children struggled a little when starting to read at school for one reason or another. Maybe it's genetic - I had to have extra lessons when I first learnt too! I thought Jenny might have difficulties because she's had speech problems but she seems to be taking off beautifully. Everyday she comes home talking about the sounds and words she's learnt. And now she's taking real enjoyment in the rather mundane, phonetic school readers. All credit to herself and her teachers and a joy to encourage at home!

Sigh...

So much has happened since I last wrote before Christmas. We had a great, family-orientated holiday and I had just got the house straight when the snow hit! Following lots of freshly baked bread and cosy, warm fires (and the odd, cake baking spurt by my daughter), I've just got the house straight for a second time. My son's birthday party survived the bad weather (main roads clear) but my author visit to a school in London didn't (the useless trains).

I've had my first library loan payment. Although it was very small, I was pleased as I think only my local library has a copy! Anyone know how to get into more libraries?

Action...

Publishing happens in such fits and starts... I was very busy in September creating illustrations for my next book, (#2 in the Athlandia series called "Escape and Betrayal"). Then extra busy when the first lot of pictures got lost in the post during the strike - I have no idea if they ever ev entually arrived or are still floating about somewhere in England. Now, after a quiet period when I've been thinking about other stories, my edited manuscript has appeared on my doorstep. I'll have to tune back into this set of characters. Time to get busy... (But I might still squeeze in reading "A Christmas Carol"!)

Crashing...

Our computer crashed and has been in the repair shop for a week; a disaster for my daughter who was in the process of making her party invites. We now had to do it without the use of internet pictures but with a bit of ingenuity we managed (after a few upsets!) to create something she was happy with.

Now we're back on line with lots of emails to catch up with!

You would think it would make an easy week to either read or write but for some reason that didn't happen. But I have come up with one knew story idea to play with for a more grown-up fantasy so it wasn't all wasted time.

I have also kept up with my own (mediocre) exercise routine in order to lose some of my tummy. I've had 4 ceasars so I blame the children for the shot muscles (that and the cake, beer, cheese, etc...) As well as some fast walking which I find helps my ideas, I've dug out my old copy of "Callanetics". The effort is killing me... but I will persevere!