Annette V Hart's Blog: The ramblings of Annette Hart, page 3

STOP raining!

I think we've all had enough of the rain now... We were lucky (uphill from the River Mole) but plenty of our friends weren't and had their homes flooded Christmas Eve. Two weeks later and it's still raining here and the river has once again burst its banks, flooding surrounding fields.

Xmas baking...

Hooray! I've now finished baking our Xmas cake and this year only the top is over done (polite for burnt.) I think it requires a slight beheading! Never mind - all our dodgy oven's fault - the rest of it is moist and the mixture tasted good. I just need to decide on an icing design.

It's Stir-up Sunday...

I'm in the middle of cooking our Christmas pudding (the kitchen is filled with damp clouds of steam) and I was reminded of this poem I use to teach at this time of year:

Mincemeat
Sing a song of mincemeat,
Currants, raisins, spice,
Apples, sugar, nutmeg,
Everything that's nice,
Stir it with a ladle,
Wish a lovely wish,
Drop it in the middle
Of your well-filled dish,
Stir again for good luck,
Pack it all away
Tied in little jars and pots,
Until Christmas Day.

Elizabeth Gould

The end is in sight (relief) ...

I am finally drawing to the end of my first draft of my newest story. I find the first draft the hardest. The ideas are not the problem, or particular events and characters in the story: it's the writing between I find hard graft and sometimes I struggle to get motivated to work on it.

Now, writing my second draft is fun: a chance to change and build on what I have already done, adding in and expanding events and characters. Can't wit for that!

A treat for myself...

For the first time in what seems like ages, I have 2 fairly free days so I am going to treat myself. I am going to ignore the housework (I can perhaps bribe the children to do a little for pocket money) and spend the time writing instead. I need the uninterrupted time to get back into my characters and the flow of my story.

Reflecting on writing...

I have recently been teaching elements of creative writing (the day job) and it has made me doubt my own writing, whether I'm doing it 'properly.' I just have to remind myself that what is 'right' changes over time, even grammar, and have belief in what I have produced so far.

Season of mists...

My children are revving up for Hallowe'en, looking out costumes and ideas for food, but I just can't quite get into the spirit of things (!) What I really want to do is to go for an autumnal walk somewhere with beautiful multi-coloured trees mirrored in the surface of deep, black water.

Rainy day walk...

I can't believe that not only did we go for a walk in the rain but that we persuaded 2 of our children to come too! We ended up soaked after our walk through the woods (and puddles) on Box Hill but the hot chocolate at the cafe afterwards made the effort all worth while!

Wishful thinking...

I wish I could just spend all my time at home writing or drawing. Unfortunately, the little matter of earning my keep is getting in the way. I'm actually having to teach! And then there's the secondary problem of house work - even I can't let the fluff, cat hair, dead spiders and clumps of mud (thanks, boys!) pile up. And bribery doesn't seem to be winning me much help. When can I write?!!!

Family help...

I am hesitant but daring to get my eldest daughter (16) to read through one of my draft manuscripts. I am aware that teenagers can be very critical and definite in their beliefs and ideas. So this could be the end of a good relationship...