Fran Macilvey's Blog, page 32

Watching Employable Me

Watching Employable Me

I admit to a moment’s trepidation when deciding to watch the latest series of this programme. (And I’m not sure I appreciate the BBC’s tag line, ‘Britain’s most extraordinary job seekers’  but more about that later.)

I found it, though, really enjoyable and refreshing, and not in ways I expected it to. I was dreading feeling the same dead and depressing feelings that I felt while I was working – and looking for work. And it occurs to me – so late in the day! – that sinc...

Hope for the future

Hope for the future

Enjoying a convivial meal with my family – my mother, my sister and her family, as well as hubby and daughter – I happened to ask cousin Frederick, “Who said, ‘plan your work, every day, then work your plan’?” He looked suitably enquiring – how generous of him– as I answered, “Margaret Thatcher!” hoping he might look suitably interested.

I am not by nature a conservative, but I do believe in offering credit where it is due, and as an author who should spend more time writi...

Asking or deciding?

Asking or deciding?

If we want something, it is great to ask for it, politely, then wait and see what happens, resisting the urge to argue ourselves out of the things we choose. Ask, then wait and see. I find this works for me in all sorts of situations: parking spaces, turning right at a junction, remembering what I need when I’m shopping. It works in bigger ways too.

The problem arises when, if we are not careful, our request becomes a beg, hedged round with either dependency or expectatio...

How to write a synopsis

How to write a synopsis

I know, I’ve done all the technical stuff about submissions packages before, and in truth, I have written previously one successful synopsis, – which took about a year to get right, and only after having read lots about how to write a synopsis – which helped me to obtain the services of my agent, and led to my publishing contract. As I propose to publish my next book myself, next year, who knows whether my next synopses, for my fiction series, will ever be useful?

But...

What not to write

What not to write

When we embark on writing our memoirs, we do not need to interview members of your family – not formally, at any rate. No-one will be very pleased to think that you are writing your memoirs and listening to their stories for that. (They would probably prefer you were writing their memoirs for them.)

If you are ready and willing to write, but you are unsure about what is allowed or not allowed, perhaps these further tips about what not to write will help bring extra clarity....

Caveats when writing memoir

Caveats when writing memoir

Memoir means, memory, so, with that in mind, there are a few caveats to mention when writing memoir.

Sitting as it does on the bridge between pure fiction – novels – and fact, narrative non-fiction (as it is known in the trade) – memoir – has to tread a very careful line between what we reveal of our own lives, and what we borrow from other lives.

Bearing that in mind, tread carefully.

Stick to your own path, and do not trespass on the paths of others, except whe...

When all around you are saying No

When all around you are saying No

It’s not so easy to write when there are other things to get done. When all around you are saying NO that truly tests whether we can persist with our writing.

Opposition is helpful. It empowers us to clarify what is important to us, and why. It helps us to articulate our reasons, and to defend our choices. So be grateful for the critics! But do not allow them to undermine your own authentic choices. (Not those decisions that are dictated by necessity and exp...

Renewing my ITIN

Renewing my ITIN

A lot has changed since I first applied for an ITIN in 2013. If you are in a hurry and have applied previously for an ITIN, this is the current position:

~There is a new consul here at the Consulate in Edinburgh, so I do not recommend relying on an existing certified copy, even if you will be submitting the same ten-year passport as previously to obtain a notarised copy.

~The consulate charges $50 for each notarised copies, ($100 for two…)

~Walk-in appointments are available...

Tiptoeing through my words

Tiptoeing through my words

I don’t know about you, but I find writing a story an exhilarating, but somehow unnerving, experience.

What if I tell the story all wrong? Miss the chance to commit something wonderful to the page and end up with an account that is merely satisfactory? In some ways, the blank page of the empty book is so reassuring, because, in it, anything is still possible, nothing is committed, fixed or final.

I’m not a commitment-phobe, I hasten to add, it’s simply that I worry...

Before all this started

Before all this started, I was seized with the irrational urge to find a new screensaver, one that is not all hummingbirds and pink, fuzzy flowers. After an extensive search through lots of cute categories, my eyes fasten irresistibly on this image of a fragile, narrow-limbed bridge –or one very like it – arching mirror-like across water, to produce an illusion of circularity. I like arches, bridges and images like this, signifying change, completion…

For the next few days, images of ancient,...