Ruby Binns-Cagney's Blog
November 26, 2015
A Not so Happy Thanksgiving?
By now, if you're in the United States you're probably fed up of hearing people wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving.
Heard too often, it can lose its spark, its specialness, its genuine heartfelt expression of gratitude from one human being to another.
If you take the tradition back to its roots it was a small expression of gratitude for a hard years' work, or an appreciation of another's contribution towards the household if you were a farmer or produced goods for sale. A time for everyone to gather their kith and kin and to feast on a meagre meal together.
Let's hope the next generation will be less focussed on materialism and more focussed on family. After all, that's what's important.
As a writer in business I have to balance the two; my love of family against making money to keep a roof over our heads, and for which I'm very humble and grateful to all my readers and 'fans' and of course fellow writers who share their experiences with me.
My best to you this Thanksgiving.
Heard too often, it can lose its spark, its specialness, its genuine heartfelt expression of gratitude from one human being to another.
If you take the tradition back to its roots it was a small expression of gratitude for a hard years' work, or an appreciation of another's contribution towards the household if you were a farmer or produced goods for sale. A time for everyone to gather their kith and kin and to feast on a meagre meal together.
Let's hope the next generation will be less focussed on materialism and more focussed on family. After all, that's what's important.
As a writer in business I have to balance the two; my love of family against making money to keep a roof over our heads, and for which I'm very humble and grateful to all my readers and 'fans' and of course fellow writers who share their experiences with me.
My best to you this Thanksgiving.
September 14, 2015
The Last Straw
Today was the day I was meant to rejoice, having spent six months in one role at work, and now moving to another role.
The moment I woke up I had a sense of dread. I kept dropping things - a spoon, a cup - and then dashed out of the front door to catch the train to the office.
There were severe delays on the line, on the first day of my new role. I was going to arrive late.
Every inch of forward movement the train made, I almost held my breath in case we shuddered to a halt. I could not be late, not on the first day.
It began to rain. My bus was late, and with minutes to spare I got to the office, threw my coat onto the stand and sat at the desk ready to begin.
I was four minutes late, after all my worry and rushing, and it was a rather pleasant first day.
The journey home was effortless, and I sank into an armchair and caught up with some friends.
I settled down for the evening and logged onto my computer. It crashed!
This was the last straw, after my hectic day.
I'm off for a soak in the bath - hopefully it will pass without incident.
The moment I woke up I had a sense of dread. I kept dropping things - a spoon, a cup - and then dashed out of the front door to catch the train to the office.
There were severe delays on the line, on the first day of my new role. I was going to arrive late.
Every inch of forward movement the train made, I almost held my breath in case we shuddered to a halt. I could not be late, not on the first day.
It began to rain. My bus was late, and with minutes to spare I got to the office, threw my coat onto the stand and sat at the desk ready to begin.
I was four minutes late, after all my worry and rushing, and it was a rather pleasant first day.
The journey home was effortless, and I sank into an armchair and caught up with some friends.
I settled down for the evening and logged onto my computer. It crashed!
This was the last straw, after my hectic day.
I'm off for a soak in the bath - hopefully it will pass without incident.
September 2, 2015
Onwards & Upwards
Two days into a new month and I've published a short story. It feels good. Even more so because it had been languishing on my computer while I had a busy two months at work.
When it comes to writing, I don't have to fight to get into the creative mood. It's the actual process of setting up chapter headings and editing several times, getting the book description nailed down to a version I'm happy with, and then uploading it for publication - that can take a couple of days sometimes.
Often, I'll prepare a template in advance with all of these steps built in, ready for pasting and editing, only to find Microsoft Word misbehaves. I can't afford to spend an afternoon sorting out Word's imperfections!
Even setting up specific Styles to use often results in Word misbehaving, even though I update it regularly,
Yet today has been calm, and peaceful, and one more story out of my head and onto the digital bookshelves deserves a glass of wine in the garden with my Husband.
When it comes to writing, I don't have to fight to get into the creative mood. It's the actual process of setting up chapter headings and editing several times, getting the book description nailed down to a version I'm happy with, and then uploading it for publication - that can take a couple of days sometimes.
Often, I'll prepare a template in advance with all of these steps built in, ready for pasting and editing, only to find Microsoft Word misbehaves. I can't afford to spend an afternoon sorting out Word's imperfections!
Even setting up specific Styles to use often results in Word misbehaving, even though I update it regularly,
Yet today has been calm, and peaceful, and one more story out of my head and onto the digital bookshelves deserves a glass of wine in the garden with my Husband.
August 9, 2015
Twelve Weeks Later
My last post was about my birthday. I am in such a different place now. My life has become busier, more stressful, with little time for my writing.
I used to have so much spare time, and now as the daylight starts to fade much earlier in the evening my mind turns to the dark evenings ahead.
This was when I used to do the bulk of my writing, during such long, dark evenings but I now find my life has changed. I still find time to write, just, but my creativity is no longer centered on my alone time.
I can take a taxi to my office and jot down random thoughts into my phone, or even draft a long note and save it to my dropbox.
Technology is here to save us time, and I fully intend to use it.
I used to have so much spare time, and now as the daylight starts to fade much earlier in the evening my mind turns to the dark evenings ahead.
This was when I used to do the bulk of my writing, during such long, dark evenings but I now find my life has changed. I still find time to write, just, but my creativity is no longer centered on my alone time.
I can take a taxi to my office and jot down random thoughts into my phone, or even draft a long note and save it to my dropbox.
Technology is here to save us time, and I fully intend to use it.
May 8, 2015
Day One
The first day after a birthday always makes me feel invigorated.
Ready to do things I've put off.
Somehow the excitement and happiness of the celebration carries over for a few days/weeks but then peters out when I become overwhelmed with everything I have to do each day.
Something feels different this morning.
Maybe this time the enthusiasm for life will continue throughout the year. I hope so.
Either that or its the tequila I had last night making me feel differently.
Ready to do things I've put off.
Somehow the excitement and happiness of the celebration carries over for a few days/weeks but then peters out when I become overwhelmed with everything I have to do each day.
Something feels different this morning.
Maybe this time the enthusiasm for life will continue throughout the year. I hope so.
Either that or its the tequila I had last night making me feel differently.
March 16, 2015
New Beginnings
Harrowing couple of weeks - buried the old girl. Now both parents are gone.
Started a new job, which makes it my second, in addition to mentoring/coaching/wife-and -mothering three grown men.
Found eight dollars in a purse at the back of the closet.
Good to blessed in all areas of life after a stagnant Winter.
Pressing onwards, with joy in my heart.
Here's to new beginnings.
Started a new job, which makes it my second, in addition to mentoring/coaching/wife-and -mothering three grown men.
Found eight dollars in a purse at the back of the closet.
Good to blessed in all areas of life after a stagnant Winter.
Pressing onwards, with joy in my heart.
Here's to new beginnings.
February 27, 2015
Bye Bye February
Wow, a month gone in the blink of an eye. my to-do-list still has things left on it.
Are you on track with your writing goals, or do you just write when the mood strikes?
I use a plan because it teaches me to be disciplined as an Author, and it helps me schedule other things around my writing time.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy creating book covers and marketing graphics, running promotions or mentoring new Authors, so my writing time has become very precious.
I've just started writing a new series with completely different genres, so its challenging, and my enthusiasm has increased because of the newness of it all.
Have a good end of the month.
Are you on track with your writing goals, or do you just write when the mood strikes?
I use a plan because it teaches me to be disciplined as an Author, and it helps me schedule other things around my writing time.
When I'm not writing, I'm busy creating book covers and marketing graphics, running promotions or mentoring new Authors, so my writing time has become very precious.
I've just started writing a new series with completely different genres, so its challenging, and my enthusiasm has increased because of the newness of it all.
Have a good end of the month.
February 5, 2015
Research for new characters
January is over, and February is starting off at a pace. It can only lead to good things.
I had the opportunity to set aside writing time as my Husband had a migraine, so I jumped onto the laptop and started researching my new characters.
After the first series of novels came to a natural conclusion, I have had to come up with brand new characters who have different nuances and quirks. The lazy familiarity I had with my previous characters isn't there for me to lean on.
It has meant being extra vigilant to stick to my writing schedule, and being blessed with some downtime in my day job to be able to do so.
I'm grateful.
I had the opportunity to set aside writing time as my Husband had a migraine, so I jumped onto the laptop and started researching my new characters.
After the first series of novels came to a natural conclusion, I have had to come up with brand new characters who have different nuances and quirks. The lazy familiarity I had with my previous characters isn't there for me to lean on.
It has meant being extra vigilant to stick to my writing schedule, and being blessed with some downtime in my day job to be able to do so.
I'm grateful.
January 19, 2015
Next
Ever feel like your life is on hold?
I've got a lot going on at the moment, and now the delays have started. It's frustrating.
Fortunately, I've now got time to use for other purposes. It'll make a welcome change from packing storage boxes, and resisting the wine collection in our cellar.
On a rare day off for us both, its nice to sleep late and watch a little drama.
If I was't so frustrated I'd be able to relax.
Somebody say 'next!'
I've got a lot going on at the moment, and now the delays have started. It's frustrating.
Fortunately, I've now got time to use for other purposes. It'll make a welcome change from packing storage boxes, and resisting the wine collection in our cellar.
On a rare day off for us both, its nice to sleep late and watch a little drama.
If I was't so frustrated I'd be able to relax.
Somebody say 'next!'
January 2, 2015
New Year, New Me
Having survived the Holidays, I jumped on the scale in the bathroom this morning to assess the damage.
Four parties, three dinners, a selection of treats over the past few days, and I was surprised to see the number on the scale - I'm seven pounds lighter.
How could that be?
If anything, I'd eaten more than I usually do - for several days. Not to undue the 'good work' I settled at my tablet and opened up the book I had been reading the day before.
Then it hit me.
I knew how I'd lost those seven pounds.
I'd spent the last three weeks knitting a blanket for my friend's horse. It was often seven hours of knitting, supplemented by copious pitchers of lemonade, and nibbles on snacks such as carrot sticks with guacamole so I wouldn't have to cook and be distracted from my knitting.
Also, we've been packing up our house ready for the move, and I have been preparing salads, anything quick so we can continue packing.
I'm overjoyed with the weight loss, because I have a thyroid problem which negatively affects my weight. It has been years since I even lost one pound, let alone 7.
Now I have to keep the momentum going!
I wish you a happy new year, and all that 2015 brings to you.
Four parties, three dinners, a selection of treats over the past few days, and I was surprised to see the number on the scale - I'm seven pounds lighter.
How could that be?
If anything, I'd eaten more than I usually do - for several days. Not to undue the 'good work' I settled at my tablet and opened up the book I had been reading the day before.
Then it hit me.
I knew how I'd lost those seven pounds.
I'd spent the last three weeks knitting a blanket for my friend's horse. It was often seven hours of knitting, supplemented by copious pitchers of lemonade, and nibbles on snacks such as carrot sticks with guacamole so I wouldn't have to cook and be distracted from my knitting.
Also, we've been packing up our house ready for the move, and I have been preparing salads, anything quick so we can continue packing.
I'm overjoyed with the weight loss, because I have a thyroid problem which negatively affects my weight. It has been years since I even lost one pound, let alone 7.
Now I have to keep the momentum going!
I wish you a happy new year, and all that 2015 brings to you.
