So I knew that I had neglected the blog a bit. A bit? How about a humongous bit? How about a ‘did you lose the plot completely’ bit? In my defence, my ‘real life’ interfered with the pleasure of writing, as I am sure many will appreciate.

Let’s face it, we were talking December. End of the calendar year from a business perspective. End of sales quarter three for my employers, which meant that the pressure was really on to hit the end of year target. I don’t mind admitting either that hitting target has a definite financial benefit. Then add to that, there was the pressure of a few other matters.

I had this wild idea that I was going to do handmade gifts for my family and close friends. I mean, I have always enjoyed painting, and having rediscovered the sheer quantity of art materials I had around the house, it seemed like a plan. I had lovely ideas of acrylic paintings and pastels. I planned to make cakes, sweets and so forth for friends and family. And what happened? Oh yeah, time. There was that little timey-wimey problem … Not enough of it.

 

In September, my son had his first ever major motorbike accident. Cue maternal panic and tachycardia when I saw the state of his protective gear. He was fine, apart from shock, and a couple of bruises, but the upshot was that his bike, a Honda NC700X, was being written off by his insurance company. As he doesn’t drive, the bike had to be replaced. A replacement was found, in a second hand Triumph Tiger 1050

That kinda took priority, because, yes, my favourite pastime has to be arguing with an insurance company whilst looking at my ever decreasing number of working days and wondering how I was going to make it around all my customers … Was I ever beginning to feel like a headless chicken?

The only fun part in the run up to Christmas was the fact that my son and I went to MCN Live, and that’s where this winds it way back to my writing. One of the key features of my writing is that all my characters ride motorbikes. None of that stereotypical Harley Davidson stuff that you see in paranormal romances. No, I wanted to know more about the Ducati bikes which my protagonist and his team used. I had no idea how this need for research would be received. However, much to my surprise, I ended up having a discussion with the Marketing Manager of Ducati, who was more than pleased to help me, advising me of a specific model based on what my characters would be doing.

So, amongst all the end of year panic, there was something worthwhile. I had a good idea of what my characters should be riding, so that it fitted in with the story. This is a key detail for me. It can be the small details which can let a story down: is your character going to fit on your chosen bike, for example?

Details matter. I came across a review for a book I had  read a couple of years ago, which was supposedly set in the United Kingdom, in East Anglia. There were so many mistakes which were the result of poor research, including a mention of ‘pound notes’, which were phased out a couple of decades ago. A single incorrect, and verifiable, detail like that can sour a reader towards what they a reading, no matter how good your story.

So, moral of the story, as we draw to the close of 2016? What have I learned in my ‘writing journey’?

1. Balance is essential. For me, that meant finding a balance between work and between my writing time. But, it was not easy.
2. Being a self-published, indie author means a lot of hard work. I have had to find time for promotion of my books. This means working in a ‘smart’ manner. The tools are out there to make self-promotion possible: Twitter, Facebook and other forms of social media.
3. I am happy that I did not go down the traditional route, and I do not feel that I am a failure because of it. So, I have not sold many copies of my books, but that was never my intention. My intention was to find a means of relaxing from my very stressful day job.
4. Haters are going to hate. From early in my writing days, someone I know has maintained a level of hatred which I find quite staggering, to the point that she has orchestrated my having a personal Amazon troll. Do I care if she does still hate? No, because the only one who is hurting is that person. Not me, and not those who follow my writing.

Before I close, there is one other thing which has made my year in terms of my writing. Several months back, I sent a copy of one of my books to my old school English teacher. I didn’t expect to hear back from her, but just before Christmas, I did. She sent me a Christmas card and a review of the book. It was positive, and that, my friends, made up for the hater. More than made up for it.

So, as we come into 2017, keep writing everyone. Continue to keep the flame of imagination burning. It may sputter. You may have to nurse it. But take heart because all that effort is worth it.

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LINKS TO THE BOOKS IN THE DIARIES OF THE CWN ANNWN

“Bound”, Volume 1 of The Diaries of the Cŵn Annwn
Amazon.com $0.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016TQFBNY
Amazon.co.uk £0.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016TQFBNY
Smashwords.com £0.00 (Free): https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/589130