Well. That title did not feel good to type.

Feeling good about my progress over the past month is taking a lot of internal negotiation. I was ill for the first couple of weeks, and honestly, life has just taken some recovering from lately. From dodgy appliances to holes in the roof, to the fact that I am finally beginning to emerge from survival mode after five years of unhealthy work environments.

I met someone last week who spent a good deal of time trying to drill it into my brain that until I find some joy in life, my writing will never be my best work. And honestly, I can see the truth to it when I think about everything I’ve written to date. I write unhappy women becoming happy women, but their journey to becoming happy is long and convoluted and I don’t think I get the balance of realistic versus readable a lot of the time.

My next project is going to challenge that. My next project is about an absolute ray of sunshine coming to the rescue of a character who is having a rough time. It’s going to be a challenge for me, because I have to be that ray of sunshine in order to write them, but it’s an excellent opportunity for growth.

So. Back on topic: what have I achieved in month one of my writing sabbatical?

• I have re-drafted one entire manuscript.
• I went to my first writing festival in Bournemouth, and met to some really great people who had a lot of time for a panicking newbie and her emotional support boyfriend.
• I have learned that when an agent responds to your query saying they liked it but just not strongly enough to represent you, that is a good thing and not a sign that you’re doomed and also awful terrible and bad.
• I started writing something new, something just for me, just to dip my toe back in the water after a long time on land.
• I went to my first book club to learn how readers talk to eachother about books (I’ve never had book friends, I just fangirl away in my head)
• I have walked along beaches and felt the sun on my face and eaten a lot of desserts, and spent a lot of time with the people I love.

Goals for the next month are about consistency and balance. I have two weekends away booked in, I’ve accepted that my schedule is very much not 9-5, and I’m thinking I might give NaNoWriMo a try.

Chapter two, I’m here and I’m ready for you. Let’s go.