Thursday, November 27, 2008

Several decisions and a landmark reached

I have finally made my mind up and left the WriteWords site today. I was actually intending to cancel my account in March, but I logged in this morning and for the first time in ages had a look round - and then thought: no, enough is enough. It's time to leave on the grounds that it's all very worthy, I'm sure, but it no longer suits the amateur writer that I am. So that's done. And it feels both liberating and right - two states of mind not at all to be sniffed at, rare as they are in this oh-so-busy world. I wish them all the best in the future, naturally enough, but it's not for me.

In the meantime, here's today's meditation poem:

Meditation 10

The light
wipes out the fact of things

makes what is there
seem as if it is not

so that already
when I search for you

I know
you will be gone.


I've also made several unexpected submissions - something I've not done for a while. These include a short story to Espresso Fiction, another to First Edition Publishing, and four pieces of flash fiction to the University of Chester Flash Magazine. So I feel very decisive and will expect a series of the usual rejections any day now ... But, hell, at least I'm keeping my hand in, eh.

At the same time, another exciting landmark has been reached. I am now happily at just over 60,000 words in Hallsfoot's Battle, which is where I wanted to be by the end of November, hurrah! Hang up the bunting and crack open the champagne, people! It's a Celebration Day. And so beautifully timed with Thanksgiving too (I hope my US readers are having a wonderful day also ...). And, plot-wise, I've discovered something strange about Talus, the young boy who lives with Annyeke - it's an odd gift but I'm hoping it will come in useful later on in the battle (which surely has actually to start sometime now I'm halfway through the novel, ho ho ...). I just don't know how yet.

Tonight, I'm out in London seeing Jane W, so am looking forward to curry and chat. Though first I have to run the gauntlet of renewing my railcard at Godalming Station (never an easy task, it seems). Hmm, maybe I'd best set out soon, even though there's still two-and-a-half hours before the train departs? You never know how long it will take ...

Today's nice things:

1. Leaving WW
2. Poetry
3. Submitting stories
4. Reaching the Big 6-0 in Hallsfoot.
5. Seeing Jane W.

Anne Brooke
Anne's website - unusually decisive for a Thursday ...

24 comments:

Nik Perring said...

I've said it before, Anne - you'll be truly and sorely missed.

Nik XXX

Sarah Hilary said...

I'm sorry to see you leave WW, Anne, as you were a source of honest and generous support there. But if it feels right for you then that's the most important thing. I hope we'll keep in touch via blogs. xx

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear you're leaving WW - you really are loved and admired there for your wonderful writing and positive attitude, but I totally understand your reasons. Hope to keep in touch via FB and the blogs.

Hugs,
C xxx

Roger Morris said...

Hi Anne, just to reiterate what Nik, Sarah and Caro have already said, we will miss you. You were always a very generous and supportive member of the ww community, one of the first writers I encountered there, in the short story 2 group I think it was. You hooked me as a reader back then! If there isn't a place for you on WW then it's very sad.

Take care, RogX

Anonymous said...

Really sorry to hear you've left WW, and how can you call yourslf 'amateur'? You have so much experience - there is a long thread in the Lounge from members saying how much they have valued your contributions over the years.
All the best in current and future endeavors.

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Nik, as ever - but I am still here in the real world (as you know!) and also the scary cyberspace, so you still can't escape me, I fear!!

Sarah - much appreciated, and your blog is on my favs list and I promise to bring tea & cake when I knock on your virtual door ...

Caro - as above! Thank you - I'll try to snatch some cake from Sarah when I visit you on your blog - promise!

Roger - thank you also! However, as I am building up my Morris collected works section on the shelf nicely, I'm afraid you will be unable to escape me either! Be afraid, be very afraid ...

Naomi - thank you! Though I must admit to being amateur in the sense I want to stick to writing as I love it rather than from what it ... um ... doesn't earn me!

A big thank you to all, and to all at WW too - it's much appreciated. It just seemed the right time to downsize and begin to enjoy it all a bit more. Hope that makes sense, and thank you again for all your good wishes

Love & hugs galore

Axxx

E.G. said...

Sorry to see you leave, Anne. But I had quite a long break last year and it did me a lot of good, so I think I understand where you're coming from.

Emily

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Emily - I really appreciate that. Love & hugs to you!

Axxx

Cathy said...

Sorry you've left WW, Anne. I mostly lurk on there, but I now you will be much missed.

Cx

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Cathy! I'm still in cyber-world though - so not entirely gone!...

:))

Love & hugs

Axxx

Writer Girl said...

So so sorry you are leaving WW. I've enjoyed your poems and your advice. You are the one who always had a different refreshing view on things. Will miss you. WG

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks so much, WG - much appreciated!

Love & hugs to you

:))

Axxx

Jilly said...

best of luck with the submissions!

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Jilly!

Axxx

Anonymous said...

Anne, I'm really going to miss you on WW. But I'm a FB Friend of Flame Books and I hope to follow everything you've been up to whether you like it or not. :)

Luisa
x

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Luisa - I'm keeping a close eye on you too! Ooh, it must indeed be scary Friday ...

:))

Axxx

Poppy said...

Totally understand, Anne!!

Welcome to the weird world of Account Closedom . . . . . ;)

lots love, poppy x

(& see you on FB, of course)

Anne Brooke said...

Ooh, we'll have to form a support group, Poppy! Not that we actually need one of course ...

:))

See you on FB for sure!

Hugs

Axxx

Anonymous said...

I'm going to miss your wisdom and I'm sure will at some point be asking you for advice. I love your philosophy of writing what you love, that's what makes you brilliant.

I'll always remember our time in Novel I together, it probably my favourite moments on WW.

Wish you much continued success.

Alexandra

Anne Brooke said...

Gosh, thank you, Alexandra - that's very generous of you! Not sure I have any wisdom though, and I suspect you make your own!

:))

Love & hugs galore

Axxxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Anne

As far as I'm concerned something's gone wrong if you've had to leave.

Keep in touch and see you on VL.

Just want to echo all that about you giving a different and refreshing view of things. And an important one too, I think.

xxx

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Rosy - much appreciated. And as VL is on my favs list, you'll probably be seeing even more of me ... time for you to run to the hills!!!!....

:))

Axxx

Anonymous said...

Just caught up with this - sorry to see you go, Anne, but it's a personal thing and if you're not having fun any more then it's time to move on...temporarily at least. Hope all goes well for you.

BeckyC x

Anne Brooke said...

Thanks, Becky - lovely to hear from you!

Hugs

Axxx