Running dry

Or knowing when to stop

In the last 30 years I have always wanted to write. I get tingly fingers when I have ideas that need getting down on paper - or nowadays, onto a screen, as my writing has become increasingly illegible.

But this year two things have knocked me for six - firstly shingles. The rash disappeared in two weeks or so but the post viral fatigue was debilitating to say the least, and went on for ages. I knew I couldn’t write. I didn’t even try. But by May I got my writing head back on and oh, the relief!

And then my partner and I set off on a road trip in the camper van. We started off by visiting one of my brothers in Sussex (we went to Scotney Castle, above, which was amazing), and a long lost cousin in Suffolk; both visits were wonderful, but it was extra special to spend time with my cousin as we hadn’t met for over 50 years. It could have been awkward; after all, just because we’re related doesn’t mean that we might get on. But we did - and so well! Another avid reader, she has so many interests and experiences and also has a dog so we had fabulous walks and talked and talked and she took us on whistlestop tour of parts of Suffolk that made us long to go back. In better weather…

After that we explored East Anglia, then on to Stratford on Avon, then the Cotswolds, back to Cheddar and then, finally, home. The trip could have been difficult - after all, being locked up with your nearest and dearest plus a nervous dog in a van for a month has room for a lot to go wrong. But it didn’t, and we had such a variety of experiences, adventures and explorations that it’s taking me a while to process.

When we got back, it took me a while to adjust. Plus it’s been hot since we got back and my ongoing shingles pain flares up in the heat. And I haven’t felt able to even think about writing, or editing Book Four. (I received structural edits back from my editor before we left, and as always, a fair amount needs looking at.)

I’ve felt really downcast, but all my writing friends say leave it. You obviously need the break. It’s sunny - go for a swim! I have been, a lot…. so I’m giving myself time. Which for someone with a strict work ethic, is much harder than you might think, even in a heatwave.

But I’ve written this. And that’s a start….