A Broad Abroad: Breakfast in Montevideo

When I moved from technical to creative writing, my original aim was to write about my travel experiences. My first book was going to be called A Broad Abroad. Somehow, fiction got in the way and eight years on, that book is still unwritten. However, I did make copious notes - and I thought I would share some of them in this year's monthly travel pieces.

There Is No Muse

I have written more than nineteen thousand words so far this year! And it’s only 19th January. So it would seem that I’m not having too much trouble keeping up with the 100K in 100 days challenge. But have I written nineteen thousand words of value; or nineteen hundred? Or even nineteen? Sometimes it’s hard to answer that questions - or anyway to answer it positively.

Elizabeth Chats With...Editor Des

[I'm very excited about this month's interview, which is a first in a number of ways. It's the first this year; it's my first overseas guest; it's the first time I've entertained an editor; and it's the first time I've interviewed a bear. No, not that bear; this one's even more special. I am delighted to welcome Editor Des, all the way from Australia.]

Planning to be a Pantser

I saw a post on Facebook last week about creativity. Like most of the things I read on the social media platforms, it was very transitory - it floated past my eyes along with messages about book launches, pictures of people enjoying their New Year celebrations, and clips of cute cats/dogs/platypuses (well, there was only one platypus, but it was really cute). So I’m ashamed to say that the author’s name didn’t register with me - and nor, for that matter did the words themselves. But the sentiment must have stuck - as I keep coming back to it. It was a pithy comment about writers needing to stop planning and just let go, to give creativity a chance. (If anyone recognises, the quote, do let me know, I'd love to read it properly.)