The only consistent thing in life is that it never stays the same! Back in June I left my job as an Activity Coordinator in a nursing home to better concentrate on my writing, and to be a bit more available for my kids. It took me a while for me to settle into life without set days to work, but I’ve so enjoyed the freedom of working when it suits, and the kids seem to have really thrived on the consistency of knowing I’m here to pick them up each day.
While the kids were at school/nursery I have been writing freelance blog posts and articles… on everything from krill oil to small town America. This has been fun, and my writing skills have enabled me to cover a wide range of topics, whilst also expanding my knowledge base! (What I don’t know about krill oil, after writing almost 30 different blog posts about it isn’t worth knowing!) I was even the featured Writer Success Story for Constant Content in June – you can read my interview with them here.
But, as you know, my real love is for stories, and while writing about nutritional supplements has kept some income coming in, and allowed me to hone my writing skills, it’s not my passion. Which is why my next news is so exciting for me! This is it: I have received Arts Council funding to write stories! Yes! Back in June I applied for a Developing Your Creative Practice grant, knowing how competititve the funding spots are, and promptly put all thoughts of it out of my mind (after writing the decision date in my diary with a tiny pinch of hope). But a week or two ago I heard the news that my application was successful and I’m receiving a grant!
So, my plan is for 12 months, from October 2022 (after settling my youngest at school. SCHOOL!) to September 2023 I am setting aside two days a week to work on flash fiction. My aim is to edit the novella-in-flash that I bashed out during NaNoWriMo in 2021 (I don’t think I even found time to blog about that whole crazy process…. perhaps that’ll come!) and to put together a collection of flash fiction. I’ll also be taking part in some flash fiction, and general writing, workshops and courses, and entering as many competitions as I can get my creative little fingers on. All funded by Arts Council England. I am still blown away by the opportunity, and feeling a bit daunted at the pressure of producing something that’s genuinely good, but they clearly have seen something in me worth investing in, and I’m going to really enjoy finally having some dedicated time to set aside for my story writing. Hooray!
And I get to use this little logo:
Lose Yourself Books 