Traditionally, looking back on the past year

Having just found the notes I made most mornings through 2011, it's fairly amazing that I was not more unhappy than I actually was twelve months ago and through to the middle of July.

When you're in a difficult situation that just keeps getting worse, there really does come a time to call it quits. So many people were being lovely and supportive and a tiny few others (they know who they are and do not need naming here) behaved absolutely despicably. Thankfully, I no longer have to see them or speak to them.

Anyway, that part of my life has been successfully closed off and I look on the past few months with a sense of awe.

When I met Paul Archer of Burning Codes at the end of November, it was as if someone had suddenly put into words and music the way I was feeling. His music has the qualities of great classical music, with a spirituality encased within it and flowing from it. It was an interesting article to research and write and I hope the final printed version evidences some of what I feel.

Although working on some of the projects with AB has been 'challenging' at times, the team in the office always make it fun and bring some light-relief. And there's always one of us to make tea when it's needed. Less said about the cakes the better, but Tory completely hit the moment right with her gift of party cakes one particularly difficult day.

At the same time, I've been carving my own niche within the business community of Hitchin. It's not easy and I don't expect to be a millionaire any time soon, but life's about more than money. I want to make a contribution to this community and living in the town centre does make that significantly easier.

I've been accepted onto the training course to be a Community First Responder and am looking forward to beginning that in February or March.

Who knows what else 2012 will bring. I've splashed out on my first ever big New Year's Eve bash and in just over an hour I'll be heading off to what used to be the Hermitage Ballroom to hear The Rhythm Kings and to join with 300 people to see out 2011.

May 2012 bring you all you deserve and may you be the best that you can be.

Work and home come together

Bizarrely, I've been working on a couple of articles about how Royal Mail delivers flowers so that they arrive fresh and undamaged. Then, today, I received my own floral card (a thank you from my parents for Christmas) through the post. It's beautiful:

Now I can see for myself what a good job the suppliers and postmen do between them. Odd when two parts of your world collide. Sometimes it's easy, as a writer, to be detached from your subjects and that's a good thing. At other times, there's a synergy which is out of your own control.

Back into the real world - but it still feels like a holiday

I read this on the BBC website.

A few years ago, I read an article about the health benefits of green tea and I've been drinking it ever since. Now, this research proves what I've always known, which is that a healthy diet can have long-term benefits.

It was brought home to me recently by someone reminding me that I've been vegetarian longer than I was a carnivore. It's now more than 28 years since I ate my last roast chicken and coming up for 28 years since I ate the last piece of fish. It was a particularly memorable New Year's Day celebration with good friends. Just one look at the face of the salmon put me off fish for life (well, for nearly 30 years so far!)

So, I am beginning a list of goals for the next 12 and a bit months before I hit 50. There are not many things I haven't done(!), but enough. Luckily, my list of things to do before I hit 30 included the London to Brighton bike ride, so that's not one to add now. Before I hit 40 I climbed the Three Peaks of Britain and walked five marathons (never again for the latter, definitely).

This new list will probably be more cerebral than physical and I'm happy to take suggestions ...

Christmas Eve with the family

I am fortunate in having Mum and Dad to stay for Christmas and we met up with my brother and his family today in Hitchin. The three youngest grand-children HATED having this photo taken, but they don't get together very often, so it had to be done.

'The Selecter' at Hertford Corn Exchange

Tonight's gig was absolutely electric. Having seen the band at an outdoor gig in Enfield earlier in the year, I went along only to see the bass player, an old friend.

Boy, was this a different gig. Everyone seemed focused and passionate. A really tight band, all listening to each other and looking at each other. There was a passion and an aggresion about all of the songs that had been missing in the summer.

It was a fairly entertaining event, people-watching in the audience. Men of a certain age, few women but all of them there for the music and loving it. The bar did a roaring trade in Jagerbombs and shots: audience on a mission for fun.

At one point, Pauline Black refused calls for one of the old classics: "Do we look like a tribute band?" The bulk of the tracks were from the new album (you remember albums, right? vinyl?) and they really kicked.

Last day in the AB offices until 2012

Lisa, Sacha and I had a productive day in the office. I left at 7pm and Lisa was still there until nearly 11pm. Lots done, but none of it that was on our original To Do lists.

At least we managed to get a Christmas lunch at the pub around the corner. A break helped make the afternoon pass more quickly.

A very positive couple of visits

I spent last night and this morning out at Royal Mail sites, interviewing people working on Tracked mail going through Princess Royal distribution centre and then Pizza Hut leaflets at Swindon walk bundling centre.

They really are an interesting group of people. It's amazing how someone who's worked somewhere for 40 years can be so negative about the business and then refuse to be quoted on it. I suspect he's someone who's very proud of the history of the business and wants it pickled in aspic.

Nothing stays the same and that can be quite disorientating for some people.

Everything has become more simple with the introduction of a fully-functioning PC on my desk. Now with two screens, so I can multi-task more effectively. Getting home to be able to complete everything swiftly has altered my working life significantly.

Yummy, yummy, yummy

Crumbly Wumbly cup cakes from The Best of Hitchin. Thanks, Louise and Keith!

An electric fire surrounded by real logs

There is something quintessentially English about this picture. I have the convenience of an electric fire that roars beautifully and pushes out heat, but I like to pretend that it needs the logs for fuel.

Of course, the logs come in useful elsewhere in the house, but they do look fabulous, filling the fireplace.

Two reviews to write

The Bancroft Players have been producing so much recently, beginning with The Crucible at the end of November.

I then went to see the film premier of 'Mocha Do About Nothing' last weekend, which was excellent. Then 'The Boy Who Stole Christmas Day' on Friday evening. Bother were good in different ways and both funny. Great entertainment.

Both recent performances need reviews writing and I managed to get one written this evening. It never takes as long as you think it's going to.

A new string to my bow from 2012

Photography. It used to be a passion but the change from film to digital left my equipment out of date and few enough funds to replace it. Now I've realised that I have a perfectly decent Nikon that will take good pictures for now and if I learn to use that effectively, I could get some shots to earn some additional money.

The whole stock images area seems to be worth exploring and a video I watched today gave me a few insights into how best to proceed.

The days between Christmas and New Year might be a useful opportunity to learn the intricacies of the camera in more detail and to see what I can produce. It will certainly be a lot easier with the new PC to upload them onto.

Maybe we'll have a white Christmas!

Three hours of snow and really, quite a disappointing settling rate. Nevertheless, first snow at our new home.

A great MOB gig

The Mike O'Neill Big Band (as opposed to the sextet we call mini-MOB) performed better than ever tonight.

Knights Templar school in Baldock was a somewhat austere venue, but the audience was suitably appreciative and everyone played well. It was particularly lovely that Florence was able to pick up a trumpet and join in for the second set. Must get a photo next time.

Taking the plunge into a new PC

I fail to understand how I have managed for the last seven years on a slow PC with a tiny monitor. As of next Tuesday, all will be improved!

I'm going for two screens and - apparently - a 'Ferrari' system. Anything has to be better than this PC, which takes at least 30 minutes to get going in the morning (even I'm not that slow!) and crashes periodically. Usually while something important is on the scr

(just joking!)

So, I have spoken to a very nice man, who is going to build me exactly what I want, install it and transfer everything across. The next job will be to take a sledge-hammer to this box. Although, to be fair, it has served me very well for seven years.

Photographic evidence to follow.

I'm not going to make a fuss, when everything else is going well

I had been quite looking forward to a night out with a friend tonight. He decided to cancel at 3pm and I'm actually really disappointed. I won't let it get to me.

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet'

Awoke this cold, December morning to find my rose blossoming beautifully in the corner of my garden. Given to me about three years ago by a very good friend, it's lovely to see it thriving in its new home.

Finally sorted out my PC and completed mega-feature

Having deleted oodles of junk from my PC and run a full scan, I find it working significantly better. It just needed some TLC, it would appear.

Which left the 3,000 word feature on Paul Archer and his solo Burning Codes project to complete. Lots of listening to CDs, trawling the internet to back-up facts from more than once source and I got there.

Finally sent it off with an invoice and now can't wait for it to be published.

Mocha do about Nothing

Enjoyed the premier last night of a Hitchin film, starring lots of Hitchin people, in locations that were easilt recognisable. A very pleasant evening with Louise Yexley and lots of friends and acquaintances.

For me, the absolute best moment was when an ex-boyfriend (some 25 years ago!) told me I was looking good. Admittedly, I had spent more than my usual three minutes in preparation, but it's always nice to have a compliment.

I've created a QR code, but don't know where to use it yet.

Had I known that this was so easy, I'd have done it months ago.

Sadly, it just brings you here, so that's a little pointless at the moment. Now it exists, I can put it anywhere!

Nightmare PC issues

What a day. USB stick failed at client's offices, then trains suffering massive delay and a late arrival home to find my PC had died.

Fortunately, I managed to revive it long enough to back-up documents, which took until gone 11pm. So, no chance (STILL!) to write the article that needs writing ASAP. New PC on the list now.

A day by the fire, NOT writing what I should be.

It's freezing cold outside, so I've stoked up the fire once more in my office. Toasty. However, calls on my time have distracted me from the actual job in hand. So, back to it now.

I've stocked up on Waitrose treats and hope to be able to break the back of this job. How many words can I write in the next two hours?

I seem to have beaten the curse of November.

There is no evidence to support my previous hatred of November, or to believe that it was somehow 'unlucky' for me. Nevertheless, it seems that the bad stuff that has happened to me has usually taken place in the depths of Autumn.

Looking back, I've fallen out with friends, lost boyfriends, given up jobs on a whim because of some affront that I cannot even remember. Now I think I probably brought some stuff on myself, simply be dreading the month.

I know why it is - my birthday is in January and I have always LOVED Christmas so December is a good month. November just doesn't seem able to live up to those expectations.

However, 2011 seems to have broken the mould. I've been busier with work than I could have possibly hoped for and may have rekindled (albeit slowly and minutely and with no actual manifestation) my love-life. I've done a couple of really good gigs and begun to get properly settled into my new house.

One downside? I didn't get far with National Novel Writing Month. Just too much work that I was actually enjoying as much as writing my novel.

I didn't dare mention the improvement during November itself, but now feel able to do so. It feels good and if you - kind reader - had anything to do with it, then thank you.

Winter hits home

There was only one thing to be done today, as I sat at my desk. Calls to make and articles to write. My house is lovely, but I now realise that stripped floor-boards, whilst attractive, allow huge drafts to blow through the house. So this was the view from my desk today:

All in all, a fairly productive day. Still plenty to be done, but I'd be worried if I had ever finished everything. Off to network now and then braving the trains into London tomorrow. Scarf and gloves, definitely!

A blast from my past

While sorting out Christmas boxes to decorate the house, I found this:

In the box, along with the master tape (yes, TAPE) of my demo from 1990, was the track listing and a set of lyrics.

I cannot throw the tape away, but nor will I ever be able to use it. A strange situation. It's probably just as well that the technology no longer exists to play it, because I don't really think it was any good. Nevertheless, it's part of my musical past and actually quite reassuring to know that I've never binned it.

'The Crucible' at Queen Mother Theatre - youth, but not kids

The latest production by Big Spirit, directed by Rory Reynolds, is 'The Crucible'. Tonight was the last night and I partly went to see it as my son had a small part.

I was impressed with the maturity of the cast (including my own Freddie) and their ability to maintain the darkness of the text. It really was an outstanding production: simple costumes, little make-up and a sparse set. They relied on the words - and the way those words were conveyed - to carry the whole drama. I've read the play with students and seen it performed many times, but the ending was still shocking and disturbing.

There was a parallel to the film I reviewed last week - how far can Joh Proctor be pushed in this case, and how will he finally respond? Principles and their application gives food for thought. I guess that's what Arthur Miller was going for when he wrote the play.

Want to know what I write?

People often ask me what I actually write. Here's a good example. It's an article I wrote for Royal Mail about their Door to Door service (which, I have to say, is very impressive!). It's a real team effort and I so enjoyed interviewing these people.

Click here to read the article

Open mic at The Old White Horse in Baldock

A new open mic slot in Baldock. Hugely enjoyable. Didn't play for long enough, butit was good to listen to others.

Very pleasant jazz gig - loads of standards

Mini-MOB took to the Kings Arms in Hitchin again tonight. Rhythm section lead by Mike O'Neill, with Thomas on bass and John on drums. Front line me on alto, James 'Youth' Harold on trombone and Dave Marks on trumpet. A nice gig that'll never make me rich but is very entertaining to play.

There are some people that you just sound great with, and I love working with Dave and Youth.

The set was all standards, with Nicki Lawrence singing a few along the way. She has an amazing voice and it's great to play behind her.

Tenor player Laurie turned up and did a couple after the break, largely to prepare for his music college audition on Friday. He'll do fine. All in all, a lovely gig and the punters seemed to like what we were doing.

Oh, the joys of working with professionals

Having spent a couple of hours at my desk this morning, I then trudged around the M25 to Romford, then onwards to Croydon. Final interviews at Royal Mail's mail centre and home soon after 9pm. It was a long day, made bearable by working with photographer Justin Grainge. I interviewed, then he snapped.

It's an interesting project - with goalposts moving daily and the occasional wicket being thrown in for good measure. What we'll end up with is eight pages of photo-led features that focus very much on front-line staff. It's very much a team effort, with designers putting it all together back at the agency. I'm actually excited about seeing the final version in print.

The best jobs use teamwork and I think we'll end up with something to be proud of.

'No smoke' - local film poses an interesting conundrums

Sue Shearing's latest film 'No Smoke' makes us question how far we can be pushed. An interesting film and I hope it does well for her. Read my full review here.

The start of Advent - I honestly thought it was next week!

Well, I was caught short by talk about the First Sunday in Advent on the radio this morning. Because Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, I thought that would count as the fourth Sunday. Apparently not.

Usually, this is the weekend when Florence, Freddie and I would get all the Christmas decorations, cards etc out and start decorating the house. It does feel strange not to have Florence around and maybe that's one reason why we're behind.

So, Wednesday will be the day to do it. End of November and then the run-up to Christmas begins with a vengeance.

Today, I had a real flashback to a moment in 1991, when I sat with Harry Connick Junior (I arranged the seating plan, so why not?) for the premiere of 'Memphis Belle'. During the film, he sings 'Danny Boy' and it's a great arrangement. In church today, we sang a hymn to the same tune and I came over all emotional. My life was very different then to how it is today!

What a great interview - just needs writing up now ...

Spent a couple of hours this afternoon interviewing Paul Archer, of Burning Codes. What an interesting man and I felt a great empathy for him and his intentions. 3,000 words need to be written in the next few days, whilst listening to the albums.

'Musical Connections' review goes online

I enjoyed writing this review.

Saying farewell - four months late

Tonight was the leaing do for a colleague who left school at the same time as I did in July. Such a joy to meet old friends I haven't seen for months. In some ways a difficult event, but made pleasurable by the people who were there.

Is online the way forward?

Most of my work now seems to be published online. Not a bad thing, but not the same as having physical representations of what I have achieved. Interesting times.

Publishing online also shrinks timescales considerably. What I write today can be read by anyone tomorrow. And it can't be turned into chip paper.

Prioritising - getting it right

After six years as a teacher, where my every moment was dictated by a timetable of 25 hours every week, plus form times and meetings carefully(!) scheduled, I'm finding the freedom of freelancing entirely liberating.

Attaching priorities to tasks isn't always easy, but I've been asking my clients to rank each piece they give me, with deadlines. Even if those deadlines shift.

Being a writer and sitting at my desk is fulfilling and knowing that I am supplying my clients with what they need makes it worth getting out of bed in the morning.

I may never get another day 'off sick' in my life, but I may never need it, if I continue to prioritise effectively and manage the stress.

Love, love, love finding out how something works

There's a process within Royal Mail whereby all that junk mail (which, by the way, keeps the business alive, so isn't junk at all) is processed from arrival from the printer to bundling ready for YOUR postman (and mine) to deliver.

It's quite amazing, yet satisfyingly simple.

Three hours of learning how someone else does their job and how people fit together into a team. Truly satisfying.

Now to write it up for Courier and myroyalmail.com

Lunch with friends and an afternoon's work

A satisfying day. Combining work with pleasure and managing to be effective.

The Best of Hitchin blog - new post

The best of Hitchin - m' latest blog.

Children in Need - so many people doing good

Having hit Hemel Hempstead at 9:30am, the rest of the day was spent interviewing people around the country who are raising money for Children in Need. From shaved heads and mammoth static cycling events, there's so much going on and it's inspiring!

Another networking session

At the crack of dawn today, I hit the networking ground running. Another session with the local chapter of BNI. I'm still not convinced of the best format for me, but absolutely certain that regular networking is essential to my business.

Wherever I choose to commit myself, I shall throw myself in whole-heartedly and give as much as I possibly can. This week has been so busy that I haven't been able to give it much thought, but something a little more regular in January would be good.

The best thing about my job - interviewing people doing THEIR jobs

I'm exhausted, but so content. It's great to be invited into people's workplaces and to ask them questions about doing their jobs. Even when going through great change, many of them are still fiercely loyal to their employer.

After going to two different sites today, I have pages and pages of notes that are going to need to be crafted into some cohesive whole.

Fame at last!

When you search the net for James Berry and his Snowman stamp from 1966, this is now one of the first items you find:

Community training and enterprise team

Having had a tough day in London and then a train ride and a walk, the last thing I wanted was to sit in a meeting.

But, once again, life threew me a surprise. There's a great group of people in Hitchin who want to get behind a Training and Enterprise shop. We could do some real good with young people and with business start-ups of all ages. I'm volunteering along with 20 or so others and we could really do some good to energise the business environment in the town - and beyond.

'No Smoke' - a thought-provoking film

I spent an interesting evening in Welwyn Garden City watching the new Sue Shearing film 'No Smoke'.

A drama based on a true story, the film is the terrifying tale of a journalist who hesitates and then reports what she sees as a potential terrorist attack. Her world is swiftly turned on its head and, although predictable in places, the end was definitely not so. How much of it was real is hard to know, but almost certainly not the whole thing.

I daren't leave the house without TWO notebooks now

Despite the fact that it's the weekend, I am loathe to wander far without my personal notebook (which goes everywhere anyway) but also my work one.

The phone might ring at any moment and a client needs something contained in the notebook or I need it to write something down. I've learned the hard way not to mix the two!

A 'Jazz Night' is NOT the same as a private party

Tonight, I was booked to play at a private party. The pay was pitiful but I thought it would be stress-free and fun.

Turns out, tickets were sold to a Jazz Night and I was the soloist. Not the same thing at all. In the break, there was no food, no drinks and not even a chair to sit on. I was not happy!

So, if you're booking a band, please tell them the truth about what they're there for and treat them with some respect.

Taking advice from Americans

Having signed up for a teleconference with an American Writers' site, I was unable to listen in, because I got the times wrong. However, I've now found it online.

The guy gave some good advice about writing and marketing and it has - unfortunately or fortunately - turned my thinking around about my business.

The good thing is that it's particularly helped me to focus in on my LinkedIn profile, which I've now spent a couple of hours improving.

I do believe in networking, but maybe social networking online can also help me if I do it right. I've been a blogger and tweeter for a couple of years and now it's time to ramp it up a bit.

More networking - my elevator pitch is improving

I was told many years ago to have an 'elevator pitch' to sell myself within about 60 seconds and I'm finally getting it. It's been helped by another networking breakfast this morning, followed by a few hours at my desk and then another networking cuppa this afternoon.

It's very definitely still work in progress, but I'm hoping that by the next networking session on Thursday 17th, I'll have it nailed.

Working with photographers

Well, what a nice bunch of people photographers are!

I've needed to use a few in the last couple of months and I've found them all so accommodating and understanding - especially of my vague and sometimes confusing briefs.

The guys I've used are probably not the cheapest, but their results have been great. Now, if I could only persuade one of them to point a lens at me when I'm not looking my worst ...

NaNoWriMo causing authors sleepless nights

Firstly, let me state for the record that my contribution to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) should worry no genuine novelists. I do not now and never have claimed to be a fiction writer. But I do like a challenge.

1,667 words per day, every day through November. I have to confess to being a little behind, but I will catch up.

It's not great literature, though, and it will probably never be read by anyone else.

So far, I've walked the Three Peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, cycled from London to Brighton and walked the Moonwalk Marathon (did that one five times before I finally got the message that it was HARD). So, I do like a challenge, but my days of those challenges being physical is behind me - I do like my creature comforts too much.

So, the idea of writing a chunk of fiction every single day for a mont is within my capacity. The trouble is, that the real world sometimes gets in the way. I WILL catch up and I WILL finish it, but real novelists need not be concerned.

Definitely need a new profile picture

Considering I know several photographers (professionals and amateurs), it is ridiculous to have such a poor quality profile picture. Must get on the case next week.

'Bah, Humbug!' today!

Don't mean to be a killjoy but I just don't get fireworks. It's not for me, standing around in the cold - particularly if someone charges me a small fortune to do so - craning my neck to look at lights in the sky. Off to listen to some live music instead, I am afraid.

What a day!

That was one of those full-on days that don't come along often. Thank Heavens!

Train into London, bus to AB and then a day working on articles for various clients. A curved ball thrown unceremoniously at me, which has become a mission: I suspect that mission will go on some time.

My mission (and I chose to accept it) was to track down theman (now) who in 1966 drew a snowman that won him the Blue Peter/Post Office Christmas stamp design competition. He was six then, so would now be 50 or 51. Can I find him? Can I 'eck.

There are lots of James, Jim, Jimmy, Jamie and J Berrys in the world and none of them seems to have made this his claim to fame.

Will I let this absence of evidence beat me? I will not. Next week is another week and if it's possible to track James Berry down, then I shall do it!

Interesting networking sessions

Two very different - and both very interesting - networking sessions today.

The first, at just after 6:30am was highly organised and professional and would clearly be of benefit to my business.

The second, over lunch, was much less pressured but possibly, potentially equally beneficial.

I can't join both organisatons and yet there were things I would take from each. There's certain plenty to think about.

This much I know: there are some really excellent businesses locally that I would love to work with. A lot that I could work with productively.

If I see another errant apostrophe, I may scream!

Don't let anyone tell you that the education of our children is getting worse.

It is amazing how many grown adults fail to insert apostrophes in the correct places, and randomly insert them before the letter 's' with abandon. Web sites abound with the smattering of random punctuation and it's beginning to get on my nerves.

At my going rate, it would cost around £50 for me to eradicate every grammatical error from most web sites. Is that a service I can market? Possibly not by pointing out my potential clients' ignorance.

At 06:45am tomorrow I must prepare to market myself to some illustrious businessmen. Where do I start? Not by insulting their education, probably. It definitely needs some thought. Particularly as 12 noon sees me doing the same thing in front of some illustrious businesswomen. A stressful day to plan for.

I love that London can still hold surprises

I have been travelling in and out of London for more than 30 years and yet there are still parts that manage to surprise me. By chance, I had forgotten that Blackfriars station was shut, so I had to hurriedly exit the District Line tube at Temple and walk along to Southwark.

Suddenly, I came across this plaque on the Embankment.

It turns out that W T Stead was a well-respected journalist who created tabloid journalism in the 1890s. I love the fact that he almost certainly knew Oscar Wilde and would be so pleased to find proof that they had met.

Anyway, he died on Titanic, which is coming up for the centenary of its launch and demise in April next year. I'm so glad that I saw this and took a photograph of it. He sounds like an inspirational and interesting character.

Now there's a plan

This is the photo that forms the basis for my novel. Starting tomorrow, I'm writing 1,667 words (approximately) a day, to reach the target of 50,000 by 30 November.

The words 'Good Luck' spring to mind!

Some upsetting news - or is it?

I was really disappointed to hear that the guy appointed to a job I was interviewed for last year (I was "a close second", apparently) has chucked it in. Maybe it's fate, though. If I'd been appointed, I'd have stayed and would not, now, be enjoying my new freelance life.

So, what was at first upsetting is, actually, water off a duck's back. Take me back a few months and I'd still make the decisions that I have. They were - and remain - the right ones. This is an exciting time and I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Planning for National Novel Writing Month

Everyone may, indeed, have a novel in them, but I'd like to get mine out now. In fact, it feels like I've got two novels in me: one that is going to take a little longer to write and the one I'm going to do for www.nanowrimo.org this November.

The idea is to write 50,000 words in 30 days and it's always good to have a target.

Before 1 November comes along on Tuesday, I need to have a plan and it's beginning to formulate, but it's really not there yet. Three days to go and I've no idea of characters or themes. Plenty to do tomorrow and Monday and then start the actual writing on Tuesday.

Even the title has changed three times. I'm trying to avoid cliches, but finding that as difficult as anything else. I'm going to plump for a working title, get the actual writing done and then the editing will probably take another couple of years!

So. Working title is 'Up against it'. Main character is Julia adn that's about all I've got so far. Not a Booker prize winner, probably. But maybe a start.

This takes me back ... a LONG way.

A good friend (and fellow writer) is a keen Style Council fan and he found the split-second-blink-and-you'll-miss-me moment when I filled the screen on The Tube in November 1983. 28 years ago. I was totally starstruck, not by the band, but by meeting Jools Holland, Paula Yates and Paul Young back-stage. Little did I know that the Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders who were pretending to be fans would become so famous.

The value of networking

I am beginning to realise the true value of networking to my business and to myself.

Networking is something I really didn't have time for in my previous life as a writer. Nor the need - business seemed to come to me and it was easy once I had a couple of big contracts to just keep them going. The choice to then train as a teacher meant that simply making a couple of phone calls, lining up an interview and then applying for the Graduate Training Programme was all I had to do.

Networking for teachers usually turns into a negative competition of whose school is run by the most ineffective leadership team.

Since September, I have begun to make contact with more people. A wide variety of people. Not only has it helped me to forge connections that may help my business in the longer-term, but it has also - and probably most importantly - helped me to focus closely on what I am doing, how I'm going to make it happen and what the next steps are.

As the end of my second month as a freelancer approaches, my sense of direction has improved immeasurably.

Chatting on the top deck of the number 63

Heading towards Kings Cross from Southwark on the number 63, I was thrown into conversation with the woman sitting next to me. The bus was packed and at the back were four girls who were being very loud and obnoxious. Their discussions centered around the drinking, their sex lives and which other girls they could bitch about.

Neither I nor the woman next to me turned around, but we were both shocked when the girls passed us to descend the stairs at Farringdon station. They were in school uniform and probably no more than 15.

Turns out, the woman sitting next to me was a music teacher at a school and our ensuing conversation centered around how many fantastic students we had each taught who would have been ashamed by the girls' behaviour on board that bus. It made me quite nostalgic for the classes of students that I have left behind.

I can name at least a handful of students from most of the classes I've taught, in all years. Sometimes it's the naughty ones I remember: the ones with a spark and signs of creativity. Square pegs in round holes, many of them. Several of them now doing much better out of school than they ever did within its walls.

Talking to that woman on the bus reminded me of why I went into teaching. It was absolutely for the right reasons and there were equally valid reasons why I left. That doesn't stop me remembering the students that I helped onto their learning journey in those six years.

A new blog - the joys of networking

The Cuppa Connect networking morning was immensely enjoyable and I certainly discovered a great deal about local business.

See my blog on www.thebestofhitchin.com

I want to see 'Anonymous' with an open mind.

On the day that the film 'Anonymous' premieres, I took a visit to the site of the original Globe Theatre. Met some lovely Americans who were doing the same thing. Although the new Globe is fabulous, there's something about being on the spot where those plays wot Shakespeare wrote were first performed.

Making the most of my family

Too many people I know have lost loved ones recently. I'm making the most of mine, having had two days with Flo back home from uni to visit her friends, and now a weekend in Poole with my parents.

Amazing weather in Poole at the end of October

Sometimes the weather is just amazing. This time ten years ago, I flew into Denver airport to visit friends in Colorado. Thick snow lay on the ground and more came down overnight. The next day, the sun shone brightly and temperatures soared. Not quite as a dramatic in Poole today, but certainly notably - and delightfully - warm.

Cuppa and Connect

Really enjoyed the networking session at The Vic in Hitchin this morning. A good opportunity to meet new people and make connections to some of the great businesses in the town.

Courier, October 2011

Lots to be proud of. Interviews, photographers briefed, sources and facts checked. Writing, writing, writing.

A new service to offer.

One of the ideas brewing comes from the latest 'Town News' from Hitchin Initiative. They're intending to offer a Community Enterprise and Training Shop and it strikes me that a key contribution that I could make would be in helping people write their CVs.

I've helped several people this year (as last year, and previous years) to write their Personal Statements for university applications. It never ceases to amaze me that highly intelligent people find it so hard to talk about their own achievements.

Some of us are guilty of arrogance and some of a very real lack of confidence. Honesty and considered detail are probably the answer, although some CVs I've seen recently are far too long-winded.

Having now downloaded Alan Sugar's 'The CV', my reading for the week is sorted.

Work/life balance. Check.

One day with Jon in last week, getting bits done that I really couldn't manage and some effort from me and now the house is starting to look really good.

Andy came and attacked the old Holly tree with a chainsaw and it's really opened up the flower bed.

I spent yesterday decorating my downstairs toilet and today tidying up the garden, sorting pots etc. All ready for a distressing funeral tomorrow and then another few trips into London for AB.

I'm loving the balance between getting the house as I want it, spending time with Fred and working hard. I'm enjoying writing and playing so much more, when I'm not squeezing it in between marking and planning lessons.

My aim for the train journeys tomorrow is some serious editing of my novel. The first 12,000 words is written and it needs tidying up and more direction before adding to it.

Fond memories of kind neighbours

For 17 years I lived next door to Bryan and Muriel and they were so supportive through some difficult times. They have sadly both passed on now but I have such fond memories of them.

This week, I was fortunate in being able to collect some momentoes from their home before it's sold. It's amazing to have some of their possessions in my new home.

One of the many reasons I love going into London - sights like this.

St Paul's on a hot day with the storm clouds gathering.

The Hilsax Quartet comes through

A good gig with Mike, Thomas and John today. Out at a mansion in the depths of Hertfordshire. Lovely people, lunch and bar. We played four hours of standards and it was just lovely. I'd managed to get my pad sorted during the week, so I was armed with everything in the right key. Always a bonus!

Interesting interview with Paul at Harvey's

A crazy week

Well, despite everything thrown at me, I survived this week. Monday - collected Flo from Gatwick when the M23 was shut. Tuesday - took Flo to Manchester to Uni and had a car-full to transport up four floors in a tiny lift. Wednesday and Thursday were productive days at AB in London, interviewing and writing. Friday - up at 2am to drive to East Midlands Airport and back before another day at AB.

So, complete exhaustion but pretty much all successfully achieved.

My first blog for The Best of Hitchin

Proud of this. It may just be the pleasant weather, but there's something afoot in Hitchin and it felt like the time to start writing for The Best of Hitchin.

The first publication in six years

Although I only helped in the final proofing stages, there were bits I wrote and bits I helped source. So, I'm happy that Courier, September 2011 has appeared for Royal Mail employees and that I had a hand in it.

One door opens, and another slams in your face ...

It's been an interesting few days and I am well into my freelance career. I know that I have enough income to last me to the end of October, assuming that I get no more work than that already booked in. Which is - hopefully - the worst-case scenario.

I do, however, have real promise of some good quality work in the New Year. Christmas may just be a little quiet!

At least it's not boring out here in the real world. It does feel strange, to no longer have a day dictated by a timetable. There is such an opportunity to be spontaneous and creative, although I am already missing the classroom banter with teenagers.

A new start begins today

Today is my first day without the safety blanket (or security cushion, or some such) of a teacher's salary. My freelance writing career needs to flourish once more and I'm on the case this morning to ensure that it does so. Ventured. Gained. Today is the day for renewing contacts and pursuing all avenues to find creative and interesting work that will pay the mortgage, the bills and satisfy my intellect. The only way to start this new stage of my life is with a quote from Oscar Wilde: "On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure."

Business Plan Complete!

I have finally managed to piece together a business plan. It's been an interesting process, forcing me to make decisions about a way forward, while acknowledging that having a map doesn't force one to stick to it. Who knows what new directions might be offered?

The end of one phase of my teaching career has seen good A level and GCSE results from my students. More A and A* grades than I have ever produced before and that is immensely rewarding.

At the same time, there is some sadness that Bryan Fletcher, my erstwhile neighbour at Blackhorse Lane, has passed on. He gave love and support to us all over the years and it will be an end of an era to attend his funeral next week. We have a lovely photo of him and Muriel with Florence and Freddie in their garden to remember them by.

August has been a strange month, with Florence achieving A level grades to get her into Futureworks at Manchester and Freddie seeming to mature as he prepares to begin his GCSE courses. And now it's raining hard.

Who knows what September will bring?

Business Plan Begun!

Much of yesterday was spent feeling positive because I was working on my business plan. Combined with smugness because I (a) gave blood myself and (b) held Florence's hand (literally) while she gave blood.

The business plan is starting to take shape, although the 'boring' book I've been reading didn't exactly inspire me. Now the inspiration is coming from Levi Roots' 'You can get it if you really want': clear business ideas combined with a real passion.

A day off today, heading for sight-seeing and shopping in Cambridge, but I'm also looking around for further inspiration.

Making a positive start

August has become my transition month. Moving from teacher to copywriter and tutor is taking some organising, but the return to a freelance existence feels like progress.

I have begun to form a mission statement and profile. The next stage is to produce a Business Plan and the putting-off cannot continue.

At the same time as all this, we have moved into our new home and each room is beginning to take shape. Now that the garage is cleared and fit for purpose, it feels as if the junk can be separated away from the necessary and sorted in its own time. Organisation seems the order of the day - reading Julian Richer's 'The Richer Way' has certainly helped me gain some focus.

My portfolio career begins here ...

Life has thrown so many opportunities my way: now they are coming together and my aim is to communicate effectively and help others to do the same. Words and music have always been at the heart of my existence, but this is the first time that I have felt a real connection between the two.

For the last six years, I have been teaching English and Media Studies and ignoring my own writing and - until recently - my musical skills.

If I can be creative in my own communication and help others through freelance writing and tutoring, then I know I shall be happier and more fulfilled.