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.