Well that's the last time I'll wish for snow... Beautiful, yes, stunningly so - but this is my third day of being snowed in (can't open the back door due to 18" frozen heaps {pictured} - can't get out of the terrace owing to 18" frozen drifts - can't use the little single track road because it has disappeared under a foot of frozen snow - can't walk on the pavements because they're solid ice...) and I'm BORED. Oh yes, this is be very careful what you wish for with knobs on!!!
On Tuesday and Wednesday we had 14" of snow (we measured it!) and on Thursday we were officially the coldest place in Britain at -18... Today the sky is blue and the snow is sparkling and glittering under the sun but showing no signs of melting. More snow is forecast for the weekend. This no longer fills me with gleeful anticipation. The cats have got cabin fever. The Toyboy Trucker is axle-deep somewhere in the wilds of Hertfordshire. And I'm b-o-r-e-d...
Of course this is the ideal opportunity to write The Way To A Woman's Heart like billy-o. And I am. Well, sort of. When I'm not searching for something to eat, or staring at the snow, or hugging a radiator. And I look like a bag-lady. Not that it matters as the cats don't care as long as I feed them regularly, and there's no-one else to see me... So, today's outfit is 1980s leggings, thermal socks, pretend-Uggs, The Toyboy Trucker's biggest sweater and a purple sequinned beanie. Nice.
Anyway, on a brighter note, 2010 has started well (weather apart) as my PLR statement - out this week and paid in Feb - was fabulous and well up on last year. PLR (info for non-writers only) stands for Public Lending Right and is money paid for the library borrowings of your books. They take a random selection of libraries each year and authors are paid a little over 6p for each time one of their titles is borrowed. My most-popular title last year was Heaven Sent with over 12,000 borrowings, but even my really early books are still being borrowed regularly and earning me money. Thank you to everyone who has borrowed and read them!!! I'm a huge supporter of libraries and am very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to bring in PLR for authors - it's a lifeline for so many of us.
I'm also featured in the Feb edition of Writers Forum which is out this month, have been signed up to do a session at Middlesborough Literary Festival in June, give an after-dinner talk at The Swanwick Writers Summer School in August, and take part in BBC Berkshire's Desert Island Discs show on February 18th.
So, I'm sitting here looking like a skip-hopper but (for once) feeling like a Proper Writer. All I need to do now is stop faffing and stop eating and stop staring - and WRITE!!!!
15 comments:
That all sounds really positive, Chris! Snow aside, of course! We have had more than we neeed too and it's making for a very busy time in work too! xx
Jayne - yep, thought of you telling everyone where they couldn't drive - probably ever again!!! But it is pretty...
This is my third day of being snowed in too - and it's v. cold - so I know what you mean! I'm cracking on with some writing (in between stocking up on comfort food of course!) and hoping to get to the library in the morning. I've noticed in the branch where I work that your books are extremely well borrowed :o)
Hehehe, yes I take a very deep breath before each bulletin!!!! But I agree, it is pretty :) x
You're right Christina - it looks lovely but not much fun when you have to go out in it - or can't go out because of it! We've not got as much snow as you have but it's bad enough!
Karen - bless you - thanks for telling me that people borrow my books. I'm sooo grateful for the PLR system - and mega congrats too - only just caught up with the news on your blog! How cool will it be when people borrow YOUR books!!! Oh, and yes, all I want to do is eat now too - and I was so determined to start my diet this week... sigh...
Jayne - been thinking that I've probably heard you loads of times when I've been up in your neck of the woods and tuned in to get traffic reports. Isn't that weird???
Jilly - the prettiness is beginning to pall here too. This is deep, deep snow for us, but even with the "other snow" we had before Christmas everything ground to a halt and had only just got going again. Can't believe how excited we all were on Tues night when it started - the whole terrace was out on the green playing in it - now we just want it to go - no pleasing us really, is there???
I am heartily sick and tired of the snow. We have had it for 3 weeks and I'm sick of slipping all over the place. The river Wear has frozen and getting around is a nightmare.
Well done on the PLR and I hope Toy Boy Trucker is back soon.
It's not been too bad here, of course, although the schools opened two days late causing problems for working mothers.
It all looks pretty, but I'm just hoping my daughter is able to come home tonight from her trip away with her dad, and my son and step-son are able to get back to uni.
Under the circumstances, I would keep thinking 'Middlesborough Literary Festival in June' because it has the word JUNE in it. Just imagine those warm rays and long days. In the meantime, hang on to that beanie!
You probably have, Chris! hehehehe A lot of my stations are North East ones now though....if you are still snowed in and still bored you can listen online if you wanted too (if you're really bored you can even listen to last weeks now on the iplayer!) lol Bet you're suddenly not bored and have found lots to do eh? Like tidy your sock drawer..... :P
Yay - can't wait for TWTAWH, might have to buy the paperback of Moonshine to tide me over. Found that magazine with your story in it again yesterday from 2007 - Trouble at the Tinkers Cuss - all I want to know is - did the May Day thing go ahead and where was Alice getting the money!!!!! Arrggh - hate not finding the last bit of a story!
Got about 6-7" on my driveway to the moment - deeper drifts in the yard,black shire trying to turn himself white by rolling in the snow!
Good luck with the writing and there is absolutley nothing wrong with looking like a bag lady as long as you are warm and comfy. at least your cats are not sitting on your neighbours frozen pond staring at the fish below the ice!!
Minus 18?? Brrrrrr ...
Yes, I think we've all had enough of it now. Hurry up, summer! xx
Colette - ooh, yes - I've had some Geordie winters too! We've thawed now - have you? TBT made it home - eventually...
Debs - bet you're basking in springlike weather by now and all returned to normal???
Martin - great idea. I'm thinking "June and sunsunshine" as we speak! Hopefully won't need the beanie in Middlesborough...
Jayne - er - sock drawer now really, really tidy!!!
alzamina - TWTAWH - ha-ha-ha! Sorry... You can't buy/read Moonshine twice - sadly - it doesn't count... Hope you/the pond have thawed out now...
Olivia - to be honest we didn't know it was minus 18 until the radio told us so. We were snug beneth duvet and umpteen cats. We're in plus figures now - hurray!!!
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