Ten-Minute Blog Break - 7th January

Welcome back to all you word-wranglers and picture-makers, for a whole new year of blogging. Christmas and New Year is a time for both gazing back and looking forward, so we've got a mix of both on the Blog Break today.


Kathy Evans starts her festive blog with an apology - for not having had enough time to write during 2013. But in the midst of all her other responsibilities, "slowly something stirred in the space between words" and she has begun to furiously write a new book. Hooray!

Jane Heinrichs looks back on a super-successful 2013, and instead of making resolutions, picks a single word that encompasses her approach for 2014. I really like this idea and decided to plump for "do", meaning that I will get on and do stuff this year with minimal faffing around. I can't control what other people think of my work, but I can increase my opportunities by getting that work finished and out there!

A simple year-end round-up is clearly not enough for Notes from the Slushpile. Instead, we have 4 authors for the price of 1 as Teri Terry, Maureen Lynas, Candy Gourlay and Addy Farmer each give their highlights for the writing year that was.

Nicola Morgan greets the new year with a rather startling question: What does your existence do to the world? Nicola thinks that authors can make the world a better place and sets out an inspiring list of things she's doing in 2014 to make a difference.

One problem with New Year's resolutions is that outside events sometimes get in the way. Juliet Clare Bell blogs about how her plans to become more organised in 2013 were knocked off track by the sudden death of her mum, SCBWI member Margaret Storr. But 2014 (Clare assures us) will be a happier year, and her advice to herself to JUST DO IT! fits in very well with my new word for the year.

Sue Hyams had a pretty rubbish 2013 as well, but she transmutes that into a joyful list of intentions for 2014. Intensive reading, Tom Hiddleston fandom and experimental cookery? Sounds like it's going to be a memorable year!

Nick.


Nick Cross is a children's writer, blogger and all-round techno-ninja. In 2010 he was a winner of Undiscovered Voices with his zombie comedy Back from the Dead and currently writes short fiction for Stew Magazine.

This week on his blog, Nick wonders if writers have forgotten the Girl Power legacy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And, in case you missed it, he also posted another awesome archive ramble through The Museum of Me - Special Collector's Edition.

3 comments:

  1. I like how Sue managed to get Tom Hoddesdon into her resolutions! Happy and hopeful new year, everyone!

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  2. Fabulous New Year round up, Nick.
    I love the idea of a single word for the coming year my eldest posted hers here: http://nota9to5.wordpress.com/author/nota9to5/

    I'm very slow on the the uptake so I'm still thinking about mine...

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  3. Intrigued by slow stirrings and fast beginnings. Will look up the blog right now. Thanks as always, Nick.

    ReplyDelete

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