Mhairi Simpson

Wow. Well, so far 2014 has got off to a flying start. The biggest and best thing, as far as I’m concerned, is that I have written just over 15,600 words this week. It has been a wonderful week for writing and definitely a great way to start the year. The lovely thing about all these words, apart from, hello, WORDS, is that I actually completed a short story. Yup, about 11.5k of those 15.6k is all one story, which has already gone off to a friend of mine who is good with these things so she can tell me if it’s reasonable. Yay!!!

I also spoke to another friend about another project which recently got backburnered because it’s at the point where it’s rather too large for me to handle on my own. Sometimes you just have to get other people involved and it’s always nice to be able to call on friends for this kind of thing. Or rather, exceptionally talented people who have oodles of experience in this area and who just so happen to be friends of yours.

I have also now blogged six days in a row. I’m not going to make any rash promises regarding this OR the writing, since I’m back to work tomorrow and I’m holding my breath about what will survive that particular collision, but I would like to maintain my current momentum. It’s felt great to express myself for longer than Twitter or even Facebook allows. The Verandah has been somewhat neglected over the last year or two but it’s still here and so am I – time to dust the place off, put out some chairs and bring the drinks out here. I’ve missed it.

I’ve given a lot of thought to my direction for this year; for the moment it can be summed up in one word: ship. This year is all about following through on ideas, completing projects and getting them out the door, be it to a magazine, publisher or self-publishing platform. I’ve had enough feedback from editors and readers alike to know there’s a market for my style, my voice and the kinds of stories I produce so it’s time to get more of my stuff out there and more consistently, too. Which also means editing, since I have at least one thing waiting to be edited so that I can send it out. It’ll be much easier once I get started, I know that from experience. Just have to finish it and get it out there. I just need to ship.

I’m particularly pleased about the other project I’ve worked on this week, well, just today in fact. It’s responsible for the rest of this week’s word count and I’d kind of left it to one side. Mainly because I was scared of it. I thought it needed research and knowledge and all sorts of things I’d have to do or get or blah blah blah. Turns out it’s a story. About people. I already know a lot about people, so now I’m just going ahead and writing it. We’ll see what happens, but regardless, I’ll have written it, which counts for a lot.

So yes. Five days into 2014 and things are looking good! Next challenge, maintain all this through going back to work and avoiding the comfort foods in the office. One thing at a time, right? I’m so glad I had this week off!

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