Monday 14 November 2011

Change of Scene

I'd like to say I got time off for good writing behaviour on Saturday, but I'm just over 14,000 words into my NaNo novel. But that's fine, as it's moved my previously languishing book on to a total of 35,500 words and I'm writing a little every single day. I still want to finish redrafting my other book and get it away while continuing with this one.


Anyway, on Saturday morning, husband and I returned to one of my favourite historical buildings, Pollok House near Glasgow and I guess it could be classed as research. I mentioned it ages ago on my Romancing History blog, but on that day we'd only enjoyed the gardens and surrounding Park. This time we explored the house itself, as well as having coffee down in the original kitchens, now a cafe and restaurant. The original Georgian house was built in the 1750s, although other parts were added over the years. I'd been through the house with our writing group over a year ago but this time we wandered round ourselves so I could absorb the atmosphere.


For a gracious country house, it has an air of homeliness about it, although visitors are not allowed into all areas. It's also a popular venue for weddings and one of the guides kindly advised us to visit the long, open library first before the current wedding started there! I almost lost husband to the fantastic grand piano on the way through to another room, while I would happily have sat in the beautiful little Morning Room. The famous paintings adorning many of the walls added to the pleasure of wandering around.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the visit is the friendliness of the discreet guides who are always happy to answer any questions with their inimitable Glasgow humour. We were invited to come back at the end of November, beginning of December when the whole house is decorated in all its Christmas finery. Try and keep me away! And best of all, it's exactly the kind of research useful for my NaNo novel, so what more excuse do I need for another visit.

Rosemary

9 comments:

Karen said...

I love wandering around old houses - my parents used to drag us round stately homes when we were children - and nearly always come away inspired to write something.

I'm not doing as well with my 'unofficial' NaNo as I'd hoped, but have still written more of my novel than I probably would have otherwise!

Patsy said...

Like the look of that house - I've got a thing for impressive flights of steps!

Glad you're making progress with your NaNo novel. I think continued progress is the important thing even if we don't make our daily 1667 words (I especially think that when I'm behind but trying hard)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Hi Karen - they can be very inspiring. Glad you're still adding words to your novel - I've decided that's more important than the target NaNo set!

Hi Patsy - consistency is far more important and that's what I'm achieving at last!

Talli Roland said...

Gorgeous photos! Thanks for taking me to Pollok House.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

You're welcome, Talli!

Diane Fordham said...

Lovely pics Rosemary. Funny about writing; you go through those times over the years when you wonder what to write about and then you reach that stage where there is so much to write you wonder how you are going to get it all done - that's life I guess! :-)

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Diane. How true about wondering how to get it all done! And I'm such a procrastinator.

K.C. Woolf said...

That looks like perfect research to me. Houses with a past are so inspiring! :-)

myraduffy said...

At least you have the excuse of research with your activities,Rosemary. I'll have to write at an impossible pace to reach 50000 by the 30th!