Wednesday 2 May 2018

Writing Away from the Desk

As many of you know, I love writing with pen and paper whether in cafes or on trains. Fortunately, I travel by train into either Glasgow or Edinburgh quite regularly and I was struck again at how many words get written this way.


It surely must be something to do with being away from the desk and computer. On one forty minute journey I was amazed to find I'd written nearly a thousand words when I came to type them up. Perhaps it's the only way I ever get anything finished!

The current work in process, a novella set in Venice, has mainly been written while out and about, although I need to finish it and then add all the finer details. This time, I'm aiming to write it all the way through before worrying about filling in the blank spaces, which ensures I complete it without any more procrastination.

Meanwhile, I've had one poem published in a lovely little print journal (and been paid for it), an article will be published on a university website later this month, a short story will be broadcast on a talking newspaper for the blind, and another Scottish historical article has been accepted for The Highlander magazine in the USA. All encouragement to keep writing.

The photo of the steam train is because I love those most of all!

Rosemary

9 comments:

Rae Cowie said...

My you've been busy, Rosemary. Congratulations on your many publication successes. Writing on the move is definitely working!

Patsy said...

Maybe it's the short timeframe which helps? I find that if I only have an hour to write, I write for an hour. If I have all day, I sometimes never get started,

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks, Rae!

I think that might well be the case, Patsy!

Hywela Lyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hywela Lyn said...

I agree with the timeframe - if I have all day to write, by the time I've answered all the emails, updated my blog or website, and checked 'social meja' the day's gone! :) I love the picture of the steam locomotive - I love steam. I have a friend who helps out on the Severn Valley steam line, and have fond memories of the narrow guage railways in Wales, especially the Devils's Bridge line that runs up the narrow mountain tracks between the trees and is quite breathtaking!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Absolutely, Lyn. We're both really keen on steam trains and we've been on the Welsh ones a few times, and had a trip on the Severn Valley line, though it rained so we'll need to go back! Thanks for commenting.

Joanna said...

How fantastic, Rosemary - congratulations on your recent successes and your fabulous output while on the move. I've discovered that if I spend all day long at my desk, I write less rather than more. So I've been spending a bit more time outside tackling our wilderness of a garden and this has made me focus harder on the writing hours. I love the sound of your novella - wishing you great success and looking forward to hearing more about its progress XXX

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks so much for your kind comment, Joanna. That's it exactly - the more time I have at the desk, the less I write! All the best with yours.

Maria said...

I love the trains and enjoy writing whilst on a journey. Quite a few of my stories feature trains too.
Getting out and about with your pen is good for your soul too, don't you think?