Trains, Writing and Inspiration

Where did the last month go? Seriously - I can't believe it's so long since I posted anything. However, I have been busy and haven't been looking at anyone's blog for ages. Not have I sent out a newsletter for too long. Thankfully, I have been writing, albeit not at home!

Lancaster University

Trains

First, it was my journey to Lancaster for the RNA Weekend Conference. What an excellent couple of days which began with Orion telling us they have now opened a digital-first imprint, Dash, and are accepting submissions. Most of the other sessions I attended were equally helpful, from Author Branding, to Cover Design and the Slush Pile Slam. As always, it was great to catch up with old friends and new, including meeting fellow blogger and writer Carol Bevitt at last!

St Pancras

Next, we had a family wedding in London which was a longer train journey but very comfortable. We took the chance to have a quick look at the amazing St Pancras Station and the hugely interesting British Library, both of which need far longer appreciation. It was wonderful to see some of my husband's family after so many years and our niece was a beautiful bride. The reception venue was interesting, in an old Victorian Pump Station right beside the river, and the street food served to each table was fabulous.

St Pancras Church

Writing

With all that travelling and busyness, you'd think I was hardly likely to get much writing done. However, with my love of writing on trains, it was perfect! I'm now almost through the much-needed second edit on my latest novel and can see how it is structured and if it stays consistent. I love this stage, once the whole story is actually written down. It's one of the disadvantages of being a pantster as I need to let the characters develop as they interact with each other. Look out for the cover reveal soon!

John Betjeman

I've also had an article accepted by the new Historical Romance magazine and will provide a link once its available. Now I'm waiting to see if a short story I sent out a while ago will be accepted or rejected and I want to get another article written for The Highlander magazine. I suspect I'll be raring to go with other writing and organising once we're into autumn, my favourite season, especially since the schools go back here in two weeks time.

Inspiration

Shakespeare at the British Library

Any travelling is inspiring, whether at home or abroad and I love picking up anecdotes, quotes or ideas from everything I see and this is where my camera is a necessity in case I don't have time to write it down, or just to remind me what something looked like. Some of the photos from London are dotted through this post and I'm sure one or two will provide an idea or two.

Hope you've had a good summer,
Rosemary