This blog is intended to be my own little kingdom and I know that as this blog improves, so will I. They say if you treat it like a child, feed it and nourish it, even learn to love it, it will make you a better writer, if not a better person.
What it will give me, I hope, is confidence.

It will also provide much needed discipline, for although it is only a ‘blog’ it is governed by the same rules as any other writing. The content will be the very best I can do, none of that ‘oh, that will do’ attitude.

I have learned far more about writing since creating this blog and reading other people’s.
People who haven’t tried it don’t have a clue and tend to dismiss them as harmless time wasting.
That could not be further from the truth.
Unfortunately people will not fall over themselves to read what you write, whether it is a letter, blog or full length novel unless you are well known and/or famous. You have to create a written magnet, one that will attract attention. One that people will love to discover and keep coming back to.

I have discovered many such magnets and they are as good as reading a book. My day would not be complete without these ‘mini reads’!
I have always been of the opinion that if you want to learn how to do something, study those who have already learned and succeeded, for you will discover that they have risen to the challenge and not been found wanting. Some of them will even tell you the right way to go about it!

This is how I have learnt to cook, knit, wallpaper a wall and even change the carburetter in an old Triumph car. Not to mention all my craft projects. My theory is, if someone made it in the first place you can have a go too. It’s not really rocket science, but the important thing to remember is the quality of your achievement. None of my first attempts were any good, but if you are stubborn like me, it helps a lot and eventually you will manage something you are happy with.

I have always wanted to be a writer. I enjoyed English at school and have written several poems. Ideas for stories have surfaced from time to time, but on the whole I was much too busy trying to live my life without too much heartache, and failing miserably.

But now I am retired and the misery has moved on. I can finally find out if I am any good as a writer. (or not!)
And this blog (and others like it) will be my benchmark.
I am now 50.000 words along with ‘9Lives’ and reasonably happy with my progress, although to be honest, I never expected it to be so difficult.

Anita has really gone up in my admiration, she must be a genius, for she has completed four really good novels. She recently read the first chapters of 9Lives and is convinced that I can do it too!

And believe me, she is not just saying that…

I sincerely hope that everyone is geared up for a wonderful New Year, for I have a good feeling about 2014…

Best wishes and see you all next week…

Jay