Last week began like any other, full of optimism and plans, doing what I love.

I had finished re-editing Anita’s book, Simple and created a new cover for it last week.  I haven’t updated the paperback yet or sorted out Goodreads. Changing anything is so bloody complicated, and I constantly worry about forgetting some minor (or major!) detail.

Up to 30.000 words on WIP now, and the further into the story I get I find out how inadequate my storyboard is. I ended up spending an afternoon updating it!

The cast of characters are running amok, and I thank God for Words search/find function, it makes it so much easier to find and check all the names and places.

I think I might be creating a monster, as this book has more characters and chaos than any of my other books. It’s a bit like being in charge of a runaway train!

Why is it that we plod along, thinking we are doing such an amazing job networking and writing when the marketing monster arrives and calmly informs you that your feeble efforts are rubbish?

But if you have limited funds for any paid advertising, what else can you do?

To cheer myself up, I watched copious amounts of the Chelsea Flower Show, as all those lovely gardens and flowers never fail to lift my spirits.

Moving on in a slightly more cheerful mood, we had a family birthday this week, involving a massive collection of family members. Will this be the year with no upsetting arguments, I hope so!

Towards the end of the week, I developed a very painful back. I have to walk almost bent double and painkillers are having a limited effect. Walking is out of the question but at least I can sit on the couch and at my desk, so might be able to get some work done!  We will have to starve until the situation improves, as I’m the only cook in this establishment. I’m trying not to feel guilty about this, but I’m not happy about any of it.

I assumed it had probably happened when I carried the heavy garden waste sack out to the kerb, something I have done many times before. It was only later when I remembered what we were doing the week before, that I realised the real reason for my pain. You remember, those couches we were juggling in and out of our house?

Proof positive, if it was needed, that it is time we started behaving like the old women we are before we break something permanently!