Menofaffle; stuff done instead of other stuff

As mentioned in a post recently, am having trouble finding my stride in this first month of the year. This pertains, particularly to the big writing project. It is still happening, but not at all at the rate it was, and there have been whole days missed at that work. It weighs on the mind a bit, but I also know, from a lifetime of experience, that one morning I shall awake and it will be all on again!

In the meantime, other writing had been getting done. Pre-posting a week or two ahead on the teaching blog; working on some plans for the Feb 14th postcards from Paris hop here at Wild YAM; redecorating this blog and also the OM YAM-yum.

I changed that one from the fancy theme it was in, back into the Simple theme I use here. The other one did look a bit slicker - but it just didn't have the flexibility for settings that this one has. It was also, for mystifying reasons, domiciled in Belgium. Not that I have anything at all against the place. Wonderful waffles and yummoolushus pomme frites. Don't want to live there - in any format.

Oh yes, did write the next instalment of the Hindertwig tales. Hadn't set out to create a series with the first FFF, but Da Phenny had hinted that he wanted more from the forest, and it came together quite naturally. It is entirely possible that we'll be revisiting it.

Thank you to the other five participants in this first FFF linkup of the year. I know that not everyone is going to enter every time - that's not what this about. It is for each to find the creative juice and play around with it; to do it in a friendly environment. The offerings this time ranged from the outright comical schlock-horror, through the romantickul, into the highly poetic, and the reality dream, finishing with great heart and memory. I was honoured at the efforts made by each, and I hope that others who read them will be encouraged to flex their writing muscles!!!

The added bonus to this is that one gets to hear about books and writers one may never have known, or see how well-known writers can provide the material for inspiration to we aspiring types! Da Phenny mentioned Jean-Luc Bannalec; I went straight to the cloud-store-of-all-things and found the link he gave took us to only the hardcopy. This is fine, but I's a bit attached to Kindling these days. Searching, searching, it finally came that there is a different title (maybe only here in the UK) - "Death in Pont-Aven", the second book is titled "Murder on Brittany Shores" - there is quite a series, but they await translation. I started reading - good fun! Thanks, DP.

I would like to make an honorary mention to Sandra the Mad Snapper; she lacked the confidence that she had what it takes to join in. I think you'll agree her effort was just fine and that there should be no hesitation in joining us again - on the appropriate day!

NEXT FFF DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 23rd.

What else have I filled time with other than writing a novel? Spirographing - jigsawing - puzzling. All the usual suspects! Have also been catching up a bit on my Vimeo viewing (hadn't been in there for nearly four months I realised!), some DVDs which had arrived one way or another and awaited my attention (nothing to write about, I fear. One of them so desperately  not my thing I gave it only 15 minutes of airtime...), and have been watching the World Indoor Bowls Championships. Blame dad for that one. No, he's not here at the Hutch, but he loves it and now I do too! We'll have something to really talk about on the next phone call.

That's enough drivel for one day. Hooroo the noo.

🙋