General – Page 128

acrylic - lillies — White Lillies – in acrylic on a 3ft x 2ft box canvas. Oct ‘2012

On the subject of questions – what possible connection am I going to use between my painting of white lillies and this post?

The lillies were real flowers, so by painting them I’ve given them a new lease of life, albeit on a canvas. It took a few weeks but I completed it at the weekend. It was also at the weekend that I completed my time in Retail Management. The connection to the subject of this post is therefore not so much the flowers themselves as much as the painting. It’s about continuation, but with a bit of a change to circumstances.

With effect from Monday, 8th October I started work in the local branch of Ryman, but as a Sales Assistant. I’ve no doubt I’ll occasionally be asked to do more, which I don’t mind, but my new part-time position will be for three days per week. It will provide me with a little financial support and keep me in touch with reality.

Part 1 of this subject suggested there was more than one factor that had motivated me to make the move and reduction in hours. In the first place I wanted more time to write and explore my capabilities. There was also the small matter of travelling for an average of three hours each day – and that’s when the trains were running and on time.

Apart from those things, which may seem trivial to some, I’m only five years away from retirement. I don’t want to look back in five years and wish I’d taken the step earlier. One important factor, which I mentioned previously is that I have the support of my wife.

My debut novel, ‘Ten Days’ is almost ready for publication as an e-book and I have plans to compile another book using a selection of my poetry. I have a second novel underway and I know it will feel better having the luxury of time to pursue my objectives. With regard to the second novel, I feel I’ve learned so much from the first one.

When it comes right down to it I feel I’ve done my bit in the world of work over two separate careers. While I can, I owe it to myself to grasp the opportunity to do what I want to do. If I work hard enough at it, my success will be measured in the entertainment I provide to my readership.

Got to go now, I’ve got some writing to get on with … oh yes, and a new lifestyle.

Ryman - Eldon Square - Red Nose Day — Ryman – Newcastle Upon Tyne.

I know that several people think that I am crazy, and that was before I made the decision. Which decision? I hear you ask.

It could be my stepping down from a management position, or perhaps reducing to a three day working week. In the eyes of different folk it’s one or the other, but for most I suppose it’s because I’m doing both … at the same time. My graphic is an acrylic of the Ryman, Newcastle Upon Tyne store where I’ve worked as a Deputy Manager for the last four years. I completed the painting in 2009 to celebrate Red Nose Day.

Mainly thanks to my wife who is continuing to work, I have no major concerns regarding cashflow. Olive (the wife), is the unsung hero in my situation, because I have her support. She understands how much it means for me to devote quality time to my writing. My motivation is based on several factors but I’ll mention more detail on that in my next post.

I am now well on the way with the third (and final) draft of my romantic novel ‘Ten Days’. My sample readers will have their copies of the manuscript within a few days and a hard copy is already with my son, Andrew. He has agreed to help me with the design of the cover and I know his design expertise will better anything I could come up with.

The Inkerman Writers writing group has recently re-established itself in a new base and I am in attendance once again every week. The group is working on short stories for inclusion in an anthology which we aim to have published in the Spring of 2013.

At the time of writing I have two other short stories underway for competitions. My writing schedule is rounded off by my attempts to write at least one poem a week for posting on thestarlitecafe.com/ For the purposes of posting poetry on that site I’ve retained the pseudonym of Tomfoollery.