illustration

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.

My illustration for this piece is a copy of a drawing I did in oil pastels in 1992. The original was completed in A3 size as a gift for a big fan of this lady.

Joan Collins - copy — 'Yes darling ... I'll be anything you want me to be ... I'm an actress.'

The lady in question is British actress Joan Collins. The copy is a black and white version of the original. In those days a digital camera and pc would not have been to hand, but I did at least manage a photocopy.

Contrary to my original intentions I have posted ‘Guardian Angels’ into a competition on an international web-based writing site. Simply because there are no restrictions I have it linked here in my short stories.

‘Windows of Opportunity’ has gone to a top British writing magazine so I’ll have to await the official clearance before I can post it anywhere else.

In the last three days I’ve penned a poem a day. ‘Noises in the Wind’ which is about a crew of mutineers. ‘The Enemy Within’ is my take on the world of insurgents. ‘Nymphet‘ is my latest which touches on the sensitive subject of a man falling for a beautiful but under-age girl.

I have as always got a short story underway. ‘One Man’s Mission’ takes a walk into the world of terrorism. Obviously a careful, calculated walk.

Chapter 2 of my novel is taking longer than I expected to make progress. This is mainly due to working with a fictional lead character who will be experiencing some episodes from my own life. Fortunately for both me and any reader there will be some fictional scenarios mixed in too. If I get the job done right then nobody should be able to spot the real from the imagined.

In an effort to give me a boost back into the tale I’m considering two or three excerpts, just as I did with Chapter 1. I feel sure the idea will work because I’ve already discovered that writing a story idea as a poem actually helps me to focus on keeping the story tight. Time will tell.