Taking Time Out

We’ve not had a proper holiday for some time and, with son’s wedding at the beginning of July, we don’t know when we will. So husband and I took Friday to Monday off and went out on inexpensive away days. We both work at home, me downstairs, he upstairs (and never the twain shall meet!) but we decided we needed proper time together, so we could actually talk for a change and enjoy a different environment.

Over the four days, we made sure we had no cooking to do and ate out at lunch time or took a picnic and shoved something in the oven later. We didn’t stay out all day but we stayed off the computers, except for a short time in the morning before going out, and I sneaked some time on mine again late afternoon. Otherwise I’d have been in an agony of suspense – maybe it would be the time an editor or, hopefully, an agent was trying to get in touch. And I’m sure you all suffer from that suspense!

Country walk

So in those four days, we went to one of my favourite restaurants in Ayrshire, near the new Robert Burns Heritage Centre, took a ferry trip across the water to Dunoon, had a long walk and coffee down the coast at Largs, and walked around the nature trail at a beauty spot in the countryside, finishing with a two-course, cheap lunch at the coast.

Approaching Dunoon

It was great fun. We talked and walked more than we have for some time and still enjoyed being with each other after almost 36 years of marriage. Yet, being away from the desk and the routine freed my creativity again (as it did on the train journey in the previous post). I didn’t sit and write (it was too cold!), but I absorbed all the sights, sounds and smells of those days away, especially the day on the boat. And I’m ready to get on with the next piece of writing.

I didn’t get that call from the agent, but I did get my advance copy of the May issue of Take a Break Fiction Feast as my very short book review of The Little Stranger is inside the front page. I also received an email to tell me a little meditation is being held by The Upper Room, and I’ve received the cover of my novel! But I’m going to wait until next week to show that off. All that in those four days – maybe we should go away more often! So, back to work now, and blogging and chatting etc...

Happy writing,
Rosemary