Update

I haven't posted anything for ages but here is the latest. My debut novel, Judith wants to be your friend,  will be a real paperback from 15th December. It  is available for pre-order from Amazon. Yay. So excited. I will soon have an author website and will blog from there. Before then, please check out (and like) my Facebook page www.facebook.com/JudithWantsToBeYourFriend  Thank you.

People who are helping me - update

Yesterday I spent a happy hour recording Ali Turnbull of Fit to Print. She was a joy to interview. She had done some preparation and spoke joyfully and fluently about FOUR new things she has done since turning 58, and one she still plans to do. A lovely and truly inspirational woman.

This afternoon I spent a happy two hours being photographed by Patrick Neaves. I am the worst subject. I am self-conscious and generally hate having my photo taken. He really put me at ease and I am so pleased to say that his patience paid off and he will soon send me some great photos that I can use for publicity, website and social media.

Thanks to both.

Not too late at 58

Other people I am getting help from:

• the lovely Rebecca Watson of Watson Design who is going to design the cover. I have tried to give her a precise brief to work on so I'm looking forward to what she comes up with. Check out her website to see some of her work www.rebeccawatsondesign.co.uk
• the lovely Patrick Neaves, a former student of mine, who is going to take a really really really really good photo of me - that will test his skills!

Thanks to both - and watch this space.

Not too late at 58

I had a lightbulb moment was when I was on a self-publishing course run by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. It was led by the very excellent David Kinsella and Paul Teague and the biggest things I learned were that:
- I can't do all the techie stuff myself
- I can't do all the marketing stuff myself
- I NEED HELP and I'm now asking for help.
- But I am ready to give all this my best shot

I asked for some help and it has come from several different places.

I will shortly be interviewing two friends about their completely different achievements 'later in life'. Look out for Ali Turnbull of Fit to Print and Zoe Dawes aka The Quirky Traveller who will feature in the book. Others are already lined up for later.

Anyone else who thinks they qualify can contact me.

Where I write (sometimes) - Motorway Service Stations

A lot of people rave about Tebay Motorway Services in Cumbria, which, to be fair are pretty good. 

I also like Killington Lake Service Station which is a little further down just south of J38.

It’s a bit close to home for me to use very much but if I’m en route to Kendal and early for an appointment I will stop there for a coffee. 

Look at the view! No, not him! That isn't me, by the way, nor do I know who he is. I found the picture on Google Images so presumably he knows he’s there for the world to see.

I like writing in motorway service stations for several reasons

- They are impersonal. Once you've bought your coffee and sit down, no-one bothers you.

- If you choose the right one, the views are stunning – but not too distracting.

- The background noise is a fairly constant hum unless you consciously choose to tune in to it. If you’re stuck, you can listen to conversation at other tables to get ideas.

- If you’re stuck for a description of a character, you can see someone who fits the profile and write a description of him/her. Studying someone without them knowing can be quite tricky so be careful with that one. It’s good for spotting some really telling details.

- The building itself might be like somewhere you’re writing about. In the novel I am currently working on, He’ll be watching, I used the interior of Tebay Services as a description of a cafeteria on a university campus.

- If you’re using a laptop, you can find a plug to keep it charged up.

One downside I have found:

- In the winter it gets a little cold with the outside doors constantly opening and shutting (but fingerless gloves are a wonderful invention).

If you see me, come and say hello. I’ll be ready for a break.

Where I write

My dream writing place

In Malta a lot of the houses look like this. Beautiful.

My dream writing space is the courtyard at the back of a house such as this.
Actually, why not this very one? Two storeys high and overlooking a shady street where each house has a balcony enclosed in brightly painted wood. From the roof garden I can see the sea over the next row of houses. The space isn’t big. It is open to the sky and has two reclining chairs for moments of contemplation or snoozing in the sunshine.

The courtyard is cooler and shady, and PERFECT.

A wooden table is in the shady part, long enough to eat at with friends but small enough that, when I’m writing, there’s only room for me. The table has a honey-coloured brolly to match the Maltese limestone, and it is rectangular to match the table and the space and my computer screen and my notebook.

Committing your dreams and goals to writing is a great first step towards achieving them.

Stating your dream in the present tense, as though you have already achieved it, makes it more real and increases motivation to get there. 

Not too late at 58

OK, so I'm now 59.  And it is still not too late.

I've reverted to my usual writing mode which involves doing a multi-coloured mind map then doing loads of research.  I don't want to simply regurgitate everything that has been written before about setting goals and looking at your own values.

Actually I think it is really important to set goals and consider your own values so that will be part of it too.

My friend Zoe, aka The Quirky Traveller, has alerted me to a Facebook page that focuses on how great it is to be 50+ - so there's another afternoon of research that I can do instead of actually writing.

Now is the time for me to put my own teaching into practice and get a move on.

Goals

• I WILL progress 'Not too late at 58' by at least 1000 words per week from now on
• I WILL do at least one blog post per week

Did I mention my other goal?

• I WILL get my novel self-published withing the next three months. Look out for Judith wants to be your friend coming to an Amazon store near you really soon.