It’s been a while, but there are reasons.
Right now it’s summer and in this house, we are both double vaccinated. This has allowed us to experience a reunion or two of the whole family at once and to feel a lot more confident of seeing an end to the pandemic and it’s impact. The hedgerows and ditches are in full bloom with drifts of foxgloves, the wildflower I adore and believe is Ireland’s most spectacular.
Something quite amazing has happened this year, in that I am well into the process of writing a book. An Irish publishing company made an approach, invited me to submit ideas and has signed me up to create it. The book will include lots of photographs in full colour, which I hope will be a visual feast of wild things.
I’ve been stunned by their confidence in me and after almost talking myself out of it, I have settled into the reality that it is exactly the right thing to be working on and to trust the process. Being approached by this publisher, has presented me with an opportunity which I hope I can live up to. I’m an old dog for the hard road as we say in Ireland, so I have a lot of material to draw from. However, there is no creative project on the planet that wouldn’t cause me to doubt myself in spite of my track record and great age!
Experience kicks in when I’m discombobulated and I go back to knowing how to work and how to keep going in spite of setbacks. I understand how to get the words down and I remind myself that this is most of what I need to do.
The first huge challenge has been gauging the thousands of words that are required for a book and not freaking out about how to get all these words to flow and hang together! My approach has been to take a lash at the first draft which is also a salve to my anxiety that I could never ever write that much!
I have been remembering how I avoided going to college to study English and instead chose Art. In the end it was because my art teacher was kind and encouraging while my English teacher was always trying to warn me to stick to the exam type poetry questions and stop writing “trite” (what I thought of as teenage creative writing)
For some Art would be the wild card, for me it was the safe option.
The pandemic might actually have been a blessing. It has certainly clipped my wings as there have been no trips abroad or to see family who I miss hugely. Being grounded has meant that especially on rainy days my agenda is set and this book project is getting my attention without the distraction of normal life.
There’s still a huge part of me thinking that “my book” can never really happen? I have to pinch myself that I might soon become a published author? This seems completely bonkers but as far as I can tell it is actually happening.
There is a long way to go with the whole process as the book is scheduled for the end of 2022. Meanwhile I am in a massive learning curve, clinging on by my finger nails at times, or “captive on the wildest ride in history” as they used to say about Lois Lane in the Superman comics. Strap yerself in!
Meanwhile between writing a column and continuing to take photographs of each heavenly summer’s day I have neglected this blog. I hope now you understand why!
Hang in there my friends.
What wonderful news, Catherine! (And as always, accompanied by excellent photographs.)
Thank you so much, so kind of you! I am still trying to get my head around it!!
This is so exciting, something wonderful to look forward to.
Thank you dear Carol! Lovely to hear that. x
So many creative people around here, it’s brilliant, well done. And a small thought that helped me get through a huge book writing project is the question ” how do you eat an elephant? A “in small bites”
Haha! I love it! Thanks for that Elizabeth. x
This is no surprise to me what – so – ever! They know a good thing when they see it and read it! Congrats and can’t wait to hear more as it all rolls along! Gorgeous images as always! Sending love across the pond…❤️
Aw thank you Robin! We’ve certainly been around the block a few times so maybe we are exactly the right women to be signed by publishers at the moment! It’s been great having yourself and the other “sisters” in my corner over the years. Appreciate all the love and support xx
Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity for you. Don’t be anxious about the writing. Complete your first draft, put it aside for a bit, then do your editing and revising. I find reading aloud helps my editing process. If I stumble over a word or phrase, I know it needs reworking. You can do this!
Well I think that’s great advice. I’m kind of at that stage now. I’m an “old dog for the hard road” as we say here, so I will chisel away at it. Thanks for your kind support x
Dear Catherine, Fabulous news, congratulations .. this is huge and hugely personal..how wonderful a book, with including your stunning photographs, almost an obvious the natural next step, good for you…put me down for the first edition please!….What i love about technology is that you put a photo up first and write around it, and vice versa…Love your blog, so happy to reconnect.
I think I know who this is!! So thank you so much P, good to hear from you. Yes I love the combination of writing and photography. It really puts you in the moment….
Congratulations and best of luck with it Catherine. Most importantly, enjoy the process A
Thanks a million Andrew. It’s a roller coaster but I think I will enjoy the whole process even more when it’s done! C.
Only just logged back in and found this. Wonderful news, and so well deserved! It was only a matter of time! Wishing you lots of love and luck with it.
Thank you Janice! Think I missed your comment until now. I’m nervous and excited at once! It has all been submitted now and is well on the way to being ready for the autumn. I’ll keep you posted! x