The Story Begins

Posted on June 24th, 2009

Today is the first day of the rest of my life – that’s the saying I believe and it applies to anybody who is setting out on a new journey/venture/job/life (fill in your own blank there). It certainly applies to me because as of today I am a writer. Yesterday I wasn’t. Yesterday I was an IT Consultant and managing director of Raindrop Solutions Ltd. I’m still MD and I still consult in IT but only in a part time capacity as I make room in my life for a hitherto hidden passion…writing. I guess that means technically I’m a part time writer but let’s not be picky.

Writing. A writer. They don’t mean much on their own. Writing what? What kind of writer? Fiction? Non-fiction? Erotica? Nonsense? Well I’m not really sure at this stage – I’ve got ideas for novels, non-fiction books, biographies, short stories, a children’s book, a play. Too many ideas if anything. No poetry as yet though, that goes over my head I’m sad to say.

I really don’t know what I will write, or even what I will write about, but the first thing I intend to do is try to learn the craft and practise. I’ve already attended some workshops and immersed myself in some great writing books (I will publish some reviews and recommendations as I work through the mountain that I bought). I intend to write, write and write some more; practise makes perfect after all. I hope that out of this will come some direction and that some of the many ideas that I have begin to form into something cohesive and, dare I say it, readable.

This blog is simply another medium for me to practise writing and to document my progress. Maybe to vent my spleen from time to time. It may be that not a soul ever reads it; on the other hand it may provide inspiration to others looking to make a similar leap. I have turned down very well paid work to concentrate on my writing and am under no illusions about the tough environment that writers compete in. I will see where it leads me and returning to the day job is always there should I need it. I will simply enjoy the ride as long as it lasts.

This then is the situation. As of July 1st 2009 I am officially part time in my day job contract. I will give that my usual focus and attention for two days a week and the rest of the week will be spent writing, writing and writing some more. I hope to find some paid work through this, freelance and the like, and will enter competitions as I develop stories. My adventure will be documented on this site for nobody to read and eventually I will outsell Dan Brown.

First things first though, as with any new venture the first thing to do is take a holiday. I’m off to Italy for a couple of weeks and will be back on July 7th, at which time I will continue this blog and post details of my road trip around the northern reaches of beautiful Italy. Maybe even with photos.

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The Story Begins

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