Couple of things - caught up with a lovely friend I haven't seen in ages
And a friend who has been job-hunting for most of the year finally got offered a new job and can now have a lovely Christmas and New Year without worrying - best feeling
It really is. I saw lots of other nice people too but it says a lot about how excited wad to see them that during that chat I was sat next to an actor who's fresh off a massive hit show and I simply ignored him for Ed & lindsay
So so so so close to the first draft of my book being finished! I wanted to get it done before school let out for Xmas gand that happens today at noon, and I am close enough to call the attempt a success
I had 4 days of annual leave!
On Wednesday, my house* dropped off blankets to Rainbow Youth, for whatever they need them for. They're currently on the couches of their space, for snuggles.
Then we had lunch out.
*my house is Mum (nearly 88) & her 3 youngest.
I continue to eat into savings, whilst I wait for a very overworked editor to give me edits on a book that should've been out a yr ago.
BUT a tv option for the first book in that series has been renewed- the money will keep me going that bit longer, another sign to not give up the career quite yet💖
My son was picked up from school early today as he was unwell.
His little drawing toy was left on the school bus 🚌 earlier today. The bus team just dropped it off at our home . They brought it because they are aware of hie attachment to it. They understand how autism affects my son. 😢 of gratitude
I had a fun chat with my friend about our plans for a collab, and my sister has come to visit and we had such a good night talking and eating ice-cream. 😄
I did a virtual Titanic visit to a UK curriculum school in Dubai, received a very cheering email from my publisher and spent two lovely days looking after my baby granddaughter.
My good news is I finished my edits. This isn't unusual perhaps - it's a key part of my job as a writer. Editing. BUT this time I was convinced I would never finish them. That they were impossible. I was talking to my wife about that....she said you say that EVERY TIME... #KidlitUK #Writersky
It feels like a reverse of what they say about childbirth (not done it myself so can't attest to truth or not)...with writing you forget that it came out alright in the end and ONLY remember the pain??
I’ve given birth to one child and one book. I’m a lot more proud of my child than my first book, but there’s only one of these things I want to do again!
I'm fine drafting, when it gets to editing, hoo boy, suddenly everything is an unfixable mess and it will NEVER be a book, always a trashy word doc full of nonsense!
It’s so good to have a partner who sees you. My husband sometimes tells me things about myself that I wasn’t really aware of. He can diagnose when I’m in pain, stressed or burned out before I realize it myself - and vice versa. We watch out for each other.
Sold a text 🥳 there’s been a big gap so it’s extra 🥳😅 and made my royalty donation from A Swift Return sales to the Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund in time for Christmas 😊
Finished Draft 1 of the next novel. Sent my short story/poetry collection off to my editor & watched my son sing with his school choir in 2 concerts (3rd is this afternoon). Life is good this week.
It’s been a truly rotten few months, BUT today morning I got an email saying that a show I’d worked on about Indian myths just got nominated for an Emmy!!!
12 noon on Friday 13th was the deadline for my first big creative writing MA submission. Worked my socks off and turned it in on time. Feeling elated and will take a little breather, but not for too long. Next submission is in a month — my essay about feminist Medusa retellings 🐍
Two stories just subbed: A YA romance — all awkward feelings, lots of fumbling and bumbling, but ever so sweet. And an MG epistolary style comedy about a baking competition that goes terribly wrong. Lots of baking puns and mess in the second one.
Tonight I offer advice to half a dozen people to improve their writing across a swathe of styles. I’ve got a paying gig for the WHOLE of January and my own work is not beginning to pick up speed again.
I've spent the week scheming with @lucybrandt.bsky.social about how to spark more writing for pleasure in our local schools. We have big plans and I am EXCITED!
Went to my choir concert and watched everyone do brilliantly - gorgeous acapella version of Gaudette! And went to an event last night and made a new friend. 🍷
A joke my son made up which I’m not sure I can repeat on here…but it’s Friday so 😂 He caught me totally unawares…
“Mum - can you say “peanuts” without using the ‘t’”
In book news @karlnewson.bsky.social @tomknightdraws.bsky.social Captain Christmas book launch was EPIC! Such a lovely evening accompanied by shanty music on an accordion…brilliant!!!
Comments
And a friend who has been job-hunting for most of the year finally got offered a new job and can now have a lovely Christmas and New Year without worrying - best feeling
"I feel much better now, Miss."
Moments like that mean so much to any teacher/librarian 🥰
On Wednesday, my house* dropped off blankets to Rainbow Youth, for whatever they need them for. They're currently on the couches of their space, for snuggles.
Then we had lunch out.
*my house is Mum (nearly 88) & her 3 youngest.
(took almost seven years on Twitter)
BUT a tv option for the first book in that series has been renewed- the money will keep me going that bit longer, another sign to not give up the career quite yet💖
His little drawing toy was left on the school bus 🚌 earlier today. The bus team just dropped it off at our home . They brought it because they are aware of hie attachment to it. They understand how autism affects my son. 😢 of gratitude
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDgqwJKKqKL/?igsh=MTQ0NTAzM3lyNjA0cw==
So this week I was pleased to have a Christmas story published.
Troy and Me
It’s got Santa
It’s got elves
It’s got guns
In 200 words.
All your Christmas needs.
https://bsky.app/profile/drewgum.bsky.social/post/3lcp4oxd3fk2w
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SGVMrLKghFo
*(well, I used to play piano but that's long in the past)
Not a bad week all told…
Also, your art rocks so /follow
Tried to attach photos but Bluesky said no.
Wisdom tooth extraction not so pleasant sadly - pain is slowly fading.
“Mum - can you say “peanuts” without using the ‘t’”
Can’t believe I fell for it 🙈🙈🙈🙈