And the studying begins.....

R.J. Ellory...such an inspirational writer. I have just finished reading one of his books, 'The Anniversary Man' . The way he writes is so clever, he describes places, people, objects in such a poetic way you cant put the book down! His work is mainly detective/thriller stories which normally I dont tend to read, but I have read almost every book of his so far.
Between reading Othello for my current Reading and Studying Literature course, I am reading his current book 'Saints of New York'. Already gripped!

Just trying to get back into the swing of studying, which is hard when I've had 3 months of doing nothing except work my day job - and partime at that too! But now I am trying to get my head down for Creative Writing and Reading & Studying Literature courses (with the Open University). I thought creative writing would be a breeze...but it isnt!! More than anything, it really tests you on your confidence.. I need to write a short story of 750 word, and I havent even started because I keep thinking, it wont be very good. I get 3 lines into it and the inner critisism begins.

I think I have to throw myself into it, and see what comes out at the end. I have to stop thinking so much!

Quick freewrite

All memories faded from years of over heard conversations. Now a home to wandering animals, shelter from the wind and rain, and the frozen fragments of snow. Only use now is as fire wood. Thrown on an old log fire in blistering cold winters to heat up the homes of happy families. Where times are hard, and the men work until dark out in the gusty winds to come home to the mouthwatering smell of food, to sit by a crackling fire with their boots off, and family around them. Cold winter days are a time of festivities, where children run around in frightening outfits demanding sweets. Or the sound of high pitched squealing followed by a ear splitting bang that releases thousands of brightly coloured lights sprinkled all over the velvet midnight black sky. A bonfire stands proud and majestic in the middle of a crowded field, for all to look at and embrace the warmth, making little cheeks rosy red. Sticky toffee apples, fudge and treacle being eaten with difficulty by wide eyed children dressed in woolly hats, gloves and scarves. All but a few wearing brightly coloured wellies, as they trudge through the muddy grass enjoying the night time delights of winter.