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jane hayward

writer of memoir, long and short fiction

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Category: A Writer’s Life

A New Beginning

January 1, 2021January 1, 20211 Comment

If I say I’ve been reading all my life, you’ll know I’m exaggerating. If I say, I’ve been reading as far back as I can remember, I’d be closer to the truth. Let’s start with my tenth Christmas morning. I recall the dim light from the hall allowing me to make out the pillowcase, bulging … Continue reading A New Beginning

Managing Three Writing Projects

October 11, 2020October 11, 20202 Comments

I’m aware that many writers balance their writing commitments with an energy and enthusiasm which I have temporarily mislaid. For me, any productive writing only takes place 9.30am-1pm with one break for coffee. I prefer to work on one piece of writing at a time. My current on-going work is the third draft of a … Continue reading Managing Three Writing Projects

A Day of Rest

September 28, 2020September 28, 2020Leave a comment

Sunday is no longer a universal day of rest. Back in 1994, John Major, the Prime Minister, brought in legislation to allow shopping and going to the cinema on a Sunday as well as following the normal weekend activities such as walking in the park or having tea with Granny. Which is one pleasure we … Continue reading A Day of Rest

Writing with Help : A Dilemma

August 16, 2020August 16, 2020Leave a comment

I’ve talked before about the kinds of assistance you can have with your writing: join a writers’ group, take a course or find a tutor to work with, either for mentoring or for an appraisal. Think carefully which method will be most useful. A writers’ group is a good start but you will receive other … Continue reading Writing with Help : A Dilemma

Places not People.

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020Leave a comment

Still on holiday in Italy where, right now, it’s pouring with rain and the lavender is dancing. Since some of you will also soon be on holiday, if you are not already, you will be taking photos or videos of your happenings. In the dim and distance past, photos were called snaps. Black and white … Continue reading Places not People.

The Upside of an Extended Lockdown

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020Leave a comment

It’s a Sunday in a different form of lockdown – more of an ‘I could go home, but why should I?’ lockdown. We’re staying in a house surrounded by farmland, with narrow, unmade-up tracks leading to the few dwellings in ‘our’ part of Tuscany. We’re between two villages, small towns really as each village is … Continue reading The Upside of an Extended Lockdown

Style Proofs

July 7, 2020July 7, 2020Leave a comment

We have jumped the gun a bit and have escaped to a warm and sunny place in Italy. I’m not saying how we did it but we have. No longer physically in lock-down seems to have unlocked my brain too so here I am writing a new post for my blog. Before we left London, … Continue reading Style Proofs

Outlines and Timelines

June 9, 2020June 10, 20208 Comments

As I've told you all before, I'm re-writing my 1950s novel for the 3rd time.  I wanted a fresh perspective, new ideas and masses of encouragment.  I'd heard writer Emma Darwin (http://www.emmadarwin.com) speak more then once and met her for a chat at an event at Bell House, Dulwich. http://www.bellhouse.co.uk. The decision to work with … Continue reading Outlines and Timelines

This Petty Pace

May 11, 2020May 11, 2020Leave a comment

For most of us the thing which keeps us going at whatever we do is the day-to-day stimulation of real life. Not a fake imitation of living, as this lock-down is. I understand that some kind of regulation which hopes to limit the damage and the death is essential.  However, we must not forget that … Continue reading This Petty Pace

Writing the Outline

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020Leave a comment

Well, I’m not doing a graph – yet. So far I’ve made cards for each scene I have print-outs for, which take me to the end of the first draft of the novel, but I've at least two new scenes to write. See featured image at the top of this blog. The first page gives:  … Continue reading Writing the Outline

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