The weather is improving at last but today the wind had a sharp chill to it. I didn’t want to take Millie for a walk but knew that I couldn’t avoid it so, after much dithering, off we went. And after I’d grumbled and moaned and got wrapped up I was so glad I’d made the effort. It was wonderful out on the heath, the sun came out from behind the clouds and I soon began to feel the benefit of the exercise.
While I was walking I got to thinking that taking the dog out is similar to some of my writing days. Sometimes it’s easy to get out in the fresh air – the sun’s shining, you can slip out of the house as you are without pulling on coats, wellies and scarves, and everything seems so simple. Writing days can be like that too but some of them I struggle with – like will I won’t I write today? What can I do to avoid sitting down to work? The thing is, once I’ve got started, put my metaphorical coat and wellies on, I’m absolutely fine. And it’s often said that writing is like a muscle – use it or lose it.
I