June

Well, June disappeared by in a blur this year. Usually, I love June - it’s a time when it really feels like summer, the days are long, and if we’re lucky, hopefully warm, and life usually feels rather hopeful. Plus, there’s always plenty of tennis on as it’s grass court season in the UK and it’s kind of wonderful. But this year, I’m not sure where June went. In fact, I’m writing this a couple of weeks into July already, because time just doesn’t seem to have stood still and there seems to have been a lot going on. The endless challenge of time and life and trying to balance everything.

While reading this week, I came across this quote, which I rather liked.

“Pursuing an art is not just the matter of finding the time - it is a matter of having a free spirit to bring to it.”

Stella Bowen (quoted in Among the Bohemians by Virginia Nicholson, pub. 2002)

This June we had hot and humid weather but also that Cornish mizzle and greyness, so it was a real mixed bag. Despite its mood and challenges, June had some good moments - yoga outside, catching up with friends, some good writing days, good food - and the garden has certainly enjoyed the weather. July’s already looking brighter so onwards and upwards.

What I’ve Read

• The Hunger Games trilogy - Suzanne Collins (reread)

I started the month by continuing my Hunger Games binge and devoured the trilogy. As good, if not better, than I remembered, and particularly hard hitting and painful with everything going on around the world right now.

• Iron Wing trilogy - Rebecca Yarros

A friend gave me the first of these books and told me to read them, and it seemed the perfect time after being deeply entrenched in the Hunger Games world. It was great to have something so utterly all absorbing to read for a while!

• The Treasures - Harriet Evans

I took a break from the fantasy reading to read this treat of a novel, the first in a new family saga series by Harriet Evans. Harriet is brilliant on Instagram and in real life and I enjoy her writerly updates and this was a great read.

• Bury Me in the Midnight Soil - V.E. Schwab

Another new release that I’d been looking forward to, Victoria’s latest novel was a really fun read and as always incredibly different to her previous works. Great world building and characters.

• An Almost Impossible Thing - Fiona Davison

A fascinating insight into the world of early female gardeners in the twentieth century. Some great inspiration and insight for my own writing projects.

• Summer in Baden Baden - Leonid Tsypkin

This was this month’s book club book and was hard going. Very long sentences and a narrative that got a bit lost, it wasn’t quite my cup of tea - but it prompted an interesting discussion at book club! The novel has a sad but fascinating origin and it is remarkable that it is able to be read today.

• The Mask Falling and The Dark Mirror - Samantha Shannon

Finished the month by returning to my fantasy binge and finally catching up on the Bone Season series. I’d had these two sitting on my shelf a little while so it was great to get back to Paige’s world and get caught up - I’m ready for the next one now!

What I’m Writing

The novel edit is continuing at a pace. Hoping to have it ready some time in the autumn to start sending out to agents.

Also spent a few days daydreaming up a new story complete with fleshed out characters and everything. This occasionally happens and is a weird experience. I have lots of notes but who knows if I will actually ever write it as a story or not - let’s see if it keeps its appeal for me!

I attended the first meeting of the new Fowey Writers group, which was great and I’m looking forward to seeing how the group progresses. I shared the opening of my novel - which frantically sent me back to much-needed rewrites!