My Writing | But I Smile Anyway...

#SoCS July 7/18 – Sup

07 Jul 2018 17 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #StreamofConsciousnessSaturday, Blo-Jo, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Socs, Sup, Update

Linda’s prompt for SoCS this week…

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “sup.” Use it as a word or find a word that contains it. Have fun!

‘Sup?

I was on a break, ya know… I needed a time out… lost my spark… my Blo-Jo had totally gone.

So I spent the best part of six weeks doing nothing really creative.

I read.

Even reading took its toll. I was so tired, I was falling asleep partway through pages, but I enjoyed a good few books.

Then there was school.

It’s the last term of the year and there are still 2.5 weeks to go for us… assessment, reports, progress grids… sorting out class lists for next year…

And we converted to part of an Academy. It was supposed to be a simple changeover, and by and large, it has been, but there are always teething problems, and as part of the changeover, I am no longer a Governor. I really enjoyed being part of the governing body, but it is a lot of extra work, so, unless they decide they’d like to reappoint me, I’ll enjoy the breather!

Being mum has been interesting too… Lil Man turned Teenager officially, Lil Princess turned four eyes (part-time, for reading and screen) and all the hormones flying around the house are incredible!

But I’m back now, trying to post regularly, as, despite being exhausted, I really missed my challenges and those little sparks of creativity, well, they keep me sharp for when I begin my novel rewrite in earnest in the summer holidays!

I entered the first 3000 words into a first novel writing competition too… won’t hear (if I do at all) until September so I have to keep myself busy!

I’m also due to become an aunt any time soon too! My 3-year-old nephew will be becoming a big brother, and the world will be gaining another Finndian!

So, there’s my lil #SoCS for today, thought I’d update you on the world of Ritu!

Catch ya later Peeps!

Happy Saturday Peeps!

https://lindaghill.com/2018/07/06/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-july-7-18/

July 5– Flash Fiction – Buttons

06 Jul 2018 32 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #CarrotRanch, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Buttons, Charli Mills, Father, Flash Fiction, Hero, war

Charli’s prompt this week:

July 5, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes buttons. You can use the word plural or singular in different expressions, or focus on how buttons relate to a story. Go where the prompt leads.

“Sally, love, can you come over ‘ere and give us a hand? These blasted buttons are giving me gyp again today.”
“It’s alright dad.” Nimble fingers made light work of the buttons on the old uniform jacket Frank Beaumont wore every year on Remembrance Sunday. A job her mother used to do. “There!”
Sally flashed a smile at her father, before turning away, tears welling up.
It had been over sixty years since he was last able to do his own buttons up, having lost the digits of both hands whilst serving his country.
Her dad, a true hero.

https://carrotranch.com/2018/07/05/july-5-flash-fiction-challenge/

#WritePhoto – Crossing

06 Jul 2018 45 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto, Fiction, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Bridge, Crossing, Flash Fiction

Sue’s #WritePhoto Prompt this week:

They always talk about a bridge over troubled waters. But that’s not what I am.
Neither am I merely a bridge, nor are my waters troubled.
I am a place for reflecting, for reminiscing, for gathering thoughts.
I am a place for calming, for cleansing, for deciding.
My waters will clear your mind, and let you think straight.
Their soothing ripples will take away your stresses and give you peace.
I am no bridge over troubled waters.
In fact, my waters will wash your troubles away. I am that platform upon which you stand, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated and relieved…

#writephoto

https://scvincent.com/2018/07/05/thursday-photo-prompt-crossing-writephoto/

Why? #FlashFiction

04 Jul 2018 30 Comments

by Ritu in Family, Fiction, My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Child, Flash Fiction, Mother, Tiredness

“Why?” a whiny voice behind me continued.
I had no need to turn around.
I knew exactly who it was.
The voice had been grating on my nerves all day.
Everything I said or did elicited the same response.
“Why?
“Pudding pie.” I answered, calmly at first.
“Why?”
“In the sky.” This rhyming game was quite fun.
“Why?”
“Flying high.” Plenty of words to use yet.
“Why?”
“With a guy.” Huh, what?
“Why?”
“In a tie.” Scraping the barrel here now.
“Why?”
“Beginning to cry.” (So am I).
“Why?”
“I cannot lie.” I really can’t.
“Why?”
“He may just die…”
“Why?”
“And so might I…”
“Why?” A pause. No reply.
“Mummy, why?” Still nothing.
“Mummy? Mummy! Please don’t die!”
Her sobs brought me back to earth with a bump. I rushed to embrace her.
“Don’t be a silly sausage! Of course I won’t die! Sorry sweetheart, Mummy’s just a little tired…”

A little piece I wrote the other day, dedicated to all those mothers of young children, who plough on, regardless, trying to keep their kids happy, and not show the world they are exhausted.

In the end, it starts to creep into life, that tiredness, but the love of those little beings, devoted to you, gives you the energy to keep on…

Could it be? My Blo-Jo is coming back…?

Lost: One Spark. If Found, Please Respond Below…

12 Jun 2018 154 Comments

by Ritu in My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, rest, Spark, tired

I really thought I’d be up to it by now…

A few weeks away from the writing pressure I put upon myself, of writing posts regularly, and I thought I’d be itching to get back.

But I’m not.

I still enjoy being here, reading posts, commenting on others, but I can’t make myself write.

My brain is just not engaged at all.

It’s like a cloud has settled over my blogger’s brain…

I feel like I’ve lost my spark…

I’m not in any sort of depression, I don’t think, I’m just so tired.

It happens at the end of the academic year.

There is so much to do at school on top of the day to day pressures: assessment, report writing, home visits, class lists to make for the next year… all things that take a lot of thinking and time.

Home is the same: housework, family to feed, helping with homework, laundry, being the usual parent taxi to clubs and matches…

I am taking down time, honestly, but instead of posting, as I usually do, I’m just reading. Enjoying books and reading posts.

But the lethargy I feel, and the migraines that are coming back after a two month hiatus, it’s not good.

I’ve entered that novel writing competition, tweaking the first 3,000 words that needed submitting, but don’t want to touch the rest of the manuscript, to execute some changes as suggested by my alpha readers.

Not because I can’t be bothered, but because I don’t feel up to my best, mentally and emotionally, and my prized WIP deserves more than that, maybe a CampRiNo in the summer holidays again, to give it the extra oomph it requires…

So, I’ll just leave that there for you all, in case you find my spark… or any extra energy you can send my way…

But don’t worry Peeps, I’m still smiling, because that’s what I do 🙂