It’s the end of year and I feel like I’m sprinting now. All the books that were left unread throughout the year, are flying off the shelves now.
When the lockdown started in March, my intentions were fully to read and binge on Netflix. Well, it turned out that work took a new dimension. For everyone, who started working from home, you know how easily the lines between office time and home time blurred even more than mobile devices had already encouraged. Then, working from a house filled with people, especially the little variety, rigorously tested my multi-tasking skills, ability to focus and patience.
“Mummy, B….. beat me!“
“Mummy, I’m hungry!“
“Mummy, let’s make pizza!“
“Mummy, I’m bored!“
Every statement ending with a wail that demanded immediate action.
So it’s really no wonder that books were left unread, Netflix and Amazon Prime and YouTube content left unconsumed for so long.
After many months of trying to do it all, I relented and realised that focus was the key for me. So, I have started culling all the activities that aren’t adding to my goals du jour. I stopped joining every webinar and InstaLive session that looked half-way decent. I started scrutinizing invitations to speak more carefully. Afterall there is just one me and I have this one life.
I signed-up for a second writing course and of course as you write, you read what others are writing. A big part of this particular course is reviewing work by other students. It’s harder than you might imagine. You want to be fair, give feedback that can actually help them improve while being kind.
I know that the feedback that has helped me the most has identified technical errors I made or given very specific suggestions on ways that I can write more clearly. I can always take them or leave them. The least useful ones have been “I loved this so much.“
This particular course in about writing for young readers and so I have been reading more YA and children’s books. You know how sometimes you dismiss picture books for very young children as being easy to write? Ha!!! Well, try writing something simple yet engaging enough for young children whose attention span rivals those of goldfish. You will quickly see what I mean.
So over the last 2 weeks alone, I have read The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells and Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami. I am listening to an audio book of Just William by Richmal Crompton. I started reading Chasing Butterflies in the Sunlight, a new release by Morenike Euba Oyenusi. I started paying attention to the illustrations, which somehow I always glossed over. I guess when something is done right, you are less likely to notice it. But now that I am trying to do something similar, I am inspecting every aspect of it.
I read The Snow Dancer by Addie Boswell earlier this year with sublimely beautiful illustrations by Merce Lopez. My goodness! Where do people find such talented artists? Where would I find one?
But back to my accelerated reading habits, as I have enjoyed re-immersing myself in books, less fruitful activities have been cast aside.
I discovered the fast and furious adventures of Jack Reacher by Lee Child a few years ago and usually read at least 3 a year. However, that hasn’t been the case this year, so I pulled out A Wanted Man, which has been sitting on my shelf for about 3 years now. A fun and action-packed tale is a perfect way for me to sail through Christmas.
In general though, the books I have been reading recently have mostly been short and packed. A few days ago, I wolfed down Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in one sitting while at the salon. It’s a tight and delicious reading. And now as a wannabe writer, I wasn’ t just following the plot, I was turning over the words and marveling at how beautifully CNA put them together to form such interesting and evocative prose.
Maybe one day…… I think as I struggle along with my own writing. I will keep up with writing my short stories and blog posts. Maybe it will all add-up to something more significant one day…
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