So, here we are 3/4's of 2018 has passed and my life has changed even from six months ago. Some things like my fitness and the new grand child have been very positive but it's not all been a bed of roses. Some ancient debts caught up with me which has meant having to borrow a significant amount which in turn has meant that i've been living on beans for much of the year! Then there was all the upheaval with the new kitchen....

I don't have any proper income, don't claim any benefits and so rely on my writing prowess (or not) to survive. My needs are small, cover the rent and bills, bit of food and i'm fairly happy. More than that is all a bonus.

I'm not complaining, its my own doing but it has had knock on effects. Long planned trips have been cancelled, curtailed or have been a severe strain financially - certainly no spare cash for the little luxuries that make them more memorable. Things will be strained well into 2019 and I might even have to look for paid employment.

But it's not just finances that are affected, my writing has been a bit haphazard too - worrying over how i'm going to meet the bills, juggling the money for Peter to pay Paul and hoping more comes in to pay Peter. I'll admit to not being great at the financial stuff but being effectively bankrupt adds new levels of worry.

As Granny Weatherwax would have it, it's all headology. One day I think i've got it all squared, the next a new demand on my limited funds throws everything back into turmoil. There is light at the end of the tunnel but it's still a long tunnel.

I have lots of stuff I want to do with the writing but getting my head around doing stuff is sometimes not happening. There are stories that need finishing, others that are still just ideas.

For example I want to do some form of illustrated version of Gaby - up to now prospective partners in producing a manga edition have shied away so other options have to be looked at. I think I have a workable idea (a sort of take on a photo blog) but it needs some investment - back to funds!

So if my book releases and writing is a bit sporadic it's not my muse at fault but a head full of other stuff getting in the way!

Sorry for the unloading but I needed to get it all off my chest.

I'll try to knuckle down to some writing now, look out for more Gaby on Wednesday,

Mads