Scribblings

Some people, like Clive James, come up with things to say on their blogs every single day. While I imagine I've only just written and then discover the last posting was nine months back.
Although I've been a quiet blogger, I've kept busy scribbling elsewhere since the summer, working in a variety of different genres.
There's been a travel article on New Zealand's old 'cream trip' in the Bay of Islands and an essay about St Kilda entitled 'Fashion Victim Savaged by Bow Tie at Luna Park'. A therapist's response to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East - 'Bridge Across the Wadi' - proved very controversial.
I was thrilled to hear a piece I wrote last year on climate change - 'Sign of the Times' - has been doing the rounds of the Climate Emergency network. And although I was extremely nervous, I accepted the invitation to read a shortened version at Pen's inaugural winter salon at the Athenaeum.
The young Afghani activist, Malalai Joya, who presented to a packed audience at the Abbotsford convent, most appropriately on Bastille Day, inspired me to write a piece called 'The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan'.
I've also accepted commissions from an e-magazine to write on topics as disparate as 'Farmers' Markets', 'Big Birthdays', 'Learning a language at any age' and 'The Stages of Grief'.
As with my therapy practice, where seeing a combination of individuals, couples, families and supervisees from a range of different agencies keeps me on my toes, so too mixing it up works best for me with writing. Also the articles that pay subsidise those that don't.
I'm not tempted (yet) to write another book, mainly because it puts you out of the action for ages, particularly if you only write part-time. And changes seem to be happening in the world at such a pace that I want to be in the thick of them, and have my say.
Until next time - it won't be tomorrow, but maybe in three months...