As Bono so aptly put it, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. I know I am certainly not looking for a U2 album – Under a Blood Red Sky is the only one I need – but having said I haven’t found what I’m looking for, I kind of have.
I’m still looking to make a living at this writing malarkey. It is just as well I have other stuff going on to provide me a modest income and of course I am grateful for it. I’d have starved to death if I really needed the money from writing.
Following the (self) publication of my best selling book Corfu, not a scorcher (it had to be my best selling book since I have only written one), I have been trying to come out with that second difficult book. It’s a bit like the rock band with that difficult second album.
I shall not trouble you with the subject matter, since although I have a very clear idea what it is, I am not entirely sure the direction it will take. But I am very positive about it.
What? Me, positive? You cannot be serious, you might say, with good reason. But I am positive. I feel my mental health has improved since I started the latest in a long history of therapy. There have been setbacks along the way and minor blips where I thought it was all going wrong again, but thanks to my family and friends, I’ve stayed on the straight and narrow. And thanks to me, too. I’ve tried very hard to believe in myself.
I was very sad to leave my gig for the Bristol Rovers programme The Pirate. It has been a huge honour to write for its former editor Keith Brookman and my decision to quit was made long before he unexpectedly left his post. I had fallen out of love for the Rovers some time ago, too, and having fallen for the empty promises of Wael al Qadi like so many others, I felt it was a good time to move on. Never say never again, but I am happy where I am right now.
In an age where the printed word is in rapid decline, I am realistic to know that in all probability I shall have to work until I can draw my old age pension. I’m not going to make a living at what I really want to do. Still, I can’t be worrying about it.
My best shot is all I have and I am going to give it. And come next summer, book number two will be in the bookshelves. Or at Amazon, anyway.
