Friday 23 November 2007

A bad news day


This could have been the woods where I walked with a friend on Wednesday - the colours are so vibrant at the moment, like a child's painting. And I felt this was cheering on a grey autumn day.

I’ve been talking about Arthur and Jane with various friends of the writing fraternity and the general consensus of opinion is that the internet is not a safe place to publish it. There is no copyright on ideas and I can’t afford to expose my story to misuse.

So I’m afraid that that’s the last bit of Arthur for the time being. I will continue writing it however and maybe one day it will end up in the shops – I hope. Very many thanks to all of you for your comments and your encouragement that this is a story you wanted to hear. That is most important of all.

I’ve just had a call from a friend whose husband was made redundant yesterday afternoon. She’s in shock, as you can imagine.

‘I’m all hormonal and weepy,’ the poor thing said. ‘I woke up this morning and thought – waterproof or normal mascara? Luckily I settled for waterproof.’

So for anyone else who is going through a rough time, I found the following very cheering. And for all of those writers among us, this is now my motto!

''Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill

Enjoy your weekend.

23 comments:

laurie said...

oh dear.
you're probably right that the internet isn't safe. but it's too bad for all of us who were avidly following your story.
and i'm so sorry about your friend's husband. i fear this constantly, for us, too.

i hope things improve in december.

and i'm very sorry you missed your walk!

Anonymous said...

What a sad world we live in. I was really enjoying reading about Arthur and Jane, I have to say, I am rather disappointed that I won't be able to read anymore just yet.

I have published 2 extracts up to now before edit of my novel. They are rough drafts of course but I'm going to continue.

Beautiful photo.
Crystal xx

Flowerpot said...

laurie - glad that you enjoyed the story. It was a wonderful experience, writing for a 'live' audience. I do hope you and yours' jobs are safe - I've been made redundant and it's a horrifying experience. My walk was lovely - I just didnt ahve the camera with me!

Flowerpot said...

Crystal - glad you enjoyed it too! I think publishing extracts is fine but if I were to publish the whole lot in instalments - well anyone could lift it and say it was theirs. Not a pleasant thought but there nevertheless. Glad you like the photo. I think it's wonderful.

Akelamalu said...

Oh it's a shame we're not going to read any more about Arthur but I can understand your reasoning. When you publish it put me down for a copy please. :)

Philipa said...

Good words from Winston, his life is indeed an inspiration.

Flowerpot said...

Ak - if and when, of course I will!

Philipa - yes he was good with his words.

Ellee Seymour said...

I know how your friend feels, my husband was made redundant a few years ago and it is soul destroying. It couldn't have happened at a worst time. I hope they bear in mind Churchill's saying about courage, and wish them all the best.

Elaine Denning said...

I think you've made a wise decision, even though it's sad we'll miss out on the developments. I really hope to be curled up on the sofa with it one day.

I was made redundant in 2005 and it completely shook my world. I hope they get through this tough time.

Eurodog said...

The quote is very apt. Could not agree more.
Hang in there.

Flowerpot said...

ellee - so sorry about your husband, ellee. I was made redundant in 1991 and it was hellish.

Flowerpot said...

MissU - I hope you are too one day! So sorry to hear you wre made redundant - it is a terrible situation. Completely knocks self cnfidence.

ED - glad to see you again!

Flowerpot said...

MissU - I hope you are too one day! So sorry to hear you wre made redundant - it is a terrible situation. Completely knocks self cnfidence.

ED - glad to see you again!

Cornish Dreamer said...

I agree with Miss understood, it's probably a wise decision. Still, the story will be much missed. Will it be something you'll be continuing for the writing meetings?

Hope you have a good weekend.

RT

Flowerpot said...

RT - yes I'm afraid you'l have to wade through it at meetings instead of Peppi at the moment! Hope you had a good concert and didnt freeze coming home last night!

Lane Mathias said...

Great quote (and lovely photo)
Just keep writing Arthur's story and we can read it in print:-)
x

Flowerpot said...

thanks lane. I'm continuing to write Arthur - bombarded with ideas at the moment - just hope it continues!

Leigh Russell said...

Hi Flowerpot. I absolutely agree that you shouldn't be putting your writing out on the internet, if you want to keep it as your own. Good call. You're better than that and should be looking for a publisher.

I quoted Churchill just a moment ago on someone else's blog, funnily enough. Invited to give a speech at school, he rose to his feet, said: "Never give up, never give up, never give up." Then he sat down!

Flowerpot said...

leigh - good to meet you and please call this way again. Yes, I am looking for a publisher for my last novel - this one is very much n embryonic stages; thanks for the encouragement. Love tat quote of Churchill's!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Thank you for that motto. That Churchill had a wonderful way with words, didn't he? I will try to remember it in the months to come for hubby. As for Arthur and Jane, would you be willing to email it to me, if I asked very nicely?

HelenMWalters said...

Great quote - perhaps we should all put it up over our desks and/or computers!

Flowerpot said...

wakeup - best of luck with everything with hubby. Yes I think Churchill was brilliant with words! And yes I'd be delighted to email it to you. I'm doing that for my sister in law and another friend, but one of my writing group suggested writig it in the first person. So I'm trying that. Let me have your email address! Or email me - mine's onmy profile.

Flowerpot said...

helenmh - yes I think we should!