Thursday 31 July 2008

Six Random Things

ChrisH has tagged me to write six random things about myself.

I believe I did this some time ago but as I never have any idea of time, I have no idea when. So I may be repeating myself.

Here goes:-

My middle name is Lucy. Can you imagine? LUCY. Really. It brings to mind a prissy little girl with short white socks and her thumb in her mouth. I was not, I hasten to add, one of those. However, one of my nieces is called Lucy and she is how I would have liked to have been when I was growing up: smart, self assured without being arrogant, clever, interested in other people and a good listener. So perhaps Lucy isn’t that bad after all…

I have a problem with low blood sugar. When I had that zero balancing session recently, I discovered that the practitioner also has this problem. We were able to exchange stories about how off balance, even paranoid it can make you feel and it was such a relief to realise that it wasn’t just me.

I have a thing about Johns. Or Jonathans. Well, I don’t, but there have been a lot in my life. My Dad was called John. My oldest brother is Jonathan. I first fell in love with someone called John. During that time I also became close to another John who sadly committed suicide. I had a fling with a bloke on holiday who was called John. I had a boss who was my closest buddy for many years. Called – John. There are probably more of them but this is written off the top of my head.And then - I married a Jonathan.

One of my dreams is to live in a slightly bigger house – with a spare bedroom for when people come to stay – and a garden. I could then go to the local rescue centre and bring home some dogs and cats and they’d have a garden to run around in. The dogs, of course. The cats would have comfy beds and cushions to sleep on. But a garden to hunt in.

I inherited my habit of people watching from my mother. It’s not very sociable but is very good for improving writing dialogue. Rumour has it that when my father first took her out for a meal, he was trying to talk to her and became aware she wasn’t listening. When he persisted, she said, “Shhh. I’m listening to them.” Curiously, they went on to get married and had a very happy life together.

I’m a late starter. I realised what I really wanted to do with my life when I was 40. I married when I was 41. I became overwhelmed with broodiness at the age of 42. This continued for a while. I first began getting published when I was in my early 40s. It’s taken until 50 to get regular journalism work. Fingers crossed that will apply to my fiction. It’s a frustrating, challenging job that sometimes has me weeping that I‘m no good, that I can’t find the right words, the right sentence, say what I mean – and a million other worries. But on a good day, I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else.

Anyone else who wants to take up this tag please do.

21 comments:

Elaine Denning said...

I only know 2 Johns, I think.

Your post has given me so much hope - seeing as I'm 40 now.

How did you get started with publishing your work in magazines? Was it just a painful trawl through websites and endless amounts of emailing and begging? I'd love to have your job!

Cornish Dreamer said...

That's an awful lot of Johns!

Just wanted to say thanks for last night. We both had a great time!

Chris Stovell said...

Thanks for taking this up, especially, like me, when you've done it before! I did laugh at the Johns... guess what the girls' dad is called? Perhaps you know him?!

Flowerpot said...

MissU - I'm glad this has given you some hope. Think of Mary Wesley...
Getting started in magazines was part luck, part timing, part hard slog and studying the market. Basically doing enough research to establish what magazines want. But it takes a lot of perseverance.....

Flowerpot said...

RT - it is a lot isn't it? I've just remembered another one too! And I had a great time too. We must do it again!

MarmiteToasty said...

My X brother in law is a John, my first sons middle name is John in the bil's honour... and one of the nippers I childmind is a Jon.... Ive always thought John/Jon to be a manly name :)

We cant always plan out how ours lives paths are going to unwind, sometimes we just have to go with the flow of the stream that runs by the side of the path....

x

Flowerpot said...

ChrisH - I hardly dare ask what his surname is!!

Flowerpot said...

Marmite - it's funny I don't know that I actually LIKE the name John - bit late now... and you are so right about the paths our lives take...

Anonymous said...

People watching is a fabulous past-time!

CJ xx

Livvy U. said...

Lovely. Liked these 'random' things, especially the last,which as others have said, gives hope. Good to come by.
Livvy.

Flowerpot said...

Crystal - one of the best I think.And it's free!!

livvy - glad to meet you and please call back again.

Lane Mathias said...

Ah the Late Starters Club. I hear there are quite a few of us:-)

So many Johns!

Flowerpot said...

Lane - I like that. Anyone else a member of the Late Starters Club?!

Akelamalu said...

Those were interesting things to learn about you Flowerpot. I people watch too, especially when I'm on holiday, much to MWM's annoyance!

Thanks for the comment you left on Sophie's birthday memory, I really appreciate it. x

Flowerpot said...

Ak - glad you enjoyed it and good to see you back!

Fiona Mackenzie. Writer said...

Funny, I've never known a John but I have known lots of Daves and Steves. My mother would have rather they'd been Tobys and Henrys ...

Anonymous said...

Is people-watching inherited? I've always used the excuse that it's human nature - perhaps I'm just nosy!!

Flowerpot said...

Fiona - never known a John?!! Mind you, I've known quite a few Daves and Steves as well!

Flowerpot said...

Graham - good to hear from you again. Of course you're nosy - you're a journalist! We have to be! So glad Tilly is with you. Give her a big hug from me and Molls.

Flowerpot said...

koyaail - a great idea. You have my endorsement!

Liane Spicer said...

Loved reading your random things.

My father is a Russell. So's my brother. The man I married was one too. When he wanted to call our son Russell I put my foot down. Enough!

You're not the only late bloomer around here. I always wanted to write but never thought I was equipped with enough life experience. Then I turned 40 an realized that if I didn't do something about it I never would.

Regular journalism work sounds nice. I'd love to get a regular cheque for work I can do at home.