I had always been determined to write a book, or books. This was always a difficult challenge because anyone who does write knows its a full time job. But guess what? I already had one of those. I used it to do all the things you would expect, paying bills, looking after family. But it did nothing to look after my writing career. 

I realised I just had to get started, start somewhere l. Even if it was only ten minutes. A couple of hundred words would be a start, and I would build from there. It’s really hard work, but whenever there is a little free time (like now as I sit and hope my car passes its MOT) I write instead of doom scrolling.

Since I started this process I have written two poetry collections and probably about 100 more poems, at least 20 short stories and a 20,000 word novella. I am now working on 3 or 4 other projects, which will eventually become novels. A starting from a small change in habit. The hardest challenge I have set has been the current novel I am working on. Mainly just the ambitious scale of the piece is pushing beyond anything I have written to date. It’s exciting and interesting to see what I am capable of but so hard to do when fitting it round everything else. I believe I can do it. I have the determination. My advice would be to just start that thing you want to do, before self doubt creeps in. What are you waiting for?