Sadly I won’t be doing A to Z this year for two reasons. Firstly, I am committed to the Heritage Lottery Funded Cemetery Research Project that I’m coordinating. It’s called Lives Behind the Stones and it's taking up more time than I ever expected. These last few weeks I’ve been checking and rechecking a list of names from graves with no headstone. Some date back as far as 1903 and, in some cases, there’s nothing but a scribbled name in the records. Without even a definite date of death to help, a small group of us have been researching the names. We’re going to have small stone plaques made for these unmarked plots but wouldn’t it be awful is we spelt the names incorrectly? The errors would literally be written in stone!
In addition to the Cemetery Project I’m working with the lovely Alice Povey, Illustrator, to complete my Children’s Book of Richard III. We are hoping to get it into the shops by June which isn’t that far away. So, you see, there really is no time to draw breath.
I’m sad that I won’t be joining the A to Z crowd. I made a lot of good blogger friends through A to Z. I also produced three fascinating lists. The first one was my A to Z of Leicester, the second was A to Z of nostalgia and the third was A to Z of lyrics. Maybe next year I’ll have a bit more time and I’ll be able to join in with all the manic fun. I’ll still come and visit lots of your A to Z contributions in-between all of my work but please forgive me if I don’t manage to visit every day.
I’ve decided that, when you’re a self-employed writer, work is like the proverbial bus, nothing comes along for ages and then, suddenly, you’re inundated!
If you want to take part in the A to Z this April then visit Arlee Bird who started the whole crazy thing going in the first place.
I remember your A-Z vividly,,it was fun and the songs always produced memories for me. Never mind...we ARE superwomen but we can't do it all.....
ReplyDeleteMe neither. I enjoyed it last year, but it takes me all my time to keep up to the W1S1 weekly challenge.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the exciting projects you do have going on!
ReplyDeleteI haven't decided yet if I will do it. I'm trying to shape up Killer Stilettos and practicing and learning how to make bookcovers.
ReplyDeleteI loved your songs, A to Z, Ros, but the years go past to quickly, we can look forward to your A to Z next year…if you're not too busy then of course!
ReplyDeleteI met you thru A to Z and that's been a plus. But I understand - April fills up quickly and you have a lot on your plate. Just keep us posted on your projects and the excitement of your new book. And you can always pop in with a little blurb on your Mr.A - he's a gem and I hope he's doing well. Take care and blog when you can. It's always a treat
ReplyDeleteWe participated in all three A to Z's together, and I'll also miss it this year. Congrats on your exciting projects, Rosalind! Both Lives Behind The Stones, and the Children's Book of Richard III sound wonderful! Looking forward to hearing more about your fascinating endeavors!
ReplyDeleteJulie
I too met you in the A-Z. What a whirlwind month that was. Haven't decided yet to join, but will miss you if I do.
ReplyDeleteWell, Go ahead with your projects,
ReplyDeleteBut still can have a glance at a to z
in the leisure time LOL
Have a wonderful time ahead
Best
Phil
I think that's true of anyone who is self-employed. You have nothing much to do and then it all comes at once. This will be my fourth A-Z challenge and I'm only starting to make decisions about it. After my exciting news, it has to be something to do with writing. I hope to see you as a commenter and hope you'll be back A-Zing next year. In the meantime, don't work too hard. ~Miriam
ReplyDeleteI think the feast-or-famine rule works in any branch of self-employment, Ros!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss your A-Z efforts - but it sounds like you having far too much fun with other stuff at the moment. Enjoy!!
My writing life is all famine and no feast, but if I was involved in something as fascinating as your graves project that would take the sting out of it. I haven't even thought about the A-Z yet - you're really planning ahead!
ReplyDeleteHi, Rosalind. Best wishes with the projects you are working on. Sounds like they are keeping you quite busy.
ReplyDeleteDo you know what Rosalind, what you're doing is important. It must feel so good. The A to Z will be here another year should you wish to do it but for now you have important things to concentrate on. Enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteBoth your project are so worthwhile, so interesting, and they will ultimately be very rewarding for you. I would love to read the Richard III children's book.
ReplyDeleteMan, I've been preparing for this year's fest since last years. But I get it, it's a fun thing and work comes first ^_~ But it sounds like your work is enjoyable to begin with.
ReplyDeleteYou have your plate full, girl. I'm debating with myself too, if I should. If the weather is nice I want to be outside and I'm still putting the house back in order after the pipes burst. All the floors still have to be sanded and I'll have to leave for that. We can't do everything.... but I'm still going back and forth with it in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThat is where we met.... 3 years ago.
Have a heavenly weekend.
I don't blame you. Both of your projects are so worthwhile, and probably time-consuming, as well. But your participation will surely be missed. You did a fantastic job in the past A-Zs.
ReplyDeleteI won't be participating this year, either. Last year, I took a month-long break from Blogger and used the month of April to concentrate on writing. That worked out well, so I think I'll do the same thing this year.
I'm sure I put a comment here. I'm not doing it this year either. I just don't have the time at the moment. It takes a lot of commitment.
ReplyDeleteHi Ros - can quite understand your decision to concentrate on your two projects - the Cemetery one does sound so interesting ... while the Richard III book will make an amazing read and June isn't far away.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to meeting up sometime soon .. but all the best sorting out those names .. I remember when I worked for the Farnborough Air Show and all the foreign dignitaries with their names and titles were a nightmare to unravel - but I refused to send out invites, unless they were as right as I could get them .. and cancelled the duplicates (lots of them!!) ....
So looking forward to finding out more about your projects ... good luck with them in the meantime .. cheers Hilary