Sheep, shawl, favourite wall

Approximately-weekly news, #63

Beloved Mr. Butland was 81. We went out for afternoon tea.

I made him a chocolate cake (as per request), and went More Is More on the decoration. It was delicious. (It was this recipe.) If it wasn’t for the blackberries, I would be 60% cake at this point.*

Harris joined in the relaxed birthday vibe.**

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I’ve just had an extremely happy morning mapping out the next book. This is where it starts:

I know a lot of writers (myself included) have favourite pens/notebooks/etc. I would like to think I’m not alone in having a favourite wall.

This was not the extent of my morning’s work, by the way! The bright pink line is now well populated with post-its in three different colours for three different storylines. At the moment they tail off a bit after the mid-point, but that’s how it goes, for me. As I write, the story fleshes itself out, and I start to understand what the details will be. Though I always have the gist; I can tell you the themes and the emotional journeys from the get-go.***

I’m really excited to be writing this novel. I’ve had it mind since before I started the last one. My heart is full of the story, and my back brain is bubbling. (But not in a ‘PAGE NEUROSURGERY! STET!’ kind of a way.)

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In Books I Am Proud To Have Worked On news, THE APPROVAL OF SHEEP by Karen Storey is available for pre-order. It’s a real treat of a novel: touching, and uplifting, and with sheep.

Yes, sheep.

Trust me on this. You’re going to love it. Pre-order the paperback here or the ebook here, and find Karen’s website here and her Instagram here.

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I have finished my Springflor shawl. It’s a thing of beauty. (Note to knitters: apart from adding the tassel, it’s knitted exactly as written, and it’s a straightforward, intuitive pattern once you get your eye in.)

The last time I was in London, I went to Loop with the intention of finding something beautiful to knit, and something beautiful to knit it with. Knitting has been a power of good in my life for a long time, and wonderful, over the last year, for soothing my sadness and filling up the hours of hospital time, not to mention showing my love. But I was ready for it to be a thing of uncomplicated pleasure again.

I chose fine, single-ply yarn (good for drape and softness) in colours Amber and Beach Glass****. I even bought new needles.

I think it’s fair to say I’ve enjoyed knitting every stitch of this. And soon, the weather will cool, and I’ll be able to wear it myself as I go about my life, rather than draping it round a honeysuckle, which is probably warm enough anyway.

(There’s a post about knitting and grief here. Full disclosure: I gave up on the what-my-life-is-today scarf in May, having discovered that no one day is one thing.)

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Before I go, a reminder to hit me up if you’re interested in support for your writing between now and Christmas. I’ve shared a lot about novels I’ve worked on recently; I also work on non-fiction and memoir. Hannah said:

I have worked with Stephanie over several years on my memoir, which I am now approaching book agents with. Stephanie has been a steady, kind, encouraging, and detailed writing mentor across this process. Her skill in giving practical feedback has helped me to craft my writing to tell my story and truth in the way that suits my voice and the work we did putting many chapters together, was instrumental in me finding the book's final form. Writing memoir is a huge challenge to undertake and you need a writerly companion along the way to support you through the tough bits, help you process life into summary, scene and story, and to generally provide support, cheerleading and a steady mentoring presence throughout. Stephanie has been that person for me, and I am hugely grateful for all her wisdom and belief in what felt like an impossible task. I cannot recommend her enough - get her on your team! You will not regret it.'

Details of how we might work together, on fiction, non-fiction or memoir, are here. We can also tailor a package according to your need or budget.

And Zoom workshop details are here. (I will be doing more, but probably not until February.)

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Until next week, friends, I’m wishing you good days, and restful sleep, and hedgerows full of brambles.

Stephanie x

*Which would obviously be a bad thing. But also, not.

**Or maybe was just exhausted from all the digging. In all conscience I can no longer call The Project a hole. It’s a crater for sure. Well, two craters. *weeps*

***This is not the only way to write a novel, or even the only way that I might write a novel. It’s the way that’s working for this one.

****I have just noticed that these are the first two colours on the alphabetical list on the website. Could someone please talk me down from knitting something with all of the other thirty-eight colours, before I decide that this is A Sign? I See Seashells! Rhubarb! Silver Fox!