My weekend by myself in Wiltshire has worked wonders for me. For one thing, I was researching my setting and some of the characters in my book, and that’s always inspiring. But the thing that helped the most, I think, was time.
I realised it Saturday afternoon. I was sitting with my back to one of the standing stones in Avebury. Three or four stones down, a group of people were sitting in much the same position that I was in, with their eyes closed and their legs crossed, calm expressions on their faces as they meditated to get in tune with the celestial harmonies that the stones invoke. Or maybe they were making up grocery lists. Who knew.
I wasn’t meditating. I’d chosen this stone for its strategic position; it was near the gate that was one of two entrance points to the field, but sitting behind it, I wasn’t highly visible from the path, which meant that I could eavesdrop on every person who walked past me. For a writer, it was bliss.
And as I was sitting scribbling down random notes of what I’d heard, it hit me: I did not need to be anywhere. I didn’t need to make sure anyone was fed, or entertained; I didn’t need to talk if I didn’t want to, I didn’t need to cram in all my work because I only had a few hours or make a quick trip to the shop for milk.
For the first time in nearly two and a half years, and for the next twenty-four hours, my time was my own.
It’s amazing what you can do when you have a bit of time. I worked out my problems with the beginning of this book and I planned some more of what will happen next. I identified some of the key symbols that will keep on recurring in different ways. I saw the structure of the story in my head, its dips and peaks and landmarks, and though I don’t know what the landmarks are yet, I know they’re there.
Being at an ancient site actually helped me with this a lot. While my own time was free, I could feel the weight of time all around me, the slower ticking of many lives. Experiences and beliefs overlapping, the passage of thousands and thousands of feet.
Lovely pics, Julie.
I heard someone say recently that once you have children, your life is no longer your own. That’s very true – I don’t regret it in the slightest, but it does mean that I really do appreciate the rare occasions when I’m just me and don’t have to think about school runs/nagging re homework/having one ear open to defuse squabbles before they get too stroppy with each other while trying to work…
Glad the book is going well.
I think everyone could do with time off. Even if they don’t have kids you get so wrapped up in the minutiae.
Biddy x
Totally agree. I get a lot of thinking done when I’m alone for a day or two.
It’s funny how some people react to the idea of a short break on your own: with absolute horror, because they think being alone is terrible; or with envy, because they’d love some time by themselves!
I have to have regular alone time or I’m not a nice person. Luckily Mr Nell has discovered this and takes the belles off in our touring caravan from time to time leaving me with a blissful couple of days to be myself.
Nice. Just nice. So glad you had that time!
Gorgeous pics! I love time to myself too. I was watching some show on TV and Dr. Phil’s wife’s secret to looking to young is to take time for yourself. As women we’re conditioned to always give but we’re just as deserving of sitting with our backs to a standing stone in Avebury
You are so right, Julie. A whole wodge of Time is utter bliss. Your photos brought back memories. I went to Avebury on a school trip over 40 years ago and it doesn’t look as thought it has changed one bit. Lovely, lovely place.
Oh, and I adore the image of you soaking up the past and scribbling down the present.
Sounds like you had a great time. I now make sure I have “me” time pencilled in on calender, even if it 6 months away!