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| The Ruth Leigh Writes monthly newsletter |
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Let Your Friendly Local Author (That’s Me) Add Some Sparkle To Your Life
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| I’ve spent ages trying to finish My Own Darling Child, the follow up to A Great Deal of Ingenuity, and I’ve been holding back a bit. However, some wise advice from some good friends was to stop trying to write a couple of stories which weren’t flowing and call it a day. So I have. The manuscript is now in the hands of peer reviewers and my editor, leaving me free to write the next one. Tentatively titled The Diary of Ruth Leigh Aged Fifty Eight and Three Quarters (I let out a little secret there), I will be publishing it this year, and it will have some Issy Smugge content. So watch this space and remember, that once it’s written and published, I’m free to return to the Old Rectory and start writing the fifth Isabella M Smugge book #onaroll
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| | It’s been a good year so far with lots of events, meeting lovely new people and really investing in my freelance writing career and writing workshops. One of the most enjoyable things about working for yourself is that you call the shots. Technically speaking, I could be typing this in bed, clad in a pair of pyjamas while sipping coffee. I mean, I’m not, but I could be. However, with that freedom comes all the worries of not having a structured day (I have to sort that one out), pension contributions, sick pay and financial security. I’ve been self-employed for 22 years now and I’d never go back. That’s one of the reasons I work so hard, always try to think outside the box and appreciate the support my readers give me so much. Thank you, all of you. Every time you buy a book or leave a review, it gives me the strength to keep on going.
The last weekend of June was fun. At Wenhaston on Saturday I met Rachel With, the first person ever to buy a book from me at an event, three and a half years ago. She was honoured by being given a character name in Continued Times, as was her dad, Sherby. It was wonderful to see her again and chat about what might be happening in book five. Never forget what a difference you make to an author when you decide to buy a copy of their book.
Colin’s Corner |
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| Many of you enjoyed the video of Mr Leigh fixing Colin outside the Castle Community Rooms last month. It’s amazing what some scissors and a roll of gaffer tape can do. If you missed it, here’s the link. Feel free to comment.
Colin is now upright once more. He normally has a day off when I do outside events, but I knew there would be trouble if I left him at home for the Wickham Market Summer Market on 21st June. Sure enough, Mr Leigh and I had hardly put up the gazebo and arranged the books before fans (and by fans, I mean Colin fans) were approaching saying not, “Hello Ruth” or “How are you, Ruth?” as you might expect, but “Where’s Colin?” It soon became clear who the star of the show was. A number of ladies came to gaze upon him and several actually laid hands upon his person. You know who you are. It was a hot day with occasional breezes and the poor chap fell over quite a few times until I wedged him between two tables. We both had a lovely day and he is looking forward to his next appearance at Laxfield Community Market on 5th July. Our stall is in the welcoming confines of a medieval church, so there will be no gusts of wind to send him crashing to the floor.
He says hello by the way. |
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| Martlesham Primary Academy
Going into schools and talking about writing to the students is one of my very favourite things to do. Last month, I attended the second Martlesham Primary Academy Poetry Slam and had a fantastic afternoon. Each class had chosen or written a poem which they performed to their families and friends outside on the school field. I was there to judge them and provide feedback, as well as be the warm up person (I told them the story of my floating sleeves getting caught on a rose bush at Hadleigh Deanery Fete which went down well). I was so impressed by the pupils’ confidence and passion. The theme this year was the environment and everyone watching felt the power of what was being said. It was good to meet a few super fans again and chat over the bookstall afterwards. Anyone who says that Generation Alpha don’t have a social conscience and a voice can see me after class, thank you very much.
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| The ‘last child’ starting Year 7
July is the month of high school careers days. My last child has just left Farlingaye High School and I am now contemplating a life without school runs. However, I’m spending two days at that fine establishment speaking to the Year 10 students about my writing career and giving them advice on work and finding out what they really want to do. Last year, my daughter and many of her friends were in that group and I received heartening encouragement on my delivery style. So it’s back on with the floaty peacock dress (the one with the sleeves) and my Speaker’s Sandals to go and inspire around 300 fourteen and fifteen year olds.
I visit East Bergholt High School every year for their Year 9 Careers Day and will be doing that hard on the heels of the two days at Farlingaye. The energy of teenagers always inspires me and there’s nothing I love more than seeing a bunch of them walking in expecting to be bored witless and finding that actually this middle aged woman in a floaty dress might not be too bad after all.
For the first time, I’m visiting Hadleigh High School for their Year 9 Careers Day this month, which I’m very much looking forward to. Top chum and writer mate Sarah Nicholson (@reravelling on the socials) lives a stone’s throw away so I will be visiting for a restorative cup of tea afterwards. Thanks Sarah! |
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| My daughter and I went along to hear Larry Lamb (aka Mick Shipman from Gavin and Stacey) speak at Woodbridge Library last month. We were both a bit starstruck. I was given strict instructions before we went in. “Use your inside voice. Don’t start chatting to all your friends and embarrassing me. When we meet him, don’t say oh I’m a writer and give him a card.” I solemnly promised to behave myself. Larry was fab! Just as funny, generous and lovely as you’d hope. I nearly managed not to embarrass my daughter, but as we were both fangirling like mad, she didn’t really care that I saw lots of people I knew and spoke to them in an enthusiastic manner. Thanks to Susie and the team at Woodbridge Books for organising such a fun evening #supportlocal
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| I’ve mostly been reading Jane Austen scholarly works of late to help with writing My Own Darling Child. However, I kept hearing about a book which intrigued me and on a recent visit to a bookshop, there it was. “Really?” I said to myself. “Is this something you’re going to enjoy?” Endorsements from Angelina Jolie and William Hague puzzled me somewhat (can you imagine a more unusual couple?) but I took the plunge and I’m really glad I did. The book is Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. It deserves every rave review and her place on various bestseller lists of which I can only dream.
“So what’s it about, then?” I hear you cry. Stick with me. The author is at home in the countryside during lockdown. She finds a leveret (a baby hare) which appears to have been abandoned by its mother and looks after it. It’s not a pet and she never gives it a name. It’s a simple premise, but it had me hooked. Her writing is so delicate and fluid and the subject matter is remarkable. I learned a huge amount and she soothed my soul with her beautiful writing. Honestly, I loved it. As the world seems to be lurching from crisis to crisis in the time it takes you to put on the kettle, this is a wonderful antidote. Highly recommended.
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| | | | In July, you can find me at:
Laxfield Community Market, Laxfield Church, Saturday 5th July 9.30am - 12.00pm
Bungay Street Market, Sunday 6th July, 10am - 3pm (we’re pitch number S40 outside the fish and chip shop. Look out for the purple gazebo)
The Chairman’s Summer Event, Endeavour House Ipswich, Thursday 10th July, 11am - 2.30pm
Gislingham Summer Fair, Gislingham Primary School, Saturday 12th July, 12pm - 4pm
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| I came across this quote from Haruki Murakami, the Japanese writer and essayist.
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
So be original. Strike out for yourself. Don’t be swept along by the crowd. And have a great July.
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