You’re reading here from the woman who goes clothes shopping
and then spends most of her time in a bookshop, often coming home with books
instead of shoes.
It used to be different though. When I was a high school teacher
a monthly visit around the shops was a must. Yes, it was definitely “retail
therapy”. I just don’t feel the need for that any more.
I’ve just “retired” from the day job. What a lovely day job
that was, where no one would quibble if I sat writing my novel in my office on
the university campus. Marking was a bit like editing and as we writers probably
all know, editing other people actually helps you with your own writing. I
almost felt I was being paid a retainer. Sure there were some things that rankled
and were tough: student in distress, heavy amounts of admin, the feeling at times
that some people who had power over us didn’t understand the basic job – but
that’s what the pay was for. The rest of the job I would do even if I didn’t get
paid if I had the time once I’d worked enough at whatever to have basic needs
met.
So, now that I’m “retired” the way I spend my time hasn’t
changed a lot though I am now my own boss. I’m spending about four hours a day writing
and two to three hours a day promoting my own work or working on other people’s
writing and marketing. And getting out of my box at least once a day. I don’t
need to spend money on material goods other than on what I need. E.g. I really
did have to buy some shoes the other day. The old ones had holes in them. Money
is tighter of course but there are some concessions: slightly smaller charges
for the over-60s, no need to keep so many work clothes, less money spent on
commuting and in the canteen – and a few others. I feel no regret, however, because
my basic needs are met and I don’t crave anything else. How I’m allowed to
spend my time satisfies me.
However, I also operate as small company with my various publishing
activities and ought really to do something, I suppose. Yet we operate on a
tight budget and always in such a way that we remain solvent and we can’t
possibly go belly-up. That is a service we provide to our writers, so we can continue
to publish those that deserve to be published and haven’t managed to break into
the Murdoch-controlled empire.
Okay, then here’s my not-Black-Friday-offer: buy any of my
books or anything form the Chapeltown, Bridge House, Renascienta, or Red Telephone
imprints and I’ll donate £1.00 for each book to Crisis at Christmas. Just email
me to let me know: gill at btinternet dot com. Any time between NOW and 12.00 midnight
Greenwich MT Monday 28 November. Note this is my personal offer and not from
the imprints themselves.
And could you do a review as well please?
Enjoy avoiding the madness!