Wednesday 1 December 2021

DECEMBER AND THE TALE OF A WRITING NOTEBOOK by Penny Dolan

Today is the first of December and a Christmas Tree covered in lights has appeared in a window across the road in a home where there are young children.

                        Christmas tree - Wikipedia

So, although Christmas at our home only begins just before the Big Date, I was inspired to start ABBA’s month with an as-yet undiscovered, almost Seasonal Song. You may recognise the slightly mangled tune. "Enjoy!"


THE CAUTIONARY TALE OF THE WRITER’S NOTEBOOK


On the 1st Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

A Totally Winning Idea!

        

On the 2nd Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Two Clever Heroes

and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 3rd Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 4th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Four Scary Scenes

Three Strong Themes, Two Clever Heroes

 and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 5th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Five Bold Twists.

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes

 and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 6th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Six Great Locations

Five Bold Twists, Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 7th Day of Christmas, my NoteBook sent to me

Seven Steps of Story,

Six Great Locations, Five Bold Twists,

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 8th Day of Christmas, my Notebook gave to me

Eight Delicious Dialogues

Seven Steps of Story, Six Great Locations, Five Bold Twists,

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes

and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 9th Day of Christmas my Notebook gave to me

Nine “Feely” Pet Scenes,

Eight Delicious Dialogues, Seven Steps of Story, Six Great Locations,

Five Bold Twists,

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes

and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 10th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Ten Luscious Landscapes,

Nine “Feely” Pet Scenes, Eight Delicious Dialogues, Seven Steps of Story,

Six Great Locations, Five Bold Twists,

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes and a Totally Winning Idea!


On the 11th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Eleven Subtle Symbols,

Ten Luscious Landscapes, Nine “Feely” Pet Scenes, Eight Delicious Dialogues,

Seven Steps of Story, Six Great Locations, Five Bold Twists,

Four Scary Scenes, Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes

and a Totally Winning Idea!


And

On the 12th Day of Christmas, my Notebook sent to me

Twelve Marketing Angles

Eleven Subtle Symbols, 

Ten Luscious Landscapes,

 Nine “Feely” Pet Scenes,

Eight Delicious Dialogues, 

Seven Steps of Story,

Six Great Locations, 

Five Bold Twists . . .(and breathe!),

Four Scary Scenes, 

Three Strong Themes,

Two Clever Heroes

and a Totally Winning Idea! Yay!


                                        Christmas tree - Wikipedia

However, to gently continue. . .

But just as I sat down at the desk, 

all my Wonderful Friends & Relations arrived 

needing Quantities of Festive Food - and Drink - 

and Hospitality for that night, and for the one 

after and after and so on . . . 

 

I sighed. I smiled 

brightly. “Come in and welcome!” I cried.

As for that wonderful Writer’s Notebook? 

Oh well. Oh well indeed. 

 

Alas, one of the less thoughtful visitors thrust

My Notebook into the Very Merry Yule Log Fire.

All the Assembled Company said it made a 

stunning blaze. 

 

Never mind, next year will be better . . .  

And I will remember all those brilliant ideas, 

won’t I?

 

The Moral of the Story is make sure you save 

some time for yourself and keep an eye on all 

that matters to you. 

 

It's so, so easy to tidy a vital “writing something” away

 and forget where you placed it once the rush is over.

Stale chocs, anyone?

                        File:The Yule Log.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Happy Christmas to One and All and - more seriously -

wishing all the Scattered Authors much joy and 

 success during the Year Ahead.


Penny Dolan

@pennydolan1


7 comments:

Susan Price said...

Brilliant!

Steve Gladwin said...

You took the word right out of my mouth, Sue! Now let's all sing it. ready. 1-2-3.

Sue Purkiss said...

Brilliant!

Joan Lennon said...

I read the last bit as 12 Marketing Angels - that works too! Thanks for this, Penny!

Penny Dolan said...

Thanks, everyone.
Writing this post amused me too!

Lynne Benton said...

Wonderful, Penny! Thank you for this timely reminder.

Rowena House said...

Amen! Haven't you struck a chord, Penny. Here's to us all keeping that creative space sacred.