Where a Fallen Feather Became a Quill

Hello and welcome to my next blog entry! With another page turned within the chapters of my writing career, it is time for yet another reflection of all the achievements completed over the course of not only this month but the twelve in which I have been engaged with the writing of this online blog. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

First of all, I am incredibly proud to say that I have finally finished the first full draft of my Masters dissertation! Although there still remains a lot of work to be done, with a reflection to write and potential edits to be analysed on the advice of my hired sensitivity reader - see future blogs for more on this experience - the longest portion of this assessment has been completed. Honestly, I have relished my writing of this novella so much that I often forget this text is, currently, being composed as part of my university course. The characters and world are so inspiring to me that I am extremely motivated to finish this piece, whether for personal satisfaction or to potentially send off to publishers. Either way I know that the completion of this narrative in my own time will be extremely beneficial for me and I cannot wait to delve into this story further.

For the moment, I will be setting aside the creative portion of my dissertation to focus on the reflection aspect of the module, meaning that my prime focus shall be on digesting as much written and visual material as I can uncover. Inspiration arises from all aspects of life, whether through fiction or our everyday lives, so I am intrigued to discover and analyse what has guided me through the creation of this written world. However, throughout this time and over the next month I shall also be focusing on maintaining a healthy mental state and ensuring that my mind receives ample rest between larger spells of writing. This means relishing the time with loved ones and spending time in the great outdoors, as well as returning to the hobbies that I adore. Be sure to keep an eye on my Instagram and next blog entry, where I shall be uploading particularly inspiring images and photographs taken from my month of respite.

Finally, on to perhaps the greatest reflection to appear on this writing site. Tomorrow, the 29th June, marks exactly one year since the first published blog entry on this website. It is crazy to me exactly how much has happened in the space of one year, in terms of both my writing and personal life. Accompanied by a global pandemic no less, the past year for me, like so many others, has been filled with a chaotic upsurge of emotions, both thrilling and uncertain. Yet, in between all the emotional turbulence, I have managed to complete my undergraduate English BA (Hons) course, very nearly finish my postgraduate Masters Creative Writing course, receive my first Covid 19 vaccination - a prospect only still in development this time last year! - grow within more than one kind of personal relationship and find a part time administration job that will not only help to fund my writing career but already acknowledges the importance of such an endeavor. Not only this, but my little online venture has already grown from a few readers to 100 Instagram followers, something which I had no idea would occur when I first started this platform.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to express myself and my love of words through this medium. I certainly feel like I have grown in confidence and experience, as well as a surging faith to strive for the career and writing life I aspire to possess. At the end of the day, stories are a part of life and I am so thankful and excited for my ability to express my own. I really hope that updating my writing progress each month has inspired, or at least entertained, most of you reading this and I cannot wait to see what happens over this next year and beyond!

This is where I leave the entry for this month. As mentioned, make sure to keep an eye out for future entries, notably my experience in hiring a sensitivity reader for my work. I am very excited to delve into the new and to share any advice I have with you all. For now I shall leave you with my own belief, to keep safe and strong in following your passion!

Until next time,

Emily