A Good Investment -- Sarah Nicholson

Pushing all imposter syndrome thoughts away this month I have made the decision to properly invest in my writing future.

No understanding of stock options, bonds, interest rates are needed for this endeavour although MONEY is a key part of the equation.

First I picked up a light box from the charity shop for the bargain price of £3.

Ruth Leigh uses one of these for her promotional events, lit up with the message Meet the Author or Me the Author, when the letters go awry. Can you spot the Lightbox in her latest Authors Electric blog post?

I wanted to put Writer at Work on mine but settled for I Am A Writer, both to banish the imposter blues and because there are only 2 Rs in my set of letters – the joys of buying preloved!

On the same day as I bagged my bargain, I splashed out on a luxurious writing retreat at the end of November with one of my favourite authors Cathy Rentzenbrink. I’ve done a few online courses with her but now I get the chance to meet her and share my own words. I’ll probably make a complete twit of myself – but even if I do, I know I’ll have something to write about next month!

November is not a good month for me, not only do the nights draw in but it is the anniversary of my husband’s death as well as his birthday. I usually have a wobble as the grief resurfaces, usually on odd days, not the actual key ones. A cosy retreat being embraced by warm words might bring a tear or two but will undoubtedly bring much joy and growth for me as a writer.

I’ve done other courses before, invested money and another key ingredient for investment is TIME.

In the summer I did an in person writing course with local writer Maddy Glenn who also runs the award-winning company Softwood Self-Publishing

Each session was an hour but it took me half an hour to drive each way. I am fortunate to have the time to spare in the middle of the day. I enjoyed the countryside rolling by as I thought about what I’d learned that week, or listened to an audio book.

I’ve also attended other workshops and conferences and book launches, breathing the air of other creative types.

I’ve made an investment of TIME and MONEY, I need to add in some effort and hopefully I shall reap the rewards. They may not always be financial but I am sure they will add to the richness of my life.