2024 - Highs and Lows - 2025 Goals..

Happy New Year Folks!

As the Sun sets on another year (although the photo is of a Sunrise),  I thought I'd go through my 2024 with you briefly.

2024 has been a mix bag but see for yourself.

Highs -

Visiting Llandudno and Conwy Castle.

A fantastic place to visit.  I may go again in 2025 or leave it for a year or more.

Sheffield Waterstones and meeting a reader friend.

I visited Sheffield and Sheffield Waterstones for the first time ever.  I also bumped into my reader Facebook friend and fellow blogger Andy, which was a nice surprise.

The Haunting of Blaine Manor.

Visited the theatre for the first time in decades. Also introduced my daughter to theatre and thoroughly enjoyed The Haunting of Blaine Manor.  A tense and spooky treat for Halloween, with plenty of twists.

Edge-lit 10.

As ever Edge-lit was great this year. It was moved to September which gave me more time to save up. It also showcased some great writers including Robert Sherman, Mark Morris and Fast Shows Charlie Higson.

I also hung around with old writing pals and made new ones!  Can't wait for Edge-lit in 2025!

Meeting Author John Gwynne!

In October, I got to meet one of my favourite authors and probable successor to David Gemmell - John Gywnne.  It was a great interview and met RJ Barker again.  I also got to see Booktuber and John's son Will.

I also bumped into Becca who is another Booktuber.

Denby Dale and Yorkshire Authors.

Visited the small village of Denby Dale to see my old Cleckheaton Writing friend Karen and surprise her.  I also bumped into my Edge-lit friend Nick for what was a fun trip out.

Whitby.

I also visited Whitby for the first time which I really enjoyed but it was heaving.  Will definitely be going back in the next year or two.

Other Highs -

Of course there are many other highs through the year.  These include trips out with Mum and Daughter to Christmas Markets and pub drinks.

Trips to the cinema to watch some great films including Deadpool and Wolverine and Gladiator 2.

Superman and Louis series 4 was also a high for me and very underrated.

I managed to read a book or two including Guards Guards and Doctor Who.

Lows -

Health.

This year hasn't been great for my health, both mentally and physically.

I've been off work with stress twice and may have prediabetes.  I've also put weight on too.

Reading.

At the beginning of the year I started the 24 books in 2024 challenge.  I read a couple of good books but at the time of writing still reading only book number 5 of the challenge so failed miserably.

Writing.

Again like reading, my writing started off well. I joined the Write Magic Fire and Ice challenge in January which got me typing away.  Sadly after January my writing fizzled out.

Goals For 2025 -

Health.

My aim is to cut out sugar as much as I can and find a better diet to follow.

I'm hoping to start going swimming as well as work out at home for a couple of months before hitting the gym two to three times a week.

Regular bed times.

Mentally I'm going to walk more and get a job where I'm moving more eventually.

I will try to spend more time with Mum too.

Reading.

I'm going to move the books I haven't read in the 24 books in 2024 challenge and move them to the 25 books in 2025 challenge.

I hope to add one or two books.

I'm also planning to cut down my time watching shit on TV, YouTube and on social media.  This time will be better spent on getting fit and reading.

Writing.

In 2025 I hope to do my own writing more and take more time to plan out stories.

I want to blog more regularly and find other ways to post my blog on other media.  I also hope to improve content.

I also hope to visit Cleckheaton Writing Group a few times this year, as I miss having someone to talk to about writing.

To help improve my writing I'm also wanting to enrol in an English/Creative Writing course with the Open University.  I need to hurry as sign up is at the beginning of January.

I'm hoping if I stay focused on the above three goals my mental health will improve.

Also.

• Spend as much time with Mum.  She's getting on and needs help more.
• Get abroad in the middle of the year.  Will help improve my mental health.
• Possibly look for another job/career if my stress and anxiety rise too much again.
• Meet my friends more often especially ones I haven't seen in a while.
• Visit more Waterstones and continue my tour of UK Waterstones.
• Visit my Aunt down South.
• Don't worry, be happy.

Here's to a great New Year and 2025 for everyone.

Neil x

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas Folks!

Just a quick post as I've hardly posted any blog posts this December.

Partly due to me slowly going back to work . Also because it's Christmas time.

My favourite place to go at Christmas is York and the Christmas market.  Sadly I've missed it this year.  Although I did go just before the market was being set up.

I visited and explored York Minster for the first time.  So enjoy the pictures and the snowy local Christmas style pictures.

Neil x 

Currently Reading!

 

Hey Book Nerds!

Just a quick update.  Not much content to put on my blog, so here's a quick post about what I'm reading.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.  So far enjoying the novel. I will say that's it's best to read the first trilogy set in the First Law world.  This starts with The Blade Itself.

Hopefully will finish this in the next 2 weeks, before Christmas.  Although it is a chunky book.

What are you reading?

Put a message of what you're reading in the comments.

Neil x

December 2024 Update!

 

Hey Folks!

The last month of 2024 has arrived.  I've said it in many updates, but 2024 has flown by.

Not a big update this month as I've not done much except been off work.

November Review -

November started off well.  I went to Denby Dale, a quaint village on the outskirts of Huddersfield.

A lovely village. I went to support fellow writer and Cleckheaton Writing Group leader Karen Naylor.

There was an event held for local authors, to sell their novels.

Also there was my Edge-lit werewolf friend (or fiend), Nick Stead.

I purchased their books and a crime novel.  It was great to see them and catch up.

Although, as much as the event got me fired up to write again, sadly I didn't write any stories in November.  Although I wrote more blog posts.

Reading wise in November I finished 77 Shadow Street and started Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie.

With being off work, to help declutter my noggin, I rearranged by book shelves.

I also hauled the last book I needed in Terry Pratchett's City Watch series. The Fifth Elephant.

In December -

My reading goal is to finish Best Served Cold.  Then just before Christmas start reading a Christmas novel, say,  Christmas Evie by Karen Naylor.

Writing in December may take a back seat, with Christmas coming up, my stress and anxiety being up and decision about work coming up.

With work, at the minute I'm still off with stress and have a meeting with work in a few days.  Something needs to be done as my head's in a fog most of the time.  Also getting less money ain't great at Christmas.

So December may be a mixed bag.

Anyway hope you're all well and getting into the Christmas spirit!

Neil x