Some thoughts on Plot is character. Character is plot.

I was thinking of writing about Christmas tree envy. Over the weekend I was beginning to experience it. All those beautiful trees I spied on my weekend at Sandringham, real or on the fictional side (artificial), made me wish I already had mine in place.
So today I went to Blenheim and chose a beauty. The man who was netting it saw me looking at one another customer was eyeing up and accused me of Christmas tree envy.
'How funny!', I said, ' I was just going to write about that.'

Rat catchers old and new styles

Emotion on the doormat.

Now the Christmas cards are starting to drop through the letter box. Started with a drip, then a trickle, one morning next week I'll come downstairs and find the door has caved in under the pressure of the flood!

I love the envelopes with handwritten addresses. They are the best. I feel comfortable about people who still use pens. You don't even need to open it. Leave it on the table and look at the beautiful handwriting and remember all the things you used to do with that person. Then, after unhurried breakfast mindfulness, start to prise it open. What will it reveal this year?

Some early birds ruin their efforts with the standardised printed label, drawing attention to themselves with their hyper-efficiency and leaving you to decipher the postmark and guess who. Much more difficult game and not quite so satisfying. Yesterday, I guessed the wrong Aunty. I was really miffed. I thought I had it sussed, but now the Aunties are copying eachother's modus operandi!

I'll buy some cards and stamps today. Honest. I'll write them tonight and maybe some will cause emotion on the doormat or breakfast table in time for Christmas.

Christmas Build Up

Christas cheer available on Catherine's page

Tim's story - a possible cover

Sara's quote for the Thursday people

Run your pen through every second word you have written. You have no idea what vigour it will give to your style. (Sydney Smith)

Plot is character. Character is plot. (Scott Fitzgerald)