Photo courtesy of Andy Holloway
Yes, it really is. The above photo was taken by the husband of a lovely Walthamstow friend who baked the three tier birthday cake you can see the top of. I've never had three tiers in my life! Well worth turning 40 for. Can you believe how kind people are? I'm still staggered at the effort people went to for my birthday party at the Adam Street Club*, travelling the length of the country, booking babysitters and hotels, buying presents - and yes, baking cakes. I'll tell you something, though - we had a brilliant time. What else are significant numbers for, if not to bring friends together? I don't know how I'm going to top this when I turn 50!
Writerly presents included a beautiful notebook for my scribbles. I love looking back through full notebooks and revisiting my thoughts, word counts, chapter lists, shopping lists, web addresses, doodles and stains from months and years ago. In the day and age of a clean and easily amended Word document, this is often the only 'history' left behind by many a manuscript. Though I still own sheafs of typesetter's pages from my first novel. I can't bring myself to throw them out, even though they sit in a blanket chest being ignored.
Another unexpected but perfect present was a place booked at the Urban Writers Retreat. I love the UWR and can't wait to spend another day with the host, Charlie, and other writers as I work on ... what? My current novel or my next one that doesn't actually exist yet? I've had feedback on my work in progress from my agent, Jenny, and another friend who kindly read the latest draft. I meet with Jenny on Tuesday and then there will be further revisions. In the spirit of full and frank disclosure, I should admit that I had a slight wobble earlier in the week, worrying not that I would disappoint myself (well, that's always a worry!) but that I would fail others. I'm over it now, and these wobbles are all a writer's due, but I would like to thank my writing group who were there when I sent a thinly veiled plea for ego massage. 'I feel sorry for myself and would like you to make me feel better.' Oh dear, Karen. Not a single person told me to pull myself together, and for that I am grateful!
Today, I rest my weary body and drink many liquids. Tomorrow, it's back to the workaday world. And next weekend, I shall undoubtedly be writing. One other inspired birthday gift was a flask. Now I can take hot drinks with me to the Royal Festival Hall when I'm writing! My only concern is that the gift arrived in my hands sans a gift tag, and I don't know who bought me this lovely present. Anyone out there want to let me know who you are? Because I'm ever so grateful.
* A great venue, highly recommended, with lovely staff.
It was a fabulous venue and, Karen, you looked DIVINE!
Very impressive stuff, Kags............a lot more grand than my 40th was! Having a random surf and decided to check out your webpage- seems like you had a great night! The gal' has indeed come a long from way since those Lancaster days of skulking miserably in the corner of a disgusting student kitchen on the second floor of County College, lol. I'll try to look you up next time I get a few days in London, am down on April 16-17 but as the Saturday afternoon is meant to be spent watching the footie in a pub I probably won't be compos mentis to be out with that evening, so am planning to come back to Manc about 6ish.
Best,
Nick Toots