W for What's Next?

This maverick is moving on from looking back

I'm taking a break from this weekly series before I reach the end of the alphabet. Twenty two personal essays sharing episodes from a fairly ordinary life seem like more than enough. I'm not sure what readers have gained from them but I'm grateful to the handful who have read at least some. Doubly so for those who have engaged – mostly people I know personally.

For me the exercise has helped me get back into a regular writing habit. I am currently over 5,000 words into a short story I intend to submit to Rayne Hall's winter contest. But what I really need to get stuck into is the completion of my historical novel about the Tudor plantation of the Irish Midlands and the man who founded a dynasty that is still flourishing here in my home village.

I might return to Substack in the New Year with a weekly alphabetical series featuring people who have been important influences in my life.

Until then I wish all my readers an enjoyable winter holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year.