This is the Dilemma.
I am about to start a two week holiday in the Greek Islands [ see picture - this is the view from the kitchen window].
Question: Do I take a complete break from this writing business? Do I go on strike, and refuse to give in to the separation anxiety, angst and general lack of functionality associated with not telling lies on paper on a daily basis.
IN other words. Do I actually take a holiday from writing anything other than postcards?
OR? Do I accept the inevitable and stash enough paper and pens in my hand luggage [ just in case the suitcase goes missing in two airports, you understand] since this greek village has a 'mini-market' where the supply of children's school exercise books and pencils can be very limited. I may, gulp, RUN OUT..
CRISIS.
And what if I am obliged to read fiction written by other authors who, another gulp, are ten times better than I am at holding the reader spellbound on her poolside lounger? Forcing me to face the fact that I am doomed as a thriller/romance writer and my old day job is a much better idea.
DECISION AND ACTION.
Two new A4 pads- squared paper of course, and six ballpoints. No laptops. No palm held.
RESOLUTION.
I feel a lot better now. Thank you for your concern. Nothing else to see here, go about your business folks. All well.
No doubt you followed the 'Nibbies' book award with zero interest, but sorry to say that J K Rowling was the source of great amusement due to her 'wardrobe malfunction'.
Thank heavens she had her literary publicist Mark Hutchinson standing by to assist.
I think these pictures say it all.
Note to self. WHEN accepting major award, DO NOT chose dress likely to fall down at the front so that you are constantly having to hitch it up.
Second note to self. How did Katie Price manage it???
Go here to see the detail - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23476497-details/When%20JK%20met%20Jordan%20at%20the%20British%20Book%20Awards%20who%20showed%20more%20than%20they%20meant%20to/article.do
SNARF!
Julie Cohen* has been blogging recently about the capacity of available storage space and her rapidly expanding collection of precious books.
Otherwise known in this house as 'The Stash.'
Could this be a possible answer?
To paraphrase Gollum - I wants them, I needs them. My precious.
What's more important: Integrity or making a living as a writer?
Thought that would get your attention.
No. Alex Romano is not my secret hero. But...A piece of trivia for you.
I have owned and ridden a series of motorbikes over the years.
The first bike was a student's dream - a Honda 90 called Wendy.
She did 120 miles a gallon and was useful to getting home about late sessions at the university. I actually drove from Yorkshire to the Dorset coast and back on that bike!
Wendy was stolen in Bradford and I received more back on the insurance that the bike cost to buy.
Now there is a Triumph Trophy 1200 in our garage - but I am definitely the pillion.
So there you have it - Ray-Anne has been a biker girl. There are photos but you are all too young and sensitive for that kind of horror.
And I never, ever, had a plastic skull between the handlebars.
What's playing on my YouTube right now? Bad to the Bone with Jensen Ackles http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iCOoiFP69_s
* That gorge is HOW deep? And this is the only way across? 
Hide and seek.
Liz tagged me to do this.* So it is all her fault.
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, just make one up...or use the one you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
Well, I don't have a middle name, but my family have always simply called me 'Ray' for as long as I can remember, so I'm going with the second part of my name - Anne.
A. Acting out the role created for me by my place within the class system in the UK. Stuff that. I have always walked my own path and made my own choices. I suspect that my parents often thought that there had been a mix up at the maternity hospital and they had come home with someone else's child.
N. Nuns. I was lucky enough to win a scholarship to a Roman Catholic Convent High School at my 11 plus = swotty child- and I adored every minute of it. Head girl. Sack load of CGSEs. The lot. Forget horror stories of tormenting sisters, these women and the lay teachers were totally brilliant and I owe them more than I can say. And I certainly was not alone. Go Sisters of Mercy.
N. No regrets. Only look forward.
E. Education and Expectations. For many years my goal was to become a University Lecturer, and I worked hard to make that happen. The two years I spent in teaching taught ME a lot, and the students were excellent. I truly believe that without education a person can never realise their potential. Life long learning is real. [One of the reasons I support UNICEF] Education taught me that the only limits are those you set for yourself.
Since I have no friends and am a total recluse, I chose to ignore part 4 of the rules and not impose my tag on anyone else. [ see under A]
Take care world and have a good one.
*http://www.lizfenwick.blogspot.com/
What's playing on my YouTube right now? Snow Patrol http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=I7taFtKZEDA&feature=PlayList&p=10960FB742FA50ED&index=26&playnext=5&playnext_from=PL
