I’ve been planning and thinking about the book for months, and anyone who can’t escape from me has been bored to death on the subject. Sooner or later however, I guess I was going to have stop making excuses, stop the talking and actually get around to writing the book. I started this morning. How hard can it be?
Well, I’ve been sat here all day (admittedly with a not especially brief MTBing work-avoidance interlude) and my head feels like it is going to explode. I didn’t expect this, I regularly write for magazine publication. What is different this time?
Well, the first culprit is Pesda Press, the publishers. They have supplied a daunting pamphlet full of rules and conventions to follow. These rules are 30% absolute, 30% relative and 40% nebulous. For example, you’d never believe what a big deal it is, trying to figure out whether to type ‘miles’ or ‘kilometres’ (or ‘km’ or ‘knots’ or ‘nm’ etc.). Don’t get me started on numbers. Added to this is the business of explaining tidal flow and behaviour, which is a bit like trying to nail jelly to the ceiling, with ‘amusing’ consequences for future paddlers if I make even a minor mistake. I am culling information from several sources and often they don’t even have the good grace to agree with one another…arrgggh.
Well, I always knew that writing the first chapter would be hardest. The good news is that I have a shining beacon to guide me. ‘Welsh Sea Kayaking’ by Jim Krawiecki and Andy Biggs was published last autumn. This excellent book has kept me sane. Each time I hit a wall (about every 5 minutes) I ask myself, “What would Jim and Andy do?” and reach for their book. I am grateful to them and suspect that I will become more so, over time!
So, where have I actually been writing about, today?
Latest Comments ...