CONSULTATION PLEASE - GRANDMA!

On Monday my youngest grandchild, who is all of 5 years old, decided he needed to consult with his me, his Grandma.  The message read we would talk in 5-10 minutes. When he hadn’t rung me within the allotted time, I was informed he would do so later as he was taking a ‘break time.’ I had to chuckle as his mother appreciates that as a mentor a lot of my time, especially these days, is taken up with online calls across various parts of the world. As such my time is usually pre-set.

Regardless he did decide to call me back to ask me a thought-provoking question – ‘did I like Bananas, Oranges or Strawberries the best?’ Obviously a very important question. Which has left me wondering what his home-schooling consists off? Still, he certainly lightened the mood of the day.

As it turned out my grandson wasn’t the only person I consulted with this week as the day before I finally managed to face-time with one of the younger writers I have recently been mentoring. At thirteen she has started a series of short story books aimed at the seven-plus age group. Her awareness of how the human race is treating our world has led her desire to educate other youngsters through her writing. She wants them to be more aware of what is happening to the wild animals of our world. And while it is just an adventure book, it clearly shows what many youngsters are thinking. Good on her I say.

Unfortunately, our discussion was not the happiest has I had to inform her that, at this moment in time, everything is on hold regarding the publication of her story. We won’t be able to progress any further with the publisher until this virus situation is clear and things return to normal. The upside is that she is on the publishers waiting list so, pleasingly, she was fully acceptable and understanding in her attitude of the situation. Mind you she did take the opportunity to bounce quite a number of questions of me relating to sales, promotion and marketing. Methinks this young lady has her head switched on and will develop into a bright young adult.

I must admit that being in lockdown hasn’t overly affected me too much. And even though my office is only a five-minute walk away I have been adhering to the rules of staying indoors and social distancing. I’m not sure my hubby is pleased and/or disappointed by this turn of events. Only time will tell haha!

In the meantime, I have worked hard. I’ve reviewed a short story and a poem for two competitions; reviewed and edited a novel as well as added to a novel of my own which I have been working on for some time. Hopefully, I will get this finished soon. Add to that the creation of forty podcast manuscripts and you could say lockdown is working well for me. Next job is to set up a recording studio in the spare bedroom to start recording my podcasts. Should be fun!

If you are bored and fancy a challenge then why not have a go at the Mentoring Writers Writing Challenge. Entry is free and is open to anyone, writers or not, of all ages as long as you follow the rules. Check out this link for full details: www.mentoringwriters.co.uk/challengerules.html Deadline is 30th June.

Go on… give it a go. Winners will be included in a Children’s Short Story Book to be published later in the year.

CATCH UP & TIMES ARE CHANGING

CATCH UP

As I've been blogging more on my own websites I have missed attached anything to this site. And if truth be told had forgotten I still had it. Coming across it by accident I have decided to start adding those posts I have missed including over the last few months. I hope those that start reading this blog will enjoy my additions.

In the meantime, I am starting with what happened today. This is of course due to the current situation we are all experiencing and shows the desperation and upset that our trying to survive can cause.

TIMES ARE CHANGING

Having owned and been involved in a number of businesses for many years I today sat and listened to someone head up one of the hardest meetings anyone has ever had to give. Many business owners, especially in the unusual times that we are experiencing, will undoubtedly face an uncertain future. Whilst many are hoping, and want their livelihood to continue, they have to face the reality of reassessing what will happen in the coming months.

Over the years I spent in business and particularly whilst being involved in the accountancy world I met many such business owners. I saw the devastation that unforeseen events can throw at us, forcing owners to face the reality that life as they knew it was about to change forever. The hardest part was the heartbreak they knew they would lay on others who were directly involved with them. People such as their workers, suppliers, customers as well as those third parties indirectly connected.

Any decisions made are only done so after many sleepless nights. The worrying about how others will react. The thinking of what those people, as well as their own family, will do going forward. The loss of weight caused by lack of eating and the sick feeling as the inevitable moment draws closer when you have to say, “Things must change.”

Not only did I understand what the person making such an announcement today was going through I also had total empathy, having experienced that moment myself in the past. In my case I was fortunate as I had prepared for the inevitable and led my way into that moment of change.

What it made me realise is that it is often forgotten by others that those who take up the mantle of business, especially the smaller or unusual type of business, such as a small retail shop, printing services, dry cleaners or a small publishing house, are normally just one-man bands. They invest not just their money but a great deal of their time and effort in ensuring that their customers benefit to the best of their advantage. Often the amount of time they spend working outweighs the normal 40-hour week of employed people, with their week-ends being filled with those little jobs they perhaps didn’t have time to complete during the week.

This country is built on solid businesses and we will, unfortunately, see many such meetings as today, happening again and again during the coming months. However, with understanding and patience, I trust and hope that those in this situation, including the person who made the announcement today, will come through, battle-weary but stronger for it. While it may take longer than anticipated, with continued support we should see success. I know I for one will be fully supporting them all where I can.