Monday 24 January 2011

Bath time

What is it about baths? Often I get in feeling so depleted of ideas that I wonder if I'll ever write another story as long as I live. When I get out again some little notion has floated into my brain on a sea of soap bubbles.

It makes me think that if I ever tried to write full-time I would need a constant supply of hot water and fluffy towels. Is bath foam tax deductible? Anyway, despite last week bringing my first rejection of 2011, I also wrote a new bath-inspired story.

Do you want to win an iPad? Every year classical music station Classic FM holds a vote to find the UK's top 300 pieces of classical music. It's called the Hall of Fame. If you vote you automatically get entered into a prize draw, and this year you can win an iPad or £100 of high street vouchers. Admittedly I've never won a bean, although I've voted several years running. But this year you (or I!) may be lucky. Enter at Classic FM's Hall of Fame page. Sorry if you are an international visitor, but this is only open to UK residents.

Thirdly I must just say I'm really loving 'The Lollipop Shoes' by Joanne Harris. I've read a couple of her other novels, but I think this is the best so far. Chocolate, mystery and magic. Scrummy!

15 comments:

larainydays said...

It is funny that I know about that contest, but our friend is a classical music lover and he told us about it. He always enters. Good luck, I hope you win. I agree, a hot bath helps with a multitude of maladies.

Teresa Ashby said...

I think bath foam should be tax deductible :-)

Thanks for posting the competition link and the tip about The Lollipop Shoes - I'll look out for that.

Unknown said...

I feel the same way about baths. I even had a micro story published that came to me in the bathtub and was set in a bathtub, LOL! Another writer friend and I were just talking about lobbying our hubbies for jetted bathtubs. You know, for inspirational purposes. I wonder if THOSE would be tax deductible on top of the bubble bath? :)

Old Kitty said...

I'm a shower girl!!! But baths are a treat for me and when I do get in one I sleep! LOL!!!! Glad you got inspired whilst in your bath!!!

Oooh thanks for the Classic FM link!!!! I hope you do win!!!

I just know this is your first and last rejection of the year! So there!

Take care
x

Joanna said...

I'm sure I should take a bath more often. I haven't had one for years. Maybe that's why it's a good thing writing is a solitary occupation!

In all seriousness, it's always a shower in the mornings for me, otherwise I would never get going. I have never had a story idea in the shower though, so maybe I should convert to baths. When I'm in the shower, all I can think of is the time and how many things need to be done before 7.50 when the girls have to catch the bus to school!

I would like to try Joanne Harris again. I have failed to make progress in the past, but I think I didn't give it long enough to get hooked.

Morton S Gray said...

Hi Joanne,

I loved Lollipop shoes too.

My inspiration comes in the shower. I've tried having notepads handy, but for whatever reason that submerges the inspiration. I am forever staggering out of the shower with soap in my eyes, towelling dry quickly and scrawling on an empty loo roll tube!

HelenMWalters said...

I get loads of ideas in the bath as well. You may be on to something there!

Anonymous said...

I agree about the inspirational benefits of a bathtime soak. It must have something to do with the combination of relaxation, privacy, lack of distraction and an inability to do anything else while you are there - except soak and bathe.

Shame about your rejection, but when inspiration follows on its heels then it's no tragedy.

Thanks for the tip about the Classic FM vote - an iPad is a great prize.

Keith Havers said...

I'd love to have a bath but dragging it inside from the back yard is such a pain. Plus - what do I do with all the coal?
I'll watch out for the Joanne Harris books.

MorningAJ said...

Tax deductible? Bath foam should be free!

Regina said...

I don't have that one on my list, but I am always looking for something new. Thanks for the post.

Laura Wilkinson said...

Baths have always been inspirational times for me, much like middle of the night insomnic hours (less enjoyable in many ways, especially if I have to get up and got woork the next day. I've often wondered of this is because I'm a water sign, but having read the comments most probably not! I wish bath foam was tax deductible, along with chocolate and wine.

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

What a lovely way to get new ideas.

Thanks for the link.

XX

penandpaints said...

I'm a shower girl too, but it sounds like you might be on to something, I might give it a try!

Frances Garrood said...

Just visiting...But your post reminded me of one of the first stories I ever sold, which was about a woman in a bath and a window cleaner on a ladder, and how she had to cover her bits up with a rubber duck. Happy memories!