I idolise C.S Lewis. Probably a bit too much. And I love Tolkien. I ask myself everyday if they would have published online if they'd lived in our modern era. I'm really not sure. Has the publishing industry changed since they were alive? I tell myself that the answer is obviously 'yes', publishing is more about selling these days, than discovering quality work. I'm not sure if it really is true, or they're just my own vein words of comfort.

I'm writing these blogs on the train now. I have a very particular way of writing my novels and stories - I have to be in front of my laptop (I can only write on MY laptop), I have to be alone. Usually with a cup of coffee. No TV on in the background. And no music with words or any kind of lyrics. I can also write in a cafe. The cafe ambience helps me to relax. But again, I have to be in front of MY laptop, and I can't be around people I know. I can't really write while I commute (sometimes I'll edit my work on long trips or commutes - but that's kind of different). I can't write while eating. I can't write while watching TV.

It's weird now that I think about it - I don't have OCD and I'm very sloppy and untidy - certainly not a perfectionist. But when it comes to my writing I'm very particular, and everything has to be perfect.

But this is a space where I can let myself go! No expectations. No scrutinizing every word a thousand times before another pair of eyes even looks at the thing. It's quite freeing. Quite relaxing.

You know what else is quite relaxing - my commute to work. It's about a 45 minute tube ride. I usually find something to do, like read, or sometimes just listen to music. Occasionally I have a little nap. Don't worry. I've only missed my stop once before.

I'm getting used to London. I've been here for over a year and I'm beginning to feel like a local. The rainy days still get to me though. The weather here is a far cry from the sunburnt Australian state of Victoria where I grew up; where there were water restrictions during the summer, and a drought every other year. Where we would pray for rain so that the farmers would be able to water their crops. No. The weather here sucks. But everyone is too busy here to care about anything but their phone or their destination - which means I can blend pretty easily.

I don't like standing out. I'm a writer, not a singer, nor an actor. I want to be heard without speaking, or seen without appearing. I like hiding behind my computer screen. It's why I'm a writer.

Believe it or not, there was a time when I wanted to be an actor - but that was a long, long time ago when I was much younger and much more extorverted and probably a story for another time.

Anyway - my stop isn't too far away so I'm going to tap out. My top tip for every writer out there - find a space where you can write with no expectations and worries. A space like this.
Until next time.

Bye.