Woodhenge

Perhaps this needs to start with an explanation of the name Woodhenge.

It was a joyful time in my life which found me living in Wiltshire in the UK. Stonehenge was within walking distance and Woodhenge was a mere hop, skip and jump away from the end of our garden.

If you haven’t been to that part of the world, add it to your list of places to see before you die. There is something exceptional about the area. I didn’t want to leave when it came time to move so I decided to take the name with me.

The real person behind Woodhenge is me. My name is Donetta Harrison and I am a writer who lives and works in the UK.

Writing has been in my blood for longer than I can remember. My Grandmother taught me to write long before I went to school. Where some women may drool over Jimmy Choos I drool over a Richard Meritt pen.

For many years I allowed the fear instilled by a violent father to stop me exercising my writing muscles. I confess this not for the sympathy vote but in order that you should get to know me better in this anonymous virtual world we are sharing. We all have our stories and I would urge anyone who still has theirs packed in a rucksack, which is getting heavier by the day, to consider reflecting on how they can best release the past in order to have a different future. I’m glad I finally got around to doing that thing.

It took me almost 30 years to realise that my past need not dictate my present, or my future, and eventually the call of pen and paper became too strong to resist. For the last 10 years I have worked as a freelance ghostwriter and loved every minute.

This is not going to be a business blog as such. When I started on my career as a writer I was lucky to find a number of accomplished individuals who were willing to help me on my way with advice and guidance. If I can pay forward such acts of kindness by helping others here, I shall be happy.

My intention is to talk to you about the day to day life of a writer; the juggling of work and personal life that regularly occurs in order to meet deadlines; the good and not so good side of working by yourself and for yourself.

I shall also be introducing you to other writers from whom I believe you will be able to learn. I still learn from such people on a daily basis.

I hope you will participate in the blog here by asking questions and leaving comments - it will make me feel that the exercise is not too much of a personal indulgence!

Remember, you don’t have to write on a commercial basis, you can also write just for yourself. Don’t let lack of confidence or your own perceived lack of ability stop you from putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Writing is like any other skill - you will improve the more you practice.

I wish I could promise you that earth shattering secrets will be revealed here! Oh how I wish I knew some of those! What I can commit to is posting good solid information and advice about the art of writing and also how to earn money from that art.

I hope you will find the words of Woodhenge useful.