Ali Thurm

Up and down week. The ups were: getting a five star Amazon review for One Scheme of Happiness – I’ve no idea who it was, but when things aren’t easy (lockdown isolation) the idea that someone out there has read and enjoyed my book gives me a little glow!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 June 2020 – This is a brilliant debut from Ali Thurm. An unexpectedly dark, story of a love triangle. The writing is fantastic. The characters are deeply flawed and yet presented in such a way that they are stripped down to their basic humanity. Can not wait for her next novel!

And a ‘down’ – doing too much and then feeling completely exhausted. Sometimes not doing anything and feeling completely exhausted! I tell myself to go with the flow…

But there are more ‘ups’- I’m managing to work on my next novel in very short bursts of about an hour. At the beginning of the pandemic it was impossible but now, if I give myself plenty of rewards – chocolate, a walk or phone call with one of my children, or time to sit and play my guitar – I’m working through the draft of my WIP chapter by chapter, keeping a record each time of what I’ve done and what I’m planning to do next.

The best ‘up’ is finding other kinds of creativity and immersing myself – like a swim in a glorious warm lake. Last week’s National Theatre/The Bridge production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was joyous and uplifting.

Ongoing recitals (with no audience) livestreamed from the ancient church of St Mary’s, Perivale and run by the indefatigable Hugh Mather are wonderful. Free and a whole hour of sublime classical music Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm: https://vimeo.com/stmarysperivale

Then I have the emotional and creative energy to go back and write!