Groundhog Writing

Here we go again - it's the Bill Murray movie in real life. This morning, roughly 12.20 UK time, Punxsutawney Phil was lifted from his burrow, before a worldwide and local audience to deliver the verdict - would it be another six weeks of winter - or the start of an early Spring? The gentlemen of the Top Hats interpreted the message and for the inhabitants of the Philadelphia town - Phil had seen his shadow - which meant, another 6 weeks of Winter. Over here, locally on Dartmoor, he would have no shadow and we shall have an early Spring - whoopee!

'Groundhog Day' emerged from the Candlemas tradition signalling the end of Christmas celebrations, and became a way for farmers to forecast the weather. If it was bright and sunny - indicating shadows it would be a continued winter, but if the day was wet and dull, Spring would come early. Having spotted snowdrops in a lane yesterday, all indications are the latter.

Writing stories is a bit like Groundhog Day - you finish it, look at it, and think 'no', I need to change that. Sometimes getting caught in a repetitive draining cycle. Think, I need a groundhog like Phil every time I start writing - will it be an early finish - or another 6 months of editing? 

 
 






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