Happy new Year to all Readers and Writers Everywhere

Firstly I would like to say a very Happy New Year to all readers of bookaholic. It has been a great pleasure to be with you over the past year, and a heartfelt thank you to all who join me. New Year is a time for reflection and looking back over what we have done over the past year. It is also a time of hope as we look at the year ahead.

A new year is a blank page full of infinite possibilities on which we write the story of our lives. Like a book there will be many twists and turns and many of us will feel like jumping off the ride. There will be glorious moments when we are slowly, or even quickly ascending to the top of the roller coaster. There will be moments where we are poised on the precipice before we plunge to the depths. However there is also the knowledge that no matter how bad we feel there is another ascent in the offing. Regular readers of this blog will know I am a Christian. This means I am secure in the knowledge that, no matter how fast or wild the ride, God is in control.

 My writing life can seem like a roller coaster at times as well. I am sure all writers will identify with this. There are days where you feel you are up there with Ernest Hemmingway et al and will be the next Man booker winner. This is closely followed by a day where you think you should give it all up and go and work at MacDonalds. The ride is giddy but I love it. There is no greater thrill than weaving words into a story for others to enjoy. No matter how many descents into the depths I will not give up. I love writing. This is the same for anything you love in life. Don't give up. If you are passionate about something keep doing it and enjoy every minute.

The picture at the top, in case you are wondering, is Glamis Castle. This is the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Princess Margaret was born here and Queen Elizabeth played here as a child. It is in Glamis, a little village near Dundee, where I live.

This has been a rather more emotional post than usual, but fitting for the time of year. I am going to leave you with a Scottish New year Saying "lang may your lum reek." For all my non Scottish friends this means long may your chimney smoke. In other words may you have enough coal to out on the fire, or everything you need. That is my wish for everyone this year.