It has been a week for reflection this week. Firstly , I completed my pen and ink drawing of Stirling University and the Wallace Monument reflecting in the lake in the grounds of the university and then I spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on my early life, family , school , university, relationships, medical training , psychiatry and my husband’s death...Why ?

It was time to start seriously trying to get a literary agent for my memoir. I naively assumed that it would be a covering letter and manuscript that would be required, but oh no, that would be far too easy!

Every agency has their own process for accepting submissions so I found myself re- reading and having to summarise each of the 43 chapters, producing covering letters , proposals, a synopsis and varying amounts of sample text in double spaced Times New Ronan font !

It was interesting to note that some of my memories captured immediately after I retired were no longer fresh in my mind . If I had not captured many of them just before and after I retired, I suspect they would have gone, hence the importance of capturing my experiences in my memoir.

Fortunately each of the agencies commits to read all submissions and respond within an agreed timescale , so even if there are lots of ‘no’ responses,  I won’t have to wait too long before trying alternative Agencies It is quite daunting releasing my first ever manuscript to strangers , seeking their approval, particularly as it is very personal content.

This week also saw the sharing of a Lockdown Moments video on the Facebook page of my financial advisors’ company, Cruse Wealth Management. They have selected a few of their clients to interview about how they have coped during lockdown and my friend had me in the frame for a zoom video call.

They kindly plugged my website too. However, this week I have been working with website designer Philip Patrick, from Belfast, as he is building me a new website, which should be much easier to navigate. I will announce the new site on Facebook when it is ready and invite you to check it out and add some reviews x

Rhona xx