What writers do when they can't write

Although I don't update this site often, I've noticed this absence more than usual - although you may not have!

During my last post, I was deep in my blog tour to promote You. I. Us., as well as finishing edits of a new book so I could submit it to my editor. There's going to be a little delay hearing back from her, so I'm trying to ignore that for now.

Almost as soon as I pressed Send on that submission, my laptop had to go for a bit of TLC with a nice computer guy. So, here are some things a writer does when they don't have computer access:

• Find a proper home for the many copies of my books I have hanging around for book signings etc - they are now neatly under my bed, and I have my little sofa back
• Weed the front garden. Did you know that weed-resistant matting under gravel doesn't actually resist many weeds? They just find really clever ways to circumvent it
• Go away for a few days. Okay, this was pre-planned, but the timing was brilliant. I went with my dad and sister, and we had a very educational time visiting Bletchley Park (home of the WWII code breakers), the Imperial War Museum at Duxford for an air show, and the brilliant Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. It involved a lot of travelling, some lovely meals, and - of course - four-course hotel breakfasts
• Buy a mop. Or at least, plan to, walk all the way to the shop, discover that they've sold out, and buy a duster instead. In case you're worried about my mop situation, I now have one!
• Read! This should probably have been top of the list. I'm currently reading How to be Both by Ali Smith. I'm finding it a little difficult to get into, but I'm sure that soon the odd couple of pages here and there will turn into a marathon
• Go for hot chocolate. Of course. Actually, this should be top of the list ;-)

Here are a few photos from my trip: