Writing is what I have been doing over the past few months. Working through the GerSmarter distance learning has been a fascinating experience. However, I find critiquing and' chatting' to strangers in the course of the weeks very stressful.

Peer-crits are sometimes not-thought-through, become personal and are at times invalid. While I do not expect glowing reports each module I do expect and appreciate considered remarks and suggestions.

To counter the participants remarks my tutor, author Mike Nicol was exceptional in his dealing with the writers and their submissions. Clear-thinking and considerate he was a fine editor/tutor. So much so that he has structured a master class for 2013 for which I have been accepted.

Here is part of the brief so far:

Just so you know what you’re facing, we’ve based the manuscript length on 300 words a day, seven days a week. Now that might sound daunting but once you’re into the routine it should be easy to manage – okay, not easy but at least doable. At that rate you’re looking at 2000 words a week, or 8000 words a month. You do the arithmetic: seven months down the line you’re at almost 60000 words.

Now doesn't that sound like a great new year challenge?

In the meantime study the following image and imagine it is the first time you have seen a baobab. Describe your impressions. How did you get there, what was the weather like, why were you there?

Till next time.