I find it's not motivation with me, it's an over-active storyline creator - I come up with another storyline idea that I just have to put on paper, so to speak - if I don't then it can melt away never to be recaptured. Then, and only then can I settle back onto the original story! 🤷🤦

@Dani Rosenblad James - more like, distracting to the brain. Takes you away so it takes time to get back into the flow if the original story.

“Yes, I did receive what I was expecting” Muriel stated as she quickly hid it in her reticule, out of sight. “So, what did it say?” Demanded Clara. “Just the usual, arrived safely, you know.” was Muriel's nonchalant reply, as she sipped her tea. “Oh! What, nothing about when he's returning?” “His sister did not mention anything.” “So, what was in it, she must have mentioned something about his arrival and how long he's staying?” “Well, just that he's arrived.” “But there must be more. Take another look “ Clara said, as she tried to grasp the reticule, Muriel pulled it out of her reach. “I don't need to, I told you what it said.” “I cannot believe Catherine did not tell you more. Will he return in time?” “She did not say, so I cannot enlighten you.”

Thanks to the lovely feedback I received from @Karen Dennis , I am now motivated to complete my first story about 'Audrey' - I spend at least two hours each day, but sometimes longer. It is finally I'm getting there and I am feeling much happier to work through it to the end. The chapters are clicking in nicely, with a few grammatic tweeaks too! Feeling relieved that I'm accomplishing what I'd set out for my 70th year!

@Karen Dennis - definitely a 'Hello!' My genre is historical romance, a big Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Amanda Quick fan (to name a few) - I think I lived in that era as I have always had an affinity with that late Georgian/Regency era. But I do not watch Bridgerton! The series is what I call a 'bastardisation' of the era. Just my opinion! Anyhow, I'm just at the final stages of "She's no Ordinary, Audrey' - a Cinderella style with an older brother and twin sister's and a mother who suffered physical and mental trauma after giving birth to her youngest daughter, Audrey! Left with a 'wet nurse' until retrieved by her father after 4 years, her mother rejects her and her sister's end up treating her with contempt and more like a servant. Eventually, after her brother who becomes the head of the family and her only supporter, once her father died. There are many adventures for her, once she's introduced to a gentleman who is a friend of her brother, although there was jealousy, within her own family and her fiancé's (an unknown illegitimate step-brother), much intimacy, and eventually they marry. Lots of family secrets come to the forefront during Audrey's journey to happiness. ‘She’s No Ordinary Audrey’ - Chapter 1 Audrey peered out of the second floor drawing room window at the bustling street below. Even though the weather was inclement, and the late February snow still covered the pavements with foot prints that spoiled the perfection, and the tracks on the roadways where the carts and carriages had made their way through the busy street - it was still full of people going about their daily tasks. She sat alone, staring at the scene, no-one wanted to stay behind when there was shopping to be had. Being the youngest of the Manston family, and the plainest, her company was not wanted, yet again. They never wanted her to be with them - the twins, Rosemary and Angelica, that is. They had important purchases to be made as they were preparing for their first season, so we're being chaperoned by mama around fabric warehouses and dressmakers to be fitted out with the numerous evening dresses, ball gowns, walking dresses, day dresses and all the accoutrements that go with them. Yes, much shopping to be had.

@Karen Dennis - thank you for your kind words of encouragement. When you write in isolation you sometimes are too self-critical and lack confidence in what you do - this brings in procrastination and then go down a rabbit hole. I need to close this novel, as I've had it at a 'close to completed stage' for nearly 6 months - it just needs tidying up and then read by Beta-readers, etc., before moving to publishing (then that's a minefield of more procrastination!).

@Dani Rosenblad James - definitely! You can never learn enough information, plus gaining from others experiences. Adds to your knowledge to make informed decisions for your own future route to be heard! 👍