Cheeseburger pie, frolicking lambs ... and very little editing

59. Wednesday 8 April 2026

I didn’t edit/read/proof much today. I don’t know if it’s a mental block (likely) or just a thing (unlikely) but I find it really hard to start working in the afternoon. I needed to take my car in to the garage (tyres) this morning so I left home at 7am. From 8 until almost 10, I wandered around Hawick (“Hoyk” to those in the know), feeling full of the joys of spring. The drive over the hills to Hawick was stunning. Not only was the sky blue but there were very, very young lambs, golden yellow gorse and beautiful morning light. I stopped to watch the lambs a few times on the drive home when I had more time.

                I have started reading through Crime Writing for Beginners in chronological order. It’s currently more of a proofread than edit, but I feel reassured to have been making both corrections and alterations. I have yet to delete more than a few words.

I had a lovely morning, but a few more hours of proofreading would have helped. However, I have a clear day tomorrow and will hopefully get through more than today’s five chapters.

Today, I bought myself a cheeseburger pie for tomorrow's lunch. I love the meal-in-a-pie approach to pies in Scotland. The lasagne pie and macaroni cheese pie are better than they might sound! I've yet to try a cheeseburger pie though.