Squidgy – You actually are more amazing than you realise, I think. But yes, that Qwerty Queen is a bit of a marvel. She frightens me. In a good way. She makes nice bread though. I like ‘random’. It makes me happy.

Fionnuala – Oh, you are a love. Decisions have been made. Am now having an attack of the vapours.

Beth – Oh, can’t we have the diploma AND a degree? I don’t understand. Will phone them and moan a bit. That’ll be something to look forward to. I wouldn’t worry about Nano. You need to look after yourself. Nano will still be there next year when your brain has turned to porridge.

i’ve kinda given up on nano. would still like to get to 20k but i’m not even optimistic about that. oh well….

Hmm degree or not degree that appears to be the question. I admire anyone who can study as an adult. I tried and found myself navel gazing for far too long.

Only thing I can say is wherever you find the time – find the time you MUST to write. You are too good a writer not to. Fx

I love this post. Not just because it has my name in it but also because it is well-written and entertaining and said something random about hedgehogs. I know some pedantic people who object to that use of the word “random”, but I don’t really understand why. Apparently it’s wrong, but it seems right to me.

Well anyway. Super-at-time-juggling? Me? Me, the woman who is sitting at her computer at stupid am because she has three simple tasks to do this evening before bed and despite drinking strong coffee (which she shouldn’t, because it’s bad for her) has only managed one of them, and even if she gets those three done she’ll still have ten impossible things to do before breakfast tomorrow before she even gets close to actually achieving the things she needs to achieve this week?

You need to speak to that Qwerty Queen woman. I happen to know for a fact that she is intimidatingly brilliant at juggling time. She Gets Stuff Done, just cos it needs doing, which is the most ridiculously straightforward (and therefore unlikely) reason for doing something that I ever heard. ;o)

PS Don’t teach if you don’t want to. It’s bad enough when you do, or so I’m told.

Sarah – Consider your seat reserved.

Honeysuckle – You have rather hit the mail on its noggin. The degree doesn’t make me massively happy, though I will be happy that I’ve achieved it, come next summer. Writing makes me happy but I can do that when the degree’s done. I’m just not very patient, am I?

Beth – I can empathise with your sister totally. I’m quite at sea with the concept of finishing this degree now that I have no idea what to do with it. I haven’t claimed my diploma – didn’t realise we had to? Why can’t they just send it if we’ve earned it? Pah. No idea where to claim it from. Am a div. Will investigate. Now get back to your Nano-ing!

Helen – Yeah, but it wouldn’t be worthwhile if it were easy? And you have to admit, we do manage bits of fun now and again, don’t we? (Am thinking cushions and luggage trolleys in early Dec)

Debs – I like that your brain stays asleep until a civilised hour. Yeah, lotsa books. Mmmmmm. *Sigh*

DOT – Aw. Would you like to be my life coach? I haven’t any money with which to pay you but I make a mean ginger & choc flapjack. I would wrap it up in the spare foil for you as a reward. Seriously, thank you. You’re a darling (and speak good sense).

Sheepish – Fleas? My spiny friend has put fleas in my tiny space machine? Well, that’s just bloody typical that is.

Karen – that’s so funny. You can still come in the time machine, even if you do smell of yoghurt. There’ll be no not-writing though. The glitter will bring forth creativity. No really, it will.

Loth – I’d forgotten we need a squealer! Crikey, blinky on-and-off is how my brain works. The ‘off’ part, particularly. We could programme them or communication purposes?

JJ – I love the idea of doing a time capsule. Something to leave for grandchildren perhaps. I had, I’m ashamed to admit, forgotten about the Blue Peter one. How fab that you saw it with your children…

Fia – A363 is really hard. Soz. Here, have some toast. Toast fixes everything. (I am zen)

Lane – Ah, yes, money. A degree will mean I can earn the same amount in less hours, thereby equaling more writing time. Innit wot? And what, pray tell, will you become when/if you grow up?

You’ll work it out. You will.

P.S. Why didn’t you tell me the A636 was so hard? Or is it the 363? See. I need a year long sick note.

I did still care and I didn’t forget because my children watched BP!

I’m dead impressed at a drink that many years ahead.

I did a job for years I didn’t like and didn’t realise until I left and started doing something else entirely, but I don’t regret the job I didn’t realise I didn’t like because it did look good on the CV, and it led me down lots of other paths that got me where I am today – hunched over the computer in my dressing-gown with unwashed hair, clutching a yoghurt and wondering if I’ve got time to bake a cake before I get on with not writing my novel.

Oh.

I’ll contribute some glitter to the time machine though.

Stick with the degree. It won’t necessarily make you a better writer – though it will definitely help. It won’t lead to hitherto closed doors swinging open. It will make you feel good about yourself. It will teach you how to manage the stress of deadlines. It will give you the oomph to finish your book. It will do wonders for your confidence.

And you are worth it.

A degree is something worth getting, although I think you should do what your instinct tells you to. Again, not a helpful answer.