I began this blog years ago as a way to practise my writing regularly. That regularity didn’t happen until the beginning of 2021 when one of my New Year’s resolutions actually stuck for some reason.
Why ‘the leadless pencil’? Because I could never think of things to write about. My block was because I tried and failed to write fiction. It seemed that I was pants at making stuff up and my dream of being a famous novelist died before it even began.
I finally kicked make-believe (and fame) into the bottom drawer and just started writing about reality, and especially my realities around running. I’m not sure when I became a running bore but despite the fact that I am relatively rubbish at it, I just love talking about it, and reading about it, and listening to people talking about it, as I run. Most of all, it appears that I enjoy writing about it.
The blogging showed that the self discipline was improving, so I embarked on a Masters: Creative Writing with the OU, I graduated, and decided to try and write a novel, even though I’m rubbish at making things up.
With a great deal of effort and frustration and occasional joy, I’ve finally managed to produce one, and in it I promise three more -why did I do that? It must be like bearing children or running a marathon: you forget the pain.
I live over the water from Liverpool, on the Wirral in a cozy house with my wife, Anne. We’re quite possibly close to the spot where England was formed, but quite possibly not.
theleadlesspencil 
After one year of confinement with my wife Anna of many years, I love her more than ever (honest!) even when she tolerates me less than a grumpy Pomeranian on the stairs, our canary is the lucky one 🙂
Ha ha! We have a garden and a greenhouse. That gives my wife an escape!
I relate perfectly to your procrastination and staring vacantly at screens. For some unknown reason, I will feel compelled to complete the daily MS Solitaire challenges prior to writing on my blog!