Image: Horia Varlan

So, the Edinburgh Book Festival is over and Charlotte Square has emptied of human life. Already it feels like another time as I adjust back into the normality of daily life: the day job, the writing, the lists of things to do. Very soon the tents and boards will disappear, the grass re-laid, and the Square will return to a space full of magical memories.

I’m still buzzing from the last two and a bit weeks, that feeling of being highly charged that gives me the motivation, drive and determination to see me through the year. I’m bursting at the seams, ready to pour all my energy and creativity into my work, developing new projects, and build up my career even further to where I took it last year.

But there’s also a flatness in the air, a sensation that without the intensity generated at the book festival, something is missing. It’s like, where did the aeroplane go and how strong is my parachute?

However, the book festival wasn’t just about recharging my batteries this year. In the end it came to mean a lot more. It represented a leap into unknown waters, where the water was warm and almost all of the fish were friendly. It represented the culmination of a lot of promises I made myself, that I would never say “no” and always take up opportunities that came my way. I went for everything and have reaped many rewards.

The intensity of the book festival is such an eye opener. It gives you an awakening of sorts, a view into culture, both Scottish and international, and from the pure exposure to all of the authors, speakers, journalists, photographers, politicians, poets, activists, artists, readers and staff, you actually feels as though you’re becoming a more enlightened person.

To see me out from what was a memorable Edinburgh Book Festival for 2011—the perfect end to my writing year, and the perfect start to a new one—here’s a wee slideshow encapsulating all of my memories. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a wonderful 17 days; I’m blessed to have met so many wonderful people and made so many great new friends.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=104087

Today

Later today (or tomorrow), I’ll be publishing my GDR plan for 2011/12. It was almost complete when something came in from the side that will impact the work I do this year. I’m champing at the bit to get going!

Book Fest Media

Catch up on all my reviews and articles on my sister site, the (Unofficial) Edinburgh Book Festival Blog

For visual enjoyment of the Edinburgh Book Festival, click over to my constantly updated photograph feed at flickr.com/colinthewriter

For audio enjoyment, why not subscribe to my Book Festival podcast on iTunes or listen to the stream on SoundCloud.

Ciao for now!