Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Happy New Year!
A huge and heart felt thank you from me for following my blog. I wish you all a fabulous and sparkley happy New Year... I pray that 2015 is as creative and productive as 2014 was. Enjoy!
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Just a quick note to wish you all the Christmas you desire. Whether it be a crazy family filled one, an intimate quiet day, a party-all-day one or a cosy snuggled day with those you love - I hope all your dreams come true!
I have had a fabulous day so far, my hubby bought me a very special road sign which links to my current WIP... I absolutely love it. He's my hero, armed with a hammer and nails on Christmas Day, he's already hung it in my writing room. ❤️
I have had a fabulous day so far, my hubby bought me a very special road sign which links to my current WIP... I absolutely love it. He's my hero, armed with a hammer and nails on Christmas Day, he's already hung it in my writing room. ❤️
Monday, 22 December 2014
Reading books for 2015
Many months ago I wrote about my rekindled love of reading. I've manage to read 27 novels during 2014 thanks to the Goodreads Reading Challenge, so my intention is to continue into 2015. Yesterday, accompanied with a large glass of vino, I took a leisurely hour to select 20 books from my little green bookcase - books that keep calling my name as they are long overdue to be read.
Below is my selection, not necessarily in order:
I can't possibly predict the number of ebooks I'll read in 2015 so made sure I left plenty of reading room for the unexpected - but the first ebooks of the year will include:
A suitable young man - Anne L Harvey
It started at Sunset cottage - Bella Osborne
The olive branch - Jo Thomas
Anything and everything written by Helen Phifer - hopefully book number 4!
So here's to 2015, where I'm hoping to lose myself amongst the pages of these delights.
Below is my selection, not necessarily in order:
 |
| Choices for 2015... |
I can't possibly predict the number of ebooks I'll read in 2015 so made sure I left plenty of reading room for the unexpected - but the first ebooks of the year will include:
A suitable young man - Anne L Harvey
It started at Sunset cottage - Bella Osborne
The olive branch - Jo Thomas
Anything and everything written by Helen Phifer - hopefully book number 4!
So here's to 2015, where I'm hoping to lose myself amongst the pages of these delights.
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| My Little Green Book Case... an old picture... as now it has piles of books stacked infront and on top! . |
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Holiday, promotion and a plethora of bugs
It's official, I'm on holiday! Given my absence for two weeks you won't know just how good that feels. I've had a nightmare, quite literally. I wrote my last blog regards November being such a dream then bang! December serves me a plethora of bugs, colds and coughs.... the worst I've had in years. I stopped writing... for four days solid, that's how bad I was. To be fair I haven't completely recovered but I can write... a sure sign that I'm on the mend. The effect on 'December Daily' a pledge made with my friend Bella Osborne has been a immense turning it from a daily task to a game of weekend catch-up - definitely not what we'd pledged and shook hands on.
Some good news, I secured myself a promotion at the day-job which alleviates uncertainties and stresses. All good news in my book.
You know me well enough to know I have plans, a tick list and a whole host of mini goals prepared for this holiday. Over the next seventeen days I hope to write, blog and tweet on a regular basis - so please take my hand and let's step into Christmas.
Some good news, I secured myself a promotion at the day-job which alleviates uncertainties and stresses. All good news in my book.
You know me well enough to know I have plans, a tick list and a whole host of mini goals prepared for this holiday. Over the next seventeen days I hope to write, blog and tweet on a regular basis - so please take my hand and let's step into Christmas.
Saturday, 6 December 2014
November 2014 - missing you already x
It is official November 2014 was the most productive, informative and pleasurable month in my writing career. And, just 6 days into December... I'm missing him already.
My November started in Sneem, Ireland where I was completing a research trip so I can finish off my current project. We'd had four fabulous days chatting with the locals so I was truly sad to leave.
The 1st November also triggers my 'crazy gene' in relation to NaNoWriMo forcing me begin my opening chapters at the airport, whilst waiting to fly home.
By the 15th I was well on track to complete Nano ahead of the usual schedule so was pretty happy with myself. Then delight of all delights, I was invited to attend Alison May's writing day in Birmingham. I can honestly say, I had a huge light-bulb moment in relation to the psychology of writing. You'd think I'd have figured it out before having got my name plastered on a BSc Psychology (with honours) - but I hadn't. Anyway, the moment was this... when I'm talking or thinking about my work I always use the same phrase 'I'm writing a book' - that term will be repeated for nine months/a year. The thing is my brain gets sick of the same 'task' so begins to dwindle... which in turn effects how I think about the project. When the reality is 'I'm planning a book', 'I'm drafting a book', 'I'm doing major edits on my book....' you get the pictures I'm sure. I need to recognising the actual process which will help reassure my brain that we are moving through the stages and the finishing line is in sight. Sounds simple... but until that day I hadn't realised what I had kept doing. Now my little brain is happy and skippy knowing that one huge task 'I'm writing a book' has been cut into sizeable chunks. Based on this epiphany moment I even did homework for Ms May, seriously on a Sunday morning! As a visual learner... I have printed and laminated (you've got to love my teacher gene) a series of cards that clearly state which stage I'm in... woo hoo the correct card now hangs beside my desk as I work... just in case my brain forgets where we are and goes all dwindly again.
I also purchased a second hand wooden chair as my back ache was becoming unbearable... I don't think it's a coincidence that the selling household lived directly opposite a large old-fashioned pub. So hush... 'cause if you tell the Blue Boar I'll deny all knowledge... anyway, they can't have it back I've now painted it in Annie Sloane's Louis Blue!
So much and I'm only at 19th! This was a first for me 'The RNA Winter Party'. I had the cheek to ask the big boss of the day job if I could leave 25 minutes early. I took a gamble and it paid off with a resounding yes and a very generous signature. I promise: I shall repay you in day job loyalty terms for granting me the time. I could actually attend the party and be with my writing buddies.
We had a fabulous night, I was introduced to so many more wonderful writer bods and was able to catch up and hug many of my already known lovelies. As always at an RNA do - my gushy girl fan moment was with Jo Thomas... such a warm, lovely lady (if you haven't read The Oyster catcher yet, you must)... and bless my buddy Bella Osborne for her quick-thinking-fancy-pants-phone-snapping moment, I have it captured for ever. I voted Talli Roland as the nicest, most supportive, uber glamorous, well-dressed women gracing our Earth... thank you to whoever it was that gave her a helping hand on the path to publication inspiring her to follow suit and always, always support other writers... there's a lesson for us all.
I already know that I shall try to attend every London party because I had a wail of a time. From the pre-drinks in Waterstone Piccadilly through to the very slow late night train from Euston - I didn't stop laughing... which one hilarious moment with Bella Osborne, captured by the official camera gal at the party, had better have been deleted!!!
22nd November dawned: my NaNo was complete. I have managed to write 50,004 words in just 22 days - seriously, I was in shock. As I'd said to everyone that was following my progress the book is just flowing out of me... an usual experience but it did. My brain having been booked and psyched up for a 30 day stint told me I couldn't stop there, so we didn't... by 30th November I had managed 60,019 words! On validation NaNo's electronic system confirmed and awarded 60,105 words - I'm not going to quibble.
Every day in November was driven by my writing, it's no coincidence that I loved every minute of the month. This writing game is a funny pursuit but with months like that I'll just keep plodding x
My November started in Sneem, Ireland where I was completing a research trip so I can finish off my current project. We'd had four fabulous days chatting with the locals so I was truly sad to leave.
The 1st November also triggers my 'crazy gene' in relation to NaNoWriMo forcing me begin my opening chapters at the airport, whilst waiting to fly home.
By the 15th I was well on track to complete Nano ahead of the usual schedule so was pretty happy with myself. Then delight of all delights, I was invited to attend Alison May's writing day in Birmingham. I can honestly say, I had a huge light-bulb moment in relation to the psychology of writing. You'd think I'd have figured it out before having got my name plastered on a BSc Psychology (with honours) - but I hadn't. Anyway, the moment was this... when I'm talking or thinking about my work I always use the same phrase 'I'm writing a book' - that term will be repeated for nine months/a year. The thing is my brain gets sick of the same 'task' so begins to dwindle... which in turn effects how I think about the project. When the reality is 'I'm planning a book', 'I'm drafting a book', 'I'm doing major edits on my book....' you get the pictures I'm sure. I need to recognising the actual process which will help reassure my brain that we are moving through the stages and the finishing line is in sight. Sounds simple... but until that day I hadn't realised what I had kept doing. Now my little brain is happy and skippy knowing that one huge task 'I'm writing a book' has been cut into sizeable chunks. Based on this epiphany moment I even did homework for Ms May, seriously on a Sunday morning! As a visual learner... I have printed and laminated (you've got to love my teacher gene) a series of cards that clearly state which stage I'm in... woo hoo the correct card now hangs beside my desk as I work... just in case my brain forgets where we are and goes all dwindly again.
I also purchased a second hand wooden chair as my back ache was becoming unbearable... I don't think it's a coincidence that the selling household lived directly opposite a large old-fashioned pub. So hush... 'cause if you tell the Blue Boar I'll deny all knowledge... anyway, they can't have it back I've now painted it in Annie Sloane's Louis Blue!
So much and I'm only at 19th! This was a first for me 'The RNA Winter Party'. I had the cheek to ask the big boss of the day job if I could leave 25 minutes early. I took a gamble and it paid off with a resounding yes and a very generous signature. I promise: I shall repay you in day job loyalty terms for granting me the time. I could actually attend the party and be with my writing buddies.
We had a fabulous night, I was introduced to so many more wonderful writer bods and was able to catch up and hug many of my already known lovelies. As always at an RNA do - my gushy girl fan moment was with Jo Thomas... such a warm, lovely lady (if you haven't read The Oyster catcher yet, you must)... and bless my buddy Bella Osborne for her quick-thinking-fancy-pants-phone-snapping moment, I have it captured for ever. I voted Talli Roland as the nicest, most supportive, uber glamorous, well-dressed women gracing our Earth... thank you to whoever it was that gave her a helping hand on the path to publication inspiring her to follow suit and always, always support other writers... there's a lesson for us all.
I already know that I shall try to attend every London party because I had a wail of a time. From the pre-drinks in Waterstone Piccadilly through to the very slow late night train from Euston - I didn't stop laughing... which one hilarious moment with Bella Osborne, captured by the official camera gal at the party, had better have been deleted!!!
22nd November dawned: my NaNo was complete. I have managed to write 50,004 words in just 22 days - seriously, I was in shock. As I'd said to everyone that was following my progress the book is just flowing out of me... an usual experience but it did. My brain having been booked and psyched up for a 30 day stint told me I couldn't stop there, so we didn't... by 30th November I had managed 60,019 words! On validation NaNo's electronic system confirmed and awarded 60,105 words - I'm not going to quibble.
Every day in November was driven by my writing, it's no coincidence that I loved every minute of the month. This writing game is a funny pursuit but with months like that I'll just keep plodding x
Sunday, 30 November 2014
30 November - the final day of NaNo 2014 - let's just see...
A year ago today I had to write 8,800 words in one day just to reach 50,448 words to complete NaNo 2013 - thankfully NaNo 2014 has been an entirely different experience. Last Saturday on day 22, I reached the 50,004 target :-) As you can see from my NaNo widget I have a added a little extra but today 30th November, the very last day, I need to go for it... purely for my own satisfaction I need to see if I can hit the next magic number. I have no idea where the plot will come from but I know I must write.
So, my starting word count is 53,414 words, let's crack on and see what happens by the end of today...
UPDATE: in four hours I have written 6691 words which took my total to a fabulous 60,019 words... woohoo!
I validated with the website, who generously to gave me a beautiful words count of 60,105 - done and dusted for this year folks... whose up for Nano 2015?
So, my starting word count is 53,414 words, let's crack on and see what happens by the end of today...
UPDATE: in four hours I have written 6691 words which took my total to a fabulous 60,019 words... woohoo!
I validated with the website, who generously to gave me a beautiful words count of 60,105 - done and dusted for this year folks... whose up for Nano 2015?
Saturday, 29 November 2014
A Hard Day's Write - Library of Birmingham - update
A brief note to mention an event 'A Hard Days Write' taking place today on the second floor of the Library of Birmingham - a marathon writing session where participating writers (me!) will follow each other in writing a specific story. Like in a relay each writer will complete a set time and follow the work and style previously set by the other writers.
I'll give a full account of the day in a follow up later.
I plan to dedicate tomorrow to NaNoWriMo - I hit the 52,000 words then paused due to the day job but tomorrow I am going for it... let's see what I can achieve on the final day!
Enjoy!
Update:
Yesterday was a day of firsts. Firstly, I didn't write at 2pm as planned by the organisers but at midday, as one writer didn't show for their slot. I turned up early just to let them know I was on site and eager to write at 2pm.... within seconds I was seated and filling the midday gap!
If you're a regular follower you'll know that the genre I pay the least attention to is sci-fi. I have no feel for it, no understanding of the elements or minutia that relates to the genre. Boy how I chuckled, to myself, when I sat down to find... a sci-fi story started at 9am by the first writer. I'm not one to shy away from anything so off I went. I didn't have time to moan, sulk or think about the wonderful possibilities if it had been a romance... I simply started to type. Me writing sci-fi - now that was a first! I managed 800 words in the time given and yes, I took the story slightly off course (I had to introduce a tall, dark and handsome) but I retained the sci-fi element and left the next writer entering a sterile room decorated in stainless steel.... Lord knows where he took it after me.
Partway through my write, the organiser Iain Grant switched the projector leads; my typing was projected onto the ceiling in an instant - yep, a first for me in the Library of Birmingham. It seemed strange making spelling errors that everyone could see in an instant and yes, I nimbly changed them hoping nobody noticed.
A moment of delight was when I needed a male name for a new character - a young lad walked by so I cheekily asked 'what's your name?' I pointed to the ceiling and he watched as he 'Dylan' became the new character mentioned in conversation - also a first, hubby usually gets the job of quick fire input.
All in all, my time slot whizzed by, I was pleased that I participated, which again was a first for me, and would gladly participate in future. I don't know how the story ended, what the word count reached or whether 'Dylan' remained or disappeared but what I do know is that us writers need all the creative stimulation we can get; in any form, at anytime and in any location - yesterday ticked all the creative boxes for me.
I can only thank @IainMGrant and @HeideGoody for allowing me to participate in their event - cheers!
I'll give a full account of the day in a follow up later.
I plan to dedicate tomorrow to NaNoWriMo - I hit the 52,000 words then paused due to the day job but tomorrow I am going for it... let's see what I can achieve on the final day!
Enjoy!
Update:
Yesterday was a day of firsts. Firstly, I didn't write at 2pm as planned by the organisers but at midday, as one writer didn't show for their slot. I turned up early just to let them know I was on site and eager to write at 2pm.... within seconds I was seated and filling the midday gap!
If you're a regular follower you'll know that the genre I pay the least attention to is sci-fi. I have no feel for it, no understanding of the elements or minutia that relates to the genre. Boy how I chuckled, to myself, when I sat down to find... a sci-fi story started at 9am by the first writer. I'm not one to shy away from anything so off I went. I didn't have time to moan, sulk or think about the wonderful possibilities if it had been a romance... I simply started to type. Me writing sci-fi - now that was a first! I managed 800 words in the time given and yes, I took the story slightly off course (I had to introduce a tall, dark and handsome) but I retained the sci-fi element and left the next writer entering a sterile room decorated in stainless steel.... Lord knows where he took it after me.
Partway through my write, the organiser Iain Grant switched the projector leads; my typing was projected onto the ceiling in an instant - yep, a first for me in the Library of Birmingham. It seemed strange making spelling errors that everyone could see in an instant and yes, I nimbly changed them hoping nobody noticed.
A moment of delight was when I needed a male name for a new character - a young lad walked by so I cheekily asked 'what's your name?' I pointed to the ceiling and he watched as he 'Dylan' became the new character mentioned in conversation - also a first, hubby usually gets the job of quick fire input.
All in all, my time slot whizzed by, I was pleased that I participated, which again was a first for me, and would gladly participate in future. I don't know how the story ended, what the word count reached or whether 'Dylan' remained or disappeared but what I do know is that us writers need all the creative stimulation we can get; in any form, at anytime and in any location - yesterday ticked all the creative boxes for me.
I can only thank @IainMGrant and @HeideGoody for allowing me to participate in their event - cheers!
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| A Hard Day's Write: me busily writing Sci-Fi... a first! |
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