I’ve Been Out, Visiting

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I am no longer a guest virgin *cheers*

Ive done my first guest post, well, it’s not exactly a post, its a piece of writing, called Ashes, inspired by a prompt that CC gave me.

The prompt was being caught in the rain and if you want to go have a read, you’ll find it on CC’s Blog

I don’t often post my work online because you can’t get it published (ie sell it) if it’s already appeared somewhere online 😦 But, as I’m concentrating more now on my novel I’m not gunna worry so much about it 😉

so go have a read and tell me what you think 🙂

This Weeks Goals 21st to 27th

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I had lots of ideas about The New Zealander, but in the end I decided that he had come to find his family in the UK. After lots of struggles, problems, highs and lows, he finally finds that his birth parents are dead and that he was in fact kidnapped when he was a baby. Perhaps the happy ending could be that he either finds a sibling, or the love of his life on his journey 🙂

Yet again, I didn’t get as much as I’d like done last week. I blame my birthday lol

I had some lovely comments about my prologue from my Writing Group, but the general consensus was, why was it in first person POV? Hmmmmm lol.

So the plan for this week is…..

1. Turn the prologue back into 3rd person (again lol).

2. Try to nail chapter one, so that I have something to read out at class on Wednesday night.

3. Finish sorting out the formatting/layout of the whole thing.

4. Have another read through and work on the ending. I think I’ve worked out where I want it to go, I’ve just got to write it now, which means changing stuff in other places. So yep, I’ve been avoiding that lol.

I’m going to a “write in” with some fellow writers tomorrow morning, so that should motivate me 🙂

On Saturday, I went up to Foyles in Central London (my favourite book shop!) to spend my voucher that hubby got me for my birthday. Here’s what I brought home…..whoops! Lol

so what are your writing goals/plans this week?

The New Zealander

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last weekend I went up to the Tate Modern which is probably my favourite gallery, as I’m a huge fan of modern art 🙂

As if the art work inside isn’t enough, there is also art outside. Martin Karlsson has a display of drawings outside to enhance the building work that is going on there. I find his work fascinating and soooo inspirational for stories (I will post some more in the coming weeks).

So today’s photo is “The New Zealander” by Karlsson.

So what is the New Zealander doing in a London Cemetery, so far from home?

Can’t wait to hear your ideas, and of course, I have my own theories that I’ll share tomorrow 🙂

Writers Block…..My Top Tips

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

*shudders*

It’s a pain isn’t it?

The nightmare situation for most writers….a blank page (or computer screen) and your mind, desperately searching for the words that just won’t come *gulp* 😦

The lovely Andy Szpuk wrote this poem which, to me, sums it up very nicely 🙂

You sit there looking at the page
The page stares blankly back at you
You’re locked in a wordless cage
You sit there looking at the page
So glad you’re not up on stage
With your heart and soul all askew
You sit there looking at the page
The page stares blankly back at you

“Locked in a wordless cage” is the line that really made me think, the connection between being blocked and being inspired, is freedom. Ok, now bear with me on this lol.

Inspiration isn’t going to fall into your lap, it doesn’t just magically show up the minute you sit down to write (ok, perhaps it does for some people lol). Most of the time, you have to find it…..and that’s why I’m a big believer in always carrying a notebook 😉

As writers, most of us don’t bother to nourish our muses with experience. So, for me, when the words just won’t come, I try to come up with things that will excite my muse 😉 we need to give him/her the freedom to experience new things, great things, small things 🙂

Here are my top 10 things to do to free my muse from that cage:

1. Go to a cafe or park and people watch. Take your notebook, write down snippets of conversations and free write.

2. Go to an art gallery (most of them here in the UK are free). Immerse yourself in visual stimulation.

3. Sit on a beach and stare out to sea (one of my favourites….I love beaches 🙂

4. Make soup! Lol…..can’t cook? Yes you can, don’t tell porkies 😉 Making soup is so therapeutic, all that chopping lol

5. Listen to music, read, or watch a film, depending on your preference. All can be really inspiring, and relaxing, coz lets face it, being blocked is stressful 😦

6. Go for a walk. I must confess, I’m not a huge fan of exercise, but, I love walking down a street and looking at people’s houses, imagining who lives behind each door and what their lives are like.

7. Do something arty. Paint, draw, do some colouring, or make something out of modelling clay.

8. Go notebook shopping. Always fun IMO and a great purpose to boot!

9. Do some gardening. Ok, so you haven’t got a garden….but I bet you have a windowsill that could do with a few pot plants or herbs?

10. Tidy your desk/work area….ORGANISE even if that means you have to invest in a couple of pretty folders or brightly coloured plastic wallets (ooooo, another excuse to visit a stationery shop! Lol).

And my top top tip …….wherever you go, and what ever you do….take a camera!!!!! (or mobile phone lol). Any photos you can take can be used as prompts 🙂

What do you do to excite and stimulate your muse?

Available for Weddings and Bar Mitzvah’s

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

*snigger* 😉 Now you’re intrigued aren’t you?

Do you remember my post, Be My Guest, Or Not? Well, I’ve made a decision…… *drum roll*

I am happy to host guests on my Blog, on one condition…. And this is probably where I’m going to lose you lol….. My condition is that rather than do “Guest Posts” we do a “Blog Swap” 😉 (although I will take Guest posts from people who don’t have blogs, or have Blogs that center around a topic I know nothing about). Perhaps like an interview, where we both answer the same set of ‘writer’ orientated questions.

Now, this kinda implies that I consider myself so goddam interesting, presuming you’d want me, and that’s really not the case. I hope those of you who have been following my blog for a while really don’t think that. No, this is about giving back and being fair.

I know it’s not about the figures, but, I see “Blog Swapping” as a good alternative to Guesting, where both bloggers get the best out if the situation 🙂

So what do you think? Would you be interested in a blog swap interview? I’ve already set one up (which should happen in the next couple of weeks). Can I interview you?

Drop me a line if you’re interested I’m angelchildvikki over on gmail if you want to get in touch, or leave a comment and I’ll e mail you 🙂

Don’t ask what the connection is with the photo lol….I just enjoy reading it 🙂

Free Writing In Bath

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Bath the city, not in my bathroom….although, that’s not a bad idea lol 😉

I was up at 5am yesterday morning, sitting in the grounds of the hotel with my cup of tea by 5.15, and of course, with my notepad.

I was sat on a bench with this pond in front of me:

And with this view to my left:

A perfect setting for some free writing 🙂

My fingers are numb from the cold, but the ducks don’t seem to mind. Preening themselves on a rock in the middle of the pond. The only sounds are the cascading water from the fountain and the seagulls, calling to each other high above the tree’s. I’m surrounded by sandy Bath stone, drawn back in time to Jane Austen’s Georgian elegance. The trees towering over my head envelope me in an enchanted forest and remind me of just how insignificant I am. I’ve been coming here, on and off, for 17 years now, but i am such a small blip on this historical city. Nothing really changes, apart from the people, the constant stream of tourists. The stone facades weather and age, just like the people’s faces.

As you get older, birthdays inevitably bring with them a sense of loss. The idea that we’ve wasted years, thrown away chances and allowed ourselves to be pushed and pulled in directions we didn’t want to go. The hopes and dreams of childhood are long gone and the realisation of an ordinary life are what’s left. Most of us, just sit by our pond, like the ducks, with no attempt to make any impact on the world around us. Perhaps I don’t want to be a duck any more, not even one that lives in such beautiful surroundings.

Ooooo, that was a bit melancholy lol. Actually, I wasn’t in a melancholy mood, but I did continue this piece of writing further. It turned into the start of a story about a woman who walked out of her home on the eve of her 49th birthday. I haven’t got a clue why, or where she is going….yet 😉

Bath is my favourite city outside of London. I love the history of it, the Georgian elegance, and so did Jane Austen, who set 2 of her books there. I like the idea of writing a novel set in a place I love. And of course, you’d have to spend a lot of time there for research 😉 So whats your favourite city and why?

Pitching The WIP

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

This week I’ve been scribbling in my notebook how to pitch my novel. If I’m talking to an agent or publisher (which could very well happen in the not too distant future) I need to be able to say exactly what my novel is all about.

So here’s what I’ve come up with……

I’ve just finished my novel, called But Not Forgotten. It’s the story of 2 brothers who fall in love with the same woman and how the elder brother frames the younger brother for murder, well, so you think. It starts with a suicide and contains corruption, black mail, romance and emotional conflict. A kind of modern day family saga where the action takes place in 2010, but the characters are responding to the events that took place in 1984

Hmmm, now what about genre, that terrifying word. Would you know what genre my book was from that description? Lol….I really need to sort that one out lol

There’s a classic love triangle, albeit that one party is dead, and it also confronts issues around a young woman suddenly discovering that the man she thought was her father, is, in fact her uncle.

Hmmmm, leave out the dead bit? Does that give the impression it’s a ghost story?

It’s told from multi viewpoints, which gives the reader an insight into what is going on inside the 3 main characters heads.

Do they need to know that? I was thinking along the lines that it’s my unique selling point, but, that just sounds confusing doesn’t it

The guy who was the villain at the start, appears to be the hero at the end, but that depends on how you perceive the ending.

So what genre is it? Lol Does your WIP straddle more than one genre?

I spoke about the whole Genre thing here back in December, and it seems that I’m not the only one struggling……

The Write Inspiration

Ask Me Anything gulp

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

It’s my birthday today 🙂 No, no way am I telling you how old….didn’t your mother tell you it’s rude to ask a lady her age? LMAO 😉

Sooooo, as I’m currently being treated to a night away in a hotel in Bath, I thought I’d ask you, my dear readers to take part in today’s post 🙂

Prompted by a post by Virginia over at poetaofficium and CC’s post over at ccarothers I’ve decided to open up today’s post. Nooooo, I’m not being lazy lol.

I often wish I knew more about the people who’s blogs I follow. When you think, you read someone’s blog who lives thousands of miles away, on the other side of the world, and the only time you really get to know anything about them is when they have to list facts about themselves through an Award they’ve received.

So, as I’ve always considered myself an open book, I’m happy to answer any questions you may like to throw at me (within reason lol) go on, I dare you 😉

I’d like to say if you ask me a question I’ll ask you one back, but don’t panic, I won’t, unless you want me to 😉

My cake from 2010 (the first one I’ve ever had as an adult, since my childhood) 🙂

So go on, ask me a question any question and I’ll do my best to answer (just make sure it’s clean please lol). You never know, we might be able to come up with some story ideas in the process 😉

Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community.

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special don’t they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on FaceBook.

Kindness ROCKS!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I’m participating too!

So, I am Blitzing 3 people who have really contributed to my writing life 🙂

Firstly Rob who is my constant advisor, critique partner and who keeps me strong when times are tough. Thank you for keeping me going, for your encouragement and support when I’ve been so full of self doubt at times. There will be a little something arriving in the post for you soon.

Secondly Jayne Curtis who listens and offers great advice. Jayne, there will be a little something arriving in the post from Amazon for you within the next couple of days.

Thirdly Elizabeth Haynes for your constant advice, encouragement and inspiration. When you’re done with that diet we’re going out for a slap up meal, my shout!

And last but by no means least….. I would like to thank you guys, my followers. It’s your comments on my blog that keep me going. I’ll just say here and now that if there is EVER anything I can help with, just give me a shout, e mail me, or contact me through FaceBook. I really do appreciate your support and would love to give something back if I can. You are all very very special. 🙂

Do you know someone special that you’d like to randomly acknowledge? Don’t be shy, come join us and celebrate! Send them an e mail, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK GIFT waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness? Let me know in the comments!

This Weeks Goals 14-20th May

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

So did you give the photo prompt a go yesterday?

I was thinking along the lines that it was a guy returning to his family home to introduce mummy & daddy to the latest girlfriend. Mummy & Daddy are Lord & Lady Hampton and the new girlfriend is a cockney, who drinks pints of Ale, smokes roll ups and works as a lap dancer 😉

Right, where was I? Ahhhh, yes, the goals…..

I’m afraid, I failed miserably 😦 My reason? I had to have my dog put to sleep on Wednesday night (the 9th). It was fairly sudden, she became ill over the weekend, vet gave her antibiotics for a chest infection (she was having trouble breathing) and by Wednesday night we ended up at the emergency vets, where an X-ray confirmed a tumour on her lung. Too large to operate on and causing her distress. Always a difficult decision, but we didn’t want her suffering any longer. The vet said it was only her spirit that was keeping her alive. She was 12.

So as you can imagine, I’ve been on a huge downer….bouts of tearfulness and generally the inability to even pick up a pen 😦

My darling Georgie, I will miss you so much….the house feels so empty without you….but, I know I have to pick myself up, carry on, because I know you’re somewhere, reunited with Bill (our Shih T Zu who died of a heart attack in 2010). I know in my heart that one day I will see you again.

*blows nose and wipes eyes* Does how you feel emotionally affect your ability to write? It feels like I’ve just been plunged into a dark space, and I’m finding it hard to focus my eyes. Oooo, that sounds a bit dramatic doesn’t it….I’m fine really.

Right, so lets crack on, I needto focus…… I needto get back into some kind of routine 🙂

The original list from last week was:

1. Finish the spell check (and do it again incase there’s something I’ve missed). DONE
2. Check that’s it’s set out correctly (ie paragraphing and indenting dialogue). STARTED
3. Check punctuation (I have a tendency to forget all about it during dialogue). STARTED

The rest, I’m afraid, didn’t get tackled….however, I did print all 202 pages off. I find it much easier editing it when it’s on paper in front of me.

Yep, so guess what the plan is this week?

4. Change tense where needed (one of my worst habits, I tend to flit between past and present during a longer piece lol). STARTED
5. Print off to start the re-write (I’ve decided to change a few things quite considerably). PRINTED OFF
6. Do the research needed.
7. Write the ending (GULP).
8. Write a synopsis.
9. Decide who to pick on as Beta readers lol (Think of questions to ask Beta readers)
10. Think about what to do with it next (depending on Beta readers comments, I could be starting back at number 1 lol).

What are you hoping to achieve this week? And how about editing Do you do most of it on the PC or print off and use the red pen?