Farewell Caerleon

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last night we were treated to a performance by the CWMBACH Male Voice Choir.

Afterwards, they joined us in the bar and continued with their entertainment. A great group of lads, with fantastic voices! My feet were killing me by 11, so I went and sat outside on a bench with my feet up. Little did I know that that was exactly where the choir would be boarding their coaches at midnight. So it gave me opportunity to chat to a couple before they left. I’m sure quite a few of them were half cut by that stage 😉

I found out later that I’d missed a very entertaining table dancing session from Jane Wenham-Jones, So if anyone filmed it? 😉

Finally got to bed at quarter to 1 after saying a few goodbyes and slept straight through to 6 this morning. So then it was a quick cuppa, pack up the car, and off I set. Had to stop twice because my feet were killing me, and sat in traffic on the M4 and M25.

Still, it’s good to be home 🙂 I popped in to see my local pharmacist, who says it looks like I’ve had an allergic reaction to the gnat bites (which I was informed last night aren’t gnats, they’re bloody mosquito’s!!!!!!) and if the swelling isn’t gone by Monday to see my GP as I might need antibiotics 😦 Fingers crossed, I am soooo sick of looking like ‘the elephant woman’ lol. (NOTE TO SELF – Take insect repellant to Swanwick!!!!!)

So this afternoon and evening, you will find me with my feet up on the sofa, perusing all my notes I’ve made this week and thinking about the things I’ve learnt, the things I still need to learn and exactly which direction I want to go in next…..lots to think about, I’ll share soon 🙂

Hope you’ve all had a good week….What have you been up to?

PS: The normal schedule will resume tomorrow 🙂

A Writers Holiday (the-view-outside.com)

The Last Full Day

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I finally got to bed around midnight last night, and had the best nights sleep ive had all week! lol

As i’d decided not to do the 2nd lot of courses i spent the morning with my feet up…literally (wrapped in a cold water soaked towel) and did some writing, and reading. Get me, i should get a gold star.

I did attend the talk this afternoon, which was “A Problem Shared?” and involved a Q & A session with some of our speakers and course tutors.

Pictured from left to right: Kate Walker, Simon Whaley, Alison Chisholm, Malcolm Chisholm, Irene Yates, Lynne Hackles, Stephen Wade and Brad Ashton. Jane Wenham-Jones kept them all in check for the duration 😉

Some interesting questions from the audience but i couldnt think of anything to actually ask lol. Oh well, i’ll probably think of something later 😉

After the panel session most of our delegates went off to the workshops, but i sat on a bench (in the shade of course) and read my book.

Ive decided to go home straight after breakfast tomorrow as my feet and ankles are still swollen and another gnat bite has appeared 😦 I dunno, what a state to get in. I just need to get home now and sit with my feet up all day lol…..im sure that wont be difficult. Will go to the Drs on Monday if theyre no better *deep sigh*

Tonight, its the CWMBACH Male Choir and then the farewell party. Ive been told i have to wear a dress, so yes, i do have one. There is no way i’ll be getting me feet in those bloody high heels though lol 😉

Ahhhh, So Thats Where I’m Going Wrong

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Well, i didnt make the speaker last night, but i did however end up chatting on a bench outside our flat until 11.30….wow, a late night lol.

Today was the final part of the Kate Walker’s course, and we talked about…. SEX 😉 Im seriously considering going to Kates course in Fishguard next February, which follows on from this one ive been doing. One of the tasks she asks her students to do on the next course is to give “reasons for having sex?” An interesting concept. Apparently, love usually comes pretty far down the list 🙂

I decided not to go to my 2nd course choice and chose to come back to my room for some R & R….. The plan was to read, and write for the rest of the day, but i ended up reading blog posts, doing some catching up with e mails and then read one chapter of a book which, im gunna have to reread tomorrow as i kept nodding off lol.

Tonights speaker was Jane Wenham-Jones and this is where ive been going wrong…… To avoid writers bum i need to get one of these, which Jane highly recommends!

After Janes very entertaining talk entitled “The Highs and Hazards of Writing” it was straight into the bar for “Poetry Performance” where some of the delegates read out their poems they had been working on this week. im afraid i didnt watch until the end. My feet and ankles were aching 😦

I have managed to keep up with my prompts every day, which im very proud of, but only because ive been up most mornings before 6 lol

Soooo, if you want to avoid writers bottom (and belly) get a ball….. I’ll be ordering mine as soon as i get home 😉

I’m Such A Light Weight

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I kind of fell into bed last night *snigger* Two glasses of Pims and i was done in 😦 So i guess it was inevitable that this morning during our first tea break i had to rush to the shop to buy some Nurofen lol…..so i finally felt human for the 2nd part of Kate Walkers course lol.

Today, Kate was talking about “conflict” which was fascinating! Internal and external conflict to be exact. It made me realise that ive often completely forgotten about internal conflict with my characters. Thats something i will definitely be rectifying when i get home 😉

At lunch i finally met the lovely Della Galton, and we ended up outside having a fag. Im now the proud owner of a signed book 🙂

The afternoon speaker was Stephen Bowkett, a childrens author who has some 50 books to his credit. His talk, entitled “Adventures of a Visiting Author” was all about his experiences of going into schools to talk to children about being a writer. He was very funny, and some of his stories were uplifting, others shocking. One thing he did say, and he says this to the kids he talks to, is “Books are like Dr Who’s Tardis. Bigger on the inside.” I like that 🙂

I chose to do my after tea session with Freda Lightfoot. Her workshop was entitled “The Yin and Yang of Character”. I partnered Christine and we ended up coming up with a character and a plot, from just one word. A very useful exercise, as, you know me, i do love a character 😉

Im not sure i’ll make the speaker tonight, my feet have swollen up LMAO…..im trying to laugh, but its not funny really. Im not sure if its the heat, all the walking around or the bloody great Gnat bites!

Still, ive learn a lot, the weather is gorgeous, and the food, toooo tempting 😉

Of course, ive had to buy the odd book LOL 😉

Sorry im so behind with all your blogs, will catch up as soon as i can, i promise 🙂

A Fun Packed Day

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I had a lovely breakfast this morning which included “black pudding”…now, we dont get that at Swanwick 😉 So i was really set up for the day and the first part of my course “A Complete Introduction To writing Romance” with Kate Walker.

Kate talked about characterisation and that by creating in depth characters to begin with, a plot and conflict can be formed. Thoroughly enjoyable, i learned a lot 🙂 Kate has a book out at the moment about Writing Romance, so i can highly reccomend that if youre interested in the Mills & Boon/Harlequin avenue.

After a lunch of salad it was time for Stephen Wade to give a talk, entitled “A Man of Many Hats” He talked about his 65 published books, which genres range from biography and poetry to true crime. He read us examples of his poetry and even put on the Russian accent required when reading his poem about the Russian and the dinner lady. A very amusing and entertaining guy, and, husband to Kate Walker 🙂

His advice to aspiring writers? Wear lots of hats! 🙂

After a small break it was time for an after tea session. I chose to do “Finding Your Place: Bringing Settings To Life” with Carol Fenton. The session was all about showing us how good description of a setting can add mood to your work. Carol gave us photos we had to write about, and my mind went blank (typical!!!). Some of the other delegates read out some of their descriptions, which were excellent! 🙂

One of the books Carol Gave us as an Example was Waterland by Graham Swift. I approached Carol after the class and asked her if she knew if there was any truth in the rumour that Swift wrote the book (which is set in the English Fens) with out even visiting the area. Carol didnt know, but we both agreed that if that was indeed true, what a marvellous writer.

And thats what we want isnt it? To be able to write as if we know an area inside out, even if we dont 😉

Tonights speaker is Irene Yates, and unfortunately i wont be attending 😦 My feet are killing me! lol. So im in my room, with my fluffy slippers on *snigger*

Later this evening there is going to be a pub crawl….ha ha ha, no chance. So it’ll be drinks on the terrace instead, or rather, in my case “drink” 😉

Slumming It

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Well, ok, perhaps its not that bad, but, its not what im use to lol 😉

Student accomodation, is, sparse….as you can see…

But, i have a fridge for my chocolate, and an internet connection. Thats the necessities taken care of lol

Its been a good day 🙂 I have sunburn, i know where the local Spar is (i had to find it when we realised we had no milk or teaspoons) and i met up with an old Bookcrossing friend i havent seen since 2006!

Dinner (salmon and salad) was nice. I purchased 4 books from the book room (already!) and put faces to lots of online names ive seen on a regular basis on the SSS.

The evenings speaker was Simon Whaley who’s very entertaining talk was entitled “Sandwiched Between Kate Adie and Nick Hornby”. Its basis, comparing writers to olympic athletes and involved showering the audience with chocolate coins! 😉

Im currently back in my room whilst most of the other delegates take part in a Quiz Night. Im shattered, and that 1 glass of wine i had before dinner has gone to my head lol

Tomorrow looks like it will be hectic, but great fun. Im really looking forward to my course with Kate Walker, oh…..and breakfast! 😉

Yo-Yo Blogging For The Next Week

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m going to have to interrupt my normal schedule for the next week guys, because, today
I’M OFF TO CAERLEON *grins like the Cheshire*

Excited is an understatement lol

Yesterday was spent packing all my stuff, shopping for last minute bits and constantly checking the weather forecast for the week to come (hoping the little rain clouds would disappear lol).

I will blog daily, I promise, but I might kind of be a day behind, if you get what I mean lol. My apologies now as I’m bound to get behind with all your posts.

So here’s a pic of my new “writer” bag 🙂

I am constantly on the look out for the ideal “writers” bag. So far, I’ve not found one, but this is pretty cool. Its big enough for a couple of A4 folders and has lots of zips and pockets. I’ll have more of an opinion about it by the end of the week, but, so far so good 🙂

Do you have a bag that you use specifically to cart your writing stuff about in?

Illuminating Blogger Award

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

The lovely Brigitte over at Brigitte Banter and the lovely Julie over at Anglers Rest have both nominated me for the Illuminating Blogger Award. Thank you soooo much ladies 🙂

Now, normally, I’m a rule breaker, but I’ll make an exception 😉

Here’s the rules…

Visit the Blog who awarded you and thank them.
Tell everyone who nominated you, thank the blogger and include a link back to their site on your blog.
Share a random thing about yourself.
Select five or more nominees — and notify them on their blogs.
Put the award on your blog somewhere.

Sooooo, my random fact: I once spent the whole night on the steps outside The Savoy Hotel in London 😉 Now you’re intrigued aren’t you? Lol

I’m nominating:

Diane at Tales From Baggins Bottom
Ms Nine at Nine Writes
Melanie at Feather Pens Tartan Dreams
Sam at Manty67
William Stadler
Wendy Steele

Please take a few minutes to visit these lovely Bloggers and their blogs 🙂

And if you want to know how comes I spent the whole night outside a posh London hotel, well, you’ll just have to take a guess. A gold star for the correct answer! 😉

Illuminating Blogger Award (floatingwiththebreeze.wordpress.com)

Too Many Choices

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Ok, so now that I’ve stopped working on But Not Forgotten and I’ve got over the shock lol, I’m ready to make a commitment to a shiny brand new WIP 🙂

I have 3 choices….help me mull them over and then give me your opinion.

Choice number 1 The Daisy Chain idea I had for my 26 characters (the ones I did for the Blogging A-Z Challenge). I love the idea of this, but, 26 characters? Is that too much? I’ve come up with an idea that links them all together, and I’ve kind of got an ending. But, in a time where agents are telling us that publishers are steering away from huge tomes, and this will definitely be a large book, is that sensible? It’s definitely got a concept, and it’s definitely different.

Choice number 2 The Jersey war story. Now, I love this idea too, but, it will take a lot of research. If I did decide to try to get it published I would immediately be labelling myself as a historical fiction writer (do I want that?). Are people not sick of war stories?

Choice number 3 My original Nano 2012 idea was for a story told from 2 different viewpoints, about someone who goes missing. I watched a TV show that had a section about missing persons and they talked about the families, what they go through. That piqued my interest. So yes, that one has concept, and is different too.

So can you see my dilemma? lol

I’m not quite at that stage where I’m hitting my head, but I will be soon if I don’t make a decision lol. Nano is looming 🙂

Advice and thoughts much needed 😉

Pitching The WIP (the-view-outside.com)

Musing About The Muse

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my “muse” 🙂

I even looked the word up in the Oxford English Dictionary lol

noun
1 MUSE (in Greek and Roman mythology) each of nine goddesses, the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who preside over the arts and sciences.

2a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist:
Yeats’ muse, Maud Gonne

Ok, so she’s female is she? Lol….nope, sorry, I’m not buying that.

I was under the impression (don’t ask me why) that my muse was suppose to be a real person, but I’ve seen so many writers refer to their muse as part of themselves. Ok, interesting idea. So if my muse can be almost like an imaginary person, a part of me, that means I can have a male muse doesn’t it?

You can probably tell from my writing that I have a dark side. You might also have been able to tell that one of my favourite books is Wuthering Heights, and that I’ve got a bit of a thing for Heathcliff *sniggers*

Sooooo, I’m hoping that my muse kind of looks like this lol

Photo from Elyse Snow