Running Behind

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Ok, so yes, I ended up doing 2 of the daily prompts yesterday lol….. The first one, which was actually Fridays was when she looked up. I wrote a 1 page piece (better than nothing) describing a woman walking through a village when a plane crashes nearby. Yesterday’s prompt (the one inspired by Turgenev) was totally uninspiring lol….I ended up with a description of a woman entering a room full of books, taking one down from the shelf and finding a handwritten note. I don’t know why she’s in the room, who she is, or what the note says…..yet 😉

I finally completed my Write Place homework. I decided to use one of my stories that I did for the prompt, and just adapted it. I promise I will post it here after Wednesday when I read it out in class *gulp*

I know as an aspiring writer, one of the best things I can do to ‘hone’ my craft is read. But at the moment, I’m in a reading slump. My current read has been sitting next to me bed for 3 weeks lol. I read more blogs and short stories on line at the moment than actual books (is it that time thing again?). So today, I’m determined to read at least a couple of chapters lol.

Don’t get me wrong…..I’m enjoying finding things on line to read, web sites like this are a complete time suck, but sooooo interesting 🙂

So other than reading, the plan for today is to have another fiddle with my assignment, and do today’s prompt, which is write about an unfamiliar object. I’m feeling much better about the daily prompts now I’ve taken the pressure off myself to actually complete a short story every day…..but, saying that, I did have a lightbulb moment recently, and I now realise, thanks to Liz @ Libro that if I’m not enjoying what I’m writing about I struggle big time 😦 To quote Liz……. “it’s vitally important to choose a topic you’re interested in and can commit to….”

Yes, ok, I know it’s obvious!!!! Lol….. Reminds me of Iain McEwan and that I read recently that in a lot of his books it comes across that he doesn’t really like his characters (was definitely the case in Saturday which I read recently). So how does he do that? Lol

Awful

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What an awful day yesterday was :o(

I managed to type up the first draft of my story for my assignment, but, it’s only 1500 words. So I’ve got to add another 1000+ before I can even consider submitting it *slump*

I didn’t manage yesterday’s prompt, but there is a reason…..I depressed myself lol. I’m subscribed to a web site, Listverse who send me digests. Yesterday’s one was all about little known events that happened on Friday the 13th. Of course, I read it, and came across a plane crash……then from a link on that I ended up reading all about Lockerbie and the Pan Am Flight that crashed there in 1988. Shocking…..upsetting…..thought provoking. It gave me the idea for a story that I then couldn’t write :o( I will write it, but I just couldn’t yesterday……

Today’s prompt is write about “the light of the lamps and candles” (after Ivan Turgenev)……*goes off to look him up* Ahhhhh, I’d heard of Turgenev but now, I know much more lol.

I’ve still only got about 20 words of my Write Place homework *snigger*

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get much writing done over the weekend, and anyway, I need a break…..I’m feeling a bit worn out and lacking in motivation. It’s been a hard week for personal reason, so I think I deserve at least 1 day of chilling 😉

The Write Place Homework

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Just quickly……I have to show you this……Kelly Rae Roberts desk *squeals*……how gorgeous is that? *looks around the house to see if there are any spare cupboards*

Yesterday’s prompt, in the distance, went well. I wrote a short piece about a girl getting lost in the woods and stumbling across an old cottage…..a huge cliche I know, but I just fancied writing something a bit creepy 😉

At The Write Place class we were discussing openings, the beginnings of short stories, and how they have to grab the reader. As I said yesterday I failed miserably in the actual class lol, but I’m hoping I’ll be better at the actual homework, because I’m not feeling so pressured. Although, I know I will have to read it out next Wednesday *gulp*

So the prompt is…… ‘Sara! I never thought you could do such a thing.’

I sat there yesterday evening, trying to come up with something (it needs to be about 300 words) that resembles a story. On my 3rd attempt I got further than the first 20 words lol….so I’m hoping today I’ll be able to turn it into something readable. Might have to practice reading it out loud to the hubby a few times though lol

Plan for today…..try to get my assignment sorted, or rather typed up and finish the homework, oh, and of course, there’s today’s prompt……when she looked up

Looks like its going to be a busy day 😉

Edwin Drood

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I watched the BBC’s adaptation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood last night and was soooo pleased to see they had actually filmed it in Rochester (where I live and the ‘home’ of Dickens). A good adaptation I thought, and I’m gripped already 😉

I spent most of yesterday trying to sort out my assignment (in between going to the dentist lol) and the homework for The Write Place as I went to the first class last night. Really good, very educational, the ‘tutor’ Elaine Everest is lovely……but, I’ve discovered I have a problem. The minute I’m asked to write anything that I know I will have to read out I go completely blank! 😦 we were given the choice of 4 prompts…..I tried one then gave up…..then I tried another and that was just as crap. My mind went blank and I just couldn’t think of a thing to write. It was the same with exams at school (and the 2 I took as an adult)…..the minute I entered that room all the revising I’d done went completely out of the window…..how the hell am I going to get over that? 😦

Yesterday’s prompt was quite hard, the one about sleep. Perhaps I’m setting myself up for a fall, trying to come up with a short story every day…..I’m exhausted already and it’s only day 11 lol. So, I’ve decided that I’m being too hard on myself, too strict, and that, really, so what if it’s not a complete story…..just an extract will do 😉

Before the sleep prompt there is a section in the book where Reeves talks about ‘Desks & Spaces’ and how to create a ‘space if your own’. She suggests you spend a practice session describing your ideal writing space.

My Ideal Writing Space: I’m not greedy, a small cosy room would do me just fine. I don’t need a chaise lounge or a huge oak desk. Just a bookcase where I could store all my notebooks and writing books. A small armchair in the corner for reading and a couple of shelves above my desk for photographs and small nick nack’s that have meaning and sentimental value. On the walls, some inspiring words and pictures and an old clock that ticks. A large window (that opens) in front of my desk with a view of trees or the sea, so that I can stare out and daydream. In warm weather I could open it and feel the soft breeze. Scented candles and a couple of lamps, no stark overhead lighting. A coffee machine or some kind of tea maker and my cosy fluffy slippers. A comfy office chair to support my back and plenty of power sockets at desk height for my iPad and NetBook 🙂 I so wish I had a spare room in my house…….

Today’s prompt is in the distance so I’m sure I can come up with something 😉 I’ve also got to tackle The Write Place homework…..I’ll tell you all about that tomorrow 😉

Time

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I was reading today about time, well, lack of it to be precise……

Victoria Moran says “When you take control of your time, you take control of your life” Hmmmm, ok, I can see what she’s saying, but how? 😦 I never seem to have enough hours in the day. I started yesterday morning with a to do list, and I only managed half of the things on it lol.

Now, Moran says “To gain this control you sometimes have to stand up to time and call its bluff. Time will intimidate you if you give it a chance. It will try to convince you that there isn’t enough of it and that it’s racing past you at warp speed. You won’t win by arguing. Just say thanks for the information. I’m still going to sit here with this novel or notebook or newspaper and savour every minute.”

I think I get it lol 😉

“In this moment, there is plenty of time. In this moment, you are precisely as you should be. In this moment, there is infinite potential. You get to live in this idyllic state when you refrain from worry and regret. Most of us adore worry and regret: they’re so dramatic. Lamenting the dreadful thing that might happen or the awful thing that did is as good as watching a soap opera, and the characters are easier to keep track of.”

Woah…..stop right there…..isn’t that like saying there’s no consequence? My assignment is due on the 20th but hey, I’ll just sit here and read my book lol….. What about deadlines? What about real life? Kids needing picking up, dinner needing to be ready? Oh, if only I lived a life like Victoria Morans 😉

Soooooo, in my effort to kill birds 😉 my prompt yesterday (about silence) I used as part of The Write Place homework which I then extended with today’s prompt about the stars. All I have to do now is type it up as a short story and I can use it as my OCA assignment 🙂 Oh yes!

Today’s prompt is write about falling asleep

Lol, something I’m rather an expert on, or not 😦

£10 in 10 Minutes

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Had news today that the wonderful Linda Lewis has just published another of her writing guides. This one, entitled How to Make £10 in 10 Minutes is now available for Kindle at the bargain price of 89p

The book is based on Linda’s workshop she did at Swanwick back in August, which, I have to say was one of the highlights of my week there 🙂

All Linda’s books are available at Lulu (and some on Kindle) and I can highly recommend them 🙂

Yesterday’s prompt about silence went well. I decided to tackle The Write Place homework and found that it tied in nicely with the prompt…..I’m now thinking that I can use it for my assignment, which is due on the 20th. I’ve got to do a 2500 to 3000 word story paying attention to:

the development of my voice
the persona I use for my character
the imagery I use

I’m determined to start it today……but first, today’s prompt shapes like stars

Hmmmmm, that’ll be interesting 😉

What If?

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I managed to do my story regarding the horizon. I wrote about a woman who presents on breakfast TV, The Horizon Show. Ratings are falling and the producers have bought in a young, attractive blonde to take over……she ends up pushing the bimbo down the stairs 😉

I’ve enrolled with The Write Place but unfortunately i couldn’t make it to the first meeting 😦 However, the lovely Elaine sent me the notes from last weeks class 🙂 Every week she sets some homework and this weeks was centred around a ‘what if?’ situation.

I love What Ifs? Been using them for quite a while now, for times when I get stuck 🙂 You can completely change a story by applying one and my note books are full of What if scenarios.

She also sent me info on a Lesley Pearse talk which is happening in a couple of weeks. I’m not really a fan, but, I always find it interesting to hear what successful published authors have to say, so I’ll definitely be booking tickets for that.

Then there’s Sally Quilfords Pocket Novel Workshop which I want to attend, and Peter Jones at the Essex Book Festival. I’ve applied to be a ‘giver’ for World Book Night and I’m also considering the Ian Rankin talk at the University of Sussex.

Phew…..the diary is filling up! Lol

Today, I will be trying to do some work on my course. My assignment is due in on the 20th *gulp* and I’ve not started it yet 😦 Plus, I need to do today’s prompt, which is the sound of silence (after Simon & Garfunkel). My brain feels a bit fuzzy this morning so I’ve no idea as yet what I’m going to write about 😉

Damn & Blast

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Why is it that I always come up with ideas for stories when I’m in bed trying to get to sleep?

They say you should have a notebook next to your bed, which is all very well if you want to sit up, turn the light on, and completely lose that sleepy feeling lol…..but, if you suffer from insomnia like me and you feel yourself finally drifting off, there is no way you’re gunna jump up and write an idea down in your note book 😉

So Friday night/Saturday morning (I think it was gone midnight) I came up with the first couple of lines for a story…..but, do you think I could remember it by 6am when I woke up? 😦

Yesterday’s prompt, where the road leads was ok. I wrote about a woman who is a bully. She marries a man who’s life she dominates. The tables turn when she discovers she’s infertile and her husband blackmails her with the promise of IVF treatment (I’m such a happy soul).

I spent Friday night (while hubby was watching 24 lol) looking at all the possible competitions I could enter. There’s actually 4 I’ve got my eye on, all with closing dates before the 1st February. I’m building up a nice collection of stories, but most will need elaborating on (and some major editing) before they can be submitted….so that’s the aim over the next week. So what with the writing and the fact that I promised I’d start decluttering the house, and start cooking healthy meals, it looks like its going to be a busy week lol

Today’s prompt is on the horizon

I’m gunna try to think outside the box with this one. So far, I’ve been taking these prompts pretty literal, so I’m going to push myself a bit more. I did come up with an idea in bed last night, and I’ve actually remembered it lol 😉

Emotional Response

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I had a bit of a shock Thursday night……

I went out to BlueWater with my friend J for a coffee and a chin wag. J is also an aspiring writer and has also been following Judy Reeves Book of Days. I took my note book with me, to share some of the stories I’d written over the last few days, which she read. When it came to the one prompted by “things that enter through way of silence’ she burst into tears. Bless her 🙂 In the middle of Carluccio’s *snigger* We had to explain to the waitress what was going on 😉

Sorry J, if you’re reading this, it was quite funny. The waitress commented that my story must be good if it reduced my friend to tears. The subject struck a raw nerve with J…. A mother sitting in the darkness, waiting for her son to return from a New Years Eve party…..only he’ll never return because he’s been killed…..but still, every New Years Eve, she sits and waits…….

This got me thinking about my own emotional responses to the books I read. I’m not really a weepy person, although I do get upset about things on TV and in films…..but, I don’t think I’ve ever been reduced to tears by a book….oh, no, wait…..I think I shed a tear when I read Kes a couple of years ago.

So isn’t that what every writer wants? To illicit an emotional response in their readers? Should I be happy that J was so upset by my story? To be honest, I felt really bad.

Yesterday’s prompt about the hours was hard as I just couldn’t get Mrs Dalloway out of my head lol…..I’ve got a copy on my TBR (to be read…..what can I say, I’m a BookCrosser) pile….I think I’ll read it after I’ve finished the Maeve Binchy…… Anyway, yes, it was hard 😦 its funny how some have been so easy, and others I think will be easy, aren’t lol. I finally managed to write a story about a girl waiting for her date to arrive, watching the clock, but he never arrives.

Today’s prompt is write where the road leads

I think I’ll be having fun with that one 😉

WOW! :)

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I am so chuffed right now! I’ve just received a Kreativ Blogger Award thanks to Sandra Madeira

Thank you sooooo much Sandra :o) When I started this Blog I didn’t expect anyone to read my ramblings, so it’s nice to know that someone does, and actually enjoys it!!!!! 🙂

So, I will play the game 🙂

The Kreativ Blogger award rules are:

1. Share 10 things about yourself that readers may find interesting
2. Pass the award on to 6 other Bloggers. Be sure to leave a comment on their blogs to let them know.

So here goes 😉

10 Things About Myself

1 I’ve only been writing since October 2010. Prior to that I hadn’t wrote any fiction since being at school, a gap of approx 20, ahem, years.
2 I’m a Face Book addict lol
3 I am a yo-yo dieter 😦
4 I attended Swanwick for the first time last year, and will definitely be going again this year, and probably for ever more lol
5 I am a BookCrosser
6 I’m a huge Oasis fan (the band not the drink lol)
7 Dom Perignon is my favourite champagne (expensive taste lol)
8 I work (occasionally) with my husband. We have our own printing business.
9 My favourite authors are Fay Weldon, Anita Shreve, Elizabeth Haynes and Linda Gillard.
10 My daughter is a hairdresser (lucky me) 😉

Blogs I’m Nominating (in no particular order)

Quillers Place A great blog by Sally Quilford, a Pocket Novel author. Always something interesting to read on her blog 🙂

Curly Mum A blog by Beccah, who I met through Nanowrimo. I love hearing about her family life, the perils of a young mum trying to write.

Libro This blog is by a lady called Liz Broomfield who I’ve known for, ooooo, quite a few years 😉 She’s now a full time editor/proof reader and her blog is full of little snippets regarding grammar etc that all us writers really should already know about 🙂

Two Moons I haven’t been reading Jenny’s blog long, but, what I have seen so far is very entertaining.

Strangling My Muse I love Sandy Ackers blog 🙂 If I’m ever stuck for something to write about, this is the place to go!

The Writing Calendar Sally Quilford has put together a calendar of Writing Competitions…..a great resource :o)

That’s it! I would have nominated Sandra’s Place but we don’t want her to get too big headed now do we 😉

Edited to add…… Oh, go on then…..Sandra gets a nomination for the link above, so my list is actually 7 😉

Again, thank you Sandra, I feel very honoured 🙂