Fruition and Why I Blog


As you know, I don’t normally post on a Wednesday, but, I have a very special reason today. It just so happens that two guest posts I’ve done recently have both gone live at the same time.

Firstly, I’m over at Mandy Eve Barnett’s blog being interviewed about my writing (she’s put me under fruition, but I can’t think why lol).

AND

I’m over at Sydney Aaliyah’s blog telling her followers Why I Blog.

Thank you so much ladies, it was fun!

A few days back Patsy Collins nominated me (thank you so much honey!) for The Reality Blog Award. The rules are, acknowledge acceptance, answer the questions and pass it on….simples 🙂

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The questions:

If you could change one thing, what would it be?
 Ooooo, only one? Lol 😉 I wish I’d never started smoking.

If you could repeat an age, what would it be?
 Thats hard….Probably my late teens, happy days 🙂

What one thing really scares you?
 Dying! Not because of the pain or illness, because of leaving people I love behind 😦

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
 The Queen….just to see what it’s really like 😉

So I’m going to nominate:

Mandy Eve Barnett
AND
Sydney Aaliyah

Keep it real ladies 😉

Awards Galore!


I’ve received a few awards in the past month lol

Firstly, The Sunshine Award from Mel at Writerly Goodness
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And then Jenny Keller Ford nominated me for all these!
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And for my 11th star! 🙂
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And then Karin Bachman nominated me for The Versatile Blogger award 🙂

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Thank you so much ladies! I’m feeling very loved 🙂 Do check out these wonderful blogs 🙂

So, the rules are the same for all of these, 7things about yourself. I’m running out if ideas with this one! I’ve done books, facts about me, photos of me growing up, my art work, where I live, what’s left? I know! How about 7 of my most treasured possessions (not inc people and furry things!). So here they are in no particular order:

1. My wedding ring. It’s been with me for nearly 27 years. I’d feel completely lost without it 🙂
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2. My grandmothers bracelet. I wore this bracelet on my wedding day, as my something old.
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3. My grandfathers clock. He owned about 20 clocks, and when he died I was lucky enough to inherit a couple. This one is my favourite.

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4. My anniversary bracelet. That The Hubster had made especially.

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5. My Peter Blake. That The Hubster bought me for my birthday a couple of years ago.

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6. My Kiss sculpture. That was bought on a trip to Rome.

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And finally…..my writing notebooks 🙂

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I have 20 now….not bad for just over 2 years worth of scribbles 😉 I refer to them so often it’s incredible.

I could go on and on with this list! I guess I’m the kind of gal who likes to be surrounded by precious things 🙂

Right, onto the next bit… I couldn’t possibly nominate 7 bloggers for each of these awards, (i’d be here for hours! lol) so I’ll stick to just 7 in total and let them decide which award they want, hey, have them all if you want to 😉

Jane Ayres at The Beautiful Room
Sandra at Another 12 Novels
Nicky Wells
Florence at Ramblings From The Left
Rebecca Bradley
Mary at The Daily Mayville
Debbie at The Wicked Queens Mirror

I know these award things are time consuming, and I know a lot of you get a bit tired of them…..but i love them because what better way to highlight some great blogs (and bloggers) that you think deserve a pat on the back 🙂

Insecure Writers Support Group – January 2013


Firstly, thank you soooo much for all the entries on yesterday’s post. You guys are amazing! Fantastic stuff! I haven’t replied because I don’t want to influence the hubster in making his decision, so at the moment I’m keeping stum! When he makes his decision on Sunday I can then have my say lol. I’ll announce the winner next Monday (7th).

Right, now where were we…..I won’t be posting on Wednesdays normally, apart from once a month 🙂

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IWSG Day, created by the brilliant Alex J Cavanaugh seems to come round so quickly every month, but I’m not complaining 😉

I don’t often share how I actually feel on my blog, so IWSG Day is an opportunity for me to have a day of self pity and wallowing lol.

Sooooo, I’ve just started the complete rewrite of But Not Forgotten, which is now The Last Word Cafe. I spent most of the Christmas break flitting from 3rd person to 1st person, weighing up the pro’s and cons, and basically making a decision….which I then changed a week later lol.

I started thinking about my own reading preferences, went back over the last few books that I’ve read. And it seems to be that I like reading first person POV, so it would make sense to write in it wouldn’t it? But, what made me decide to go for 3rd person was the fact that when I write in 1st person it just sounds like me. Who was it that said find what you’re good at and use that to your advantage? Someone in my Faber class told me she loved my voice or rather, my characters voices….Ok, well, if that’s the case it looks like the novel will be in 1st person and expect some very strong South East London (pronounced SOWF EAS LUNDUN) accents 🙂

So yep, the decision has been made (thank gawd!) and I’m now on day 3 and feeling nervous….because I so want it to work and I’m terrified that it won’t *bites finger nails*

Terrified seems like such a strong word, but it’s true. I want to come away from the Faber course feeling I’ve achieved something, that it was worth it. I will not fail and will have my novel completed by June. I’m trying to stay positive about the Agent pitch I’ll be doing in June….but, lol 😉 Still, I guess I should take comfort in the fact that last year the best piece of work (in our tutors opinion) wasn’t taken up by any of the agents!

I can do this can’t I? Or am I completely delusional? Lol

Happy New Year! & A Giveaway


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Courtesy of Stuart Miles freedigitalimages

It’s 2013! Wow, how did that happen?

I hope you all had a lovely night last night 🙂

But it’s not only New Year I’m celebrating…on the 1st of January 2012 I gave myself a challenge, to Blog every single day for a year, and today, I have achieved that! GO ME!!!

So to celebrate my success I’m offering a giveaway. As regular readers will know I am a huge fan of prompts, so any books I come across that are full of prompts go straight on my shelf 😉 This one, is a gooden!

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I’m offering a free brand new copy to one lucky reader who can complete the following sentence……

Vikki rolled over and squinted at the bedside clock, it was 4am, but she’d been trying to sleep for hours.

What did I do next?

Sooooo, leave your answer in the comment box (one sentence will do) and I’ll get the hubster to pick a winner. I’m happy to send overseas by the way and I might even slip in a little extra something 😉

Awwwww, I’m going to miss blogging every day….. But it’ll take the pressure off 😉 Thank you so much for all your comments and likes over the past year. I’ve had a wonderful time. And to all my followers, thank you, most of you I don’t even know! Please leave a comment every once in a while so I can say “Hi” 🙂

Tell me, what was i doing at 4am? Try to keep it relatively clean people Lol

New Blog Schedule


As from the first of January I’ll be changing the blog schedule (and the layout) and will only be posting 4 days a week. It’s gunna feel weird, as I’m so use to posting every day, but, it will free up my time to do other things.

So the new schedule looks like this:

Mondays: Plans for the week
Tuesdays: Faber until April
Wednesdays: Nope, sorry, day off. Apart from one post once a month, IWSG!
Thursdays: Fraid not.
Fridays: A random post.
Saturdays: Faber once a month until April and random stuff.
Sundays: I’ll be chilling 😉

Some of the random posts will be fiction, inspirations, reviews and I’ll even share some pages from my journal. I’ve been working on a timetable (which I may share at some stage). And so far I have filled 12 hours every day with stuff I need to do *gulp*

Awwwww, it’s the end of an era! 😦 What will I do with myself? lol. Probably start wading through this lot and trying to write a novel *snigger*

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I’d just like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone who’s commented, liked, followed and read my blog. 2012 hasn’t been a bad year all told. There have been moments where I wanted to give up (blogging and writing), but I’m glad I stuck with it. I’ve met some fantastic people on this journey, and I’m so looking forward to sharing 2013 with you all 🙂

Don’t they say a change is as good as a holiday? 😉

Got any plans to change your Blog for 2013?

I’m Collecting Stars – Update


This, and yesterday’s post, seem so unimportant in light of the events in Newtown recently. Us Brits may by 1000’s of miles away, but, you guys across the seas are all still in our thoughts. Unfortunately, we too have had to deal with the unthinkable 😦 I have no words that could even begin to give comfort to those affected, but I feel what Jeff Goins had to say summed up my thoughts.

So if you’re not really in the mood for participating in this I totally understand.

I seem to have acquired another 5 stars, making that the 6 in total 🙂

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HUGE shout out to the following bloggers who nominated me!

The lovely Bridget Straub

The talented Patsy Collins

The wonderful Paula Acton

The super Sabrina at Creativity or Crazy

and…

The fabulous Joanne Phillips

Thank you so much ladies 🙂

Check out The Blog Of The Year Award Page for rules and info on how it all works.

And now….my final round of nominations are:

Mandy Eve Barnett
Melanie Macek
Sydney Aaliyah
Jenny Keller Ford
Brigitte Surette
Chris Stocking
Elliott at Brainsplats
Rebecca Bradley
Roger Colby
Kate at 4amWriter
Sue at Sassyspeaks
Nicky Wells
Ayesha Shroeder

and finally…..
Holly Michael who set me on this journey!

Hell, I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone 😦 You all deserve to be Blog of The Year! 🙂

The Liebster


Sorry I’m behind with responding to your comments from yesterday, but I was up London at a publishing event (which I thoroughly enjoyed!) and didn’t get in til late last night *yawns* Will catch up today I promise!

I’ve been nominated by the fabulously talented Kim Cox for The Liebster Award!!!! Thank you so much Kim! 🙂

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Here are the rules:

1. When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

2. Pass the award onto 11 other blogs (while making sure you notify the blogger that you nominated them!)

3. You write up 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.

4. You are not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated your own blog!

5. You paste the award picture into your blog. (You can Google the image, there are plenty of them!)

11 Random Facts About Me….ok, well, you know I’m a rule breaker, so rather than give you 11 facts, I’ll share with you 11 pieces of my artwork. Hope you like them 🙂

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My Questions From Kim

Q. What were you doing the last time you really had a good laugh?
Oh gawd, I can’t remember! It’s usually something to do with my daughter and husband mucking about 🙂

Q. What is more difficult for you; looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when they are telling you how they feel?
When I’m speaking, definitely!

Q. Neat freak or chaos theory?
Chaos all the way!

Q. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?
Jump in of course!

Q. At a movie theater which arm rest is yours?
The one in the right 😉

Q. You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days?
I think I would only tell my husband. Spend it with the people I love 🙂

Q. What is your quirkiest habit and how long have you had it?
Oooooo, ummmmm, probably the fact that I have to have the volume of the stereo in the car on an even number. I don’t know why and I don’t know when it started lol

Q. If the professor on Giligan’s Island can make a radio out of coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat?
I haven’t got a clue! Lol

Q. What song always makes you happy when you hear it?
Anything by Oasis!

Q. Tattoos or no? If so, how many, where and what do they look like and if not, have you ever thought of getting one?
I have two. One just at the top of my bum, and one on my shoulder 🙂

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Q. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
This! I made it 🙂

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I’m going to nominate…

Sam at Him, Her and Us
Rebecca Bradley
Sydney Aaliyah
Pauline Conolly
Peter Germany
Zoe at Ozonenut
Madalyn Morgan
Kirsten at A Scenic Route
Sue at Sassy Speaks
Marina at Finding Time To Write
Jane at The Beautiful Room

And here are my 11 questions:

1. Are you a punctual person or are you usually late?
2. How many hours a week do you spend watching TV? Now come on, be honest!
3. What do you wear in bed?
4. In a heated argument do you walk away or keep at it until you’ve had the final word?
5. How many times a day do you look in a mirror? Come on, you can tell us.
6. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
7. Do you consider yourself lucky?
8. Do you fear death?
9. What are your top 3 pet peeves?
10. What character in The Wizard of Oz are you most like?
11. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Have fun if you decide to accept my nomination. Can’t wait to read your answers!

I’m Collecting Stars! Blog of the Year 2012


Holly Michael has awarded me a newly created award called The Blog of the Year Award 2012. Check out the Blog Of The Year page for more info 🙂

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As you can see there is one gold star with the possibility of six in total (because this is my first nomination).

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award

2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen — there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required — and ‘present’ them with their award.

3 Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award — http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/ and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them.

5 You can now also join the Facebook group — click ‘like’ on the page above ‘Blog of the Year 2012′ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience.

6 As a winner of the award — please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award — and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Yes — that’s right — there are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once — this award is different!

When you begin you will receive the ’1 star’ award — and every time you are given the award by another blog — you can add another star!

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

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Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs — and even if they have already been given the award by someone else — you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!

So a HUGE thank you to Holly 🙂

Now….who fancies collecting some stars? 😉

I am nominating, for Blog Of The Year 2012…… Because you are all very inspiring 🙂

Bridget Whelan
Kim Cox
Robin Coyle
Bridget Straub
Jennifer M Eaton
Paula Acton
Sabrina at Creativity or Crazy
C B Wentworth
CC at One Honest Writer
Joanne Phillips
Ava at Jordanna East
Dianne Gray
Florence at Ramblings From The Left
Patsy Collins
Morgen Bailey

Awwwww, I wanted to give it to ALL of you 😦

Have fun people!

A very special post coming up tomorrow…. Catch Della Galton giving us her editing tips 🙂

Sharing The Love :o)


Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind words yesterday.

The lovely LindaC over at Excuse Me While I Note That Down has nominated me for the Top Commentors Award. Thank you so much Linda! 🙂

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As this is the second time I’ve received this award recently, my top commenters haven’t changed. Is that good or bad? 😉

So I won’t be able to nominate anyone specifically for this award, and will just say, if you haven’t had this award already, yourself, please feel free to pass it on to your own top commenters. It really makes the people who consistently comment feel appreciated.

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Give a little love today guys, say thank you to your top commenters 🙂

Tell me who your top commenter is and give me a link in the comments so we can all go and pay them a visit. 🙂

Have You Voted?


Every year, the brilliant website for writers Write To Done asks readers to nominate their favourite “writerly” blog. Winners get to display a nice shiny button on their blog to say they are in the top 10 blogs for writers and smile lots.

So have you voted?

I have 🙂

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Oh go on, it takes 2 minutes just to post a link to your favourite blog in the comments. I’m sure you know loads of blogs you think deserve to win. Support all our marvellous writing bloggers 🙂

Will you be voting?

In other news….I’VE DONE IT! I’VE HIT THE 50K FOR NANO! GO ME!