Well, the title pretty much sums it up.
NaNoWriMo started yesterday and I've hit my word count for the Tuesday...just not for today.
As for the dress bit. Well, I am currently wearing the most expensive items of clothing that I have ever owned. And my bra was nearly as expensive as my dress. But it looks pretty awesome.
Okay, let me start that again. You all know that my friend is getting married on Saturday. And, you should know that I am the maid of honour. Thus, I am wearing said items like the poncy git that I am while waiting for my friend to inspect my items since she hasn't seen them yet.
I just re-read that sentence and realised it sounded like the start of a bad porno. (Inspect my items...I think that is a contender for the best/worst pick up line ever.)
Anyway, the bra cost $80. That is a lot of money for something made of lace and wire. Seriously...that is $80 I could be taking with me when I go to America. That's right folks, I'm off to the US for Christmas. Are you jealous? I probably would be.
Okay, and as I type this I realise that the iced coffee I just had may have been a bad idea. Or a good one depending on how you look at it...hopefully it means that I can get my word count done in record time. Bring it on NaNoWriMo.
Well that's all for now.
Take care and if any of you are attempting 'WriMo let me know. We can be writing buddies.
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
Sunday, 5 June 2011
YA Saves ...
I'm dusting off my soap box again. That is fair warning for any of you who don't want to hear read about the latest attack on YA fiction. (Young adult fiction for those not in the know.)
The world of twitter is a-buzz with the tag #YAsaves which seem to be in response to this article from the Wall Street Journal - Darkness Too Visible.
First, there are so many things wrong with this article that I am not going to go into. I don't have the time nor the patience to address all the flaws in logic that seem to spring from this 'article'. What I will address is the response from YA authors and YA readers a-like. All you need to do is go onto Twitter to see all the positive messages that are coming from from the #YAsaves tag. Everyone seems ready to state how much reading YA literature has saved their life and I can include myself in that. There are some great stories on twitter right now and they are inspiring.
Amy Freeman obviously does not remember reading any of the fairy tales and nursery rhymes so common in childhood and is now shocked by the lack of wholesome books for her thirteen year old. First, to her I would like to say that she needs to understand that reading about the darker side of life does not make one reach toward the nearest gun or dagger to perform ritual sacrifice or call on the dark lord any more than reading about a hungry caterpillar is going to turn people into over eaters.
Then she needs to look over the books that she read to her child when she was younger. I'm talking about books such as Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks. If we look at these objectively the first one is about child killers, the second is about child thieves and killers and the third is about a girl who breaks into the bears house and steals food, breaks chairs and then sleeps in their beds. Is this the happy go lucky kind of reading she wants her child to have? In my own opinion Humpty Dumpty is a terrifying view of reality - imagine something being so broken that it cannot be fixed? If that doesn't hit home I don't know what will...
This is not meant as an attack on Mrs./Ms. Freeman it's more of a gripe that someone would base an article around such a silly statement that may have been taken out of context. The fact that she complains about vampires in stories rather than bunnies saying good night to things makes no difference to me, except to annoy me somewhat. What really worries me is that people are going to jump on this bandwagon or witch hunt and we are going to lose a freedom that comes with YA books. I can already hear the book banners and burners readying their pitchforks and lighting their fires.
I fear that this kind of attitude to any form of literature is going to result in the dumbing down of our children. Many places in the world already suffer from poor literacy levels and the moment books start getting banned...well we all know where that leads. As a fan of YA fiction and an advocate toward increasing literacy I don't approve of book banning since it could be the first step into a downwards spiral. We have to remember that darkness in books can be safer than darkness in real life - in fact, darkness in books is better able to help us cope with any darkness that we may face.
I can honestly say that if it wasn't for some of the YA books I read when I was younger I wouldn't be the person I am today. In fact, it could be debatable on whether I'd actually be here due to many things that happened in my life. YA fiction truly gives me hope and inspiration. It's why I work so hard on my own writing because I know the power of the written word. I know the feeling of being lost and alone is not just my burden to bare and so on.
So, Dear Wall Street Journal, please think about those lives that will be affected when you produce an article such as the one you did. Are you prepared to be a part of the current trend to dumb down the media available for children and young adults alike (plus the odd adult who really, really loves YA literature)? Are you prepared to aid in the banning of books which will result in their being less literate people around to read your articles?
As you may be able to tell, I am somewhat vexed at the moment so my writing is rather more passionate than I intended. I will leave you with some links to some great YA authors that have changed the way I think and view the world and I'm a 28 year old woman (I want to say girl but that sounds wrong) and sometimes too set in my ways for my own good...except when challenged to think differently by the following writers.
And, to those writers of such great fiction, you are heroes for writing great stories. Thanks to those librarians and book sellers who are not afraid to recommend great fiction to the youth of today. You are all heroes in my mind and in the minds of many others.
Peace and pancakes.
JJ
Linkies
Libba Bray's Tweets in Response to said Article
Holly Black's Twitter
Maureen Johnson's Twitter
Scott Westerfield's Twitter
John Green's Twitter
Cassandra Clare's Twitter
Jackson Pearce's Twitter
Libba Bray's Twitter
I'm going to leave this list as is because I am still reading through many of the wonderful accounts of YA Saves...
The world of twitter is a-buzz with the tag #YAsaves which seem to be in response to this article from the Wall Street Journal - Darkness Too Visible.
First, there are so many things wrong with this article that I am not going to go into. I don't have the time nor the patience to address all the flaws in logic that seem to spring from this 'article'. What I will address is the response from YA authors and YA readers a-like. All you need to do is go onto Twitter to see all the positive messages that are coming from from the #YAsaves tag. Everyone seems ready to state how much reading YA literature has saved their life and I can include myself in that. There are some great stories on twitter right now and they are inspiring.
Amy Freeman obviously does not remember reading any of the fairy tales and nursery rhymes so common in childhood and is now shocked by the lack of wholesome books for her thirteen year old. First, to her I would like to say that she needs to understand that reading about the darker side of life does not make one reach toward the nearest gun or dagger to perform ritual sacrifice or call on the dark lord any more than reading about a hungry caterpillar is going to turn people into over eaters.
Then she needs to look over the books that she read to her child when she was younger. I'm talking about books such as Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks. If we look at these objectively the first one is about child killers, the second is about child thieves and killers and the third is about a girl who breaks into the bears house and steals food, breaks chairs and then sleeps in their beds. Is this the happy go lucky kind of reading she wants her child to have? In my own opinion Humpty Dumpty is a terrifying view of reality - imagine something being so broken that it cannot be fixed? If that doesn't hit home I don't know what will...
This is not meant as an attack on Mrs./Ms. Freeman it's more of a gripe that someone would base an article around such a silly statement that may have been taken out of context. The fact that she complains about vampires in stories rather than bunnies saying good night to things makes no difference to me, except to annoy me somewhat. What really worries me is that people are going to jump on this bandwagon or witch hunt and we are going to lose a freedom that comes with YA books. I can already hear the book banners and burners readying their pitchforks and lighting their fires.
I fear that this kind of attitude to any form of literature is going to result in the dumbing down of our children. Many places in the world already suffer from poor literacy levels and the moment books start getting banned...well we all know where that leads. As a fan of YA fiction and an advocate toward increasing literacy I don't approve of book banning since it could be the first step into a downwards spiral. We have to remember that darkness in books can be safer than darkness in real life - in fact, darkness in books is better able to help us cope with any darkness that we may face.
I can honestly say that if it wasn't for some of the YA books I read when I was younger I wouldn't be the person I am today. In fact, it could be debatable on whether I'd actually be here due to many things that happened in my life. YA fiction truly gives me hope and inspiration. It's why I work so hard on my own writing because I know the power of the written word. I know the feeling of being lost and alone is not just my burden to bare and so on.
So, Dear Wall Street Journal, please think about those lives that will be affected when you produce an article such as the one you did. Are you prepared to be a part of the current trend to dumb down the media available for children and young adults alike (plus the odd adult who really, really loves YA literature)? Are you prepared to aid in the banning of books which will result in their being less literate people around to read your articles?
As you may be able to tell, I am somewhat vexed at the moment so my writing is rather more passionate than I intended. I will leave you with some links to some great YA authors that have changed the way I think and view the world and I'm a 28 year old woman (I want to say girl but that sounds wrong) and sometimes too set in my ways for my own good...except when challenged to think differently by the following writers.
And, to those writers of such great fiction, you are heroes for writing great stories. Thanks to those librarians and book sellers who are not afraid to recommend great fiction to the youth of today. You are all heroes in my mind and in the minds of many others.
Peace and pancakes.
JJ
Linkies
Libba Bray's Tweets in Response to said Article
Holly Black's Twitter
Maureen Johnson's Twitter
Scott Westerfield's Twitter
John Green's Twitter
Cassandra Clare's Twitter
Jackson Pearce's Twitter
Libba Bray's Twitter
I'm going to leave this list as is because I am still reading through many of the wonderful accounts of YA Saves...
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Hot Stuff and dressing like an Addams.
What song do you sing in the shower? Come on, do tell...it seriously can't be any worse than what I just found myself belting out. My songs of choice, today, just happened to be a melding of Donna Summer's Hot Stuff and All That Jazz from the musical Chicago. (For some strange reason I sounded like Rachel Berry - just not the singing talent. More of the 'I-can-rattle-off-seminal-Broadway-classics' Rachel.)
So, what do you find yourself singing in the shower?
Onto different news or non news if you want to view it that way. Although I would love to stay unemployed and writing full time a job has fallen into my lap. It is a job that I left five years ago when I decided that I needed to move overseas. I mentioned it briefly in my last post because it wasn't as much of a certainty as it is now which is why I find myself needing to go into town and hunt for black trousers. My job is at a bookstore but not one of those quaint, independent stores where you can let your inner hipster fly free* and wear whatever anarchistic shirt or whatever. This place is a nationwide company that has been in and out of the news lately and likes their employees to resemble beat poets from the 1960s...basically we have to dress in black.
I know black is supposed to be slimming but I'm a tad on the pale side** so wearing black is more than likely going to make me resemble either a vampire or Uncle Fester - just with more hair.*** I mean, the Addams family are pretty awesome but I don't know if I could pull off their look, you know. Anyway, I'm still of two minds about this job but it does mean that I will have regular money coming in...real money and not imaginary money so I might actually be able to afford something nicer than noodles in a cup...Oh the excitement I can barely contain it. Anyway, I've got to get going - toodle loo...****
*Not that I have an inner hipster - or any hipster for that matter...I'm pretty sure I fall squarely into the geek mold...
** I lie - I'm whiter than a frigging Cullen...damn my English heritage that makes me turn red but not tan.
*** I realise that I should have compared myself to Wednesday Addams rather than Uncle Fester - fail...
**** - I can't believe I wrote toodle loo...sigh...I need to get out more.
So, what do you find yourself singing in the shower?
Onto different news or non news if you want to view it that way. Although I would love to stay unemployed and writing full time a job has fallen into my lap. It is a job that I left five years ago when I decided that I needed to move overseas. I mentioned it briefly in my last post because it wasn't as much of a certainty as it is now which is why I find myself needing to go into town and hunt for black trousers. My job is at a bookstore but not one of those quaint, independent stores where you can let your inner hipster fly free* and wear whatever anarchistic shirt or whatever. This place is a nationwide company that has been in and out of the news lately and likes their employees to resemble beat poets from the 1960s...basically we have to dress in black.
I know black is supposed to be slimming but I'm a tad on the pale side** so wearing black is more than likely going to make me resemble either a vampire or Uncle Fester - just with more hair.*** I mean, the Addams family are pretty awesome but I don't know if I could pull off their look, you know. Anyway, I'm still of two minds about this job but it does mean that I will have regular money coming in...real money and not imaginary money so I might actually be able to afford something nicer than noodles in a cup...Oh the excitement I can barely contain it. Anyway, I've got to get going - toodle loo...****
*Not that I have an inner hipster - or any hipster for that matter...I'm pretty sure I fall squarely into the geek mold...
** I lie - I'm whiter than a frigging Cullen...damn my English heritage that makes me turn red but not tan.
*** I realise that I should have compared myself to Wednesday Addams rather than Uncle Fester - fail...
**** - I can't believe I wrote toodle loo...sigh...I need to get out more.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
On why epic fantasy is epic...
I love my epic fantasies...um...I feel like I need to rephrase that but I'm too damn lazy. Anywho - I love the Belgariad, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time* and, just recently, someone told me to hurry up and read A Game of Thrones. This seemed to coincide with HBO in the States bringing out a television version of said book - coincidence? Meh who knows.
So, after scouring our local bookstores and library and not finding any trace I threw my hands up in the air and had a mild temper tantrum right there on the floor. It was rather attractive if you like women beating their fists on the ground and utterly idle threats about the children's children and curses and...well I think you get the point.
Well, needless to say, I ordered the book online for a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it in NZ. (Nearly 2/3 cheaper...I'm just saying.) And now I am slowly devouring it as one must devour books. Devour is my word of the day - slightly more appropriate than genitalia I feel. (And all those of you with dirty minds would you kindly remove said minds from the gutter...thank you.)
Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying the book. More than I thought I would since I've been trying to limit the amount of epic fantasy books I read just because once I get into a series the world seems to disappear and I suddenly find myself running with wolves, learning how to sword fight and drinking tavern ale while singing bawdy songs about the pirate's mistress and such stuff. (Apparently I'm either Alanna from The Song of the Lioness or any number of tomboy females learning to wield a sword.)
All of this lead me to think on why I enjoy the epic fantasy. I mean, not to be nasty, but they all have the same plot, basically - there is normally a young boy/girl who slowly learns more about their past while becoming a great fighter/dancer/whatever. Also, there tends to be a wise mentor/wizard/Jedi knight who will sacrifice themselves for the hero and so on. But, regardless of this, I still love them. Maybe a little too much because, let's face it, there aren't too many chivalrous knights left in any kingdom I'm aware of - and maybe far too many lecherous ... well I'll leave that unsaid on the premise that I am a lady...when I need to be...
For me, it's the adventure, the story, the romance and the magic of it all. It is escapism in its best. My mother reads Mills and Boons** for the same reason that I read about knights, dragons, wizards and more. When I am reading these books I am part of the story. I am right there as Garion, Wolf, Polgara and Durnik flee the farm. I'm there when Bastion calls out his mother's name in the hopes of saving Fantasia. I'm there when Bran finds himself hearing and seeing something he shouldn't. And, through all of this, I'm not a silent witness. I will yell at the characters, telling them what to do (though they never seem to listen to me...).
Basically, what I am saying is that epic fantasy is epic because it encompasses me, giving flight to my imagination and so much more. It is my form of escapism. Plus, who doesn't like a little sword fight now and then...right?
*Though I have kind of stalled on the sixth book...I swear it seems like sometimes nothing happens and then I get a shiny new book and I'm all magpie like in that I get attracted by any little bit of shine...
**It is a sad fact in my life. I have been slowly weaning her off them but it is a hard process.
So, after scouring our local bookstores and library and not finding any trace I threw my hands up in the air and had a mild temper tantrum right there on the floor. It was rather attractive if you like women beating their fists on the ground and utterly idle threats about the children's children and curses and...well I think you get the point.
Well, needless to say, I ordered the book online for a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it in NZ. (Nearly 2/3 cheaper...I'm just saying.) And now I am slowly devouring it as one must devour books. Devour is my word of the day - slightly more appropriate than genitalia I feel. (And all those of you with dirty minds would you kindly remove said minds from the gutter...thank you.)
Anyway, I am thoroughly enjoying the book. More than I thought I would since I've been trying to limit the amount of epic fantasy books I read just because once I get into a series the world seems to disappear and I suddenly find myself running with wolves, learning how to sword fight and drinking tavern ale while singing bawdy songs about the pirate's mistress and such stuff. (Apparently I'm either Alanna from The Song of the Lioness or any number of tomboy females learning to wield a sword.)
All of this lead me to think on why I enjoy the epic fantasy. I mean, not to be nasty, but they all have the same plot, basically - there is normally a young boy/girl who slowly learns more about their past while becoming a great fighter/dancer/whatever. Also, there tends to be a wise mentor/wizard/Jedi knight who will sacrifice themselves for the hero and so on. But, regardless of this, I still love them. Maybe a little too much because, let's face it, there aren't too many chivalrous knights left in any kingdom I'm aware of - and maybe far too many lecherous ... well I'll leave that unsaid on the premise that I am a lady...when I need to be...
For me, it's the adventure, the story, the romance and the magic of it all. It is escapism in its best. My mother reads Mills and Boons** for the same reason that I read about knights, dragons, wizards and more. When I am reading these books I am part of the story. I am right there as Garion, Wolf, Polgara and Durnik flee the farm. I'm there when Bastion calls out his mother's name in the hopes of saving Fantasia. I'm there when Bran finds himself hearing and seeing something he shouldn't. And, through all of this, I'm not a silent witness. I will yell at the characters, telling them what to do (though they never seem to listen to me...).
Basically, what I am saying is that epic fantasy is epic because it encompasses me, giving flight to my imagination and so much more. It is my form of escapism. Plus, who doesn't like a little sword fight now and then...right?
*Though I have kind of stalled on the sixth book...I swear it seems like sometimes nothing happens and then I get a shiny new book and I'm all magpie like in that I get attracted by any little bit of shine...
**It is a sad fact in my life. I have been slowly weaning her off them but it is a hard process.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
On becoming a recluse...of a sort...
Since I took the plunge to focus full time on my writing I have found myself spending more and more time in the dark, dank little area that I have labelled my office. It isn't unusual to see me hunched over my computer, eyes crossed in focused concentration (or the fact that they sometimes like to play tricks on me.) Working on my next masterpiece, or editing through my last one. Sometimes I am walking (pacing actually) talking to myself, often in accents trying to place the right voice for the right character.
Other times you may find me staring blankly at a poster of Serenity thinking WWRD* or WWMD?** Then I realise that neither of them are particularly suited to the task of writing young adult fiction. Then I wonder if I'm suited to the task, aside from the fact that I love writing. Then those thoughts fade away as the next scene comes to mind. And I've gone off track...
I've become a recluse - and, on one hand I don't care because I'm writing and it tends to be a solo career. Then, on the other, I freak out because I should keep up the whole social interaction otherwise I have visions of myself turning into Howard Hughes (not turning into a man...stop thinking like that...). Remember that episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns becomes a germaphobe and parodies Hughes - trying to force Mr. Smithers into a miniature plane? Kind of like that though minus the male genitalia...
And there I go, going off track...sometimes I get the feeling that my mind flits over the necessary waves to come up with the most random of conclusions.
As I was saying, I have become a recluse and it is partially to do with my writing and it also has a little something to do with where I am currently living. I live, at best, about thirty minutes drive (at 100k/h)*** away from the nearest town. Then there is the fact that most of my friends reside all over the world but predominantly in the UK. Thus making it difficult to catch up and hang or chillax or whatever it is young people do these days...
Basically, this post was an excuse to use the word genitalia in a story. Well, it wasn't really but it is a funny word, right?
So, in closing, if you think that I have gone to far in my reclusive habits, I want you to throw things at me and tell me to get my pasty white arse outside and interact in reality...
Peace and pancakes...
* WWRD = What would River do?
** WWMD = What would Mal do? If you haven't watched Firefly or Serenity you seeriously need to.
*** 100 kilometres for those of you still using the imperial style...(and the Imperial Death March theme from Star Wars just started in my head.)
Other times you may find me staring blankly at a poster of Serenity thinking WWRD* or WWMD?** Then I realise that neither of them are particularly suited to the task of writing young adult fiction. Then I wonder if I'm suited to the task, aside from the fact that I love writing. Then those thoughts fade away as the next scene comes to mind. And I've gone off track...
I've become a recluse - and, on one hand I don't care because I'm writing and it tends to be a solo career. Then, on the other, I freak out because I should keep up the whole social interaction otherwise I have visions of myself turning into Howard Hughes (not turning into a man...stop thinking like that...). Remember that episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns becomes a germaphobe and parodies Hughes - trying to force Mr. Smithers into a miniature plane? Kind of like that though minus the male genitalia...
And there I go, going off track...sometimes I get the feeling that my mind flits over the necessary waves to come up with the most random of conclusions.
As I was saying, I have become a recluse and it is partially to do with my writing and it also has a little something to do with where I am currently living. I live, at best, about thirty minutes drive (at 100k/h)*** away from the nearest town. Then there is the fact that most of my friends reside all over the world but predominantly in the UK. Thus making it difficult to catch up and hang or chillax or whatever it is young people do these days...
Basically, this post was an excuse to use the word genitalia in a story. Well, it wasn't really but it is a funny word, right?
So, in closing, if you think that I have gone to far in my reclusive habits, I want you to throw things at me and tell me to get my pasty white arse outside and interact in reality...
Peace and pancakes...
* WWRD = What would River do?
** WWMD = What would Mal do? If you haven't watched Firefly or Serenity you seeriously need to.
*** 100 kilometres for those of you still using the imperial style...(and the Imperial Death March theme from Star Wars just started in my head.)
Saturday, 14 May 2011
In which I talk about some things...
I'm drinking diet coke from a mug emblazoned with the word 'coffee' over and over again while listening to Songbird being sung by Naya Rivera. Yeah, I'm a bit of a Gleek but it's the music. Prior to this song I have been listening to the Warblers. There is something about the rawness in their voices that makes the music good. I'm a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and a Stevie Nicks fan as well so I was thrilled to hear their amazing music being introduced to a new generation of fans.
None of this is dreadfully important though. I just thought I would mention it because I find it funny when I drink liquids other than coffee from the mug emblazoned with coffee.
What is important, however, is the fact that I have sent my manuscript off to the publishers as an unsolicited manuscript in the hopes that they might like it. This is something that I have been threatening to do for such a long time but I haven't had the nerve. I've had people cajoling me for the last several months to do this but in my mind it wasn't quite good enough so I poked and prodded it here and there.
I know that people always say that you are your own worst critic but I am a little afraid of how difficult it is to make writing a full time career. I know that it is difficult but isn't everything worth doing difficult? That's the saying, right? Still, writing is one of the few things that I am extremely passionate about. I majored in English and History at uni and even managed to get into a creative writing course while there. But you know what they say about a BA in English... Still, there is something about the way that words can form together to make amazing stories, adventures and magic.
Although I am erring on the side of caution I am treating this as my first foray into the real world of writing. I just can't be one of those who goes on and on about how I want to be an author and not do anything about it. And, even if the publisher chooses not to publish my novel there are hundreds of other publishers out there and I have been looking into getting an agent.
Basically, aside from the amusement of cola in a coffee mug, this post has been about me attempting to be a grown up. Since that has been the case I am not going to watch either ThunderCats, Doug, X Men or some other cartoon to stop the whole growing up process.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
None of this is dreadfully important though. I just thought I would mention it because I find it funny when I drink liquids other than coffee from the mug emblazoned with coffee.
What is important, however, is the fact that I have sent my manuscript off to the publishers as an unsolicited manuscript in the hopes that they might like it. This is something that I have been threatening to do for such a long time but I haven't had the nerve. I've had people cajoling me for the last several months to do this but in my mind it wasn't quite good enough so I poked and prodded it here and there.
I know that people always say that you are your own worst critic but I am a little afraid of how difficult it is to make writing a full time career. I know that it is difficult but isn't everything worth doing difficult? That's the saying, right? Still, writing is one of the few things that I am extremely passionate about. I majored in English and History at uni and even managed to get into a creative writing course while there. But you know what they say about a BA in English... Still, there is something about the way that words can form together to make amazing stories, adventures and magic.
Although I am erring on the side of caution I am treating this as my first foray into the real world of writing. I just can't be one of those who goes on and on about how I want to be an author and not do anything about it. And, even if the publisher chooses not to publish my novel there are hundreds of other publishers out there and I have been looking into getting an agent.
Basically, aside from the amusement of cola in a coffee mug, this post has been about me attempting to be a grown up. Since that has been the case I am not going to watch either ThunderCats, Doug, X Men or some other cartoon to stop the whole growing up process.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Friday, 6 May 2011
In which I talk about DVDs, writing and the benefits of caffeine
I've been writing like a person possessed. I've also been reading like a person possessed. True to my being a workaholic I have set myself a new deadline as I find the only way I can get things done is to trick my mind into thinking that if it isn't done by this date the world will do one of three things. It will either self destruct, turn inside out or slip into a time paradox where we will all be stuck watching endless repeats of the worst show ever to be invented.*
Anyway, my deadline is this - I have forty days to write, at the very least, 80 000 words. Now, from doing NaNoWriMo I know that this is possible, I also know that it has the potential for disaster, least of which is me running around like someone who has lost their marbles proclaiming myself to be the Queen of the Dorks. To insure that I don't go to bonkers I have created my own little office space and am now devoting most of my day to writing. I give myself plenty of toilet breaks and food breaks - I have even scheduled in Wii breaks. (In my mind that is funny on so many levels...I'm seriously still only thirteen in my brain so fart, poo and wee jokes still have me giggling...)
This morning, however, I was possessed my another form of madness - I had to alphabetise my DVD collection. Which, normally, wouldn't be so bad but since I have well over 300 of the suckers (insert lame 300 Sparta joke here.) it took a little more time than it should of. In the midst of doing this I realised that I need more shelves or less DVDs but the second option isn't really an option. What I am most amused/proud of is the fact that I have actually separated them into their own categories so I can go straight to this shelf for TV shows and that one for Studio Ghibli films and so on.
Anyway, I've covered the first two parts of my title which just leaves the benefits of caffeine. Oh sweet, sweet caffeine. Basically replaced the word Sugar in the song Sugar High with Caffeine and you understand.
In fact - here is the song from Empire Records for your enjoyment:
I will leave you now because it is my scheduled Wii time...
*I am not going to name the show because I have friends who enjoy it and I don't feel like being dreadfully mean today. Maybe tomorrow?
Anyway, my deadline is this - I have forty days to write, at the very least, 80 000 words. Now, from doing NaNoWriMo I know that this is possible, I also know that it has the potential for disaster, least of which is me running around like someone who has lost their marbles proclaiming myself to be the Queen of the Dorks. To insure that I don't go to bonkers I have created my own little office space and am now devoting most of my day to writing. I give myself plenty of toilet breaks and food breaks - I have even scheduled in Wii breaks. (In my mind that is funny on so many levels...I'm seriously still only thirteen in my brain so fart, poo and wee jokes still have me giggling...)
This morning, however, I was possessed my another form of madness - I had to alphabetise my DVD collection. Which, normally, wouldn't be so bad but since I have well over 300 of the suckers (insert lame 300 Sparta joke here.) it took a little more time than it should of. In the midst of doing this I realised that I need more shelves or less DVDs but the second option isn't really an option. What I am most amused/proud of is the fact that I have actually separated them into their own categories so I can go straight to this shelf for TV shows and that one for Studio Ghibli films and so on.
Anyway, I've covered the first two parts of my title which just leaves the benefits of caffeine. Oh sweet, sweet caffeine. Basically replaced the word Sugar in the song Sugar High with Caffeine and you understand.
In fact - here is the song from Empire Records for your enjoyment:
I will leave you now because it is my scheduled Wii time...
*I am not going to name the show because I have friends who enjoy it and I don't feel like being dreadfully mean today. Maybe tomorrow?
Friday, 1 April 2011
Blog Every(d)ay in April...day one...
Happy April Fool's - though it is past midday so I guess that makes me the fool, which leads perfectly into the next thing I was going to talk about: BEDA or Blog Every Day in April. This is where I attempt to post a blog every day for the next thirty days. This also means that I must wrack my poor brains for something interesting to mention - even if it just seems interesting to me.
So - this is officially day one and this is about the third time I have attempted to write this entry. I keep promising myself that I will be better organised but I never am. Maybe, just maybe, this will aid in my attempts to better organise myself. Maybe I could design some lists or maybe a wall chart? Or I could use this as an excuse to go and buy a lot of new stationary. I mean, who doesn't like new stationary? There is something about the feel of a brand new pen on the first page of new refill.*
Anyway, enough of my rambling. I was thinking of doing a theme for this whole blog everyday in April but I wasn't sure that I would be able to stick with it so I thought I would continue on in my rambling self. And, as an introduction I thought I would do a version of five things about me - cause blogging is somewhat self indulgent...right...
One - I have been attempting to teach myself guitar for the last few years. I can play a dozen chords but seem to come out with the same melody every time. Plus, I don't practise as much as I should. I'm not so much lazy as I am a daydreamer. This means that what I think I sound like and what I actually sound like can often differ.
Two - I collect books about urban legends or stories based on urban legends. Let's be honest - I just collect books but I do have an intense fascination with the whole idea of oral story telling and how it shifts fluidly from teller to teller.
Three - I have an irrational fear of jelly. Yep, jelly. Something about the way it wobbles seriously wigs me out. I shudder thinking about it. I'm also scared of clowns but that's old hat now.
Four - I write fanfiction occasionally. I started many years ago and did stories about X Men: Evolution and Charmed before attempting some Supernatural fanfiction. I do this when I have bad bouts of writer's block. which seems to be happening way too often.
Five - I used to raise calves, mainly beef breeds, for our local calf club. I had a goat one year and didn't get anywhere then I had a beautiful beef breed called Simba and I got all the way to group day where I got reserve champion. (Farm girl at heart?) Needless to say I stuck with calves from that day on.
So, here goes my attempt at Beda...hopefully the next post is more exciting and witty.
Peace and pancakes everyone. And, for those doing Beda as well, best of luck.
*I happen to be very quirky in my likes of stationary. There is definitely something about a stationary store that gets my brain all hyped up and excited. Come on...you can admit that you get the same feeling.
So - this is officially day one and this is about the third time I have attempted to write this entry. I keep promising myself that I will be better organised but I never am. Maybe, just maybe, this will aid in my attempts to better organise myself. Maybe I could design some lists or maybe a wall chart? Or I could use this as an excuse to go and buy a lot of new stationary. I mean, who doesn't like new stationary? There is something about the feel of a brand new pen on the first page of new refill.*
Anyway, enough of my rambling. I was thinking of doing a theme for this whole blog everyday in April but I wasn't sure that I would be able to stick with it so I thought I would continue on in my rambling self. And, as an introduction I thought I would do a version of five things about me - cause blogging is somewhat self indulgent...right...
One - I have been attempting to teach myself guitar for the last few years. I can play a dozen chords but seem to come out with the same melody every time. Plus, I don't practise as much as I should. I'm not so much lazy as I am a daydreamer. This means that what I think I sound like and what I actually sound like can often differ.
Two - I collect books about urban legends or stories based on urban legends. Let's be honest - I just collect books but I do have an intense fascination with the whole idea of oral story telling and how it shifts fluidly from teller to teller.
Three - I have an irrational fear of jelly. Yep, jelly. Something about the way it wobbles seriously wigs me out. I shudder thinking about it. I'm also scared of clowns but that's old hat now.
Four - I write fanfiction occasionally. I started many years ago and did stories about X Men: Evolution and Charmed before attempting some Supernatural fanfiction. I do this when I have bad bouts of writer's block. which seems to be happening way too often.
Five - I used to raise calves, mainly beef breeds, for our local calf club. I had a goat one year and didn't get anywhere then I had a beautiful beef breed called Simba and I got all the way to group day where I got reserve champion. (Farm girl at heart?) Needless to say I stuck with calves from that day on.
So, here goes my attempt at Beda...hopefully the next post is more exciting and witty.
Peace and pancakes everyone. And, for those doing Beda as well, best of luck.
*I happen to be very quirky in my likes of stationary. There is definitely something about a stationary store that gets my brain all hyped up and excited. Come on...you can admit that you get the same feeling.
Friday, 11 March 2011
In which I accidentally break things...
I am freakishly strong in some respects. This could have something to do with growing up on a farm and chucking the occasional hay bale around and picking up calves, lambs etc. Or it could be attributed to my working in a takeaway shop and having to carry around bags of frozen chips. (Fries for those on the other side of the world) Either way, I have weird bursts of strength and this has sometimes caused me more hassle than I really need. This was most evident yesterday when I decided that I must vacuum the floor of my little house.
I pranced into the bedroom to get the vacuum from my closet and pulled open the door. In most cases, the door would follow along on its tracks like it was designed to do but yesterday my strength decided to kick in and I managed to not only pull the door off its tracks but bend one of the screws that holds it in said tracks. I actually stood there in shock for a moment because it isn't often that I get to marvel at my strength and bad luck* in one go.
Then, once I realised what had happened, I thought that I would try and fix it. Being the daughter of a builder has given me a small amount of insight into fixing the occasional thing around the house. So I was there using the only chair that I have in the house to stand on while I try to manoeuvre this door back onto the railings. The chair, however, was a computer chair on wheels. Thankfully I realised rather quickly that my meagre skills were not going to win against the stubbornness of the door. Plus the images of me flying backwards from the chair, smashing my head on the desk behind me before landing on the ground kept racing through my overly imaginative mind.
So I wedged the door into some semblance of being closed** and toddled off into the lounge where I had You Don't Treat Me No Good No More by Sonia Dada playing at nearly full volume. This song always manages to make me smile because it is just a fun song and I did a silly little dance to it. You know the kind of dance you do when no one is watching and you don't really give a damn. It's the kind of dance you do and think that it looks really smooth and awesome in your head but in reality you probably resemble someone standing on an electric fence.
To cut a long story short I didn't get to do my vacuuming because I felt that the door had defeated me. Is that I good excuse for not cleaning or what?
On a different note the writing has stalled while I have family here. I have a few ideas brewing in my head but just haven't been feeling the right urge when I stare at the previously mentioned blank page of doom.
*As far as bad luck goes this wasn't too bad. I didn't end up in hospital for one and I still retain ten functioning digits spread across the normal two hands.
** Because I still harbour the occasional fear that there really is a monster in my closet and by keeping the door closed I can prevent it from getting me...what can I say, I'm still a child at heart!
I pranced into the bedroom to get the vacuum from my closet and pulled open the door. In most cases, the door would follow along on its tracks like it was designed to do but yesterday my strength decided to kick in and I managed to not only pull the door off its tracks but bend one of the screws that holds it in said tracks. I actually stood there in shock for a moment because it isn't often that I get to marvel at my strength and bad luck* in one go.
Then, once I realised what had happened, I thought that I would try and fix it. Being the daughter of a builder has given me a small amount of insight into fixing the occasional thing around the house. So I was there using the only chair that I have in the house to stand on while I try to manoeuvre this door back onto the railings. The chair, however, was a computer chair on wheels. Thankfully I realised rather quickly that my meagre skills were not going to win against the stubbornness of the door. Plus the images of me flying backwards from the chair, smashing my head on the desk behind me before landing on the ground kept racing through my overly imaginative mind.
So I wedged the door into some semblance of being closed** and toddled off into the lounge where I had You Don't Treat Me No Good No More by Sonia Dada playing at nearly full volume. This song always manages to make me smile because it is just a fun song and I did a silly little dance to it. You know the kind of dance you do when no one is watching and you don't really give a damn. It's the kind of dance you do and think that it looks really smooth and awesome in your head but in reality you probably resemble someone standing on an electric fence.
To cut a long story short I didn't get to do my vacuuming because I felt that the door had defeated me. Is that I good excuse for not cleaning or what?
On a different note the writing has stalled while I have family here. I have a few ideas brewing in my head but just haven't been feeling the right urge when I stare at the previously mentioned blank page of doom.
*As far as bad luck goes this wasn't too bad. I didn't end up in hospital for one and I still retain ten functioning digits spread across the normal two hands.
** Because I still harbour the occasional fear that there really is a monster in my closet and by keeping the door closed I can prevent it from getting me...what can I say, I'm still a child at heart!
Saturday, 26 February 2011
In which I bemoan the blank page of doom...
I am currently staring at the blank page of doom while the ideas on what to write fight battle royale style in my head. I am somewhat amused by how this image is going down in my head and I have to laugh at how my imagination integrates movie scenes in my head with ease.
This blank page of doom is actually scaring me because I want to write. I want to get published so I can call myself an author and I know that there are many others in the world who are currently in my position. I don't want to be one of those people who talk about writing the next great thing but never have the guts to go through with it. I know that this may sound a bit harsh but you have to admit that nearly everyone you meet will say that they want to write or they'd love to write a novel.
I have actually written a novel and, although I feel I must tweak it some more, I do want to send it off to a publisher and I am going to do that. Nothing like a bit of positive affirmation in the early morning. Well, it isn't as early as it was. For some strange reason my mind told me to wake at 5.30am and so now I am holed away in the corner of the shop (which doesn't open till 12 by the way) and have been for sometime. Hence the blank page of doom bemoaning. At least I am only on my second cup of coffee.
In other news I am finally watching The Hurt Locker and so far I am really enjoying it. I wasn't sure what I was going to think of it but the camera shots and angles are gritty and I love that kind of technique. The acting is pretty great so far as well but I have to watch the film in full before I can give a proper review. I am waiting for 127 Hours to finally start here as well as Black Swan both films that I desperately want to watch but since I am currently residing in the middle of nowhere I must rely on my stores of patience.
If there are any other films that you could recommend leave me a comment. Also, if you happen to know any sure fire cures of writer's block let me know. I've nearly gone through all the ones that I know.
P.S. My sister and her children are now safely up here. They left Christchurch on the first plane that they could get on. So I have a rather full house and have moved myself to the small bach out the back mainly to give them some space and to make sure I retain at least some form of sanity.
P.P.S. Dead Space: Extraction for the Wii is pretty damn awesome. It is a simple game but the story is excellent. I guess my next expense will be Dead Space for the P.C. since I don't have an XBox or PS3...
P.P.P.S. I've stopped playing WoW - mainly because my free trial is nearly up and I don't know if I can afford to pay for it since I can barely afford to buy anything else at the moment.
P.P.P.P.S If you've gotten this far go you! I just felt like writing the letter 'P' and this gave me the excuse I needed. But, since you have gotten this far I will give you something. Hmm...::*::looks around the table::*:: Um, I don't have anything off hand but I can recommend a musician that I just heard - Justin Nozuka. His songs are brilliant - especially After Tonight and Save Him.
Peace and Pancakes
This blank page of doom is actually scaring me because I want to write. I want to get published so I can call myself an author and I know that there are many others in the world who are currently in my position. I don't want to be one of those people who talk about writing the next great thing but never have the guts to go through with it. I know that this may sound a bit harsh but you have to admit that nearly everyone you meet will say that they want to write or they'd love to write a novel.
I have actually written a novel and, although I feel I must tweak it some more, I do want to send it off to a publisher and I am going to do that. Nothing like a bit of positive affirmation in the early morning. Well, it isn't as early as it was. For some strange reason my mind told me to wake at 5.30am and so now I am holed away in the corner of the shop (which doesn't open till 12 by the way) and have been for sometime. Hence the blank page of doom bemoaning. At least I am only on my second cup of coffee.
In other news I am finally watching The Hurt Locker and so far I am really enjoying it. I wasn't sure what I was going to think of it but the camera shots and angles are gritty and I love that kind of technique. The acting is pretty great so far as well but I have to watch the film in full before I can give a proper review. I am waiting for 127 Hours to finally start here as well as Black Swan both films that I desperately want to watch but since I am currently residing in the middle of nowhere I must rely on my stores of patience.
If there are any other films that you could recommend leave me a comment. Also, if you happen to know any sure fire cures of writer's block let me know. I've nearly gone through all the ones that I know.
P.S. My sister and her children are now safely up here. They left Christchurch on the first plane that they could get on. So I have a rather full house and have moved myself to the small bach out the back mainly to give them some space and to make sure I retain at least some form of sanity.
P.P.S. Dead Space: Extraction for the Wii is pretty damn awesome. It is a simple game but the story is excellent. I guess my next expense will be Dead Space for the P.C. since I don't have an XBox or PS3...
P.P.P.S. I've stopped playing WoW - mainly because my free trial is nearly up and I don't know if I can afford to pay for it since I can barely afford to buy anything else at the moment.
P.P.P.P.S If you've gotten this far go you! I just felt like writing the letter 'P' and this gave me the excuse I needed. But, since you have gotten this far I will give you something. Hmm...::*::looks around the table::*:: Um, I don't have anything off hand but I can recommend a musician that I just heard - Justin Nozuka. His songs are brilliant - especially After Tonight and Save Him.
Peace and Pancakes
Monday, 14 February 2011
In which I talk about me and possibly WoW
WoW - not wow but World of Warcraft. Yep, I started a free trial last night and I'm not sure how it is going to turn out but it is something to do while I wait to hear back from people about jobs and other such exciting things. Also, it is actually kind of fun though I feel that it could take up a lot of my time which could be used for other such things as maybe sleeping and definitely writing. I've always heard of people talking about the Alliance and the Horde etc and, other than a vague knowledge of the stuff I didn't really know what was going on so I thought I would give it a try.
So, I chose my character, a human hunter. There were a lot of cool characters to choose from and I wasn't sure which one I was going to go for but I liked the idea of a hunter, plus I got a sweet wolf as a pet. However, I am currently not doing that great since I am trying to figure out the controls etc and I seem to be getting my arse kicked by a series of kobolds who keep accusing me of stealing their candles. I didn't, just in case you were wondering.
I've never really played an RPG* before, unless you count the one I did as a teen via email as an OC** for LJ Smith's Nightworld series.*** Anyway, I might give random updates if I decide to continue after the free trial.
Now, onto more important stuff like writing. As many of you may know, I love to write. Most of you probably know that I have also finished a novel. I hope that one day very soon I will get said novel published. In the meantime I am working on two other novels. One is a sequel to the first and the other is set in an entirely new world. What I mean by world is that is isn't in the same universe as the first one, if that makes sense.
I'm finding this new novel rather difficult to write, mainly because I am challenging myself by writing it in first person, which has never been my strong suite. I'm working at it and I am up to chapter four though I haven't let anyone look at it yet. I want to get it more polished before I let anyone, my mother included, see it.Yes I am aware that I sound like a jealous mother hen fiercely guarding her chickens but I'm allowed to be protective over my writing, aren't I?
Aside from that there isn't a lot in the way of exciting news in my neck of the woods. Oh, btw, yes it is Valentine's Day and, no, I don't 'celebrate' it, especially considering there were several 'Valentines' and none of them did anything overly romantic aside from dying as martyrs etc. I even recall reading something about how it was another of the Pagan holidays that was full of sacrifices and flogging. ****
Sorry, kinda went off course there. I promise I will do a better blog in the coming days. My brain has just been fried by the current heatwave that we are having in my corner of the world. It happens to be driving me insane.
Peace and pancakes
*RPG - Role playing game
** OC- Original Character
***LJ Smith is probably better known for The Vampire Diaries books that are now a TV Series of the same name. The Nightworld series was a favourite of mine growing up.
**** I just did a cursory search again to confirm my vague memories so if you google the truth about Valentine's day you can find some interesting reading - but remember, you can't trust everything you read!
So, I chose my character, a human hunter. There were a lot of cool characters to choose from and I wasn't sure which one I was going to go for but I liked the idea of a hunter, plus I got a sweet wolf as a pet. However, I am currently not doing that great since I am trying to figure out the controls etc and I seem to be getting my arse kicked by a series of kobolds who keep accusing me of stealing their candles. I didn't, just in case you were wondering.
I've never really played an RPG* before, unless you count the one I did as a teen via email as an OC** for LJ Smith's Nightworld series.*** Anyway, I might give random updates if I decide to continue after the free trial.
Now, onto more important stuff like writing. As many of you may know, I love to write. Most of you probably know that I have also finished a novel. I hope that one day very soon I will get said novel published. In the meantime I am working on two other novels. One is a sequel to the first and the other is set in an entirely new world. What I mean by world is that is isn't in the same universe as the first one, if that makes sense.
I'm finding this new novel rather difficult to write, mainly because I am challenging myself by writing it in first person, which has never been my strong suite. I'm working at it and I am up to chapter four though I haven't let anyone look at it yet. I want to get it more polished before I let anyone, my mother included, see it.Yes I am aware that I sound like a jealous mother hen fiercely guarding her chickens but I'm allowed to be protective over my writing, aren't I?
Aside from that there isn't a lot in the way of exciting news in my neck of the woods. Oh, btw, yes it is Valentine's Day and, no, I don't 'celebrate' it, especially considering there were several 'Valentines' and none of them did anything overly romantic aside from dying as martyrs etc. I even recall reading something about how it was another of the Pagan holidays that was full of sacrifices and flogging. ****
Sorry, kinda went off course there. I promise I will do a better blog in the coming days. My brain has just been fried by the current heatwave that we are having in my corner of the world. It happens to be driving me insane.
Peace and pancakes
*RPG - Role playing game
** OC- Original Character
***LJ Smith is probably better known for The Vampire Diaries books that are now a TV Series of the same name. The Nightworld series was a favourite of mine growing up.
**** I just did a cursory search again to confirm my vague memories so if you google the truth about Valentine's day you can find some interesting reading - but remember, you can't trust everything you read!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
In which I attempt to do something...
In my neverending attempt to become a writer - as in an 'official-yes-my-book/s-are-in-bookstores' writer I have also had to work part time. Now, this wouldn't bother me so much if it weren't for one small fact: in my home town there are very few jobs going. By few I really mean none - unless you count working at Pak 'n' Save or Maccas...both of which are perfectly respectable but I already work part time in my family's takeaway business where we also sell groceries on the side...thus I am already doing both of the above...
Anyway, I sometimes like to pretend that I am a budding business woman with a multitude of ideas buzzing around in my brain but it isn't long before the rational side of my mind realises that as a business woman I'd make a better hat...I try to have a a business mind but it never seems to eventuate. Or maybe it does but the other side of my mind overrides it with silly songs* or other such frivolities such as looking at amusing badges over at Etsy.
But, lately, in my quest to do something more than hiding away in a back room furiously typing, I have been thinking of starting a serious blog wherein I review stuff on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday basis. I was thinking maybe reviewing books, movies and music or something like that...or even involving a friend or two in an attempt to conquer the interwebs with my amazing reviews and witty banter...**
I know that there are a multitude of sites out there already who do something like this and not all sites manage to do well but I guess there is no harm in trying...right? (Yep, I am asking you, faithful reader, lurker or whatever you may be to give me your input or ideas...) I guess, in a way, this will give me an excuse to write something different and you know what they say about distractions.***
Anyway, I am just tentatively voicing my ideas here in a way to motivate myself more and to get over the bitter disappointment of today. **** Also, it gives me a chance to test out my new computer...my poor Dell that I had for over three years was abruptly put out of her misery on Monday morning and I now have a new Compaq who I have dubbed Nicodemus...I always said that if I had to buy a new computer it would be a MacBook Pro but they are expensive and I have a B.A. in English...
Well I will finish here and possibly go and flip some burgers if I am needed...the perks of living behind a takeaway shop.
Good day to you all
Peace and pancakes...
*Snape, Snape, Severus Snape...Dumbledore (The Potter Puppet Pal's in What's That Mysterious Ticking Noise) Or "The Hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne...
** Apparently I like to think of myself as having the social skills to be able to get away with witty banter - when in actuallity I often sound like someone attempting to not have milk splurt out of her nose...
*** I'm guessing someone says something about distractions...I mean someone says something about everything, right?
**** I'm not really bitter or disappointed...just not having much luck in the search for work. Although I think I'm doing a good impression of a semi starving artist...;o)
Anyway, I sometimes like to pretend that I am a budding business woman with a multitude of ideas buzzing around in my brain but it isn't long before the rational side of my mind realises that as a business woman I'd make a better hat...I try to have a a business mind but it never seems to eventuate. Or maybe it does but the other side of my mind overrides it with silly songs* or other such frivolities such as looking at amusing badges over at Etsy.
But, lately, in my quest to do something more than hiding away in a back room furiously typing, I have been thinking of starting a serious blog wherein I review stuff on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday basis. I was thinking maybe reviewing books, movies and music or something like that...or even involving a friend or two in an attempt to conquer the interwebs with my amazing reviews and witty banter...**
I know that there are a multitude of sites out there already who do something like this and not all sites manage to do well but I guess there is no harm in trying...right? (Yep, I am asking you, faithful reader, lurker or whatever you may be to give me your input or ideas...) I guess, in a way, this will give me an excuse to write something different and you know what they say about distractions.***
Anyway, I am just tentatively voicing my ideas here in a way to motivate myself more and to get over the bitter disappointment of today. **** Also, it gives me a chance to test out my new computer...my poor Dell that I had for over three years was abruptly put out of her misery on Monday morning and I now have a new Compaq who I have dubbed Nicodemus...I always said that if I had to buy a new computer it would be a MacBook Pro but they are expensive and I have a B.A. in English...
Well I will finish here and possibly go and flip some burgers if I am needed...the perks of living behind a takeaway shop.
Good day to you all
Peace and pancakes...
*Snape, Snape, Severus Snape...Dumbledore (The Potter Puppet Pal's in What's That Mysterious Ticking Noise) Or "The Hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne...
** Apparently I like to think of myself as having the social skills to be able to get away with witty banter - when in actuallity I often sound like someone attempting to not have milk splurt out of her nose...
*** I'm guessing someone says something about distractions...I mean someone says something about everything, right?
**** I'm not really bitter or disappointed...just not having much luck in the search for work. Although I think I'm doing a good impression of a semi starving artist...;o)
Friday, 21 January 2011
Pros and Cons of children...? Or random blog 1
It's a Friday morning as I write this and I have been looking after my niece for nearly two whole weeks. While this has provided an interesting test and challenge on my possible parenting ability it has made me look at life from a different perspective. No longer to I view everything with quite the cold and rational ideals that I normally do...well that last part is somewhat of a joke because I don't know if cold nor rational are the words that could describe me best. Quirky and kooky sound much better.
Getting back on topic, what I mean by different point of view is that I feel like I am reliving a second childhood as I am watching Scooby Doo and My Little Pony. Both cartoons that I watched when I was younger. And, this got me to thinking about the reasons or pros and cons of having children.*
Pro - perfect excuse for watching cartoons and going to kids movies
Con - constant drain on the pocket
Pro - excuse to buy cool little clothes...seriously, have you seen what is out there?
Girl's Dresses
Boy's Shirts
Geek Onesies (this is the best!)
Con - no social life - you become a 24/7 slave to their needs and whims...very hard if you have been miss independent for the last one hundred years.
Pro - having a little person to mould into the perfect individual.
Con - no more lie ins - sleep will become a valued commodity that is rare.
Pro - TOYS!
TOYS!
Anyway - there is more that I could add but I must continue with the writing and stop getting distracted by the toys on ThinkGeek. **
Oh - before I forget. I'm entering a competition on Amazon which means that I could get my novel published through Penguin USA. This would be nice so fingers crossed. I'm aiming for positive pessimism...;o)
Peace and Pancakes y'all
*This is tongue and cheek, if you take it seriously...well...
** Just in case you were wondering - I'm not planning on having kids for a long while yet...could you honestly imagine me as a parent...I shudder to think.
Getting back on topic, what I mean by different point of view is that I feel like I am reliving a second childhood as I am watching Scooby Doo and My Little Pony. Both cartoons that I watched when I was younger. And, this got me to thinking about the reasons or pros and cons of having children.*
Pro - perfect excuse for watching cartoons and going to kids movies
Con - constant drain on the pocket
Pro - excuse to buy cool little clothes...seriously, have you seen what is out there?
Girl's Dresses
Boy's Shirts
Geek Onesies (this is the best!)
Con - no social life - you become a 24/7 slave to their needs and whims...very hard if you have been miss independent for the last one hundred years.
Pro - having a little person to mould into the perfect individual.
Con - no more lie ins - sleep will become a valued commodity that is rare.
Pro - TOYS!
TOYS!
Anyway - there is more that I could add but I must continue with the writing and stop getting distracted by the toys on ThinkGeek. **
Oh - before I forget. I'm entering a competition on Amazon which means that I could get my novel published through Penguin USA. This would be nice so fingers crossed. I'm aiming for positive pessimism...;o)
Peace and Pancakes y'all
*This is tongue and cheek, if you take it seriously...well...
** Just in case you were wondering - I'm not planning on having kids for a long while yet...could you honestly imagine me as a parent...I shudder to think.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Things that make life great...
I'm the first to admit that I can get stressed pretty easily. I don't know if I am wired that way or what but I often find myself running around like a headless chook (chicken for those who don't know) and snapping at people when it gets really bad. Then the sarcasm monster that resides within me will jump out and take control of my mouth with normally negative results. Then my writing is affected, which means that my characters will echo my mood - all in all it is not a pretty sight.
However, this morning as I sat drinking my coffee (which I'm not supposed to have but I must have it...it is my lifeblood...) my niece came in and we started looking at music on youtube. The niece is five so her musical tastes can be, ah, somewhat fixed in the realm of Disney* or Miley-Hannah-Cyrus-Montana but this morning I played Popular from Wicked and she loved it.
So, there I was, coffee in one hand, laptop slowly burning away in my lap and said niece curled up next to me, telling me to be quiet as she listened. (I happen to love Popular and have a tendency to sing along.)
And I felt happy. Not that I am depressed but I do get occasional bouts of loneliness living out here in the middle of nowhere. This got me to thinking about things that make life great and I thought I would share some ideas with you and see if you have any that I may have missed.
One - the first sip of coffee on a relaxing morning (especially good if this is a Sunday morning and you don't have anywhere to be.)
Two - Colouring in with my niece - even though she says that I am no longer allowed to colour in. At least she didn't tell me I was too old to colour in like she did with Grams.
Three - Walking along the beach and feeling your feet sink into the sand - which leads to one running into the water and squealing with delight at the sudden shock of cold.
Four - Dancing around the lounge to a great tune and not caring that you don't look like those professional types on TV.
Five - that hour just after midnight when you realise that you should be in bed but you don't care and you want to stay up as late and you want.
Six - Listening to your favourite song at top volume while doing the vacuuming.**
Seven - Eating an ice block on a hot afternoon and not caring that it is dripping down your hands. (Same for ice cream but I don't eat too much of that!)
Eight - TV show marathons...Battlestar Galactica, Bones, X Files etc. There is something about sitting down, not caring about anything but the next episode. And, when they are on DVD you don't have to care about the ads!
Nine - The smell and feel of a new book or reading the next book in a series. There is something about books that just makes me happy. Going into a bookstore really makes my day! Even if I don't buy anything!
Ten - Going into a pet store and seeing all the animals - though this can be sad since you can't take away any of the animals...
Anyway, there is a quick list of ten and I hope that you enjoy some of them as much as I do. Also, if you have any ideas feel free to let me know. I always like finding new things to do and enjoy!
Before I go, though, I will leave you with a video that hopefully makes you smile or at least jump up and down in geeker joy!
*Not that there is anything wrong with that - I mean, who doesn't love a Disney sing-along...don't even try to deny that you don't know the lyrics to at least one Disney song!
**This is also good for losing those extra kgs...
However, this morning as I sat drinking my coffee (which I'm not supposed to have but I must have it...it is my lifeblood...) my niece came in and we started looking at music on youtube. The niece is five so her musical tastes can be, ah, somewhat fixed in the realm of Disney* or Miley-Hannah-Cyrus-Montana but this morning I played Popular from Wicked and she loved it.
So, there I was, coffee in one hand, laptop slowly burning away in my lap and said niece curled up next to me, telling me to be quiet as she listened. (I happen to love Popular and have a tendency to sing along.)
And I felt happy. Not that I am depressed but I do get occasional bouts of loneliness living out here in the middle of nowhere. This got me to thinking about things that make life great and I thought I would share some ideas with you and see if you have any that I may have missed.
One - the first sip of coffee on a relaxing morning (especially good if this is a Sunday morning and you don't have anywhere to be.)
Two - Colouring in with my niece - even though she says that I am no longer allowed to colour in. At least she didn't tell me I was too old to colour in like she did with Grams.
Three - Walking along the beach and feeling your feet sink into the sand - which leads to one running into the water and squealing with delight at the sudden shock of cold.
Four - Dancing around the lounge to a great tune and not caring that you don't look like those professional types on TV.
Five - that hour just after midnight when you realise that you should be in bed but you don't care and you want to stay up as late and you want.
Six - Listening to your favourite song at top volume while doing the vacuuming.**
Seven - Eating an ice block on a hot afternoon and not caring that it is dripping down your hands. (Same for ice cream but I don't eat too much of that!)
Eight - TV show marathons...Battlestar Galactica, Bones, X Files etc. There is something about sitting down, not caring about anything but the next episode. And, when they are on DVD you don't have to care about the ads!
Nine - The smell and feel of a new book or reading the next book in a series. There is something about books that just makes me happy. Going into a bookstore really makes my day! Even if I don't buy anything!
Ten - Going into a pet store and seeing all the animals - though this can be sad since you can't take away any of the animals...
Anyway, there is a quick list of ten and I hope that you enjoy some of them as much as I do. Also, if you have any ideas feel free to let me know. I always like finding new things to do and enjoy!
*Not that there is anything wrong with that - I mean, who doesn't love a Disney sing-along...don't even try to deny that you don't know the lyrics to at least one Disney song!
**This is also good for losing those extra kgs...
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Writing...no fantasy at the moment...
I am currently working on a new novel...well, I have started working on a new novel while I edit my Wallwalkers novel and I am finding it odd to move from one world, where I am rather invested in my characters, into a new world. What is making this so odd is that my first novel is a fantasy/sci fi novel whereas the one I am writing on at the moment has no element of fantasy.
This isn't something that I normally do. I like fantasy. Fantasy is my safety blanket because I read more fantasy than any other genre. I read Rowling, Pierce, Nix, Eddings, Tolkien, Gaiman and so on, so I know my fantasy. But now I am entering a word with no magic, no elves or floating cities. Instead, I am writing a first person novel from the point of view of an atheist teenage girl.
This is interesting for me on many levels. First, it is testing my ability to write great dialogue. It's not that I can't write good dialogue but I have to make it somewhat modern and yet still intelligent. I do not want to dumb anything down for any readers. I don't like it when characters, especially child characters, speak like adults or speak in a voice that is not their own.
As for how quickly the writing is going, well it is going rather slowly at the moment and this is mainly due to the small five year old bundle of energy that seems intent on stalking me at every turn. This bundle of joyous energy is my niece. She is staying with me for a couple of weeks and it has definitely kept me on my toes. It makes me realise that I am definitely not ready to be a mother quite yet. There is something great about looking after a child and knowing that you can give them back to the parents after a matter of days.
Once again, this is a dreadfully short post due to said five year old so I will leave this now and hopefully things will even out.
Peace and pancakes
Word count: 3067
Song of the moment: Grenade - Bruno Mars
This isn't something that I normally do. I like fantasy. Fantasy is my safety blanket because I read more fantasy than any other genre. I read Rowling, Pierce, Nix, Eddings, Tolkien, Gaiman and so on, so I know my fantasy. But now I am entering a word with no magic, no elves or floating cities. Instead, I am writing a first person novel from the point of view of an atheist teenage girl.
This is interesting for me on many levels. First, it is testing my ability to write great dialogue. It's not that I can't write good dialogue but I have to make it somewhat modern and yet still intelligent. I do not want to dumb anything down for any readers. I don't like it when characters, especially child characters, speak like adults or speak in a voice that is not their own.
As for how quickly the writing is going, well it is going rather slowly at the moment and this is mainly due to the small five year old bundle of energy that seems intent on stalking me at every turn. This bundle of joyous energy is my niece. She is staying with me for a couple of weeks and it has definitely kept me on my toes. It makes me realise that I am definitely not ready to be a mother quite yet. There is something great about looking after a child and knowing that you can give them back to the parents after a matter of days.
Once again, this is a dreadfully short post due to said five year old so I will leave this now and hopefully things will even out.
Peace and pancakes
Word count: 3067
Song of the moment: Grenade - Bruno Mars
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Odd thoughts...*
I've been working on a blog post all day. I promised myself that I was going to try to do regular updates and I intend to stick to it but this has to be about the thirtieth attempt at trying to condense my witty (and modest) thoughts into something that vaguely resembled the English language. If I had gone with the things on my mind this post would probably look like this:
Smurfs are blue. I can't stop singing the theme to The Goof Troop. Pie. Oh, I smell fudge...no, wait...I don't know what I smell. Toes are strangely weird. Looking For Alaska - reading it again. Must Wii. Oh Warehouse 13 is on...squee. Dinosaurs will always and forever be awesome. Rawr. Hmm...quarks is a fun word to say. Must watch the latest Vlogbrothers vlog. Fishbloodybite specials again.
With that small insight into my mind I hope I haven't scared you all off. I do hope, though, that this has shown you how sometimes my thoughts run away with me, which could explain why I give people a blank look every so often. It isn't that I am ignoring them/you but my thoughts sometimes clamour to be heard.
This could also explain why my childhood seemed to be punctuated with "Are you listening to me?" "Daydreaming again?" "Hello, anyone home in there?" These could also be explained by the, recently, acknowledged fact that I am deaf in one ear but I tend to lean towards the first explanation.
Anyway, so it is roughly 9.30 at night and I still don't have a coherent thought in my mind though looking back through those thoughts I am getting the urge to watch the antics of the ever amazing and awesome John and Hank Green. My the amount of times I have been mentioning them lately I am starting to feel like a fangirl of the Green brothers but they bring about such witty awesomeness.
Anyway, I am going to leave it at this otherwise it will be full of nonsense.
For those of you who are wondering about the Vlogbrothers and/or Nerdfighters check the video below. It is awesome! That is all.
Peace and pancakes.
Smurfs are blue. I can't stop singing the theme to The Goof Troop. Pie. Oh, I smell fudge...no, wait...I don't know what I smell. Toes are strangely weird. Looking For Alaska - reading it again. Must Wii. Oh Warehouse 13 is on...squee. Dinosaurs will always and forever be awesome. Rawr. Hmm...quarks is a fun word to say. Must watch the latest Vlogbrothers vlog. Fishbloodybite specials again.
With that small insight into my mind I hope I haven't scared you all off. I do hope, though, that this has shown you how sometimes my thoughts run away with me, which could explain why I give people a blank look every so often. It isn't that I am ignoring them/you but my thoughts sometimes clamour to be heard.
This could also explain why my childhood seemed to be punctuated with "Are you listening to me?" "Daydreaming again?" "Hello, anyone home in there?" These could also be explained by the, recently, acknowledged fact that I am deaf in one ear but I tend to lean towards the first explanation.
Anyway, so it is roughly 9.30 at night and I still don't have a coherent thought in my mind though looking back through those thoughts I am getting the urge to watch the antics of the ever amazing and awesome John and Hank Green. My the amount of times I have been mentioning them lately I am starting to feel like a fangirl of the Green brothers but they bring about such witty awesomeness.
Anyway, I am going to leave it at this otherwise it will be full of nonsense.
For those of you who are wondering about the Vlogbrothers and/or Nerdfighters check the video below. It is awesome! That is all.
Peace and pancakes.
*can't believe I forgot to add a title...fail...
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Holding out for a hero...?
When I was but a wee slip of a girl I had many role models, people who I looked up too in a near obsessive way. My mum can tell you stories and, this may or may not surprise you, many of these people were not celebrities. I recall doing a project on Marie Curie when I was in primary school and on Mary Anning. Dr Jack Horner was another such role model. (Further proof of my impending geekiness...) Sure, there were some singers/songwriters who were my inspirations but when I became a bit older it was writers such as Tamora Pierce and Stephen King.
Even now I still find people that I admire - Neil Gaiman, John Green and his brother Hank (who is awesome, btw!) I also admire strong characters from my favourite books and shows. KayLee from Firefly. Angela, Hodgins and Temperance from Bones. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. These are just a few.
Anyway, I do not like many of the so called 'role models' that people have these days. In my mind a role model is someone who you aspire to and you hope that your actions echo their choices and decisions.The end result is that, in having a role model, you can make yourself a better person. With that being said, I find it more than a little alarming that there are so many bad role models out there. This is not just a jab at those in the celebrity world because, although many may complain about being a role model, they have put themselves out there. Though I can't see what kind of role models that Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton are and I'm not going to apologise for not seeing them as positive role models.
Now, before you think I'm just standing on my soap box doing my little rant I would like to point out that what I think may not be what you think or believe. What I feel strongly about, however, is that we do need more positive role models in our lives who are complex and not just some airbrushed ideal that is plastered on a poster. How can we expect our children to grow up idolising such things as Bratz Dolls or other gender stereotyping figures be they male or female.
I am not saying that celebrities are all bad role models as there are some very positive role models in the acting world and this goes for authors as well but I'm going to leave that alone.
After all this rambling, my main point for this blog came about when I was trying to focus on a new character for a novel that I am currently working on while waiting to send my draft off to the publishers to see if there are any bites. I was writing about this female character and I suddenly found myself obsessing over how I portrayed her as I wanted her to be someone that readers would admire but I didn't want her to be perfect, basically, I didn't want to create a Mary Sue. This lead me to thinking what my favourite authors would do and how they create such vivid characters that I admire. They have flaws, like real people, and they have emotions, like real people...I hope you get where I am going with this because there is so much that I would like to say about the idea of role models but I don't want to end up making this into some self righteous blog where everything I say is set in concrete.
To finish up I would like to say that having role models is an important thing but choosing the right role model will always be up to you. For all my writing I cannot make you like my favourite role models and I wouldn't want you to like something just because I like it. What I would hope is that you find someone you admire and use them as a guide - and, just because I don't particularly like someone doesn't mean that you should stop liking them.
Anyway,I'd love to know who you admire? Or what kind of character traits you think are good, bad or ugly?
Peace and pancakes all...
P.S. I promise to get this blog proper sorted out as soon as I know what I'm really doing...I apologise for it being a little wonky...
Even now I still find people that I admire - Neil Gaiman, John Green and his brother Hank (who is awesome, btw!) I also admire strong characters from my favourite books and shows. KayLee from Firefly. Angela, Hodgins and Temperance from Bones. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. These are just a few.
Anyway, I do not like many of the so called 'role models' that people have these days. In my mind a role model is someone who you aspire to and you hope that your actions echo their choices and decisions.The end result is that, in having a role model, you can make yourself a better person. With that being said, I find it more than a little alarming that there are so many bad role models out there. This is not just a jab at those in the celebrity world because, although many may complain about being a role model, they have put themselves out there. Though I can't see what kind of role models that Kim Kardashian or Paris Hilton are and I'm not going to apologise for not seeing them as positive role models.
Now, before you think I'm just standing on my soap box doing my little rant I would like to point out that what I think may not be what you think or believe. What I feel strongly about, however, is that we do need more positive role models in our lives who are complex and not just some airbrushed ideal that is plastered on a poster. How can we expect our children to grow up idolising such things as Bratz Dolls or other gender stereotyping figures be they male or female.
I am not saying that celebrities are all bad role models as there are some very positive role models in the acting world and this goes for authors as well but I'm going to leave that alone.
After all this rambling, my main point for this blog came about when I was trying to focus on a new character for a novel that I am currently working on while waiting to send my draft off to the publishers to see if there are any bites. I was writing about this female character and I suddenly found myself obsessing over how I portrayed her as I wanted her to be someone that readers would admire but I didn't want her to be perfect, basically, I didn't want to create a Mary Sue. This lead me to thinking what my favourite authors would do and how they create such vivid characters that I admire. They have flaws, like real people, and they have emotions, like real people...I hope you get where I am going with this because there is so much that I would like to say about the idea of role models but I don't want to end up making this into some self righteous blog where everything I say is set in concrete.
To finish up I would like to say that having role models is an important thing but choosing the right role model will always be up to you. For all my writing I cannot make you like my favourite role models and I wouldn't want you to like something just because I like it. What I would hope is that you find someone you admire and use them as a guide - and, just because I don't particularly like someone doesn't mean that you should stop liking them.
Anyway,I'd love to know who you admire? Or what kind of character traits you think are good, bad or ugly?
Peace and pancakes all...
P.S. I promise to get this blog proper sorted out as soon as I know what I'm really doing...I apologise for it being a little wonky...
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Embracing the dork side...
As you know, I am pretty vocal about my own geekiness. I have special editions of Star Wars (The Empire Strikes Back is the best!). I can quote Firefly and Serenity with the best of them and have been known to break into song, singing verses of The Hero of Canton on a whim. I collect posters, badges/buttons, books, figurines, graphic novels (currently going through Y: The Last Man and Runaways interesting mix, I know.) I can randomly spurt facts about various shows, theories and so on. I am proud to be a geek girl...
BUT, I have never been a big gamer. Sure, I've played a couple of games on a friend's Xbox or PS but I've never owned anything more sophisticated than a Sega Master System 2 (yep, you read that right) which my sister and I got when we were at primary school back in the 90s. (Ah, the 90s, how I miss thee...) On this I played such great games as Wonderboy and a Michael Jackson game. Our first computer was a Commodore 64 made, partially, out of an old television set which had real floppy disks. I used to play Aliens on this machine, possibly the first real sign of my impending geekhood because I wasn't allowed to watch the film until I was 16 but knew all the characters names from playing this game.
This has changed with the newest edition to my household. I have recently adopted (bought) a Nintendo Wii - not the ultimate in gaming, or so I've been told, but it is a pretty decent start. My main motivation for buying this stylish Red Console (25th Anniversary edition Mario blah blah blah...it is so pretty and shiny though) was for health reasons for myself and my mother - in an attempt to continue my growing fitness levels. So, I have begun to play Wii Fit and laughing at the graphics of my Wii Mii and then there is all the fun in the name of the console...admit it, how many of you giggle when you think of playing with your Wii...I'm sorry but that joke will never get old, just like my maturity level...sigh...
Yet, the purchase of this shiny machine, which we have named Sarge, has opened the proverbial floodgates - all these shiny games that I have heard about and seen while scouring DVD and game stores are about to become part of my geek arsenal. What's worse is that I am now thinking of getting an Xbox or PS3 to indulge in my new love. Knights of the Old Republic seems dreadfully shiny and exciting and...I have to stop myself...but I saw the new Call of Duty: Black Ops in the store the other day and I think I squeed a little.
So, I feel that in buying this dreadfully addictive console I have invited more expenses into my life and given myself just one more thing that I can procrastinate with. I mean, I am supposed to be editing my novel and sending it off to publishers in the vague hopes that I can legitimately call myself an author rather than someone who has dreams of becoming an author. Also, being published provides a little money, or so I've heard.
Anyway, I will leave this here as Sarge is calling to me to play...must resist and focus on writing but...
Peace and pancakes
BUT, I have never been a big gamer. Sure, I've played a couple of games on a friend's Xbox or PS but I've never owned anything more sophisticated than a Sega Master System 2 (yep, you read that right) which my sister and I got when we were at primary school back in the 90s. (Ah, the 90s, how I miss thee...) On this I played such great games as Wonderboy and a Michael Jackson game. Our first computer was a Commodore 64 made, partially, out of an old television set which had real floppy disks. I used to play Aliens on this machine, possibly the first real sign of my impending geekhood because I wasn't allowed to watch the film until I was 16 but knew all the characters names from playing this game.
This has changed with the newest edition to my household. I have recently adopted (bought) a Nintendo Wii - not the ultimate in gaming, or so I've been told, but it is a pretty decent start. My main motivation for buying this stylish Red Console (25th Anniversary edition Mario blah blah blah...it is so pretty and shiny though) was for health reasons for myself and my mother - in an attempt to continue my growing fitness levels. So, I have begun to play Wii Fit and laughing at the graphics of my Wii Mii and then there is all the fun in the name of the console...admit it, how many of you giggle when you think of playing with your Wii...I'm sorry but that joke will never get old, just like my maturity level...sigh...
Yet, the purchase of this shiny machine, which we have named Sarge, has opened the proverbial floodgates - all these shiny games that I have heard about and seen while scouring DVD and game stores are about to become part of my geek arsenal. What's worse is that I am now thinking of getting an Xbox or PS3 to indulge in my new love. Knights of the Old Republic seems dreadfully shiny and exciting and...I have to stop myself...but I saw the new Call of Duty: Black Ops in the store the other day and I think I squeed a little.
So, I feel that in buying this dreadfully addictive console I have invited more expenses into my life and given myself just one more thing that I can procrastinate with. I mean, I am supposed to be editing my novel and sending it off to publishers in the vague hopes that I can legitimately call myself an author rather than someone who has dreams of becoming an author. Also, being published provides a little money, or so I've heard.
Anyway, I will leave this here as Sarge is calling to me to play...must resist and focus on writing but...
Peace and pancakes
Friday, 12 November 2010
Planes are fun and scary...
I have been travelling for the last day or so, flying from New Zealand to America, and, after about seven hours, it no longer becomes fun rather than an excruciating wait. You sit there, crammed next to many other stinky and cranky people wishing that the flight was over and sighing when you see that there is still another six hours to go.
This also makes writing for NaNoWriMo very difficult. I haven't had a chance to sit down and just type (same with blogging) so, now that I have everything sorted I can finally sit down and type...and there is the dilemma. I don't want to be one of those people who gushes about their travelling - so I won't. This means that I'm not sure what to add to my blog tonight.
So it will be a short blog tonight because there's dinner on the table and I'm hungry.
Better blog tomorrow I promise.
Peace and pancakes
Edit: I managed to get some of my 'WriMo writing done - 2000 words, oh yeah! Also, far too full from a good meal!
Oh and I should have mentioned that I have now, offically, passed my course! Jolly Gnome dance to follow.
This also makes writing for NaNoWriMo very difficult. I haven't had a chance to sit down and just type (same with blogging) so, now that I have everything sorted I can finally sit down and type...and there is the dilemma. I don't want to be one of those people who gushes about their travelling - so I won't. This means that I'm not sure what to add to my blog tonight.
So it will be a short blog tonight because there's dinner on the table and I'm hungry.
Better blog tomorrow I promise.
Peace and pancakes
Edit: I managed to get some of my 'WriMo writing done - 2000 words, oh yeah! Also, far too full from a good meal!
Oh and I should have mentioned that I have now, offically, passed my course! Jolly Gnome dance to follow.
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Seven days in and NaNoWriMo is...
Seven days in and I am finding myself wishing that I could move onto a different project. I won't because I am very stubborn and I will not let NaNoWriMo beat me. Yet, with so many other things happening I can't help but feel that I may be in over my head.
So far, my two main characters have just infiltrated a school posing as niece and uncle. They have already met with a golem of sorts and I just feel that there are more nasty things around the corner. It is a good thing I am not writing this to get published. I may use some of the ideas later on but this is just pure brain vomit onto the page.
Another thing I am finding is that some of the words begin to blur together and I find my characters acting out of sorts. I may not be overly invested in these characters as of yet but I still find them banging around with my other, more well rounded, characters. I don't know if other writers have the same uh...'problem'...You know, where you try to make your characters do something that is against character and they raise such a ruckus.
On a side note it turns out that one of the brake pad things* shattered while I was driving home yesterday. This explains why my brakes gave out. Thankfully I was just about home and managed to glide into my park. My dad, bless him, is going to get a new 'shoe', as he calls it, for my car tomorrow.
This is going to be another shortish, almost pointless, entry as I have to get cracking on this NaNoWriMo effort. Also, I had more sugar today than usual. Every so often I just crave chocolate even though I know that I shouldn't have it...
Also, I got three new books yesterday and I want to get cracking into them. Is it bad that I am inclined to read more at the moment. (So there, Laura Miller...I may be doing NaNoWriMo but I'm still reading...)
*Things - this word is right up there with stuff to explain random things that I don't know the technical terms for.
Word Count - 14 452
Tunes - NCIS on the telly in the background.
So far, my two main characters have just infiltrated a school posing as niece and uncle. They have already met with a golem of sorts and I just feel that there are more nasty things around the corner. It is a good thing I am not writing this to get published. I may use some of the ideas later on but this is just pure brain vomit onto the page.
Another thing I am finding is that some of the words begin to blur together and I find my characters acting out of sorts. I may not be overly invested in these characters as of yet but I still find them banging around with my other, more well rounded, characters. I don't know if other writers have the same uh...'problem'...You know, where you try to make your characters do something that is against character and they raise such a ruckus.
On a side note it turns out that one of the brake pad things* shattered while I was driving home yesterday. This explains why my brakes gave out. Thankfully I was just about home and managed to glide into my park. My dad, bless him, is going to get a new 'shoe', as he calls it, for my car tomorrow.
This is going to be another shortish, almost pointless, entry as I have to get cracking on this NaNoWriMo effort. Also, I had more sugar today than usual. Every so often I just crave chocolate even though I know that I shouldn't have it...
Also, I got three new books yesterday and I want to get cracking into them. Is it bad that I am inclined to read more at the moment. (So there, Laura Miller...I may be doing NaNoWriMo but I'm still reading...)
*Things - this word is right up there with stuff to explain random things that I don't know the technical terms for.
Word Count - 14 452
Tunes - NCIS on the telly in the background.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)