I had a letter today, one of the thin interesting types, rather than the 'oh no, I recognise that writing' types from My Weekly. They're buying a story from me. Yay! I was pretty chuffed as this is my first sale to them after a few, ahem, attempts to crack them.
I'm celebrating with a jaffa cake.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Time for tea?
Inspired by Calistro and Helen's recent experiences, I dropped my car off today for a service and armed with my brand new notebook, went off in search off a coffee bar so I could sit and do writerly things. Sadly, with no Costa or Starbucks in sight, I had to make do with Sainsbury's, where the coffee machine was out of order and had to settle instead for a cup of tea. No bother, nothing was about to deter me. Not even the hoo-haa going on front of house because only two members of staff were in, the chef and disgruntled lady on the till.
It was ever so good. Lots of rumblings of discontent from the customers, complaints to the management, supervisors being called, talk of other staff being pulled off the main check-outs to help out in the cafe, but apparently this was a non-starter because you need to be specially trained for the cafe. It was riveting stuff, watching as a customer came along expectantly clutching his tray, hoping to order a coffee, settling for tea, and then being told his full english would take 45 minutes. Poor lady on till would explain, customer would grumble, go off muttering and then another unsuspecting customer would come along and the whole process would start again.
Half-an-hour in and I hadn't doing any writing, only a lot of nosing and ear-wigging. Management came to my rescue and put up a notice explaining the difficulties so everthing quietened down and I was able to make a start on what I was supposed to be doing.
An hour and a half later and I had a story written, a whole one. What a result! Next time I'm heading for Borders but I have a feeling it won't be half as exciting.
It was ever so good. Lots of rumblings of discontent from the customers, complaints to the management, supervisors being called, talk of other staff being pulled off the main check-outs to help out in the cafe, but apparently this was a non-starter because you need to be specially trained for the cafe. It was riveting stuff, watching as a customer came along expectantly clutching his tray, hoping to order a coffee, settling for tea, and then being told his full english would take 45 minutes. Poor lady on till would explain, customer would grumble, go off muttering and then another unsuspecting customer would come along and the whole process would start again.
Half-an-hour in and I hadn't doing any writing, only a lot of nosing and ear-wigging. Management came to my rescue and put up a notice explaining the difficulties so everthing quietened down and I was able to make a start on what I was supposed to be doing.
An hour and a half later and I had a story written, a whole one. What a result! Next time I'm heading for Borders but I have a feeling it won't be half as exciting.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
A Well Kept Secret
I visited my Mum today who lives just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. We did our usual, moseyed on into town, did some shopping, which as far as my mum is concerned involves a quick whizz around the M&S Food Hall, stopping only to pick up a few tops in assorted colours on the way through the women's department. The tops will stay in the carrier bag until next week when she'll have decided that they'll have to go back and we'll exchange them for another selection of cheerily coloured tops. We're well versed in this routine.
Then we went off for lunch and foregoing our normal haunts, of either the M&S Cafe or Edward Moons, we went instead to the garden centre which made a very pleasant change.
That's where I picked up a brochure about Stratford's Literary Festival which is taking place next week. They kept that quiet. Ooh, it does look enticing and now I'm desperately trying to wangle a way of getting to one of the events. I've discarded my first idea of abandoning the family for a week, staying with mum and going to them all, as I'm supposing that might not go down too well with George and the little people, but maybe I could get to one of the workshops. There's one with an author and an editor from Mills and Boon on Wednesday afternoon, but then again if I go to the workshop with Katie Fforde on Thursday morning, then I could dash along to the talk by agent Antony Harwood in the afternoon. In the hour's break between the two, I could nip into Jones and try on these shoes I spotted in the window. Now that sounds like a very sensible idea. Must see what I can arrange tomorrow.
Then we went off for lunch and foregoing our normal haunts, of either the M&S Cafe or Edward Moons, we went instead to the garden centre which made a very pleasant change.
That's where I picked up a brochure about Stratford's Literary Festival which is taking place next week. They kept that quiet. Ooh, it does look enticing and now I'm desperately trying to wangle a way of getting to one of the events. I've discarded my first idea of abandoning the family for a week, staying with mum and going to them all, as I'm supposing that might not go down too well with George and the little people, but maybe I could get to one of the workshops. There's one with an author and an editor from Mills and Boon on Wednesday afternoon, but then again if I go to the workshop with Katie Fforde on Thursday morning, then I could dash along to the talk by agent Antony Harwood in the afternoon. In the hour's break between the two, I could nip into Jones and try on these shoes I spotted in the window. Now that sounds like a very sensible idea. Must see what I can arrange tomorrow.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Back to the same 'ole
The kids have gone back to school today. You’ll notice I resisted the urge to put a woohoo in there. Actually I adore having them home, love those long leisurely mornings tramping around in our dressing gowns/pjs/boxer shorts without the rigmarole of fixing lunchboxes, unearthing p.e kits, managing coursework deadlines that loom unexpectedly from the shadows the very morning said piece is expected to be handed in, the dreaded school run. Oh, how I’ve missed it all, NOT, but the downside of having them home is that I don’t get very much done. I mean things are pretty lax around here at the best of times so any deviation from the normal routine means everything falls into a further state of carefree neglect, apart from, of course, the intensive, hands-on mothering bonding stuff at which I am very good.
Besides, back to back episodes of the ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’ assaulting me from one direction and something loud and indecipherable booming through an amp from the other, isn’t exactly conducive to the old creative writing lark. Well, that’s my feeble excuse for not having achieved very much this last fortnight.
So it’s been rather nice to have the house back to myself this morning and I’ve managed, you’ll notice, to drag myself up to the 50,000 mark on the novel. Yippee! The finishing line is within sight. Okay, so it’s not a sprint, more a long-distance dawdle, but I can definitely see the flag waving me home. It means too I can start on that short story that’s been persistently banging away in my head for the last week or so.
I’m wondering how Lizzie’s getting on today. She was intent on wearing, for the first time this year, her gingham summer dress because, of course, we are now in the summer term. The fact it was blowing a gale around these parts wasn’t going to deter her. I waved her in to school, watching as the wind whipped around her little bare knees. Brrrr. She’ll be back in trews by tomorrow, I predict.
Besides, back to back episodes of the ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’ assaulting me from one direction and something loud and indecipherable booming through an amp from the other, isn’t exactly conducive to the old creative writing lark. Well, that’s my feeble excuse for not having achieved very much this last fortnight.
So it’s been rather nice to have the house back to myself this morning and I’ve managed, you’ll notice, to drag myself up to the 50,000 mark on the novel. Yippee! The finishing line is within sight. Okay, so it’s not a sprint, more a long-distance dawdle, but I can definitely see the flag waving me home. It means too I can start on that short story that’s been persistently banging away in my head for the last week or so.
I’m wondering how Lizzie’s getting on today. She was intent on wearing, for the first time this year, her gingham summer dress because, of course, we are now in the summer term. The fact it was blowing a gale around these parts wasn’t going to deter her. I waved her in to school, watching as the wind whipped around her little bare knees. Brrrr. She’ll be back in trews by tomorrow, I predict.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Short and Sweet
Debs has tagged me for a short and sweet memoir. Choose six words to describe myself.
Vivacious
Witty
Brilliant
Gorgeous
Skinny
.... and sadly, Deluded
Now, I tag Tam, Tom Foolery and Moondreamer
Vivacious
Witty
Brilliant
Gorgeous
Skinny
.... and sadly, Deluded
Now, I tag Tam, Tom Foolery and Moondreamer
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Antsy in my Panties
Oooh, I'm feeling really antsy at the moment. I want to write short stories, but I can't! I've got a couple of really good ideas jostling for attention, but I've had to consign them to my imaginatively named 'ideas' document for attention at a later date. I HAVE to plod on with this novel or at least get beyond the 50,000 mark before I can write another short, so I've told myself. I set myself these little targets, it's pathetic really. I'm not one of those people who can work on a number of things at the same time, flitting easily from project to project. If I get distracted by a short it takes me ages to get back into the flow of the novel. And even when I'm flowing I don't go incredibly fast.
It's Christmas in my novel and I'm having a White one. Deep and crisp and even. Impassable roads. Hunter boots. Twinkling lights. A romantic reunion. Hot toddies. A goose. The full works. And I'm loving it. That's the wonderful thing about fiction, isn't it, you can create scenes exactly the way you'd want them to appear in real life.
Talking of which, for a little bit of light relief and essential family bonding, today we went bowling, at which I am very bad, and then to see 'The Game Plan.' It wouldn't have been my first choice of film, but it was Lizzie's. Kit opted out at the last moment as I think he may have seen the trailer. George nodded off in the middle, which was understandable as it was a bit slow going to begin with. It got better, but not much, although Lizzie loved it, which was the main thing. Job done. I couldn't really recommend it unless you are under 10 or a huge fan of 'The Rock.'
Still, we are now consoling ourselves with Foyles War which is very comforting tv fodder.
It's Christmas in my novel and I'm having a White one. Deep and crisp and even. Impassable roads. Hunter boots. Twinkling lights. A romantic reunion. Hot toddies. A goose. The full works. And I'm loving it. That's the wonderful thing about fiction, isn't it, you can create scenes exactly the way you'd want them to appear in real life.
Talking of which, for a little bit of light relief and essential family bonding, today we went bowling, at which I am very bad, and then to see 'The Game Plan.' It wouldn't have been my first choice of film, but it was Lizzie's. Kit opted out at the last moment as I think he may have seen the trailer. George nodded off in the middle, which was understandable as it was a bit slow going to begin with. It got better, but not much, although Lizzie loved it, which was the main thing. Job done. I couldn't really recommend it unless you are under 10 or a huge fan of 'The Rock.'
Still, we are now consoling ourselves with Foyles War which is very comforting tv fodder.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Midweek Mutterings
Did anyone see Cecelia Aherne on Loose Women today? She's written seven books, one of which has been made into a Hollywood film, is blonde, pretty and still only 26. Yes, I really warmed to her...... No really, she seemed very down-to-earth, funny and charming. Despite myself, I liked her. I'm just glad she doesn't live next door.
It's half-term here so we're in the midst of a chill-fest. I always feel a bit guilty that I haven't planned anything, exciting or otherwise, but they say kids thrive on a bit of boredom, don't they? I hope so. One of Kit's friends has gone to Japan, another to Italy and another to America so I'm sure a wet week in Bedfordshire seems a little bit tame in comparison, but we did get to the dentist today. Hey-ho. We sure know how to live. Tomorrow we're going to London to do something, although what, we're not quite sure yet.
I thought I'd mention, for the want of anything else to mention, a short story competition I saw in the May edition of Woman and Home Magazine. The theme is Passion (ooh er) and the word count is 2,500 words with a closing date of 23rd May 2008. First prize is £1500 plus two VIP tickets to the Costa Book Awards, dinner in London, hotel accommodation etc. Unfortunately, the comp is only open to writers who have not had fiction published in a publication with a circulation of more than 5,000 so that probably excludes most womag writers, but for anyone else it sounds to me like a good one. If you're interested you need an entry form from the magazine.
It's half-term here so we're in the midst of a chill-fest. I always feel a bit guilty that I haven't planned anything, exciting or otherwise, but they say kids thrive on a bit of boredom, don't they? I hope so. One of Kit's friends has gone to Japan, another to Italy and another to America so I'm sure a wet week in Bedfordshire seems a little bit tame in comparison, but we did get to the dentist today. Hey-ho. We sure know how to live. Tomorrow we're going to London to do something, although what, we're not quite sure yet.
I thought I'd mention, for the want of anything else to mention, a short story competition I saw in the May edition of Woman and Home Magazine. The theme is Passion (ooh er) and the word count is 2,500 words with a closing date of 23rd May 2008. First prize is £1500 plus two VIP tickets to the Costa Book Awards, dinner in London, hotel accommodation etc. Unfortunately, the comp is only open to writers who have not had fiction published in a publication with a circulation of more than 5,000 so that probably excludes most womag writers, but for anyone else it sounds to me like a good one. If you're interested you need an entry form from the magazine.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Thursday, 3 April 2008
What Kind of Puppy?
Oh dear, I rather fancied myself as a Saluki or a Red Setter, but a Boxer??? They've obviously seen my nose, tch!
You Are a Boxer Puppy |
 Energetic, playful and good with kids. You've also got a wild spirit that can't be trained or tamed. |
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Carrots and all things beginning with 'C'
Culinary tip of the day: Caraway seeds are not interchangeable with coriander seeds when making carrot cake muffins.
You’d think they would be though, wouldn’t you? I mean they both begin with C, both have seeds in their name and as I was right out of coriander seeds and found a full jar of caraway seeds at the back of the cupboard, I thought a little bit of improvisation wouldn’t go amiss.
Hmmm, I won’t be doing that again. Very pretty they looked, with their soft cheese icing on top and carefully placed walnut, but totally inedible, which isn’t good.
I remembered too why I hadn’t made a carrot cake concoction in a long time. It’s so blooming’ time consuming, all that grating of carrots with a few slithers of fingers thrown in too. Never mind, cooking, like writing, is a learning experience. Well, it is for me, at least.
I did get round to trying Nigella’s Jumbleberry Crumble recipe from her Express book. Basically you throw some frozen summer fruits into an individual ramekin dish, stir in a bit of cornflour and sugar, sprinkle on your previously prepared crumble that you’ve pulled out from the freezer and whack into the oven for 15 minutes. (Did you notice I turned into Jamie Oliver there?)
Yummy, yummy.
Quick, easy and impressive.
Remember, I’m easily impressed, but then again was so my friend who was my guinea pig.
Oh dear, I’ve started baking again. And poring over cookery books. It can only mean one thing. I’m on a diet.
You’d think they would be though, wouldn’t you? I mean they both begin with C, both have seeds in their name and as I was right out of coriander seeds and found a full jar of caraway seeds at the back of the cupboard, I thought a little bit of improvisation wouldn’t go amiss.
Hmmm, I won’t be doing that again. Very pretty they looked, with their soft cheese icing on top and carefully placed walnut, but totally inedible, which isn’t good.
I remembered too why I hadn’t made a carrot cake concoction in a long time. It’s so blooming’ time consuming, all that grating of carrots with a few slithers of fingers thrown in too. Never mind, cooking, like writing, is a learning experience. Well, it is for me, at least.
I did get round to trying Nigella’s Jumbleberry Crumble recipe from her Express book. Basically you throw some frozen summer fruits into an individual ramekin dish, stir in a bit of cornflour and sugar, sprinkle on your previously prepared crumble that you’ve pulled out from the freezer and whack into the oven for 15 minutes. (Did you notice I turned into Jamie Oliver there?)
Yummy, yummy.
Quick, easy and impressive.
Remember, I’m easily impressed, but then again was so my friend who was my guinea pig.
Oh dear, I’ve started baking again. And poring over cookery books. It can only mean one thing. I’m on a diet.
Shameless Self-Promotion
Gosh, doesn't time go quickly in blogland? Over a week since I last posted, how did that happen?
The Lovely Leigh tells me that the latest edition of Fiction Feast has one of my stories in. Yippee! I’ve not seen a copy yet, but will hunt one down in the next day or two. I’m guessing they’ll have changed my title, ‘Carry on Camping,’ as I don’t think they’ve kept one yet. I can only think that I must be pants at titles.
Anyway, the story is a twist. I love reading and writing twists, but it’s not always easy to come up with the ideas in the first place. This one I lifted, I mean I found my inspiration from a recent tv ad., and another story I’ve just written came about after seeing another tv ad. Corrie plot lines and other soaps/dramas are a good source of plots too and I’m always watching with one eye on whether or not I could use anything in a story. What better excuse for watching lots of lovely tv, one of my favourite occupations.
A really good book about writing twists that I can recommend is ‘Creating a Twist in the Tale by Adele Ramet.’ It was written in 1996 so obviously the market information is out of date, but is still has lots of really great advice and helpful tips. I know I read it in one sitting when I first picked it up from the library a few years ago and was inspired to try my hand at some twists. I managed to track down my own copy which I still like to dip into every now and then.
My favourite twist story of all time is Roald Dahl's 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' Oooh, I'm getting all nostalgic about 'Tales of the Unexpected' now. Cue music, cue embarrassing dancing in the kitchen. Good job, I'm on my own. I've got all the series on DVD, but I know the twists now! Wouldn't it be great to see some new ones?
The Lovely Leigh tells me that the latest edition of Fiction Feast has one of my stories in. Yippee! I’ve not seen a copy yet, but will hunt one down in the next day or two. I’m guessing they’ll have changed my title, ‘Carry on Camping,’ as I don’t think they’ve kept one yet. I can only think that I must be pants at titles.
Anyway, the story is a twist. I love reading and writing twists, but it’s not always easy to come up with the ideas in the first place. This one I lifted, I mean I found my inspiration from a recent tv ad., and another story I’ve just written came about after seeing another tv ad. Corrie plot lines and other soaps/dramas are a good source of plots too and I’m always watching with one eye on whether or not I could use anything in a story. What better excuse for watching lots of lovely tv, one of my favourite occupations.
A really good book about writing twists that I can recommend is ‘Creating a Twist in the Tale by Adele Ramet.’ It was written in 1996 so obviously the market information is out of date, but is still has lots of really great advice and helpful tips. I know I read it in one sitting when I first picked it up from the library a few years ago and was inspired to try my hand at some twists. I managed to track down my own copy which I still like to dip into every now and then.
My favourite twist story of all time is Roald Dahl's 'Lamb to the Slaughter.' Oooh, I'm getting all nostalgic about 'Tales of the Unexpected' now. Cue music, cue embarrassing dancing in the kitchen. Good job, I'm on my own. I've got all the series on DVD, but I know the twists now! Wouldn't it be great to see some new ones?
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