the worlds I live in

I'm moving!

2011-03-25T16:26:00.003Z

Sometime over the next few weeks, I will be moving this blog. I am not too sure how to do this.

I have another blog using my most recent e-mail address (I have changed my e-mail lots due to viruses!) and thought it would be a good idea to have my blogs in the same place.

This means that I will post more frequently on this blog, as well as my other blog. There may be a change in the URL though, as I am not sure what I am doing. But this will not take effect for a few weeks yet.

I will keep you updated, and in the meantime, head over to my other blog and have a nosey, if it is your thing.

It is what you make it

2011-03-03T17:20:00.003Z

Not that long ago, I read in my local newspaper about council and health officials wishing to tackle sickness and social deprivation rates. Not long after, I read two articles, in different presses, and they contradicted each other. One was pro recession, saying that it makes us healthier and fitter. The other article was against the recession and the effects of it, saying unemployment and lack of money makes us unhealthier. Sitting on a bus, I overhear two old ladies complaining about health care.

It made me realise a few things. Firstly, we are all too used to being told what to do by people who don't know what they are talking about. I don't think the country needs a government, headed by one or two power hungry men, but we need Anthony Robbins. He would kick us all up the bum. He wouldn't tell us what to do. He would use motivational jargon, make us all think for ourselves and we would work harder for a better society. Or we would remain on our backsides, watching Jeremy Kyle, moaning about society and doing nothing about it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the government is doing that bad a job. You can't please all the people all the time. But, to me at least, it doesn't make sense cutting benefits AND making people unemployed. Unfortunately, it is a long road to recovery, but it appears the government wants it done yesterday.

So we all moan, feel sorry for ourselves, get our welfare cheque, continue to moan and do nothing to improve the situation.

Secondly, although the government is making cuts, it is not stopping free health care. Everyone on UK soil is entitled to free healthcare. Okay, some have to pay money to get a prescription, but in the grand scheme of things, it isn't all bad. Hop over the pond to America, you have to pay for everything.

In the UK you can pay for healthcare, if you wish and can afford to. I have heard that the food is better, and you get a private room. On the NHS, people grumble about the food and you have to share with at least 5 other inmates (I meant patients!). But as it is free, and for those who haven't done a days work in their lives, it is truly free, why complain? As long as you don't come out dead..............

Have you watched V for Vendetta? If not, I highly recommend it. I truly believe that if we don't pull together, start using our own grey matter, take responsibility for ourselves and our off-spring, that V for Vendetta is an accurate prediction of the future.

Printers for writers

2011-02-19T17:38:00.003Z

Much has happened since I last came on here. I know I keep saying that I shall be more regular with my posts, but I think we all know that isn't going to happen now, don't we?

In my non-writer life, which is intimately entwined with my writer life, but is less obvious, I have joined the gym. I hoped that I would get sparks of inspiration as I pounded it out on the treadmill, but I have had no such luck as yet. I am still unemployed, and not earning a penny from any writing.

On the plus side, I completed my first assignment for the Writers Bureau, and I am hoping that my tutor suggests that I should send it in to the publication the article is aimed at. I have a second article for a similar market which I am working on. The novel has had it's first edit. So all is productive in this household.

When printing out my novel for the first edit, I had to buy new ink. Ink is extortionate in price, even with my student discount. So I contemplated buying a new printer. I talked this over with a non-writer friend of mine, who said that she had done the same, bought a new printer rather than new ink. But the ink for the new printer, although cheaper, runs out quicker. This would be no good for a novelist such as myself. So I put it to my writer friends, and there was a huge response. There has been no conclusion as to the best printer, though Hewlett Packard and Kodak seem to be high on the list. The problem is, there is very little information out there for writers, on the best printer, for quality, cost effectiveness and whatever else may be required of it.

So if you have happened on this post, and you are a writer of sorts, and you want an idea, why not write an article on printers for writers? I would be glad to read it.

Happy New Year

2011-01-24T10:57:00.002Z

Happy New Year!

Ok, nearly 1 month too late, but in respect of my last blog post, it is a very new year.

With a new year brings new year resolutions, of which I have none. I find it easier to stick to that way! I am trying to be more active, but that is not a resolution, it is something I had started way before the end of 2010.

But I have noticed that I have not been as productive on the writing front as I should have been. There is an article which has yet to be edited and submitted, and then I can get to work on the rest. The novel is festering on a memory stick. Short stories and fiction friday's are being sadly ignored.

So if I had to have any sort of resolution, it would be to write more. So that is what I shall do, starting with this blog post.

Happy new year, let 2011 be OURS!

The Ice Cream Aisle.

2010-12-03T13:46:00.002Z

This weeks [fiction] Friday prompt is:

Use your response to this song (We Want Your Soul) as inspiration for this weeks flash.

This is not a personal account of a trip to a supermarket. I am sure that you can still buy Neapolitan Ice Cream. This is a fictional event, but the views are very truly mine.

I looked in the freezer at the supermarket. I was out buying food for a dinner party I was having with friends later, and was looking for a frozen desert. I had settled on Ice Cream. Everyone likes ice cream right? So I went to the freezers, and went down the aisle, only to be confronted with an entire aisle full of ice cream.

I walked the length and then back again. I thought I would have one more look. All I wanted was ice cream. A Neapolitan would have done. In fact, it would have been ideal. But could I find it? No. The freezer was stocked full of ice cream made by manufacturers of chocolate bars. There was that funny ice cream which I had never liked, there was a whole section dedicated to Haagen Dazs, but that was okay, very delicious ice cream. But Neapolitan? No. I couldn't even see any bog standard choc ices. You know, the ones made of vanilla ice cream, coated in milk (or dark -yuk!) chocolate. Simple.

So off I went to find a store member. They were bound to know where the Neapolitan was. But when I asked, the lady whom I had found asked me to describe what Neapolitan ice cream was.

So I went home and cancelled the dinner.

It made me realise why so many people are single into their forties, why divorce rates are as high as they are. You wouldn't have thought a trip down the ice cream aisle at the supermarket would give such an insight of life, but it did. For me at least.

The problem is, there is simply too much choice. And the simple pleasures are removed from the shelves. I would love to see some Neapolitan on the shelves, so I can eat it whilst cuddling up to my not-so-perfect (but perfect for me) husband. And our children can play with the not-so-expensive toys. Because life is about being happy.

It's Over

2010-11-29T10:57:00.003Z

Apologies that I didn't update daily. But I thought it very important to come here and let you all know some very exciting news.

At approx. 7.30PM GMT on Saturday 27th November, I popped open the Champagne after completing the NaNoWriMo Challenge.

Honestly, it felt good, but not as good as I had expected. This is probably because I still have a way to go for the Novel to be classed as finished. I reckon there are another 50 thousand or so words left to be written. But it did feel good enough to celebrate.

I can get back to normal, you will hear of articles I am writing for the Writers Bureau Course. You will read a [fiction] Friday story, not based on the NaNovel. My house will not make people call out the police because they think somebody has died. Bills will be paid - on time. My son's homework won't be rushed the night before it is due, because I am not too busy trying to hit the target, after spending the time he was at school procrastinating.

So I am not so much celebrating a finished novel, but more a return to reality. During the first two weeks of NaNo I was thinking 'this is brill! I will write all future novels like this.'

Now I am thinking 'What? You want me to do it again next year? Seriously?'

We have a year to find out. Hopefully, by then I will be in heated debate with several agents and on my way to making my millions..............

As Martin Luther King said 'I Have A Dream'. It may be silly, probably impossible to achieve. But I am enjoying the journey of following it.

I x

Day 26

2010-11-26T16:29:00.001Z

Oh I am completely fed up and tired now. Why did I agree to the NaNo challenge?

Will I make 50k?

Good luck me. And Good luck you!

Day 25

2010-11-25T18:21:00.003Z

Oh yes! Only five more days then it is all over! There is a bottle of champers waiting for me Tuesday night, and I also have my 'Finish Line' winning song.

I will also be meeting up with a fellow Wrimo on Wednesday to celebrate. She deserves to celebrate as she reached 50k early on in the month. I am still doubting that I will make it.

I see it now more like the final mile of a marathon (marathons do work in miles right?). Rather than getting there so fast I am breathless, I am going to pace myself, keep the breathing just right to give me the final burst of energy I need for the last 10k. I will keep my head held high as the finishing line peers into view. I will not look at the other competitors around me, with their word counts plastered across their chests and backs. Instead, I will be blinkered, just stopping here and there for refreshments. And knowing that I will cross the finishing line, if a little achy. I won't be first, but if I take a quick glance over my shoulder, I see others are behind me. Ergo, I won't be last either.

The pinkness (in my world it is pink) of the ribbon, the softness as I raise my arms and feel it's tension across my abdomen, my supporters, cheering that I made it and giving me a towel to wipe my forehead.

That for me will be the success.

So come on all you who wonder how and if you will make it. Pace yourself now, and keep the finishing line in your sights. Only allow yourself one glance over your shoulder to prove that you won't be last. And most of all, celebrate! However long you took to get there, or if you collapse in a breathless heap on the 30th. You deserve some celebration........just for trying.

I x

Nano day 22

2010-11-22T13:32:00.003Z

Okay okay. It has been some days since I last came here to tell you anything of any interest. In fact, I believe last Thursday was my last post. What are you all complaining about? I have probably blogged more this month than all time I have owned this blog!

Well, Nano hasn't been going THAT great to be honest. My word count is up, only I have figured out that something is fundamentally wrong. The whole story. The whole story is fundamentally wrong. I don't know where I want it to end (sequel anyone?) or where it should begin, where the middle is and how the characters get from A to B.

Saying that, I have figured some of the issues out during today's writing session which is only a good thing, but it will mean a hell of a lot of re-writing come the editing stage.

Oh well!

I am now two thirds done of writing it, for the 50k mark anyway. I should be pleased about that!

I x

Nano day 18 - More twists and turns!

2010-11-18T13:55:00.002Z

I didn't think I would make the word count today. I did find it a real struggle. In the end, I decided to use a dice to determine which character I was going to write about for the rest of the words needed.

And I am so glad I did. The dice pointed me in the direction of Grace, who is our protagonist. And she has surprised me in what her plans are, although they aren't that surprising. It will be interesting to see where it will all lead, as it is also an issue which received some press not so long ago.

So I will let Grace do what she feels she has to do. The only problem now is that I don't think I am any where near the end, and that I am only halfway through the middle.

Never mind though. It will all be written eventually, and this is a very steep learning curve for me. But I believe that I can do this. And I will.

How are you doing? I hope you are all doing good.

I x

Nano day 17 - Blown myself away!

2010-11-17T13:20:00.002Z

Wow! Wow and Wow again!

I think I can do it! I believe I read that week 3 is the second week one with all the same enthusiasm and ideas etcetera, and I am beginning to believe it.

I have worked on Jamie's what's and why's as so far he had no real reason to be in the book other than I wanted him there.

If you remember last Fridays [fiction] Friday (if not you can always read it here), then you will know that it also made it into the NaNovel. I have been bringing that together now, getting the characters where they need to be, with little to no effort.

I have had enough of telling them what to do, so I have told them to write the thing, because I don't want to any more. And they are being very nice and making the words appear each day. Lets hope that I can keep it up.

I x

Nano day 16 - Inspiration is coming

2010-11-16T20:23:00.001Z

I have hit the word target again today - though I almost didn't. Now I have a word total of 27096.

Now, nobody shout at me, as shouting doesn't help, but I printed off my manuscript to date of the Novel on Sunday (I think!).

I know, I know. The Inner Editor is supposed to be on holiday for NaNoWriMo. But I felt I didn't know what was happening in my story, and so it has helped.

I have seen all the rubbish in there, that needs to be deleted, but I have also got new perspective!

If it hadn't been for reading the MS, I don't think I would still be making my word count, not without copying the Dictionary any way.

All you other Wrimo's........Keep Going!

I x

Half Way There

2010-11-15T11:52:00.004Z

Well, we are halfway through November, and all Wrimo's should be half way through their novels.

25k is the word count target today.

I came to my desk, full of wonder. I wondered, will I make the word count today?

I wondered, what will I have for lunch?

And most importantly, I wondered, what the hell am I going to write that is remotely based on the novel I am supposed to be writing?

I did make the word count, I don't know what I am having for lunch, and I wrote something which is more than relevant to the novel I am supposed to be writing.

So all in all, an unexpected good morning.

I x

Nano day 14 - And looking forward to editing.

2010-11-14T15:53:00.002Z

Another day, another increase in Novel Word Count!

I wrote in two bursts today, once before lunch, and I was feeling hungry, once after lunch, to finish off, and I was very stuffed and wanting a long, brisk walk instead. I wrote 610 or so words after lunch, and over 1000 before.

This means, that come the ruthless editing stage - which I am looking forward to - I know already that there are over 1000 words to delete, and 610 or so words which are perfectly fine and relevant to the plot. What am I getting at? Eat. If you want to write any thing useful. Otherwise, like me, my characters were slow, sluggish, hungry.

And talking of editing. I am looking forward to this part. Some writers say the planning of the novel is the creative bit, some say it is the writing. I think it is the editing. Okay, I have only edited short stories and essays, and I hated it. But something tells me that this is going to be much different.

Today I have written: 1791 words

Total NWC: 23625

Happy writing!

I x

Nano day 13

2010-11-13T15:59:00.002Z

I really must stop not writing. By that, I don't mean the creative sort, but the note taking sort. LAst night I had many ideas for everything - the blog, the story, what to do next. And today, I have remembered a grand total of 0. Other than that I had the thoughts and didn't note them down!

Oh well, maybe I will learn from my mistake.

Thanks to my son playing out with his friend and a bit of Classical music on the radio, I have now made it to 21834.

Every day, I wonder if this is the last day that I can up my word count, but I always come back to the laptop and type another 1667.

Granted, most of those words are no doubt going to be cut, but I do have the back bone of the story now, and I am now working on the back story and all the other 'important' bits.

So all those other Wrimos out there, keep it up. Not long left now, it will soon be over.

And I have some Champagne waiting for me for when it is.

I x

Fiction Friday #181

2010-11-12T13:14:00.002Z

This weeks [fiction] Friday is rather apt. And I am definitely going to use what I write in my NaNo Novel. However, at this point in time I am not sure who is going to fall victim. So here is this weeks prompt:

Utilise the T.S.O.D - a NaNoWriMo tradition. The rules are simple. In your story, kill someone. With a shovel. Read more F.A.Qs here.

Grace returned home from work. It was her first shift as Supervisor, and she was feeling it. Her feet were sore, as was her back. She hoped that Jamie had done the housework when he had returned from work. She also hoped that he had started tea. She checked her watch, to find that she was running fifteen minutes late.

She tried to call Jamie, but he didn't answer. She didn't bother again. Just continued on her way home. Maybe, had she tried again, she wouldn't have returned home.

As she turned into her road, and up her drive, she noticed something was different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it was the feeling when something so familiar, just isn't so familiar any more. She went to the front door and put her key in the lock. But it wouldn't turn. So she walked to the kitchen door. It was open. No one was in the kitchen. Nothing was on the stove. In fact, there was no sound at all. Nor was there the smell of a cooked dinner.

She tentatively stepped into her kitchen. Nothing. She made her way into the hall, all the time listening out for sounds. Nothing. She peered into the living room. No one. She stood at the foot of the stairs and looked up to the landing. No sign, no light, no noise. She silently crept up the stairs, mentally cursing herself for being so silly. Jamie was probably asleep. At the top of the stairs, she looked towards the bathroom, which was straight in front of her. The door was open, so he obviously wasn't in there. She could see that the door to their bedroom was shut. She walked up to it and put her hand on the door knob, listening for any movement. Thinking that Jamie was asleep on the other side of the door, she turned the knob and opened the door.

She stood still. Her mouth fell open.

No noise.

But there was movement. Silent movement.

Grace knew who it was. It was Jamie. But there was someone else here too. She knew who he was too.

Jamie and Shaun. No noise. Silent movement. Only one would come out alive.

Nano day 11 - Progress!

2010-11-11T14:01:00.003Z

I have hit the heady heights of 18510 words today. Please do not applaud me just yet.

I have reached this point with some support; Had it not been for my very good friend Kathryn, or Write or Die I am not sure I would have made it.

And I have started reading No Plot? No Problem which, although seems more geared towards the run up to NaNoWriMo, seems to be useful.

I started writing this blog post at 2pm. it is now 9:49pm. Both phone lines and Internet have been down.

Now I have both internet and phone back.

So on that stilted yet complete note......

Tomorrow, I will post my [fiction] Friday, but no NaNo progress.

Happy Writing!

I x

Nano day 10

2010-11-10T20:22:00.001Z

I did it!!!! I have reached and caught up with my word count! I have, in fact exceeded it by about 150 words! Now I have written 17021 words!

So, I am happy.

That is all.

I x

Nano day 9

2010-11-09T20:51:00.002Z

I am not creeping past the finishing line any more, but I hope to change that by the end of this week. But I have made good progress tonight.

I have reached 13071 words, which is a start, but I am aware that I am nowhere near caught up with my word count. I am shutting down the laptop tonight with a mixture of relief, excitement and guilt.

I could continue writing. I have noted the next scene that I am to write tomorrow. It is a very good scene. And had I carried on writing this evening, I would have made a nice big dent in the catch up word count.

But I realised, no matter how much I wrote tonight, unless I hit 50k, I would still need to write a minimum of 1667 words tomorrow.

I hear you shout 'But you are a writer! Even when you hit 50k, you should be adding to the word count every day!' And I am in total agreement.

This is where being unpublished becomes a joy. During NaNoWriMo I have a deadline of 50k words by midnight on 30th November. Come December, the only deadlines I have are my own. And I can be a very flexible boss.

So until tomorrow.

I x

All is lost

2010-11-08T13:58:00.002Z

For most, today is day 8 of NaNo. For me, it is day 6. Yes, I have lost 2 days. That is 2 days that I shall never recover. As a result, I am 2 days' worth of word count behind. Not good.

Today so far (in fact, just today) I have written 1283 words. According to the NaNo website, at this rate I will finish the book on December 18. That's no good. November is NaNo, not December!

So, I haven't even caught up with a days writing as yet. In 20 minutes I will be shutting down for the day. Tomorrow I am at college. So all is lost. All because of a wedding. At the other end of the country. Which I didn't want to go to any way!!

Happy writing!

I x

The Silver Glass

2010-11-05T11:32:00.003Z

Okay, so it has been a while since I have participated in [fiction] Friday. As I always say, when I participate one week, I hope that I will be participating each week. I will make the extra effort.

This weeks prompt is: Your Main Character picks a sliver of glass from their sleeve and gravely inspects it........

As I am participating in NaNoWriMo, I am going to use my main character - Grace - from Shaun's Children. Who knows? This piece of FF may end up in the novel! Here goes nothing....

It had been scratchy for a while. Grace rolled up her sleeve to find what was irritating her forearm, and was shocked to find a sliver of glass. She looked at it, it was a very significant colour. It wasn't your standard clear glass, nor the usual pinks, purples and greens that you may find. This piece had a shine to it, like silver. She looked closely, and saw that something had been etched into it. It was difficult to make out what it said in the dim light, but it looked like her name. She had only been dozing for half an hour. It was a mystery as to how a piece of glass had come to be up her sleeve.

Jamie saw Grace looking at the glass. He smiled, knowing that Mary would be pleased with his efforts. She had told him to look after Grace, meaning to make sure Grace behaved and did what they wanted. HE was told to scare Grace into moving back up to the Midlands, so that sthey could be closer. Jamie wasn't sure that Grace would be scared into moving up north, but he hoped that she was getting freaked out enough to move out of her current accommodation. HE and Mary just had to keep coming up with new ideas to keep the pressure on.

Finding day 4 difficult

2010-11-04T19:49:00.002Z

Today is proving difficult. I seem to have a problem with putting the thoughts and words in my head down on paper (or rather on a screen). I then thought that I would introduce Jamie, which would mean jumping ahead a bit in the book (not to worry, I can tie up the loose ends later) and realised that I am not even sure that Jamie can be in the book any more. I so want him to.

But writing this I realise what an idiot I am. NaNoWriMo is about quantity, not quality. So I think I will go and write him in :)

NaNoWriMo 2010 has started

2010-11-03T17:43:00.002Z

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is now upon us, and 100's of 1000's of budding authors are writing their novels.

I am one of them. Shauns Children is being written, and it will make it to 50,000 words.

I was encouraged the other day by my fiance, when he said that this time next year I could have a book on the shelves (yeah right!), but I realised that I am not writing this for anyone else. Whether it will ever be put to a publisher, I don't know, but I am writing it as it is a story that needs to be written. But I find it odd that, a story that needs to be written, changes. So far, the only consistency between the original idea and plan is that I have two characters called Grace and Shaun, their baby was murdered (by Shaun) and Shaun is in prison. Other than that, everything else is different. For a start, Shaun is an abusive alcoholic, his mother as psychotic as him, and Grace flees to her mothers house.

This poses a problem. Where will Jamie fit in all of this? The sub-plot will fall flat on it's face if Jamie is not originally introduced to Grace as a Spy.

I suppose it is not my story to tell. It is Graces. And I will listen to her, and help her find the solutions to the many problems she faces now, and will face in the future.

So 3 days into NaNoWriMo and I am pretty happy with the progress so far. And with any luck, there will be 50,000 words to edit in December.

As for my fellow writers, participating in NaNoWriMo or not, I hope you have as productive a time as me.

Until next time,

I x

Having a good time

2010-10-26T14:45:00.004+01:00

I have been away for a mini break. Which was just what I needed and I feel so much better for it. Half term is upon us now, and the weather is dull and depressing. So we are cooped up indoors, and little five year old's do not like being cooped up!

I know it has been a while since I have posted. Not had much to say to be honest. Nothing of interest any way. And I have been missing the fiction Fridays, simply because I have been too busy to participate on a Friday. Every week I endeavour to take part, but as yet it doesn't happen.

I received my first assignment back from my tutor. She seemed pleased with my work. Of course, there are improvements to be made, but she says I 'very much can' write. This has pleased me! Now I just need to get the second assignment written and sent off. Hopefully I will get the first draft written this week.

On my trip we visited a place called Avebury, which is the most beautiful place that I have ever visited! Anyone in the South of England, near the Salisbury Plains should visit there. It is a very quaint and traditional English village, with a beautiful pub with a thatch roof. There are the stones at Avebury which is what led me there in the first place, but I shall be visiting again. Maybe I will even set a story there. We will see. Highly recommended for sightseeing!

Until next time -Friday I hope.

Progress!

2010-10-04T14:14:00.003+01:00

I can finally say I have done something productive!! I have completed an assignment for my Writers Bureau Course and it is going to be posted this week! I need to buy some envelopes, as the ones I have are a teensy bit too small.

But it is sitting in what is going to be my 'OUT' tray waiting for it's cosy, snug envelope to transport it to wherever I am sending it.

Not a big success I know. But for me, this is worth celebrating. I just need to work on my article now. Maybe I will have a nosey at my triond. I am sure I will find one in there worthy of being resuscitated.

Next month is NaNoWriMo, and I must admit, I am nervous, what with doing the WB course and the Accounts course and being a human being in between. It is going to be tough I think, but I need to do it. I will have to read a blog I saw today about preparing for NaNoWriMo.

Thats all folks! I hope you are as happy for me as I am.

The fairies are back off strike

2010-09-30T10:38:00.003+01:00

So I have just got off the phone to my fiance, whom I am meeting for lunch today. To meet him for lunch, I have to get leave the house at 11:30 and I will not be home before 13:00. My son finishes school at 3:15, and I leave the house at 2:30 to pick him up. On a Tuesday I am not at home either. On a Sunday I am busy with family commitments, and Saturday I am busy with spending time with Dylan. Friday and Saturday evenings, Thursday lunchtimes, and 1 hour before and after college on a Tuesday are for my fiance.

Did I mention that I am a student, writer, mother, housewife and fiance on top of that?

So my fiance asks me if I want a chat. YES! BECAUSE THE FAIRIES ARE BACK OFF STRIKE!!!

Come on ladies. Do men think that they are the centre of our universe? That we have nothing better to do?

Now if I wasn't seeing him later, then I would have stopped and chatted! Yes, it is sweet that he wants to speak to me, but I have dumped men before now for being so clingy. I belong to me, I am my own woman, and no, you are not the most important thing to me Mr! Yes, you are important, but you are a big boy now capable of entertaining yourself. Also you are given 13 hours to do your job uninterrupted, I am given 6 for mine. So I won't talk to you now if that is all right with you.

Maybe I am feeling a little stressed, and coming on here and ranting is not doing me much favour as I am not doing the cleaning.

But I have done the (albeit unprofitable) writing. So that is one thing that can be crossed off then!

Another [fiction] Friday!

2010-09-10T14:13:00.002+01:00

I had no idea what to write for this one, and as time is short (Yes I should have left it until later) I couldn't get my 'idea box' out. Any way, I have used all three words, and know the meaning of none. I am hoping that once I check them in a dictionary, the story may be somewhat amusing!

Use one or more of these words in your story (but resist the temptation to look them up first!)

Periapt

Vilipend

Embrangle

Sarah sat thinking. It was very dark outside, and she still had lots to do. She checked the clocked, which was fast anyway. It was heading towards midnight. The deadline was for tomorrow. So in approximately half an hour, she would have missed the deadline.

The numbers jumped about in front of her eyes, and the coffee didn't seem to have any effect. She reached for more coffee. She could hear the telly blaring in the front room, and the soft whisper of her husband Dave's snores. He had said he would wait for her.

'How periapt!' she cursed under her breath.

Sarah walked to the telly and switched it off. This seemed to disturb Dave's sleep as he moved about vilipend. Sarah stormed back to her study and tried to make heads of the figures. She knew that there would be an embrangle if she didn't succeed.

THE END

Frustration!

2010-09-08T18:06:00.003+01:00

So, the new start has begun, and far from the ultra-productive couple of days I had envisaged, I have filled my days with the 'not so important stuff' and booking appointments for things that I don't really need. This means I am away from darling Annabel (My laptop!) all the time. As I don't do long-hand, this poses a problem. And after spending an entire day in the City Centre, I am feeling thoroughly frustrated.

I know, it is my fault. No one put strings on me and made me go. I have been trying to convince myself it is all in the name of 'experiencing things to write about'. So my experiences have concluded that having your eyebrows waxed hurts a little bit more everytime you go (Maybe this will be a useful snippet for a female character??), having your hair cut on a Wednesday in the Market means that you will talk about 'old people stuff', such as pensions and hip replacements, and who has been unlucky enough to have a fall this week.

Tomorrow, I am rambling off to the City Centre yet again, this time for a 15 minute makeover - free may I add - with the clinique consultant at Boots. Then I am meeting my fiance for lunch. So tomorrow is probably going to be just as un-productive as today.

I did do some market research in WH Smiths though, so not a complete waste.

A new start

2010-09-04T19:33:00.002+01:00

The schools in my part of the country return this coming Tuesday. I can honestly say that I have got little writing done over the past couple of months. And a week on Tuesday I start college to study AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. But my course is only one day a week (plus whatever homework) but my son is at school 5 days a week. Bliss!

After receiving my copy of Writing Magazine today, I was inspired by Lynne Hackles's Novel Ideas column. She talked about writing a weekly to-do list in a notebook. She then mentioned another person who puts this on her blog. And I thought 'what an idea!'. With the start of the new academic year, I feel full of enthusiasm and hope to achieve more. I have let my Writers Bureau course slip by the wayside, and I intend to pick this up on Tuesday. As for my own writing (that is not dictated by the course) I am joining NaNoWriMo this year, so by December I hope to have an almost complete first draft! I am going to buy the book No Plot? No Problem! although I have the idea, I thought it might be useful.

So I will be back in just over a week, lets see if it works!

The Landlord Says Your Rent Is Late

2010-08-06T17:23:00.003+01:00

The prompt for this weeks [fiction] Friday is:

Strains of Bobby McFerrin's 'Don't Worry, Be Happy' floated into the room.

The Landlord Says Your Rent Is Late.

It had been a tough couple of months. Jason had been made redundant, like many others in his company, and in the country. Apparently, the recession was practically worldwide. But Jason felt like the only one struggling to cope.

He picked up the post off the doormat. There was a letter from his mortgage company. He put it with the other un-opened letters from the mortgage company. He made his way into the living room and sat in his sofa. That would be taken from him. Since losing his job, he hadn't been making any payments on it. Then there was the Council Tax arrears, mortgage arrears, the repayments on the car, the repayments on the secured loan. The list was endless.

With restored courage, he got up and walked to the kettle. He decided he was going to take control of the situation. He switched the radio on.

'The landlord says your rent is late; He may have to litigate; Don't Worry, Be Happy' Bobby sang.

Jason smiled. It was all right for him, not worrying and being happy. He was getting payed royalties every time his song was played. But the song always lifted Jason, made him feel on top of life, the world. He picked up the un-opened letters and sat down, opening each one, listening to Bobby, and realising it wasn't that bad, after all.

2010-07-24T15:06:00.002+01:00

Well, it seems a whole week has passed since I last posted on here. Fear not! I have not dropped off the end of the earth. More like I have been poorly sick, so have had no desire, energy or motivation to do anything.

So I thought it would be good to post. Yes, I know I missed yesterday's [fiction] Friday, and I am a bit miffed about that. But my brain was pretty much mush, so I decided against it.

As a member of a writing community, I have been told off for not working on my novel. Now I can do one of two things. I can up my word count on my meter and not actually write, to please people but have nothing to show for it, or actually write the damned thing! I can honestly say, that my characters won't leave me alone until their story is written. I intend to do the second one.

NaNoWriMo is nearly upon us again. Okay, so there are still a few months left, but maybe I should use the time to re-plan said novel? Maybe......

As for the article I am 'writing'. Well, PAH! I have lost all desire to write it. The original idea is still there, but I am thinking maybe the only way to deal with it is to go out of my comfort zone. Writing for a magazine I am familiar with makes me feel 'not good enough'. If I go for a magazine I wouldn't even look at twice, maybe I will think the writers are utter tosh and I can write better when I have had one too many glasses of wine. Or maybe I will think the writers are absolutely fabulous, and I want to bow down at their feet and waft them on hot, sunny days.

Either way, going out of my comfort zone may be the only way to deal with this not-so-sudden fear of not being good enough.

I am now going to make a public promise. This week, I will send off my first assignment. I only have a bit of editing to do. And it will be ready by Friday. I am expecting too much of myself, and I have no-one to tell me that it is, in fact, not that bad!

So, that is it! That is a weeks catch up in one blog post! Either I am incredibly boring, or.............

St. Swithun's Day

2010-07-17T16:34:00.003+01:00

St. Swithun's (or Swithin's or Swithen's....however you want to spell it!) day was yesterday, I know, but with it being [fiction] Friday, I thought I wouldn't harrass you with two posts!

So, St. Swithun's day* has been and gone. What was the weather like where you are? Here in my part of Staffordshire it was rain pretty much all day long. The legend of St. Swithun's says that whatever the weather on the day, is the weather you will get for the next forty days.

Today, it was bright in the morning, and I took my son to football practice where it remained dry for forty-five minutes. Then we had drizzle and it has stopped. Yes, we have had rain but it didn't last all day long.

I wonder, are we going to have rain every day now, if only for half an hour? Or is it supposed to be the same as it was yesterday?

Every country in the world has folklore of some sort, and it got me wondering. Does the folklore only apply to that country? For instance, is it also true that in somewhere like India, they are going to have the same weather for forty days because of our legend of St. Swithun's? The only legend I can think of that has passed from one country to another is Groundhog Day.

I am sure that for every day of the year, in every country in the world, there is a legend to be told, a tradition to be held.

What is your favourite?

*May not apply to countries outside the UK.

Where is Janet?

2010-07-16T11:38:00.003+01:00

This weeks [fiction] Friday is, for me at least, a tough one. I am going to give it a go anyway, lets just see what happens!

Now that I have written it, I am pretty confident that it is the most awful story that I have ever written, at least since the age of 8. So go easy on me.

This weeks prompt is: Use a McGuffin in your story (an object or person in a movie that has no use other than to drive the narrative forward - Alfred Hitchcock)

Mark squirmed. The interrogation seemed to last forever, and his cuts and bruises were making him dizzy with pain.

"Tell me where to find her!" The aggressor said.

Mark avoided eye contact. He mumbled something which was inaudible to the aggressor. The aggressor raised a hand and smacked MArk across the cheek.

"You won't get anything from me you....." Mark spat out some blood which entered his mouth from his cut lip.

The aggressor leaned in to Mark.

"Things will be so much worse if you don't tell me where she is. But you are not stupid. Give her up now, and all this will end."

The dark warehouse looked gloomy despite the sun shining in through the cracks in the high ceiling, and the dusty windows left an odd smell in the air. Mark caught a glimpse of something out the corner of his eye. It made sweat trickle on his forehead. It was what made him realise that he aggressor did mean business. Janet must know something really important, Mark thought, for guys with guns to kidnap and torture. Knowing that death was really on the agenda, Mark decided to co-operate.

2010-07-15T19:44:00.003+01:00

I'm house proud, I'll admit. Though you wouldn't think it to look at the mess. I always need cleaning to de-stress, which I will also admit, I have had a lot of over the past month.

As a writer, I have been advised to write what I know. This includes personal experiences. I have since learned that a period of time has to elapse, to remove the stress and see the story within the experience.

Stress is not a nice thing. It gets in the way of writing. It gets in the way of life, sometimes by taking life from the sufferer. But I sometimes wonder if it is all worth it? Getting stressed that is. I am a stress-head. I thrive of having to get things done. And nothing gets me more than a messy, untidy house. More advice given to me is that when the dreaded writer's block strikes, doing something mundane can help. Housework is mundane. Writers also procrastinate a lot. So does this mean that writers have cleaner houses?

I used to watch the programme 'How Clean Is Your House', and they had an artist on there, but not a writer.

So I conclude, us writers may not be writers after all, as we seem to find other things to do, and never get down to what it is we are supposed to be doing. Writing.

So what are you still doing here? Is there not something else you need to be doing?

Don't forget, tomorrow is [fiction] Friday. It looks a bit of a challenge. So come back and see if I rose to the challenge or not!

2010-07-12T18:37:00.002+01:00

The rest of my course has arrived today, which has made me really happy! I cannot wait to get going with it. I have a choice of what to choose first, non-fiction or fiction. Surprisingly, or maybe not, I am going to choose non-fiction. I have decided on this option as I think it is the one that may pay the bills whilst I work on short stories or my novels.

Today, I have gone through my [fiction] Friday entries and I am using some of them to develop them further.

The Summer Holidays are nearly upon us, and we are having leaflets being shoved under our noses for Summer Clubs. Today I got another one, which wants a mere £17 a day. You can pick to have a half day at £9.50. The price for this one is extortionate. But where else to get good quality day care during the holidays, other than with expensive nurseries or childminders.

Another thing the Summer Holidays brings is expensive holidays. A friend of mine was telling me how she is going for a 4 night stay at a holiday park and it is costing £299 and that is with a discount. Should she have chosen the same holiday in the 3rd week of September, it would cost her a mere £49. I do not understand why holiday providers feel the need to charge what must be over the odds during the Summer Holidays. Are most the people who holiday parents and so this is the only way they can survive the whole year?

How to survive the six weeks is a question asked every year by parents, yet although the answer is ever elusive, there is not an increase in deaths during the period. Though I reckon the number of people admitted to Mental Hospitals increases ten-fold.

A Job for Life?

2010-07-11T21:43:00.002+01:00

When I think of writer, I think of a freelancer. As that is what most writers are. The exception are those who have book deals. But even then, that only lasts for a few books, except for the lucky few. And in the recession which we are apparently crawling out of, jobs for life would be very useful. So I got to thinking, is writing a job for life?

They say there is no such thing as a job for life, but I disagree. Doctors, nurses, people who deal with food from production to sale, firemen and police men, anything to do with sanitation, All of these are jobs for life. They are such because they meet the most basic needs of survival and health. So where is a writer? We are told that two things which are really important are the ability to read and write. But how many people read for pleasure, or write to a penpal? Those letters and bills that come through the letter box are not painstakingly created by a writer, but quickly typed up by a secretary or receptionist or an office junior. Writers can now readily write for the internet, but with so many pieces cropping up everywhere, is the writer world too big for another writer?

So is there a future for writers? Will our work still be read and worth reading by the time it reaches print? Or should we form a union which demands only writers can send demand letters and inform customers that their account is now due?

I don't for one minute think that the end is nigh for writers, but in several hundred years time, will writers still walk the earth, or will we be as extinct as the Dodo?

Assignment One is proving difficult

2010-07-10T18:39:00.005+01:00

Well, it has to be said. I have started the course, and I am already stuck. Not necessarily how to write, but finding material to write about. Living in a village with no transport (me that is, not the village) it is difficult to find somewhere interesting enough without bankrupting me in the process. I have finally come up with an idea, but already doubting it would be classed as 'interesting' for the 'pretend readers' I am writing it for! I think I am being too impatient.

On the plus side, taking the old advice of 'write what you know', I found myself and my fiance discussing a situation we have found ourselves in lately. There is a lot of conflict there, between people and amongst ourselves. So I thought that there must be a story in there somewhere and started discussing the possibility with my fiance. He didn't seem to impressed when I told him that I would probably write him as the 'bad guy', but it was the truth. And my mind has been working overtime on the idea. Many have been discarded as unbelievable, or unable to hold more than a page. But I am sure something would work eventually.

Also, the story I wrote for [fiction] Friday yesterday may be used. A fellow writer has his own blog (http://thrillskillsnchills.blogspot.com) and I think that it would be a very good candidate. Obviously with some editing and developing, and I think I may even change the title.

So it is not all struggles. Learning to be a writer is a lot of fun, and with practice it will all become easier. I just need to stop being so afraid of being nosey!

The Fate of the Other Side of the Coin

2010-07-09T14:13:00.002+01:00

The prompt for this weeks [fiction] Friday: In her right hand a woman holds a loaded gun, in her left, a coin that just came up 'tails'.......

She didn't know how that would work. Surely heads would have been a better way to land. She looked to her left and saw the man sitting naked on the chair, with his hands tied up and his legs tied to the chairs.

"This is going to be interesting." The woman moved towards the man, thinking up possibilities of making it much easier.

The door to the garage opened and in came another man.

"Hello Susie. Did you take my advice with the coin?" He asked.

"HA! What a stupid idea that was Dave. I did take the advice, and it came up tails!"

"Well, you know what to do."

"Or maybe it is a sign that we shouldn't go through with this. I mean, it could end up really messy if we go with your half-wit idea!"

Dave took a step towards Susie, reaching out for her gun.

"Susie, if you don't want to do it, then I will. It will most certainly be messy if we don't go through with it."

Susie let Dave relieve her of the heavy gun in her hand. She stepped away and watched as he walked to the man tied up on the chair. The man was naked except for a pair of polka dot boxers.

"Stand up and lean forward." Dave ordered the man, who obliged without a fight.

Dave pulled the mans boxers down, and aimed the gun up the backside. Susie closed her eyes, waiting for the unmistakable sound of a gun blast.

The Randomness of the lack of Organisation.....or something to that effect

2010-07-08T19:21:00.002+01:00

I have just been thinking about this post, and have decided now that in future I am actually going to plan what to write in my blog. This will mean, of course, that the blog will probably only be updated a couple of times a week. Maybe I will fit in more updates, but lets not get carried away.

Last month I mentioned organising my writing time, just like a fellow writer. It seems my fellow writer has had some success, using lists. I love lists. Lists let my mind be free, as what needs to be done is down on paper. I make lists in my head a lot, and making a list on paper is at the end of that list. Or there is something more pressing, like a book to read, a TV programme to watch, a computer game to play.

But not any more. I will list everything. I managed to list things to do today, but when I wrote the list, I had done most of the things.

The module I have just completed for my writing course deals with organising yourself and your writing. I have taken it on board. It is time to put it into practice.

So today, my blog has probably been pointless, except to say that I have written it as promised. And tomorrow is [fiction] Friday, and that is going on my list, else I will forget. And if you are exceptionally bored, or trying to find something to aid in your procrastination, count how many times I have said the word 'list' in this post. No prizes I am afraid, as this is a free to enter 'competition'. It is more for fun.

Tomorrow, module 3 will be studied, and then I have my first assignment, which doesn't seem much, except a 'get to know you and why you want to write' thing. I will let you know if I pass!

Wannabe Writer

2010-07-07T20:56:00.002+01:00

It has been too long and too frustrating. Writing is a career that I should pursue, but I am still unsuccessful. So I have embarked on a writing course. I shall not say who is the provider of the course as this is not an advertorial, but it has been described more of a self-improvement course than a qualification. But that is fine by me. I want to be published, I want to earn a living from my writing.

I want to earn a living so much from my writing, that I have knocked the bar down a little. At first, it was to write a novel, and that only. Then short stories and a novel and nothing else. Now I am interested in anything related to writing that will pay whilst I get that novel written! You never know, I may find I prefer another area of writing anyway! So I will write here daily, or at the least weekly, with progress reports, thoughts and feelings. And I will take part in fiction friday!

So, with this in mind, I am off to study the module. Wish me luck, and with any luck I will be sharing writing success with you all before you know it.

Thanks to a friend of mine.

2010-06-14T18:56:00.002+01:00

I wouldn't say it is thanks to a friend of mine, more of an internet pal whom I have exchanged a few comments and looked at her blog. But thanks anyway to said 'friend' for unknowingly giving me the kick up the back side I didn't know I needed. She didn't do it for my benefit, nor the benefit of anyone else. More so, for her own benefit. But she has left some footprints and I am treading in them hoping to achieve something.

I need goals. Something I have known for a long time is that I am a goal orientated sort of person. I need something to aim for. For the past two years I have not had a 'proper' job. I thought I would follow my dream of becoming a writer. Of course, I was naive and I have a lot to learn. Then life happened.

Things got in the way. I was too tired, too stressed, too bored, too busy to write. I have thought about writing. I have developed my novel in my head - just not on paper! Or the screen.

So this is the year where things change! I have already approached a few people about writing freelance articles. I now have work to do this week to get me those jobs! They will (hopefully!) make me some money to put towards the bills whilst I try and break into the brilliant world of fiction writing. I can all but try!

And there will be some goals in my personal life, like being a better lover/mother/slave. The ironing will be done on a Sunday, and my Fiance will never have to iron his own shirts again. I may even get a 'proper' job. But if I get the freelance work, I may be able to convince him indoors that I am finally doing a job I love and that it is, in fact, paying the bills.

The only problem is, as a list sort of person, I need to write this 'to-do' on my list and I will never get to the point where it is next on my list. But I do have a long bus journey ahead of me tomorrow. Maybe I will utilise the time with pen and paper. Stuff the travel sickness. I'll just eat a whole pack of Polo's.

So once again, thanks dear friend. I consider my backside truly kicked!

The Missing Cheque Book

2009-11-06T14:34:00.003Z

This weeks [fiction] Friday prompt is "A man ducks into a dress shop to escape a sudden downpour and finds himself in the middle of a heated debate between employees.

"It disappeared when you were on shift. Alone." The man said to the woman

"It could have gone missing at changeover though!"The woman replied

"Sarah, only you had access to the safe that day. So it couldn't have been Simon!"

The door opened and a man stepped in. The rain was bouncing off the ground outside, and the street looked like it was beginning to flood. The man, despite wearing a rain mac looked rather wet.

"But what would I need a cheque book for Adam? I have my own. I know that you pay me peanuts, but I do live within my means!" Sarah was fuming now, and oblivious to the customer who had just entered.

"I think you have more important things to worry about!" Adam said.

"Like what? Keeping my job?"

"Yes, that would be a good place to start."

"But it sounds as if you have made your mind up about that day, and therefore I needn't worry."

"You still have a job at the moment Sarah, but you won't if you don't do your job properly!" Adam indicated towards the man who had recently entered the shop.

The man just stood there looking at Adam and Sarah. Sarah turned around and looked flustered.

"Can I help you sir?"

The man still stood there, and replied "No, I just came in to get out of the rain."

"To my office Sarah. There are things that need to be clarified."

THE END

2009-10-15T17:44:00.002+01:00

Started editing my short story today! Have asked my fiance to help more round the house. I really need to get on top of things, as my writing is falling by the wayside. I want to finish my novel sooner rather than later and I need to start organising my writing stuff. Time to get a ring binder out I think.

Well, lets hope that the story I am editing will be good enough to be published.

Look out tomorrow for my [fiction] Friday story. And if you like my little stories head over to https://www.triond.com/users/IngridSengerPerkins

Things are going well.

2009-10-13T19:11:00.001+01:00

Well, Triond seems to be doing ok. Regular advertising seems to get my views up, and I am finding it fun writing articles. I have started my short story about the man with no jaw, and 'Shauns Children' is 868 words short now! I am also looking at an old short story I wrote for a WoMag last year, and it looks like with a bit of tweaking I might have some luck with getting it published. Here's hoping!

Robin Hood: Hungry for Blood

2009-10-09T20:52:00.003+01:00

This weeks theme for [fiction] Friday is: 'Pick your favourite Movie Monster and give it a makeover'.

Robin Hood: Hungry for Blood

When the sun goes to bed, a certain someone wakes up. Thirsty and hungry, he starts to roam the streets. He keeps his ears pricked for the sounds of danger. He is ready to run. Or fly. He is a vampire called Troy.

It is not long after Troy wakes up on a cold autumn evening that he hears the first sound of distress. Ears pricked, he can hear that he is not far away from the scene. A woman is screaming for help. Troy runs in the direction of the screams, jumping up fences and over hedges. He stands at the end of a dark alleyway. Here is where he sees a dark figure, with a long black raincoat. Judging by the size and build of the figure, it is a man. He can still here the woman screaming, and he can see that the figure is having a struggle. Troy edges closer, and in the dimness of the street lights, he can see that the man appears naked apart from a pair of Doctor Martins.

He waits. The timing is important. Without it, things could go horribly wrong. The man pushes the woman to the floor. He has his hand clasped over her mouth, yet she is still trying to scream. When both of them are on the floor, the man is on top. It looks like the woman will not escape. Troy see his chance.

Troy jumps on the man, pulling his hair. A struggle ensues, and Troy thinks that this might not go to plan. The woman breaks free as the men struggle and runs away. Troy is glad that it has helped. But it has not satisfied his hunger.

Shaun's Children

2009-10-08T11:26:00.003+01:00

Sorry for not posting yesterday. I will not post twice today. Just the once.

By the time I found time to blog, I was too tired. This is probably to do with the fact that I had been kept awake by 'Shaun's Children'. I was worrying about the characters, the plot, the voice, the narrative, the style, the scenes. You name it, I was worrying about it. When I eventually got to sleep it was 2 a.m. So I did not wake feeling refreshed, and went to sleep very quickly last night. I have decided to just write the damned thing. Then I can worry. However, I have had a few tips and I will be using them.

My work is awaiting, and I need to push along. Until tomorrow, speak soon.

P.S. Do not forget that tomorrow is [fiction] Friday!

Fantasy

2009-10-06T16:19:00.003+01:00

I have had some interesting thoughts today, brought on by a spontaneous walk along the tracks. I wandered further than normal, had a sense of unease, and there was nothing but farmland all around me. I was alone, except for a few sheep, cows and horse. I turned around to walk back and pick my son up from school. It was then I met a man. He was chatting on the phone. We both smiled an acknowledgement, but we both carried on walking. I then imagined a woman, walking along the same track, meeting the same man who was on the phone. The man quickly said bye to the person on the phone, then passionately kissing the woman, then making mad, passionate love in the overgrowth. After, they both said goodbye and went their separate ways, as if nothing had happened.

That was the end of my fantasies.

After picking my son up from school, we got the bus home as usual, and the man I had met on the tracks was on the bus, then got off a stop earlier than me.

Oh, but it did make me smile!

New Week

2009-10-05T09:48:00.002+01:00

Welcome to a fresh new week! I am excited about this week. I will start on my novel this week, and after having a very weird dream about it over the weekend, I am looking forward to integrating the dream into the story. I have had some positive feedback on my idea for the novel also. More articles will be put on Triond. Hopefully get the first draft of my short story written this week too. So all in all a very productive week!

I hope.

The Assailants

2009-10-03T17:38:00.005+01:00

This is the story that I would have submitted to Write Invite, but for some reason, despite sufficient funds, it would not accept my payment. There was a category on there that I really wanted to write for, so I have written it on here instead.
Enjoy!

The Assailants

The darkness enveloped Shane and Julie, as they grasped each others hands. They could still hear the faint screams of the people they were leaving behind, and the shouts of the men.

"We have gotta get out of here!" Julie whispered. Shane shushed her, for fear of being heard.

They walked, each holding out their free hand to feel for objects that may obstruct their path, or maybe a doorway. There was some light shining through a distance away, though it did not help them to see. Julie wiped at her face, where a dribble of blood from the cut on her temple had trickled. Her heart was beating so fast she thought that maybe she would have a heart attack any moment. Shane tugged on her arm. She fell sideways to the floor. Shane put his finger to her lips.

"Sssshhh. Listen." The two sat in silence. The floor was wet. Julie could hear footsteps.

A sound reverberated around the walls. It was probably a gunshot. Somebody far away let out a scream, which also echoed. They could hear the men talking. Russian perhaps, or maybe Slovakian. Neither Julie or Shane understood their motives. They weren't Bankers or belonging to any financial institution. They also weren't in Pharmaceuticals. Nothing that would bring the assailants money or drugs. So why had they decided to kidnap a group of people who worked in a corner shop?

Silence. No sound at all. No screams, no gunshots. Just the sound of breathing. Shane's breathing seemed to be laboured. He had been hit in the chest. But it sounded worse than a thump in the chest. Julie pulled Shane's arm, but he didn't get to his feet. She pulled again. He still didn't move. She knelt next to him, and his breathing was quieter, and sounded shallow.

"Shane?" No response. "Shane, wake up. We have got to go. They have gone'

It was only then that Julie was aware of sounds behind her. Footsteps, that unfamiliar language. Something hard in her back, someone's hands grabbing her hair, and yanking her head back.

"Shane, wake up. You have got to get out of this place."Julie was dragged away.

Another sound. A gunshot. Then all was quiet. No-one screamed. No more foreign voices. Just silence.

Another Week has passed

2009-10-03T10:32:00.003+01:00

Well another week has gone by. I have been rather productive with regards to writing. The first three scenes of my novel are drafted, I have the character outlines for my short story and I have quite a few articles on Triond (See link at bottom of the page for another one!)

As it is Saturday, I will be partaking in the Write Invite competition again tonight. Maybe I will submit the stories that don't win to Triond? Or would you prefer them here? I suppose I could submit in both places!

Until Monday! Have a good weekend

http://writinghood.com/writing/winners-never-quit/

The Death of Mr Bridge

2009-10-02T13:03:00.003+01:00

The prompt for this weeks [fiction]Friday is : 'You wake covered in blood, clutching a diamond earring and no memory of the night before'. This is my first [fiction] Friday in months! I hope you like it.

The Death of Mr Bridge

Sam looked down at the earring in her hand. It was diamond, yet she had no idea whose it was. She certainly didn't own any diamond jewellery. The blood covering her clothes shocked her even more. How did it get there? She looked around the hotel room. There was no sign of her husband. Maybe he had gone for a walk along the beach, or swimming in the hotel pool.

She showered and dressed, when something odd stood out. All of John's clothes were still here, there was no new dirty clothing, and he hadn't got into any clean clothes. She looked at the earring which was sitting on the dressing table. It was a man's earring judging by the size and shape of it.

Had John found out about Vincent? If he had, he must have headed home angry. Sam quickly checked the drawer and saw that John's passport was still here.

A knock at the door made Sam jump. She called for them to come in, expecting Room Service or Housekeeping. Instead, a burly policeman entered, speaking stilted english.

"You Mrs Bridge?"

"Yes," Sam nodded "Is there a problem?"

"You have husband James Bridge?" the policeman asked. Sam nodded. "Husband James Bridge dead. He at police station. You must come now." Sam followed the policeman out the hotel.

She wondered what had happened. Is this why she was covered in blood?

Lost my [fiction] Friday Link!

2009-10-01T18:06:00.002+01:00

I can't believe it! I cannot remember how to join in [fiction] Friday! I have e-mailed the people there but with no luck as to a response so far! I will still write a [fiction] Friday story as I can still see what the weekly prompt is, and you guys may have something interesting to read :)

If anyone has the link to the page where I submit my [fiction] Friday URL please comment!

Thanks everyone and see you tomorrow!

Pink-Toed Tarantula

2009-10-01T13:23:00.001+01:00

Pink-Toed Tarantula

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New Article

2009-09-29T20:24:00.001+01:00

I have a new article out there on the WorldWide Web.

Please note that although I am writing these, I am seeing them as a bit of practice.

Find the newest one at http://webupon.com/web-talk/espn360/

I have been published!

2009-09-27T20:44:00.001+01:00

I have been published on the web! I wrote the article, and someone else published it for me! So happy for this small success. Find the article at: http://socyberty.com/crime/corpus-delicti/

Really???

2009-09-23T14:27:00.002+01:00

Is it really over a month since I last posted??? More like two months??? I am so sorry and will totally understand if you have wandered off to find someone more interesting! No wonder my imagination has felt so stilted and I have felt so frustrated.

Oh by the way, SHHHHH Don't tell anyone I am here as I am meant to be working right now!

Updates on my writing life. Shaun's Children is having a complete overhaul. Yes I am keeping Gracie and Shaun in it, and yes there is still a connection to a children's home, but Shaun is not the same kind of bloke as he is in the first attempt. I think that Gracie has a few skeleton's in her closet and that Shaun is one of those said skeleton's. However, how and why he is I am not sure. I would have to change their ages for a start and as they are roughly the same age that is not going to work very well.

All I do know for certain is that Shaun is out to get revenge (Yes, he is still the bad guy) and the person on the receiving end of said revenge is Gracie. I just have to figure out why and I think I have just this second figured it out!

Might I say thankyou to Erin's mum at my son's school for giving me this amazing insight. Right off to get it down on paper now!

2009-07-27T10:21:00.001+01:00

So sorry my loyal followers!

I have not been updating my blog as often as I would like, and I didn't partake in last weeks [fiction] Friday. I have no viable excuse, other than life has got in the way. But now life isn't getting in the way so much now. I promise you that I will update the blog at least three times a week :)

The Wizzywigdooda

2009-07-17T13:22:00.002+01:00

[Fiction]Friday: On the way home from work your character stops into a music store and purchases an unusual musical instrument that they’ve always wanted to learn to learn to play. Why today?

The Wizzywigdooda

The rain battered his long wax rain coat. He had the collar turned up and was wearing a bowler hat. The briefcase in his left hand was feeling very heavy to carry today. His blue eyes would glance up occasionally to make sure there was no one coming his way. He walked faster as the rain beat harder.

After a while, he stopped to place his briefcase on the floor and let his left arm have a rest. To while away the minutes while he rested he took shelter in a shop doorway. Looking at the wares he realised it was a music and instrument shop. He glanced over the paraphernalia in the window: A drum kit (always one of them in a music shop window) and a guitar (probably a bass). Nothing took his fancy. As he bent dow to pick up his briefcase and carry on with his journey to the tube station, something glistened and caught his eye. He stood up again and looked for it, but saw nothing that was made of metal. He decided to go into the shop instead, and have a good luck round, waiting for the rain to die off.

He walked to the nearest wall, the one where he thought the instrument that caught his eye would be.

"WIZZYWIGDOODA!"

The shop assistant looked up at the strange man. The assistant went and asked if he could help.

"Yes, the wizzywigdooda, how much?"

The shop assistant looked puzzled. The man in the wax raincoat pointed at a small piece of wood, no larger than a thumbnail, with many tiny holes in it.

"That is a wizzywigdooda. Native to latin america, and I have wanted one since doing my thesis at university. I have never seen one in a shop before!"

"Probably because they are so small. I didn't know it was there, let alone what it is called." The shop assistant replied.

"Well it is there, and it is called a wizzywigdooda, and I would like to purchase it please."

The shop assistant took the tiny piece of wood over to the till. He retrieved a magnifying glass from a drawer by the till, and peered at the label on the instrument.

"it says it is fifty pence, but the label is very old. I suspect from pre-decimalisation. I am happy to accept fifty pence of today's money from you though."

The man in the wax raincoat gave the assistant one pound, and took the wizzywigdooda.

"Keep the change," he called as he left the shop and continued his journey to the tube station, patting his pocket with a big smile on his face.

THE END

The test

2009-07-10T22:09:00.003+01:00

Another [fiction] Friday special. This time I am writing straight onto my blog rather than a copy and paste fiasco. I haven't had much time to mull this one over. This week the theme is 'A misunderstanding between three people'. I have tried my best.
Well here goes:

Sophie was late for school again.

"Sophie. School." Her mum Jo shouted from the kitchen

Jo thought that with her exams this summer for her GCSE's she would be a bit more responsible about getting herself out of bed. She heard Sophie scurry to the bathroom.

Eventually, Sophie was dressed and out the door, just in the nick of time. This was the norm nowadays. Jo went about her day, running errands for the business herself and her partner, Ryan owned. Ryan was out delivering packages, but as there was not much work today, she suspected he would be home before her.

After the trip to the post office, Jo returned home to find herself confronted with a bemused Ryan. He held up something white, and made out of plastic, about the length of the pen. Jo couldn't determine from the look on his face whether he was happy or annoyed. He grimaced on both occasions. She took tentative steps towards him. His expression didn't change. He held out the piece of plastic he was holding, Jo reached out and took it. She glimpsed down and saw that there were blue lines on it. Her face showed her recognition of the object.

"Well?" Ryan didn't sound happy, nor angry.

"Well," Jo replied, "it all makes sense now doesn't it?"

All Ryan could do was nod in agreement.

THE END

2009-07-09T11:42:00.001+01:00

I can't believe it is thursday already!

This week has flown by with little time for writing, but I will try and get something down for [fiction] Friday tomorrow.

We are starting a business! God help us all. Hopefully be registered next week and be trading the week after. I will have to really manage my time now, with writing, the business and the house to look after!

Gosh, I need a lie down now!

Been a hell of a week, but onwards and upwards.

Until tomorrow,

Ix

Life for a life

2009-07-03T13:38:00.001+01:00

Well another [fiction] Friday has come about. Only feels like ten minutes since the last one! This week, the story is : Where your character is committed to a drastic or extreme change
Here is my entry. Hope you enjoy it:

It wasn’t meant to be like this. As I am sitting in the relatives room at the hospital, I can’t believe it is happening. It wasn’t planned like this. Waiting for news, I wasn’t meant to be waiting. I can’t bear it any longer. That is when the midwife comes to see me.

“I am so sorry. Your wife hasn’t made it. There is nothing more we can do.”
“And the baby?” I look up into the warm, symapthetic eyes of the midwife.
“The baby is fine. You should be able to take her home tomorrow.”

That was not what I wanted to hear. Of course, I don’t wish my daughter dead, but I do wish my wife was still alive. I didn’t think women died during childbirth anymore. But she had haemorrhaged. Lost too much blood.

So I am now a lone parent, a single dad. In one day, my life has changed beyond recognition. I get up to leave the relatives room. I want to see my daughter, the piece of my wife that is left. When I see my daughter in the plastic hospital crib, my heart melts. She is perfectly formed, a cute button nose, a small head of blonde hair. She gets that from her mother. My daughter is sleeping peacefully, unaware of the fate she brought to the person who gave her life.

I will adapt, I will cope. I have this tiny human to care for. She will look to me for guidance and discipline, and most of all to learn about the mother she never knew. For now, I have to leave her in the care of the maternity staff. I go to see my wife, for the last time. I see her lying on the bed, her lovely long blonde hair swept back off her face, looking so relaxed. She is as beautiful as she has ever been. I am proud to say that she was my wife. My heart breaks. I wonder what went through her mind. Did she know she was dying? Did she know that she was changing my life in a way that none of us could ever have imagined? Did she know what she was leaving behind?

Come back to me, my beautiful wife. I cannot do this on my own. But I will have to. Whilst our daughter is her, on my own it will have to be.

2009-07-02T10:16:00.002+01:00

Cannot believe that [fiction] Friday is almost upon us again! And there is another competition I am entering on saturday. But I am stressing more about the Friday one. I have not got any idea what I am going to write. Well, hopefully it is good. Luckily, last week, the theme sparked the idea that I wrote about. But this week, the theme just stumps me. Time to think outside the box.

As for my WIP (the novel - where have you been?) I have decided to write it completely differently. Instead of Al buying a house, she already lives nearby, and befriends Dom's wife. Maybe they have known each other forever? And that Dominic and family helped Al when her hubby died?

Oh my! Now you are talking! I might actually be able to write something interesting now!

Ix

Made a start...

2009-06-29T20:44:00.002+01:00

500 words are now down on the screen for my article. Not many, but the backbone of the article is there now.

Have e-mailed the charity I hope to have the support of, but it will take 5 days for them to get back to me. No worries, as I don't have a deadline.

Off topic slightly, I was chatting to my neighbour, and asked where the ford is in our village, as it is called Brindley Ford. She told me, and told me of the issues I will face when the rain comes in. She also told me about a horse that was near one of the bridges during one of the floods, a pregnant mare. As the water level rose, the horse was sucked into a drain, and consequently died. So tragic, but a good storyline!

Ix

Thankyou!

2009-06-28T16:27:00.003+01:00

Thankyou everyone who took the time to read and comment on my [fiction] Friday story. And if you didn't, where the hell were you???

As a result of the fabulous comments, I am going to figure out how to expand on the story, and may be submitting it for a competition in Writing Magazine.

Ok, so the comments weren't spine tingly, champagne opening fantastic (though I did have a glass of wine to celebrate the positivity of them), but they were good enough to make me think that I can actually write something interesting. So if I fail as a writer you will all get blamed for giving me a sense of self-belief. Only joking!

I am still living in the hope that one day, every time I hit the 'H' key on my keyboard, that I won't have to get my mini hammer out to actually get the letter on the screen. I also live in hope that an editor/agent/publisher happens across my blog, and is so amazed at my fantastic writing skills that they hunt down my e-mail address and commission me for a book or short story. A friend of mine always says that hope dies last. I think she may be right.

Failing the luck of the editor stumbling on my blog, I am actually working on a Novel. Any publishers or agents want me? well just leave me a comment with contact details please.

I am also going to try and pitch an article to Cosmopolitan. Yes you probably all think I am crazy, so do I.

Well, I had better get back to my characters for my Novel. I procrastinate too much.

Ix

Lights, Camera, Action.

2009-06-25T20:11:00.003+01:00

The DVD wouldn't play in his computer. He stormed out the room, and bumped into his wife.
"Are you ok?" His wife was concerned by the outburst.
"Fine!" He stormed out the room, avoiding the low door.
He had worked hard to get the camera set up right. Pointing it into her bedroom, so he could watch her sleep when it suited him. His wife was a lovely woman, but they say a man has a mid-life crisis. Despite the fact he was nearly sixty, he ad never had a real mid-life crisis before, only visiting lapdancing clubs. It had never appealed to pay a scantily clad woman to strip what clothes she had on. Dave had to sort out the DVD player.

Jenny had met Ryan in a bar that evening. Not for the first time. They had chatted last week, but nothing had come of it. She wasn't the sort to usually bring home a man on the second meeting, but there was something about Ryan. He had trustworthy eyes. You could tell the difference by looking into their eyes. Jenny was nothing special, so she thought. At five foot five, long brown hair and green eyes, she didn't think much of herself. She had not really had a boyfriend. The occasional fling but none that she would have liked to take home to her mother. Ryan had seen her first. She wasn't looking for anything, but when he had made himself known to her, she felt something. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she hoped she would see him again. When he didn't ask for her number on the first meeting she was disappointed, but let it drop. Until she saw him again tonight. She fumbled in her handbag for the keys to her house.
"You coming in for coffee?" She gazed into his deep blue eyes, which looked even more blue when his brown hair framed them.
"Coffee?" He bent down and kissed her rosebud lips.
She smiled, and led him into the hallway. She showed him up the stairs and led him into her bedroom. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him. She could feel someth pushing into her thigh, and had to prevent herself from gasping. He pushed her onto her bed, eager to get her naked and kiss her beautifully formed breasts. She undressed him, as he undressed her. The love making was long and sensuous. Jenny knew then that this would be the start of something special.

After Dave had finished his cigarette, he went back into his study. Taking the DVD out of the player, he checked it wasn't smeared. When he put it back in and tried again, it still wouldn't work.
"Sheila!" He listened to make sure his wife had heard him.
"What can I do for you sweetie?" Sheila stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She had a weary look on her face.
"I can't get this bloody thing to play. Can you see to it?"
"What are you watching?" She started to press buttons.
"Documentary on Fishing. Nothing that you would like." He looked up and was amazed to see the animated disc on the screen. He thanked his wife and refused a drink.

As he sat and waited, he couldn't believe his luck when he saw Jenny and Ryan enter the room. He loosened his trousers and opened his boxers. They were going to have sex, right on his television screen. Although he wished it was not Ryan but himself making love to the young beauty, he satisfied himself whilst watching.

THE END

Party Time!

2009-06-19T20:47:00.002+01:00

This weekend it is party time. I am so excited. It is my dear son's 4th birthday on sunday and we are having his party on sunday. I have ot him a Thomas and Friends bike, which I know he will love as he has been asking for it for the past month! Thomas plates and napkins and table cover too. I gotta be careful! People might think he likes thomas - or worse, ME!

Yes I know it is also Father's Day on Sunday but hey, I didn't MAKE him come up out on that date, well I did as I gave birth but you know what I mean!

So tomorrow and Sunday are going to be busier than hell! But it will be worth it :)

I'm hungry and I have only recently had dinner. Is it wrong of me to raid the sweets and chocolate bought for the party? I'll have a think...it is Thornton's chocolate too. No I am not rich, they were on special offer!

I haven't heard back from the job interview I went to on Wednesday, so I will call them up on Monday.

Other than that, don't think I have much else to say! I will let you know how the preparations are going, and then how the party went! It is all good.

Ix

Self doubt :(

2009-06-18T20:50:00.001+01:00

I just can't create anything today! All those ideas and nothing is happening with them. What I did write was so drab that my laptop crashed before I had a chance to save it. I need to create more conflict I think. The problem is, the conflict is there! But it just isn't showing in my work :(

And as for the amnesia novel, it is a fab idea but I just can't write it at the moment! What is wrong with me? But as I remember from last year, the more I wrote, the better I got at it (at least I think I did!).

I won't have much time for writing or blogging over the next few days as my son turns 4, yes 4, this weekend, and we are having a little party for him. It was going to be 'big' but £60 for 10 children is a bit much! especially as his birthday present is £80! But that is a bargain as it was £119 :D

And just remembered, I need to buy wrapping paper tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be so hectic. I have to go into Hanley and get ALL the birthday shopping done, and get it hidden at home and pick the birthday boy up all in two and a half hours! I am tired just thinking about it. Saturday is complete party arranging and then Sunday is...well Party Day. I just want to get something written. At least then I have something to edit and make better.

So anyway, I must go now. Maybe try and do more writing. My goal was 100 words for my short story and 1000 words for the novel, but I don't think that will happen. Maybe I will have a go at the competition I have seen. Speak to you all soon :D

Ix

2009-06-15T20:27:00.002+01:00

Tracy is alive! Surname still isn't available to me but I am sure she will let me know in her own time!

She has shocked me by her behaviour. I really did sympathise with her at first, but although I still like her, I really do disagree with what she did in the past, and what she is doing now! If only she could let it go and realise that it is his problem not hers.

He doesn't have a name yet. Tracy won't tell me and I haven't had chance to speak to him personally yet. She won't tell me the name of her son either, though I have never met him.

All I know is that he is under 2 but over 1. Obviously he is male. Tracy will tell me in her own time, as long as that is before the story needs to be submitted!

I need to get writing this story. I need to help Tracy overcome this difficulty, she needs to see that she needs to leave it well alone. In a way, it is her own fault.

I must say that I am glad that Tracy is finally talking to me. I haven't written anything in a long time!

I just hope that readers will empathise with her plight, I know that lone parents most definitely will!

Finally a name!

2009-06-14T20:26:00.002+01:00

Ok. So I haven't actually written any of my short story yet, and the plot has changed slightly, but my heroin has a name. I was going to call her Sally or Sarah, but earlier I started thinking about Tracy, and what she is going to do about the situation!

I know Tracy the Traffic Warden sounds a bit childrens book-ish, but she is just going to be called Tracy in the story, and the readers will realise that she is a Traffic Warden (the parking tickets give it away!)

Talking of which, must remember to clarify what you can and cannot do on single and double yellow lines!

In terms of Creative Writing, I have done something productive today. I started an idea bank. It is very long, but it may come in useful one day. Unfortunately, I didn't include Crimes I Have Commited or Criminals I Have Caught, but didn't really see the point as the numbers are 1 and 0 respectively. Guess I will just have to use my imagination!

2009-06-13T11:35:00.002+01:00

I am going to town today to look at wedding dresses! I hope that our original date can go ahead...must call the vicar!

All research is done for my short story. Just need to refine the plot now.

Whilst discussing legal issues with my friend I had an idea for a novel, and today, in the clear light of day, it is seeming even more promising. For once I have an idea with sub plots, but the main plot still needs defining.

But I am falling in love with it now. I am considering an army (ish) background, so I am going to try and contact Chris Ryan ex-SAS. Wish me luck with that!

I cannot find an e-mail address for him, so need to root out one of my fiances books to find out his publisher! But I don't know whether to type the letter (Professional) or handwrite it (personal). Any ideas gratefully received!

Well, I am going now. I will not be blogging this evening, I hope to either play chess or write my masterpieces, but either way the internet will be OFF! About time too!

Until the next time...

Ix

Panama anyone?

2009-06-12T21:33:00.002+01:00

I am wondering why fugitives choose Panama as their new life. Ah, as I have just found out, because there is nothing there for UK residents to be extradited for criminal behaviour! Thankyou Lawyer friend!

I am writing this blog whilst chatting to said Lawyer friend and it is not a good idea to do both at the same time!

However I have just travelled back to the 19th Century :)

I have now finished all research on missing people and things associated with their relatives left behind, so I am happy about that, but as my character may be thrown into the story 200 years previous to what was originally intended I may need to do more research!

Oh well! Tough life being a writer you know ;)

I have a job interview next week (for a REAL job), so wish me luck!

Hope I haven't bored you tonight, just be grateful I haven't opened the wine yet!

Complete change of Identity - absolutely shattered now!

2009-06-11T19:42:00.002+01:00

Well, I had some ideas about what to write today, but now they don't seem at all interesting now!

I have spent most the day wondering what I would do should I wish to 'die' but stay alive under a different name!

Big Discussion on Talkback detailing what you need to do to place a death announcement in your local paper. Apparently, you don't even need to prove that the person who has 'died' is 'dead'. And if you change your name by deed poll, all of it, does that make your last name 'dead'. And what about post op transsexuals. Is their previous persona dead or just a new version of the old, like when someone gets married?

I can't evade my debts by marrying, but could I should I have a complete change of name, change my gender and place a death announcement in the paper? And as for my bank accounts, if I just ignore them for a while, they will soon be 'dead' accounts, and as everything about me has changed, no-one can chase me to pay back the overdraft!

Can they?

And what about my National Insurance Number. Can I get a completely new one? If not, how am I going to get a new job as my new self without being 'found out'?

Now before everyone reaches for the phone with their thumbs and fingers hovering over the 9 button, about to report a massive fraud, it is not me who is actually going to act on these fraudulent things. If I was that desperate I would just leave the country. Nothing more than that. From my research for my character, I am seeing how difficult it actually is to carry out an effective fraud. Maybe that is why the majority of fraudsters get caught!

My character has yet to be named, but I will keep everyone updated on his fraudulent behaviour ;)

I am off to research my market now, so until next time.......

Blogging is a confusing world (and other things)

2009-06-10T20:04:00.002+01:00

Well, how many blogs does one need? I thought only one, but you have the option to start a new blog!

Hope I am blogging right!

I hate the school playground! It is such a bitchy place to be! Well, all the kids in my sons nursery class (including my son) are moving on up to 'The Big School' in September. Seven haven't got into the school that the nursery is attached to. My son has. Which is great news - for me anyway.

But the contempt and dislike I have aroused in the mums who haven't got in! Okay, so my son started the nursery after allocation date, and all the others have been there since last september...but it isn't my fault. I moved into the area the day after allocation day, had called up for him to get into that school before the move, proved I had moved and hey presto! he gets in!

But I live closer than most the other mums who haven't got in! Every child on my street has attended the school at some point in their lives. One girl in my sons class has got in, and she lives in my street, so I would have had a case against Allocations had he not got in.

I hate the school playground!

There is so much I want to say, but I don't want to bore you to death (I have a family, can't go to jail for murder!).

I will start using my notebook for things I would like to say on here and use them daily. Until tomorrow.........

Bye x

Very Happy!

2009-06-09T20:31:00.002+01:00

Well, I see I have some followers (2 of you!) and that has really pleased me! Thankyou very much!

I will try and be 'interesting', and hey, when I land a book deal you can say you knew me in my early stages ;)

Thankyou again :)

Today, I had a thought about what I would put in my blog, as I came up with an 'idea' for the short story competition I am entering. The subject is Crime, and since Saturday I have been painstakingly trying to come up with something!

Then this morning, I was having an internal discussion about it, thinking how difficult it is to choose a crime, and figure out who would be a victim of it, and so on and so on. Then, out of nowhere, 'Traffic Warden' came to mind! Then I thought that the Traffic Warden would be the Criminal of my story (She pockets the fines??), then that she becomes a victim of crime because she ticketed someone, and now maybe that she victimises a certain type of driver (men perhaps?).

It is food for thought, and I am grateful that I can air my ideas on here (as other people think I am crazy!).

The problem being, having a 3 year old who is only at school for 2 and a half hours each day, the times I can daydream are restricted!

September will bring some relief as he starts full time :)

I think that is it for today :)

Once again, thankyou to my followers......I will take a nosey at your blogs (if I can figure out how!) ;)

Unproductive!

2009-06-08T19:22:00.002+01:00

I have had a VERY unproductive day!

I had a 'eureka' moment this morning which was discarded by lunchtime! It is being kept in the 'to be explored' section of my ideas, but not helpful at all in the here and now!

Not much help has happened today.

As I left to pick my son up from nursery, a paramedic vehicle arrived in a bit of a hurry to my neighbours house, and this is a usually quiet, uneventful road.

I am not 100% sure of the facts, but I suspect a heart attack, and think said neighbour has survived and is recovering in hospital.

I don't really know what else to say! I m off to read my copy of Woman's Weekly (Purely Research!) and then maybe write a sentence or 4!

Until next time

Ix

My first one!!!!

2009-06-07T20:42:00.001+01:00

I have never blogged before, so please be patient with me. The main reason I have started blogging is because I am an unpublished author and would like to vent my ideas and search for inspiration amongst the worldwide web. I will of course talk about other things, but mainly about my crazy thoughts, imaginings and aspirations. I don't really know how to blog any other way! Well I do hope you will all enjoy reading my future blogs....

Currently, my work in progress has not started yet, but it is going to be entered for a short story competition......

Wish me luck!!!

Ix