…because I’ve got a new laptop and have had to spend the past two days* setting it up. And also renewing the anti-virus program on my PC. Deleting stuff I shouldn’t, panicking, then breathing a sigh of relief when I manage to get it back again with no serious losses.
Techno-savvy I am not.
But whilst I am feeling quite technicial lol, I’ve also added a books page for my books on my Wordpress blog, where hopefully you’ll be able to click on the cover and it will take you to Samhain.
*not two whole days, I’ve had to squeeze it in between going to work and other stuff, I’m not quite that bad.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
WIP Update
The Bargain - Second Draft currently up to Chapter 4.
Word count - 5034
Have written a short extra Chapter to add a little bit of a back story. It's possible this won't make it into the final draft and is more for me to use as an aid in getting the characters and their motivations fixed in my head. I expect to hear from the beta readers that I should probably delete it. :)
For my major characters especially, I always want to know exactly why they behave the way they do and I'll know far more about them than I'll probably ever use.
Word count - 5034
Have written a short extra Chapter to add a little bit of a back story. It's possible this won't make it into the final draft and is more for me to use as an aid in getting the characters and their motivations fixed in my head. I expect to hear from the beta readers that I should probably delete it. :)
For my major characters especially, I always want to know exactly why they behave the way they do and I'll know far more about them than I'll probably ever use.
Monday, 12 January 2009
What I'm Reading
So I’ve made a start on Pride and Prejudice.
Currently at page 30 (remember I said I was a slow reader), and despite my misgivings before I started reading I’m quite enjoying it. It’s not heavy going which was a pleasant surprise and a lot of it is very witty and cleverly written. I’m particularly enjoying the conversations between Mr and Mrs Bennet which are laced with double meanings and little digs.
It’s interesting to note that there seems to be a lot of ‘telling’, quite frowned upon in modern writing where we are very much concerned with almost pulling the reader into the action and story of the book. Also the cast seems to increase every couple of pages, usually with a cast this large I’d expect there to be a list at the front of the book detailing how everyone relates to everyone else.
Even from the few pages I’ve read so far I can appreciate why for a lot of people this is their ultimate comfort read. I think I definitely lucked out on picking this one.
A couple of weekends ago there was a Pride & Prejudice (Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy) marathon on the television which I’ve recorded. I don’t want to watch it until after I’ve read the book, but it seemed too fortuitous not to take the opportunity. Maybe I will finally get to understand the attraction of a man going swimming with a shirt on. lol
Favourite line so far comes from Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy when he comments that he only knows six accomplished women and then proceeds to list the variety of skills and talents said accomplished woman should possess.
“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.“
Currently at page 30 (remember I said I was a slow reader), and despite my misgivings before I started reading I’m quite enjoying it. It’s not heavy going which was a pleasant surprise and a lot of it is very witty and cleverly written. I’m particularly enjoying the conversations between Mr and Mrs Bennet which are laced with double meanings and little digs.
It’s interesting to note that there seems to be a lot of ‘telling’, quite frowned upon in modern writing where we are very much concerned with almost pulling the reader into the action and story of the book. Also the cast seems to increase every couple of pages, usually with a cast this large I’d expect there to be a list at the front of the book detailing how everyone relates to everyone else.
Even from the few pages I’ve read so far I can appreciate why for a lot of people this is their ultimate comfort read. I think I definitely lucked out on picking this one.
A couple of weekends ago there was a Pride & Prejudice (Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy) marathon on the television which I’ve recorded. I don’t want to watch it until after I’ve read the book, but it seemed too fortuitous not to take the opportunity. Maybe I will finally get to understand the attraction of a man going swimming with a shirt on. lol
Favourite line so far comes from Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy when he comments that he only knows six accomplished women and then proceeds to list the variety of skills and talents said accomplished woman should possess.
“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.“
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Poem for a Sunday
I've been watching repeats of Torchwood. :)
Because I could not stop for Death - Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.
We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.
Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.
Because I could not stop for Death - Emily Dickinson
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.
We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.
Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Thursday 13 #14 - Goals for 2009
So thanks again to Nicole at Book-Wyrm Knits, without whom I would often be stuck for Thursday 13 ideas. Except for the writing goals this is probably going to seem quite a light and fluffy list. But I feel in the need for light and fluffy at the moment.
Writing
1) Complete The Bargain - well on the way to accomplishing this one.
2) Complete Raven - Outline needs rewriting following feedback on the first draft. Will be starting this one once The Bargain is completed.
3) Complete at least one other project.
4) I almost hesitate to include this one. But THIS year I would like to get The Tithing revised. Maybe this could be my number 3.
5) Get my outlines and notes organized.
6) Win Nano this year
Reading
7) Read at least one book from the banned books lists, and if possible get my banned books total up to 13.
8. Read at least one ‘classic’. Well on my way to getting this one done already.
Misc.
9) As a birdwatcher I’d like to see one bird in the wild that I haven’t seen before.
10) Knit my next scarf. If I’m honest, knitting scarves is just about my skill level, and I have a great funky wool for the next one.
11) Start a quilt. I’ve wanted to try making an English pieced quilt for the past couple of years. Maybe 2009 is the year I’ll get it done.
12) See more films at the cinema because I never seem to get around to seeing them if I wait for the DVD.
13) Bake a cake. My culinary skills (like my knitting skills) are somewhat lacking. So I’d love to say I tried baking this year and what I produced was reasonably edible. Maybe, if not a cake then cupcakes or muffins.
I’ll try and remember to revisit this list at the end of the year and see how many of them I actually accomplished.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
WIP Update
The first rough draft of The Bargain is completed. Due to circumstances I've had very little online time, so a lot of it is written out longhand at the moment.
I'm now working on the second draft. You'll notice that the progress meter in the sidebar has changed. LOL - not sure if other writers go through such a long winded process as this, but so far this is the way that works for me. Some of the character motivations in the first part of the first draft need tweaking as they don't quite marry up with what happens in the second half of the book. I'm very pleased with the beginning and the end, but the middle needs quite a lot of work.
The Bargain - Second Draft - Up To Chapter 1
When I have a completed second draft I'll submit that to my crit group and if I'm very happy with it, possibly a beta reader and see what they have to say. At that time I'll start working on redrafting Raven.
More updates next week.
I'm now working on the second draft. You'll notice that the progress meter in the sidebar has changed. LOL - not sure if other writers go through such a long winded process as this, but so far this is the way that works for me. Some of the character motivations in the first part of the first draft need tweaking as they don't quite marry up with what happens in the second half of the book. I'm very pleased with the beginning and the end, but the middle needs quite a lot of work.
The Bargain - Second Draft - Up To Chapter 1
When I have a completed second draft I'll submit that to my crit group and if I'm very happy with it, possibly a beta reader and see what they have to say. At that time I'll start working on redrafting Raven.
More updates next week.
Monday, 5 January 2009
What I'm Reading
Lol - it's reading Monday.
My reading aims for 2009 are to focus on three categories - bear in mind that it takes me quite a while to read anything - the classics, banned books and I'll probably sneak a little m/m in there. :)
Why these three? Well in 2008 during banned books week I realized I'd actually read very few of the banned books listed and wanted to rectify that. Hopefully by banned books week this year I'll be able to make it to 13 books read.
Also apart from the books I HAD to read at school I've read very few of what would be considered classic stories so I'm going to try and get in at least a couple of those and hope they aren't too heavy going.
And I couldn't possibly get through the year without reading and recommending some m/m.
So I'm starting out with a classic - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is one of those books that has been made into television series and movies several times over. I admit I have watched none of them and have never read the book. So this should be interesting. I'll update you all next week with my progress (or lack of).
My reading aims for 2009 are to focus on three categories - bear in mind that it takes me quite a while to read anything - the classics, banned books and I'll probably sneak a little m/m in there. :)
Why these three? Well in 2008 during banned books week I realized I'd actually read very few of the banned books listed and wanted to rectify that. Hopefully by banned books week this year I'll be able to make it to 13 books read.
Also apart from the books I HAD to read at school I've read very few of what would be considered classic stories so I'm going to try and get in at least a couple of those and hope they aren't too heavy going.
And I couldn't possibly get through the year without reading and recommending some m/m.
So I'm starting out with a classic - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is one of those books that has been made into television series and movies several times over. I admit I have watched none of them and have never read the book. So this should be interesting. I'll update you all next week with my progress (or lack of).
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