This blog post is part of a blog fest created by Patti Larson over at her blog here Details are also posted on the Facebook group "Fellow Writers". I thought I would take part and see what happens. Its my first blog fest so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right, but I'm sure someone will let me know pretty promptly if I'm screwing it up.
The theme for the fest is connections. It can be connections of any description including but not restricted to real life connections, virtual connections and connections between fictual characters you have been writing about. I thought about this and decided to write a post on the very real connections I have been making on the social networking sites, twitter, here the blogging network, and more recently on facebook.
Surprisingly to some, who just don't get "twitter", that is actually the place I've made the most connections and we're not talking random meaningless follows. I'm talking about connecting with people you have things in common with, whatever that may be and actually having conversations about those things with real people with real and valid opinions on things.
On twitter I have connected with people and exchanged email addresses. We've talked serious issues such as health relative to my children and I and also those I talk to. Ive connected with fellow slimming worlders, people who struggle to maintain an ideal weight as I do and the support around this group of people is amazing. I've virtually met people who have an interest in learning as I do, having registered with the Open University and ive also come across and connected with those who have a passion for writing. A craft you sit at your desk, in a coffee shop, on your bed, but invariably on your own and you write. For me connecting with people is important and important for every single reason I've identified.
People need people and in such a technologically advanced age as ours, making those important connections online is a simple and obvious step and one not to be sniffed at by those who haven't yet quite embraced the world out there through the technology available.
I love my connections and I hope to nurture them so they grow.
What are your new connections?
I'm looking forward to reading other blogs in the blog fest to see others take on the theme of connections.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Perception of Beauty
Over the Christmas period my little boy has been ill with chicken pox. He started being unwell with a temperature on Christmas day, continuing into Boxing day, with the spots breaking out, the day after Boxing day. From then on, he was, as were we, confined to house. He was great about it. He didn't moan about staying inside and not being able to play with friends and we spent some lovely quality time together.
One day we sat and watched a documentary on tigers. He loves documentary's, his favourite being on dinosaurs, but he does like wild animals.
The programme was about three sibling tigers. We missed the beginning so I'm unsure where parents were, but as they grew older one of the tigers had to exert her strength and power and throw the other two off the land as it wouldn't have managed to sustain all three. Later in the programme a beautiful camera shot of her relaxing came on.
"Isn't she beautiful" I said to my little boy
"No" he replied. "She was mean to her sister, she's not beautiful"
"Very good point" I responded as I swelled with pride.
Monday, 3 January 2011
Writing; Fun or Dedication
Ive been reading blogs, facebook groups, twitter comments and writing magazines and there seems to be a lot of words bandied about like, determination and dedication, in relation to writing, with suggestions that we should be writing every day without fail, making ourselves sit down and write even when we don't want to or are simply too tired.
For me, this takes the fun out of writing. I don't want to make it a chore, something I detest and do through gritted teeth like I would when the bathroom needs cleaning.
For me writing is fun. It's exciting seeing the words bring something to life and seeing that it's me sitting there actually creating them. Its an amazing feeling. I don't want to turn that off because it would put me in the category of not dedicated or disciplined.
Yes I'm writing a novel and I'm fully determined to complete it and push for publication ( I know that not an easy journey but that's off point) Just because I'm slower at it does not make me any less talented. (I'm not banging my own drum here but if I were talented) Just because I don't make myself do it when I don't feel like it, doesn't mean my words don't make a person on the page come alive and be believable. (obviously my talent isn't set in stone that I'm any good, but if I was, how long it's taking me to write it, won't detract from my greatness. )
Writing doesn't pay the bills. In fact I haven't seen a single penny. I have a full time job, which, to be honest is pretty exhausting at the minute (health issues) then I have a husband, house and kids to come home to as do many writers. Even when I get published, I know I'm still going to have to do both jobs and at that point I may have writing deadlines to keep. But now, now writing is fun, it's exciting and it's done when I feel I want to or when I feel well enough to push myself even if I don't want to but thats few and far between.
Writing isn't something I must do or I shrivel up and turn into a spineless jellyfish. I wasn't born to write. It's not in my genes. It's not what I was made to do. Lots of phrases I hear thrown about quite freely to be honest. Writing is what I enjoy doing.
I will write my novel in full and complete it this year, but I will not take the joy out of it by thinking I couldn't possibly be a real writer if I don't write every day. I am a real writer. I write. I can be published even if I'm slow.
I know this goes against the grain of a lot of writers and how writing should be approached, but it's how I feel about it and I'm writing and having fun when I do it, even if its not everyday.
What do you think is needed to be a writer? Do you feel you have to do it even when you don't want to and if so, is any of the joy removed?
For me, this takes the fun out of writing. I don't want to make it a chore, something I detest and do through gritted teeth like I would when the bathroom needs cleaning.
For me writing is fun. It's exciting seeing the words bring something to life and seeing that it's me sitting there actually creating them. Its an amazing feeling. I don't want to turn that off because it would put me in the category of not dedicated or disciplined.
Yes I'm writing a novel and I'm fully determined to complete it and push for publication ( I know that not an easy journey but that's off point) Just because I'm slower at it does not make me any less talented. (I'm not banging my own drum here but if I were talented) Just because I don't make myself do it when I don't feel like it, doesn't mean my words don't make a person on the page come alive and be believable. (obviously my talent isn't set in stone that I'm any good, but if I was, how long it's taking me to write it, won't detract from my greatness. )
Writing doesn't pay the bills. In fact I haven't seen a single penny. I have a full time job, which, to be honest is pretty exhausting at the minute (health issues) then I have a husband, house and kids to come home to as do many writers. Even when I get published, I know I'm still going to have to do both jobs and at that point I may have writing deadlines to keep. But now, now writing is fun, it's exciting and it's done when I feel I want to or when I feel well enough to push myself even if I don't want to but thats few and far between.
Writing isn't something I must do or I shrivel up and turn into a spineless jellyfish. I wasn't born to write. It's not in my genes. It's not what I was made to do. Lots of phrases I hear thrown about quite freely to be honest. Writing is what I enjoy doing.
I will write my novel in full and complete it this year, but I will not take the joy out of it by thinking I couldn't possibly be a real writer if I don't write every day. I am a real writer. I write. I can be published even if I'm slow.
I know this goes against the grain of a lot of writers and how writing should be approached, but it's how I feel about it and I'm writing and having fun when I do it, even if its not everyday.
What do you think is needed to be a writer? Do you feel you have to do it even when you don't want to and if so, is any of the joy removed?
Friday, 31 December 2010
11 Things I will do in 2011
The end of 2010 is upon us and in a few short hours we will be stepping into 2011. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for my family and I this year on a personal level, but it's also been a positive year for my own personal goals.
I've completed and passed a couple of difficult courses with the Open University, gaining myself 70 credits towards a degree. I have also started writing. This being a very recent activity. Writing is something that I have always wanted to do, but never really did anything about it and 2010 proved to be the year I would act on this and take it seriously. My novel stands at a little over 21,000 words. It was started in October. It's been a little slow, but I have set myself 11 targets for 2011 and one of those is to complete the manuscript.
Instead of making myself a News Years resolution, I have set myself 11 goals. The majority of them are writing related because I really want to work on this in the coming year, but there are some personal ones in there.
1. Read 40 books ( Inspired by juppppy)
2. Complete first draft of novel and subsequent edited drafts
3. Query agent with completed novel
4. See a musical
5. Lose 1.5 stone
6. Start yoga
7. Submit 12 pieces of writing to competitions
8. Write at least 6 blog posts a month.
9. Be more organised. Set goals. Write things down.
10. Raise the profile of the blog and have an extra 12 followers by the end of 2011 (one a month. Today it stands at 15)
11. Push Doctors until a final diagnosis is agreed for son and I.
What do you have planned for the coming year?
I've completed and passed a couple of difficult courses with the Open University, gaining myself 70 credits towards a degree. I have also started writing. This being a very recent activity. Writing is something that I have always wanted to do, but never really did anything about it and 2010 proved to be the year I would act on this and take it seriously. My novel stands at a little over 21,000 words. It was started in October. It's been a little slow, but I have set myself 11 targets for 2011 and one of those is to complete the manuscript.
Instead of making myself a News Years resolution, I have set myself 11 goals. The majority of them are writing related because I really want to work on this in the coming year, but there are some personal ones in there.
1. Read 40 books ( Inspired by juppppy)
2. Complete first draft of novel and subsequent edited drafts
3. Query agent with completed novel
4. See a musical
5. Lose 1.5 stone
6. Start yoga
7. Submit 12 pieces of writing to competitions
8. Write at least 6 blog posts a month.
9. Be more organised. Set goals. Write things down.
10. Raise the profile of the blog and have an extra 12 followers by the end of 2011 (one a month. Today it stands at 15)
11. Push Doctors until a final diagnosis is agreed for son and I.
What do you have planned for the coming year?
Sunday, 26 December 2010
iPad and Relationships
You may think it a strange combination to link an iPad received as a christmas present with a relationship, but for me it's perfectly logical. Let me explain.
My other half loves me to bits and I know this. Christmas day I knew this when he handed me a shiny new iPad for my gift. At first I was completely and utterly thrilled. I'd been coveting one for months. Well ever since they came out to be honest. I was so thrilled with my present that I didn't want to take out of it's perfect looking box for half an hour and just hugged it.
Once I removed it from its box, downloaded iTunes from my pc and syched it, I played with my new pad. Its lovely and stunningly beautiful as I expected.It's a little strange getting used to it as I'm used to my iPhone and the pad is, unsurprisingly a little bigger, but I'm getting there.
I found the new iBooks app and downloaded several classics such as Little Women, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice. I downloaded them because they were free and also because they are classics I would never have otherwise read and my reading experience should really widen it's horizons. I also bought some other ebooks and downloaded them. I think I went a little over board with the ebooks because it was so easy. I do have a pile of physical books waiting to be read, in my spare room, so I have a bit of a task on, to get through them before I can look at others I am interested in. One of the free books i downloaded is War and Peace. It could take me a while!
Anyway, after playtime had run on for a while and it was starting to get late I started thinking about my precious pad and where it had come from. My other half had a bit of a windfall a couple of weeks before Christmas and without thinking of himself or anything else he went out and ordered me this because he knew I wanted one.
Now I feel guilty. We're by no means flush. I wanted to go away for a weekend for my birthday next year and that money could have gone towards it and that would have been something we both could enjoy not just me. Now his complete determination to give me what he thinks will make me happy, actually makes me feel a little sad. I never knew this was coming and had I known I would probably advise we go away together for a weekend without the kids.
Its not that I'm being ungrateful, but the idea of owning an iPad is just that, an idea. My other half doesn't need to buy me expensive gifts to make me happy. I love him and i didn't need an iPad to do it. I love him, I love he wants to do nice things for me and I love my iPad. I just realise I didn't need it. I hope that we still get that chance to go away in March. I would love to spend some quality time with him.
What have you received that has made you stop and think? or boot on the other foot, what would you get your other half if you got the chance?
My other half loves me to bits and I know this. Christmas day I knew this when he handed me a shiny new iPad for my gift. At first I was completely and utterly thrilled. I'd been coveting one for months. Well ever since they came out to be honest. I was so thrilled with my present that I didn't want to take out of it's perfect looking box for half an hour and just hugged it.
Once I removed it from its box, downloaded iTunes from my pc and syched it, I played with my new pad. Its lovely and stunningly beautiful as I expected.It's a little strange getting used to it as I'm used to my iPhone and the pad is, unsurprisingly a little bigger, but I'm getting there.
I found the new iBooks app and downloaded several classics such as Little Women, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice. I downloaded them because they were free and also because they are classics I would never have otherwise read and my reading experience should really widen it's horizons. I also bought some other ebooks and downloaded them. I think I went a little over board with the ebooks because it was so easy. I do have a pile of physical books waiting to be read, in my spare room, so I have a bit of a task on, to get through them before I can look at others I am interested in. One of the free books i downloaded is War and Peace. It could take me a while!
Anyway, after playtime had run on for a while and it was starting to get late I started thinking about my precious pad and where it had come from. My other half had a bit of a windfall a couple of weeks before Christmas and without thinking of himself or anything else he went out and ordered me this because he knew I wanted one.
Now I feel guilty. We're by no means flush. I wanted to go away for a weekend for my birthday next year and that money could have gone towards it and that would have been something we both could enjoy not just me. Now his complete determination to give me what he thinks will make me happy, actually makes me feel a little sad. I never knew this was coming and had I known I would probably advise we go away together for a weekend without the kids.
Its not that I'm being ungrateful, but the idea of owning an iPad is just that, an idea. My other half doesn't need to buy me expensive gifts to make me happy. I love him and i didn't need an iPad to do it. I love him, I love he wants to do nice things for me and I love my iPad. I just realise I didn't need it. I hope that we still get that chance to go away in March. I would love to spend some quality time with him.
What have you received that has made you stop and think? or boot on the other foot, what would you get your other half if you got the chance?
Friday, 24 December 2010
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Error with Writing Competition
Today I learned a valuable lesson regarding entering writing competitions that require postal entries.....Make sure you put enough postage on!!
I sent a postal entry for a short story competition at the end of November. To my complete mortification I received an email today from the organiser informing me that I hadn't paid enough postage so the entry didn't get to her in time and to make it all worse, she'd had to pay the extra £1.10 fee. I wanted to cry into my phone. (Where I'd read the email)
I was upset that I hadn't been able to enter the competition but I also don't want to get myself a name for not putting postage on. Horrifically, I sent only my second postal entry yesterday, which I now know will be short on payment. I'm thinking I have to email the organisers and offer to rapidly pay the extra postage that will be required and hope that this can be done.
I mistakenly thought that because my letter was completely flat it was the ordinary first class stamp fee. I know that if it is thick you have to pay, I didn't realise that if it was wide you have to pay. (It was an A4 envelope) You see, I don't really post letters. In today's age where everything is electronic, I've become ignorant in the ways of the postal service.
I have learnt an extremely valuable, painful and embarrassing lesson today - Make sure you put enough postage on mail!
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