Saturday, March 30, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
I write stuff too
I am part of another blog that is a fiction writers collective. We are quite new and formed out of a common love of fiction, Sherlock Holmes and writing.
We all write, though some of us are more prolific and we try the have regular flash fiction writing tasks to keep us working and motivated. Here is a link to one of mine that was part of a flash fiction challenge that had to include New Years Day - hope you like it. Rave at the Grave it had to be 500 words and I ended up writing two, this one was my preferred one.
And here is a link to the whole blog that includes samples of some of our work - not everyone has posted there yet Fiction Writers Club there is some good stuff there.
We all write, though some of us are more prolific and we try the have regular flash fiction writing tasks to keep us working and motivated. Here is a link to one of mine that was part of a flash fiction challenge that had to include New Years Day - hope you like it. Rave at the Grave it had to be 500 words and I ended up writing two, this one was my preferred one.
And here is a link to the whole blog that includes samples of some of our work - not everyone has posted there yet Fiction Writers Club there is some good stuff there.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Windward Ho!
I'll post nicer/better pictures once it has finished blocking.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Keep reading, reading, reading
More books to add to my list.
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Format - Audio book
Love this. Have never read/heard it before but it kept me very entertained and I love Wilde's use of language. Very atmospheric and witty too.
Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskill
Format - Audio book
This is an all time favourite. I never tire of it. I love the stories within the story. All the characters amuse and entertain. I become more entranced with it every time I read or listen.
A French Affair by Katie Fforde
Format- Kindle
The latest from this wonderful author. And it does what it says on the tin. It has a good array of characters, a very decent story and setting and a lovely animal character but more than that it takes you to a happy place - or that's what it does for me - it doesn't ask more of you than that you get comfy, settle in and enjoy, and I think that is what reading is all about. A little break of relaxing peace. I have read all this authors books and she and Jill Mansell are my go to, brain fatigue release valves, and they never disappoint.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Format - Kindle
This is a reread and it is one I've been meaning to do for ages. Forget Twilight and all the guff (you either love them or hate them) this is a good book. It is different and it is stirring. There are a couple of places where I even feel a little choked up as I read. It would be easier to get all philosophical about how this book portrays humanity (and it has its place in this work) but what it really boils down to, most importantly, is this is a good story. I think I will avoid the film because I don't see how the internal dialogue will portray the emotions from the two main characters (who share one body) and I think that is pivotal to the whole concept of the story. I just don't want to be disappointed.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Format- Kindle
Not seen the film but I liked the look of the story plot. I have to say, I struggled to get into this book. Nothing in particular but it didn't grab me straight away, however, by the time I was halfway though I was hooked and basically read the second half in one sitting. Have yet to decide whether to read the follow ups though.
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Format - Audio book
Love this. Have never read/heard it before but it kept me very entertained and I love Wilde's use of language. Very atmospheric and witty too.
Cranford by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskill
Format - Audio book
This is an all time favourite. I never tire of it. I love the stories within the story. All the characters amuse and entertain. I become more entranced with it every time I read or listen.
A French Affair by Katie Fforde
Format- Kindle
The latest from this wonderful author. And it does what it says on the tin. It has a good array of characters, a very decent story and setting and a lovely animal character but more than that it takes you to a happy place - or that's what it does for me - it doesn't ask more of you than that you get comfy, settle in and enjoy, and I think that is what reading is all about. A little break of relaxing peace. I have read all this authors books and she and Jill Mansell are my go to, brain fatigue release valves, and they never disappoint.
The Host by Stephanie Meyer
Format - Kindle
This is a reread and it is one I've been meaning to do for ages. Forget Twilight and all the guff (you either love them or hate them) this is a good book. It is different and it is stirring. There are a couple of places where I even feel a little choked up as I read. It would be easier to get all philosophical about how this book portrays humanity (and it has its place in this work) but what it really boils down to, most importantly, is this is a good story. I think I will avoid the film because I don't see how the internal dialogue will portray the emotions from the two main characters (who share one body) and I think that is pivotal to the whole concept of the story. I just don't want to be disappointed.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Format- Kindle
Not seen the film but I liked the look of the story plot. I have to say, I struggled to get into this book. Nothing in particular but it didn't grab me straight away, however, by the time I was halfway though I was hooked and basically read the second half in one sitting. Have yet to decide whether to read the follow ups though.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The Sweetest Feeling
Loving you-oooooooooooo. I have no idea why this is today's ear worm but it is. This is a bits-n-bobs post.
Mother's Day was fab got a Herdy gift pack in orange from J and he cooked me a roast dinner in the evening. In fact he was wonderful all day. T'was lovely.
I'm off work for a couple of days and am glad to be so as it is still snowing as I type. And our close is snowed in right now and there are no buses running either. Yesterday was similar and I made soup, today will be a repeat of that, with a different flavoured soup. It is also a perfect opportunity to test out my new flask cup like this but in white, it's good so far.
I also got some lovely other things over the weekend - the most fabulous book about Grayson Perry which is the updated version of this one. And I treated myself to the brown version of this Orl Kiely teapot, which was reduced by about £15 (result) and I got four mugs too - this one, this one, this one and this one. I love her designs, they put me in mind of stuff we owned in my childhood in the 70's and they just sing out to me. I shall be adding to my collection.
So I have feel I have been quite spoilt and lucky and as I still am fighting off this never ending cold, that is quite a nice way to feel.
I shall spend today (once the few chores I have left are done) snuggling with dogs and hopefully getting some knitting done.
Mother's Day was fab got a Herdy gift pack in orange from J and he cooked me a roast dinner in the evening. In fact he was wonderful all day. T'was lovely.
I'm off work for a couple of days and am glad to be so as it is still snowing as I type. And our close is snowed in right now and there are no buses running either. Yesterday was similar and I made soup, today will be a repeat of that, with a different flavoured soup. It is also a perfect opportunity to test out my new flask cup like this but in white, it's good so far.
I also got some lovely other things over the weekend - the most fabulous book about Grayson Perry which is the updated version of this one. And I treated myself to the brown version of this Orl Kiely teapot, which was reduced by about £15 (result) and I got four mugs too - this one, this one, this one and this one. I love her designs, they put me in mind of stuff we owned in my childhood in the 70's and they just sing out to me. I shall be adding to my collection.
So I have feel I have been quite spoilt and lucky and as I still am fighting off this never ending cold, that is quite a nice way to feel.
I shall spend today (once the few chores I have left are done) snuggling with dogs and hopefully getting some knitting done.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Inspiration
What inspires you? What makes you want to do or achieve something? What fills your soul with pure joy that the day just seems better and brighter? I'd really like to know - so comment please.
For me, I find inspiration all over the place. I get inspired by sounds; a piece of music that resonates and quite often by the sounds of nature. Living where I do I hear lots of bird song and can hear the wind rustling through the trees or howling off the sea or the downs. I find inspiration in shapes and colours from art to the landscape and from the way the light dances on the sea. I also find a lot of inspiration from other knitters and crafters and their blogs. Another thing that inspires me is words and language, especially impassioned speaking. Over the weekend I watched Amanda Palmer's TED speech and that was really inspirational. Sometimes a piece of poetry can move me to tears.
I love it when I find something that makes me feel connected or makes me find a way through the fog to achieve an idea. I love the way words spark off other words in my head and I find the drive to write and I can then sit and write for hours just from that one spark.
It irons the creases from my brain and the stress from my spine.
So please tell me, what works for you?
For me, I find inspiration all over the place. I get inspired by sounds; a piece of music that resonates and quite often by the sounds of nature. Living where I do I hear lots of bird song and can hear the wind rustling through the trees or howling off the sea or the downs. I find inspiration in shapes and colours from art to the landscape and from the way the light dances on the sea. I also find a lot of inspiration from other knitters and crafters and their blogs. Another thing that inspires me is words and language, especially impassioned speaking. Over the weekend I watched Amanda Palmer's TED speech and that was really inspirational. Sometimes a piece of poetry can move me to tears.
I love it when I find something that makes me feel connected or makes me find a way through the fog to achieve an idea. I love the way words spark off other words in my head and I find the drive to write and I can then sit and write for hours just from that one spark.
It irons the creases from my brain and the stress from my spine.
So please tell me, what works for you?
Saturday, March 02, 2013
A whisper and a sparkle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)