Wow!

Day 21 of my ‘Poem a Day’ challenge and yes I have 21 poems written, plus a few extras that didn’t quite get finished. I am not normally one to praise myself, but feel pretty pleased with myself over this. I just need to find some way of challenging myself to finish my novels. I have five in various stages of writing and editing. Now if I could only finish them….

April has included little son’s Easter school holiday. I shall be sad to see him return to school on Tuesday, but glad to regain my writing and housework routines. Hubbie is abroad at the moment (Saudi Arabia), so we went away earlier in the week to Wales with Ellie Swoop. Good fun was had by all. I’ve included a couple of photos below.

I’m typing now to try and keep warm as the boiler has decided not to work. Why do things like this always happen when hubbie is away? I remember once Dad went away and Mom’s hot water bottle burst in the middle of the night! Lol.

I have plenty poetic subjects to go at for the rest of the month, but if you would like to give me a theme to work on, please do so in a comment.

My Poetry Muscle

As if I didn’t have enough to do, I’ve agreed to take part in a version of NaPoWriMo. I am writing a poem a day for the month of April. It is going very well so far and I’m enjoying the light relief from editing. The poems are by no means masterpieces, but they are amusing me and exercising my poetry muscle. I may share a few poems as the month progresses.

Editing of my novel Rosie and Tanner is going well. I calculated yesterday that I am 38% through the penultimate pass. It doesn’t stop me going into panic tailspin every time I hear that a member of the RNA NWS has sent off their manuscript. I will get there. In the infamous words of Thomas the Tank Engine, ‘I can do it, I can do it….’

Little son is now on his Easter holiday, which carries its own distractions from writing. Big son and girlfriend both have jobs now and while they house hunt, it looks as if they will be living here. Ellie Swoop had a crisis with her water supply earlier in the week and had to come and stay. Hubbie is on holiday. I have made a big vat of ragout, as I have no idea how many people I am feeding day to day! Fun though.

Homemade Hot Cross Buns (spot the smiley face one for little son)

Today I had a go at hot cross buns and very yummy they are too. Hubbie bought the book ‘Women’s Institute Bread’ by Liz Herbert and we have been very pleased with all of the recipes we have tried so far. I loved the brie and redcurrant tear and share bread. My new relaxation method is kneading – with a favourite CD on and bread dough in your hands you feel so much better after ten minutes of pummelling.

Brie and redcurrant jelly tear and share bread

What is your favourite method of relaxation at the moment?

Lucky Seven

Faye Robertson tagged me in this fun little thing making the rounds on the writing circuit.

Here are the rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS

2. Go to line 7

3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. No cheating.

4. Tag 7 other authors

 

Okay, so this is from the WIP I am struggling to edit, currently titled Rosie and Tanner:-

‘Rosie there are certain things you don’t discuss with a daughter.’

‘Things you don’t discuss with a daughter. I’ll say. You’ve let me go to my own father’s funeral without telling me I was related. I think I am owed some explanations.’

‘He was never your father really. He just supplied the sperm.’

I tag :

1. Sue Johnson
2. Teresa Morgan
3. Sue Watson
4. Jessica Thompson
5. Sarah Pearson
6. Karina Buchanan
7. Sally Jenkins

It is just for fun so it doesn't matter if you don't want to do it.

And the winners are.

The winners of my blog picture competition are....pause for drum roll...

Caption: When Eskimos watch 'The Wizard of Oz' by Sarah Pearson.

Book Title: Bound by Laces by Gwen

It was a difficult choice as Ellie and I loved them all.

Sarah and Gwen - please direct message me on morton.s.gray@btinternet.com with your addresses and I'll send your prizes.

Congratulations.

Competition Time

Take a look at the picture below. In case you are wondering Ellie Swoop and I ended up buying the same boots! We thought we would celebrate with some competition fun.

The competition is free to enter, but you must be a follower of my blog. Either

1. Give me a caption for the photo, or

2. If this was the cover of a book give me the title.

A prize will be given for each category. The competition will be judged by myself and Ellie Swoop and our decision is final. Closing date 16 March 2012 at midnight. Please post your entry as a comment.

Prizes are shown in the photograph below - some dinky moleskin notebooks and soaps.

Good luck.

Good News

Thought I’d share some good news today -

1. My editing of the story I shall submit to my RNA New Writers’ Scheme is going well.

2. Attended my first RNA Birmingham Chapter group on Saturday. Haven’t been into central Birmingham on my own for many years, but I made some new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and lunch. Jean Fullerton came all the way from London to join us and shared some helpful insights about marketing and characterisation. Thanks to Marilyn Rodwell for organising the event.

3. I have been chosen to give away copies of Pride and Prejudice to people who would not normally read it on World Book Night. I am looking forward to lurking in the High Street and cafes giving away my books.

4. My big son got a job!!!!! Yay. Those who have read my previous post about The Lucky Button will understand. He graduated in Summer 2011 and has managed to get down to the last few in several selection processes, but this time he got it. I am so pleased and proud.

5. Watch out for a competition on my blog in the next few days.

Hope you are all having a great time too, please share lots of good news in your comments.

Starting in the Middle

Sorry I’ve been quiet, but to be honest that sums up how I’ve felt lately. I’ve been battling with editing and I don’t enjoy it as much as the luxurious free writing of a first draft.

Having said that, I seem, fingers crossed, to be getting somewhere. I switched the manuscript I was working on for my RNA New Writers’ Scheme back to my favourite Rosie and Tanner story. As I appear to be scared of getting the beginning or the ending wrong, I made the decision to start in the middle and it seems to be paying off. Anyone else use this method?

I picked a pivotal moment in the story and edited and embellished that chapter. This included a look at overused words. Oh dear, my list is long. It is quite telling when you ask for a search of “just” or “that” and get hundreds!

After this chapter, I worked on the ones either side of it. This seems to be focussing my mind on the story. I realise that at least another pass will be required, but the completed pages are mounting up and it feels achievable. Stilling the panic seems to be one of the key factors for me.

What is your most repeated word? I can then add it to my editing list!

Watch out for a competition on my blog soon.