Haven’t blogged for a while as I’ve been deep into my edits, to the extent I now have eye strain! I can visualise the end, but a little while to go yet.
Meanwhile patriotic fever has overtaken the country. We have a “Last Night of the Proms” event at school this afternoon and the children had to go in red, white and blue. I shall be wearing my union jack scarf.
We went to see the torch relay in Bewdley last week and I was surprised to feel a great big rush of emotion as the torch went past me. The children were asked to interview people around them for a school magazine article, so we soon made friends with strangers around us. I have never seen the town so busy - people were eight deep on the pavements.
Big son has fledged! He moved out last weekend to a flat nearby with his girlfriend. I asked my nine year old how he felt about it. ‘Sad and happy,’ he replied. ‘Sad because he won’t be here to play football and PlayStation, but happy because I can have his bedroom.’ Cue another distraction from writing – decorating said bedroom.
Not sure what we are doing next Tuesday yet. Hubbie will be abroad, which is sad, but hopefully we will have a family gathering. What are you up to for the Jubilee?
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Poetic Diarrhoea
Thirty poems written! My poem a day in April challenge is complete. Admittedly, some of the poems are a little rough round the edges, but some I am really pleased with. Now I need to polish a few and send them off to competitions, etc.
The challenge taught me a lot about my writing and the habits I need to cultivate. I am definitely happier if I write regularly. The poems have sort of anchored my writing and I have written lots of other things too. The key seems to be this internal quiet trigger which says that I am going to write today. It is difficult to describe, but it is working.
I had fun on World Book Night with 24 copies of Pride and Prejudice to give away. Two were given without leaving home – son’s girlfriend and next door neighbour.
We were meeting friends that day at Witley Court in Worcestershire. I loaded my rucksack with waterproofs and copies of P&P. I’d given away three on the car park before our friends arrived. We had lunch at the church café and a lady who worked there was giving away A Tale of Two Cities.
In the afternoon, Ellie Swoop and I did readings from P&P (competing with the refrigerator) in the local cafe. The next morning I took my remaining eight copies to Sainsbury’s and walked away with an empty bag – apart from the shopping of course. It was amazing how suspicious people are of you giving them something for free. I managed to give away 24 books in less than 24 hours. Result!
Congratulations to all those achieving writing success at the moment. I’m rooting for Teresa Morgan, who has had a request from two publishers for her full manuscript. Doris O’Connor and Serenity Woods seem to be selling books like crazy – go girls. A special mention goes to Sue Johnson, my writing tutor, who has just announced her third publishing success. Best wishes to one of my favourite authors Linda Gillard who is in hospital at the moment.
So, if you weren’t suspicious of being given something for free, what one thing would make a difference to your life that doesn’t cost a fortune? Feel free to mention any publishing success below or your experience of World book Night..
The challenge taught me a lot about my writing and the habits I need to cultivate. I am definitely happier if I write regularly. The poems have sort of anchored my writing and I have written lots of other things too. The key seems to be this internal quiet trigger which says that I am going to write today. It is difficult to describe, but it is working.
I had fun on World Book Night with 24 copies of Pride and Prejudice to give away. Two were given without leaving home – son’s girlfriend and next door neighbour.
We were meeting friends that day at Witley Court in Worcestershire. I loaded my rucksack with waterproofs and copies of P&P. I’d given away three on the car park before our friends arrived. We had lunch at the church café and a lady who worked there was giving away A Tale of Two Cities.
Morton Gray above - Ellie Swoop below
In the afternoon, Ellie Swoop and I did readings from P&P (competing with the refrigerator) in the local cafe. The next morning I took my remaining eight copies to Sainsbury’s and walked away with an empty bag – apart from the shopping of course. It was amazing how suspicious people are of you giving them something for free. I managed to give away 24 books in less than 24 hours. Result!
Congratulations to all those achieving writing success at the moment. I’m rooting for Teresa Morgan, who has had a request from two publishers for her full manuscript. Doris O’Connor and Serenity Woods seem to be selling books like crazy – go girls. A special mention goes to Sue Johnson, my writing tutor, who has just announced her third publishing success. Best wishes to one of my favourite authors Linda Gillard who is in hospital at the moment.
So, if you weren’t suspicious of being given something for free, what one thing would make a difference to your life that doesn’t cost a fortune? Feel free to mention any publishing success below or your experience of World book Night..
Saturday, 21 April 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
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.
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.
What is your favourite method of relaxation at the moment?
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?
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
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.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
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.
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.
Monday, 5 March 2012
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.
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.
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