bump back down to earth...

Totals...Twitter 9 Tweets ... Facebook...1 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...2500 words and finished 1st draft, Cups of coffee...1 Cupcakes ...1
Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Westlife, Ed Sheeran, Christina Perri.

Today has been a bit of a roller coaster, it's the first day of my holiday from the day job and I've planned nothing except a birthday dinner but that's not until next week so I thought it would give me ample time to sit and focus on meeting my self imposed deadline to finish the first draft of the novel I am currently writing.
Then today this happened...

Well, it happened in as much as I went to the counter and purchased them. I am sure you will agree it is a fine looking breakfast? I then sat and wrote like a woman possessed and something happened. Amazingly I finished my first draft a week early and ended up with cramp in my hand for my efforts but it was well worth it. I then walked around in the sunshine with a cheesy grin on my face feeling very pleased with myself. Not only does it mean I get to crack on with my edits now but I get my wall back...

Admittedly its not a great picture but what you are looking at is my storyboard of sorts. I got tangled in time lines for this novel so the easiest way around it for me was to map it out with the different characters and plot lines to make it more simple to manage and it worked too. Now I have a big empty wall and need to find something to put in it's place.

If this wasn't exciting enough I am getting to grips with Twitter (I think!) and last night joined in with a chat to Deborah Harkness who wrote my favourite book of the moment, A Discovery of Witches http://deborahharkness.com/ I will willingly admit I have read it more than once and also gave it to my mum for mother's day and she read it in three days and had the same reaction as me that she was gutted she had finished it and we're not able to read the next instalment until it's release on 10th July this year. I was very excited that I got responses to my questions, hopefully one day someone will have the same reaction to something I have written? I can live in hope!

Then this evening while celebrating my achievements...





Red wine. Of course!
Mid first glass I look at my phone and have received a text from my mum. She tells me her auntie had sadly passed away this morning. Right off I have to admit I have not spent much time with the relative on my mums side of the family as many of them live near the top of Scotland and I have only ever been as far as Gretna Green for a friends wedding. But of course I was saddened to hear the news and just makes you realise that no matter what is happening to you in your life good or bad there are always others worse off. From the nice things that my mum has said about her auntie she sounded like a lovely lady who had endured a difficult life at times but treated those she knew and met with immense kindness. So tonight and through this difficult time my thoughts are with those left behind. A somber note to leave it on this evening but I feel it's only right to stop here.

Small world...

Totals...Twitter 3 Tweets ... Facebook...1 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...600 words, Cups of coffee...1 (then substituted with peppermint tea) Cupcakes ...1
Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Matt Cardle, Snow Patrol.

There is plenty of random ramblings to follow, but I thought to start with I should talk about my reasons for today's title. Through the brief amount of time that I have been blogging, tweeting and various other things to try and make connections with fellow writers nothing has surprised me more than how small the world now seems. Already I have made connections with people in America, Canada, Ireland and too many places to mention here that far exceed the amount of places I have physically visited in my time on the planet. Believe me I would love to get to all of these places, I am a frustrated traveller - a little too nervous to travel alone so live vicariously most of the time through books and blogs.
Don't get me wrong I don't think this is a bad thing at all and it has truly opened my eyes reading about others experiences and perhaps learning and taking on board some advice. I think sometimes it is hard to make family and friends and colleagues (those of us still with day jobs) understand about the sometimes weird, wonderful and frustrating world of writing because although I may be excited about the fact that I wrote 1000 words today, it's not necessarily going to be a feeling shared but people in my life who don't write.
So for now and for as long as I am able to I am going to embrace ways to make connections, ask questions and interact with like minded individuals that understand that sometimes it would be great to have someone say 1000 words wow you must be really pleased, because yes I am!

OK as for the rest of my day it went a little like this, walking in the sunshine, drinking coffee, writing and another trip to the movies this time Bel Ami.

I have to say the reviews for this film weren't great so my expectations were not overly high, even thought I generally don't pay much attention to critics and prefer to make my own mind up about a film. I still enjoyed the film, for those very much in love with Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen in the Twilight series it's a very different role and I thought he did it well. It was certainly a brave choice of film and to be honest he's a bit of a sleazy womaniser who can't keep it in his pants for much of the film nothing much sparkling here. It was also great to see Christina Ricci on form, I think she's very talented and sadly under-rated. So all in all my movie going experiences this week have been successful which is good as its rubbish to get built up to go to the cinema only to walk away disappointed.

On my walk home I decided that I wanted some flowers and the only way I was going to get them was if I bought them myself so I did...

They will brighten up my desk and hopefully smell lovely.

The rest of my day was pretty uneventful but I am pleased to say now that the reason I was so happy and sworn to secrecy at the weekend was due to one of my best friends being proposed to. I couldn't be more happy for her she has met a really nice guy and I hope if she reads this she won't mind me saying but I have never seen her happier than this and wish them both a lifetime of happiness together.

On that note it is me pretty much done for today, a day at my desk tomorrow but for studying purposes rather than writing, although if I am productive I am sure I will manage to squeeze some writing in later in the day.

Goodnight.

Artistic licence?

Totals...Twitter 4 Tweets ... Facebook...2 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...1000 words, Cups of coffee...0 (substituted with tea today!)  Cupcakes ...1
Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Christina Perri

Amazingly today being the first of my two days off I woke up to find the sun shining. It being the first day of spring I wanted to make the most of my time off unfortunately I'd woken a bit later than I wanted to mainly due to turning off the alarm several times. I made up for it after breakfast and making the builder (working on the conservatory that will soon be finished only 12 months after it was promised but in time for the sunshine never the less!) a cup of coffee, then getting dressed in bright colours instead of the usual black and walked into the city.
This was the view from my seat at the coffee shop I sat in to write today...

Norwich is a pretty city and it was nice view and there were a lot of people walking around and lots of children too who looked as though they were on a school trip.
Throughout the day I was engaged in a text conversation with a friend who also has an interest in writing, he's having a difficult time lately but was also saying he was frustrated about not having a computer so felt unable to write. I text him this picture...

This is how I normally write, I'm too accident prone to carry a laptop around with me, not disciplined enough to stay away from Facebook and twitter and I like to see the words on the page. I know it can sometimes be a chore to type it up afterwards but for me its the first stage in my own editing process. I'm sure everyone has their own preferences and that's fine but realistically and at the most basic level all you need to write is some paper and something to write with! I am hoping I have encouraged him enough with a little push enough to get him to put pen to paper.

Feeling pretty happy with the amount of writing I got done today, I'm almost done with the final two chapters in this book, then the first draft will be complete. I decided it was only right to reward myself with a trip to the cinema.
I chose to watch a film called We Bought a Zoo with Matt Damon for two reasons; firstly I'm sure I've mentioned it but I have a bit of a thing for Matt Damon, secondly the film in question is based on a true story of a journalist called Benjamin Mee. A certain amount of artistic licence has been used the location of the zoo, the film is set in America but the zoo that the film is based on is called Dartmoor Zoological Park and is not far from where I grew up (Plymouth, England). I have been there on a number of occasions when it was called Sparkwell, but have not been recently but I really hoped that the film would capture the story well.

I have to say in all honesty I loved it but it made me cry, lots! Of course it goes without saying that Matt Damon was great but the children in the film are brilliant too, as are everyone in the film. I have to say it is a film I would watch again and recommend to others (which is why I put the trailer on here for you to see) but next time I'll make sure I have a supply of tissues. I understand why stories are changed sometimes to make the film appeal to a wider audience and I'm glad they did but I can't help feeling a little sad that it had to be Americanised!
To finish off the day a helping of sparkly vampires care of Breaking Dawn (I'm not ashamed to admit I love the Twilight saga!) with housemate was called for and now I think it's time for bed. I'm hoping tomorrow will be just as productive.

Happy happy happy!

Totals...Twitter 8 Tweets ... Facebook...2 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...0 words, Cups of coffee...3 Cupcakes ...1

Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Florence and the machine

This weekend has passed by too quickly mainly due to working shifts in the day job yesterday morning and an epic thirteen hour shift today. Sadly my highlight up until a couple hours ago was the delivery of my new desk (I thought it was exciting, my colleagues however just thought I was sad and need perhaps to get out a bit more - not really sure I can disagree with them on that count!) regardless I thought I would share a picture of said desk below!

I am aware that it is only me that is excited, but it is a very welcome relief from sitting on my bed or the floor with laptop on lap or sitting behind very small computer desk I now have space! In celebration I sat down at my newly polished desk at 1730hrs and didn't look at the clock until 2130hrs...I now have my eye on (thanks to my very lovely American friend with a severe Ikea addiction) a very lovely chair that will soon be joining my lovely desk - I then have visions of never leaving my room, haven't quite figured out how I explain that to my boss but I am sure I can come up with something creative!

This evening I returned home from work feeling a little tired only to be greeted by an amazing message on my phone, I have been sworn to secrecy at the moment and I have to say the message doesn't even directly affect me but it made me very happy and as soon as I've had the embargo lifted I intend to share so watch this space... 

As I sit here this evening I have opted on listening to music through headphones, they are serving two purposes to limit the outside distractions from housemate who is currently speaking very loudly while on skype and at the same time coughing (it is possible he has man flu, although from brief interactions in the kitchen earlier it is more likely to have resulted from the excessive consumption of alcohol while at the pub watching the rugby yesterday). The second reason to drown out the song that has hijacked my brain for most of the day. The song in question is currently being used in the new o2 advert and I've put a link here for you to use and see if you can resist the urge to sing along!



If you do, you are stronger than me, I have a feeling it's going to be there for a while - perhaps I just need to find something else to replace it with? Suggestions gratefully received.

Goodnight.



Sunshine, a welcome distraction?

Totals...Twitter 6 Tweets ... Facebook...1 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...500 words, Cups of coffee...2 Cupcakes ...1

Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Paramore, Elbow

My writing today was mainly confined to early this morning before spending the day with my parents and nephew who are visiting from down south and my aunt and uncle who live locally. Finally the sun came out and today has been lovely.
I'm back at the day job tomorrow so I'm not too bothered if it rains! It was a distraction from my normal day off which normally revolves around how much writing I can get done, but it was a special occasion and the last day I get to spend with my parents until they go home so I'm not feeling guilty in the least.
After a quick trip to Sherringham we went on the Blickling Hall which was beautiful.

 ...the rear view of the house from the lake!

 ...surprisingly the front of Blickling Hall!

It was a lovely day for a walk and the grounds were so pretty I think I'd like to go back but perhaps next time I will take my notebook and see if I can draw some inspiration from the house and surrounding area, who knows what I could find there?!! I've decided I need to find some more interesting places to write so this is an option!

I spend most of my writing time sat in a corner of a coffee shop, plugged into some music - the type of music normally depends on the type of scene I am trying to write and notebook in front of me and pen in hand. I like it like this rather than putting straight on to a computer. I also like the fact that I have to make an effort to get up and walk into the city with the purpose of writing as if I stay at home there are always far too many distractions - even cleaning the bathroom looks like a good idea!

In terms of writing I am getting scarily close to my self imposed deadline but I think I am still on target, I only have a week or so at work then eight days off and I am going to use them to my advantage.

My deadline is my birthday 4th April so I need to get cracking and make the final push.

So my alarm is set for an early morning wake up call so I can get some writing done before work but as I've not been successful at this on so many occasions I will wait and see it I manage it!!

Hacks and sugar rush!

Totals...Twitter 9 Tweets (actually by me apparently many more when my account was hacked)... Facebook...1 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...0(ish) words, Cups of coffee...3 Cupcakes ...0 but photographic evidence below of lunch more than makes up for this!

Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Maroon 5, Elbow, Muse

I'm feeling a little vulnerable today after realising my Twitter account got hacked, it's a little annoying and I am hoping now all is sorted - but I suppose it served a purpose to make me be more vigilant in future. I realise these people's intelligence far exceeds mine but I'm at a loss really my life isn't even that interesting!
In any case the rest of today has been great - and would only have been made better if the sun actually came out! I can guarantee it will come out tomorrow and the reason I know this is because I am back at the day job tomorrow! So as is pretty much always the way we will have sunshine and amazing temperatures I am sure!

Today's photo comes courtesy of my lunch...well it was about 1130am so it was close enough!

It was pretty good, gooey chocolate mousse, nuts and bananas topped of course with maple syrup (it would have been rude not too!) I decided that this was a worthy replacement of a cupcake today thanks to the culinary expertise of The Waffle House in Norwich. It was also great to spend the day with my parents and nephew too hopefully I will get to spend more time before they return back down south on Friday. Not sure I could handle another waffle though!

I'm starting to feel a little guilty at the lack of writing so I really need to get that sorted in the next few days or I'm going to be disappointed to miss my deadline which would be a shame when I am so close. So I need to knuckle down to it as soon as possible. I am making a commitment right here that I will write at least something tomorrow, will keep you posted on the progress as always!



Gardening

Totals...Twitter 7 Tweets ... Facebook...2 status updates ...blog entry...one in progress...actual productive writing of my novel...0(ish) words, Cups of coffee...3 Cupcakes ...0 must try harder tomorrow! 

Music mostly on my itunes this evening; Paramore, The Script, Will Young

Today was a struggle to get out of bed after the long shifts over the weekend and the early shift this morning, I had intended to get up early and write for a bit before work - that didn't happen! But I made it to work on time and finished the shift then drove out to see my parents and nephew who are visiting from down south and staying with my aunt and uncle. As well as being on holiday they have been willing participants in assisting the complete overhaul of my aunt and uncles garden. My nephew who is seven and is ridiculously bright (I'm aware as his auntie I am biased on this topic) was very eager to tell me that as he was helping to dig they came upon a nest of rats and he hit one on the head with a spade (sorry to all rat lovers out there who may be reading this but in fairness it was not me who committed the deed!).
With the garden well under way the last task for the evening was to wait for a delivery of 10 tonnes of topsoil to be placed on the driveway, this was pretty impressive - in fact the most impressive of all was the delivery driver's determination to get the soil from the truck. This included but was not limited to chucking the spade up to loosen soil at the top of the tipped up truck, which not only failed but left said delivery driver climbing up the side of the tipped up truck to retrieve spade and knock down the soil himself...

Almost there, spade is retrieved phew!

And the soil is gone...is now a bad time to admit to a fear of heights?

It's OK, the very nice delivery driver did made it safely down, (he didn't even get scared) and tomorrow the 10 tonnes will start to make their way on the journey into the back garden.

I would like to say I helped today, but I was at my day job and only arrived as things were winding up but I did make tea and coffee so I feel I have served a vital role in the process...or will keep telling myself that so I don't feel guilty.

Pictures to follow once the lovely garden is finished, hopefully in time for the nice weather?