Friday 27 February 2015

Celebrate the small things

It is always good to stay positive and that is why I like this simple hop so much. It really makes you stop and think about the last few days. Sometimes the good stuff really pops out at you and finding the celebrations is easy. Other weeks things may not have gone so well, and the last thing you feel like doing is celebrating, but it is amazing how thinking of the simplest thing can lift your spirits.  

I tried a new recipe. Do you get fed up of cooking the same meals for the family? Sometimes I just want to shake it all up a bit and try something different! I flicked through a cook book and decided on a Mary Berry chicken recipe using cream cheese, sun blushed tomatoes, garlic and lemon, then covered in a few fresh breadcrumbs parmesan cheese and chives. Should have taken a picture but only thought about it after we'd eaten it! Will definitely make it again. Whilst searching, a few other things caught my eye, so I think I will test some other new recipes over the coming weeks.

I've done a little writing this week. Only a few hundred words on my new project, but it's progress. I've been so busy with editing the last few weeks that it is quite nice to think about something new. I am starting to visualise these new characters and their conversations are playing in my head, which I think is a promising sign.

Following on from last week's post reference the new glasses, I can report a decision has been made! Thank you so much for all your comments, it was really interesting to read them. As I was struck with a bug for a couple of days last week, it was the weekend before I went back into the opticians and, as it happened, this was a good thing. A new delivery of frames had just arrived! Conversation went something like:

Optician -  "I think we may have something new in you'll like."
Me - " Really?" 
Husband - sighs and mutters under his breath, "Oh no, we are going to be here for hours!"
Me - "Are they purple?"
Optician - "Yes."

You get the picture, right? Anyway, they should arrive in a couple of weeks. I will post a picture when I have them.

Finally, this week I'd like to celebrate the power of a hug and the warmth of a friendly smile, whether a giver or receiver be.


Please note I may have little access to internet over the weekend so I will visit blogs and return comments as I am able. Thanks for visiting. Hope you all  have a lovely weekend.


Thanks to Lexa for hosting. Follow the link to sign up for this fun and easy hop.
Also thanks to co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge

Katie @ TheCyborgMom




Friday 20 February 2015

What's been happening and Celebrations!

A mixed bag of a week really. It's half term week in the UK and as I work in school that means a week out of the daily routines for me too! And I had loads planned writing wise.
  • Complete the final polish on my ms (tick)
  • Write a compelling synopsis and wining covering letter (tick, I hope!)
  • Submit to carefully selected agents (tick). All good so far ....   
Then, I started work on a shiny new project to help me keep my fingers and brain employed while I wait to hear back from some of those submissions. It is something a bit different for me, definitely outside my comfort zone. But then my yoga teacher told me only this week it is good to step outside your comfort zone, so I am really only taking her advice!

Just to give you a little info on the new project. It will be aimed at the 5-8 age group and, although it could stand on it's own as a story, I feel it has good series potential, so I am planning three stories initially, using the main two characters in different situations. I have read an awful lot on agent/publisher websites, blogs and Twitter recently that talk about wanting 'character driven' stories. So I am going to work on developing the characters into something unique and memorable. The other thing I have been reading about recently is humour in children's stories. And I guess this is really where I am stepping out my comfort zone, in that I am trying my hand at writing humour. That silly kind of childish humour has always appealed to me, some might say I never actually grew up, but maybe that's not such a bad thing for a children's writer!

Anyway, 4,000 words in and I'm loving it! It's fun and it's silly and just a little bit random in places, but I think it is working. There's a long way to go with it, but early indications are positive, and I'm happy to just see how things go for now. At least it has stopped me checking my email every 5 mins, just in case there's been an early response to my submission!

In non writerly news I took a trip to the optician. I need some new glasses, but I always find it difficult to make a decision. They will be quite expensive as I have varifocals so I don't want to make a costly mistake.The lovely lady in the optician took some pictures of me wearing the three pairs we whittled it down to. She emailed them to me to look at further, and so that I could show to husband and daughter at home.

Daughter said, "They all look the same to me," and husband said, "I bet you go for the purple ones whatever!" Frankly, not a great deal of help! 

Yes, I am drawn to the purple ones, but is it just the colour? I'm worried I am incapable of making a rational decision on things any more because of my colour obsession. The purple would be the cheapest option actually because they are from the kid's range. I always have a problem finding glasses that fit because of the shape of my head. Now, before you all start laughing and scanning my photo for clues, I simply mean I am quite narrow across that part of my face, and I often feel that styles stick out too much.

The second  pair are brown with a little bit of turquoise green on the inner frames. They fit well and I like the shape, I think they make me look grown-up and professional. (Note earlier point about never growing up). If only they were purple (sorry, see my problem!). 

The third pair, the lady described as 'quirky.' Aha, I thought the perfect compromise. They are a pinky brown colour with a little green stripe on the arms. Green is obviously the 'in' colour in spectacle fashion this season. But I'm just not sure ....

I think I need to go back and try them all on again. I will take husband for back-up. Place your bets, which do you think I will go for? Results to be revealed in the near future.

I also took a trip to the dentist. Need to go back there for a filling. 

I got a stomach bug yesterday. Nuff said on that one! Thankfully feeling bit better today although rather drained. Hopefully will have the energy to do a little writing later.

So, that was my week. Quite a lot to celebrate and a few things that made me feel blah or want to tear my hair out! A quiet weekend is in order I think, so I feel ready to go back to the real world on Monday morning.

But just before I go, I thought I'd share this link with you on writing a synopsis.If any of you are about to tackle this tricky task you might want to check it out.



 
Thanks to the lovely Lexa and her fabulous co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge Katie @ TheCyborgMom

Friday 13 February 2015

Celebrate the small things


Thanks to Lexa and her team of co-hosts L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge

Katie @ TheCyborgMom for hosting our weekly celebrations.


Sorry I didn't post last week, I ended up going to visit family and so was away from the computer for a while. Hope you all had a good week with lots to celebrate.

This week I am celebrating:


* Half-term next week. A break from work and hopefully the chance to polish my manuscript. It's nearly ready for submission ... 


* I won these lovely gifts in a giveaway from Stephanie Faris. The chocolate rose is just in time for Valentines. Looking forward to reading your book Stephanie, thank you.




Happy weekend








Wednesday 4 February 2015

Not really an IWSG post!


Big thanks to Alex and this month's co-hosts Gwen Gardner,Dolorah, Sarah Foster, and M. Pax.

Sorry guys, no proper post from me this month. I am burrowing down in the editing cave and trying to stay focused and positive. I am spending all my free time this week trying to polish my ms. I will catch you all soon. 

Happy writing.