2013, some new things and some OLD things

So this is where I'm at right now. I'm trying to write an essay, so naturally I come here, to a place I've abandoned for a lifetime, to while away those moments where I should be writing educational stuff... about Peter Pan.

I love Peter Pan. The play, the film(s), but somehow trying to write about it makes me want to do anything else. I think it's because I find it so sad that writing about it makes me feel so miserable. Am I the only person that thinks it's heartbreaking? It's just the saddest children's book ever, in my opinion anyway!

So, that was my old thing. New things, because - HELLO! New Year. So, 2013. Hope everyone reading this had a good new year, and Christmas, of course. I had a great Christmas because I'm always spoilt to the point of sickness. I get so many presents I do feel bad, but you know, you give people lists of what you want not only does it make it easier on them and their shopping brains, but it also means you tend to get a lot of what you want/need. I always stop buying myself things in September-October in preperation for Christmas because I'm thoughful like that, and I also really like to wait for things. Not things like computers loading, or phones trying to figure out whether they are going to send/receive text messages, but material items and rewards. I'm a huge fan of rewards and working towards a goal and so Christmas, for me, is like this great goal where, if I'm good and don't spend money for a few months, I get rewarded with hundreds of books and DVD's.

"2013 resolutions" I hear you call. OK, OK. Steady on! I have a few you know and I'm trying to make it exciting. But it won't be because I harp on about the same old things all the time, but this year is actually my year. I don't know if you knew this, but I've had things in the pipeline for a long time and this year is the year I shoot all of this stuff out of the pipe and aim it at some pretty high targets like a gross wet ball of paper out of the end of an empty Bic pen thing.

I'm back working on novel number 1 (which was on the shelf as I was working on novel number 2) and I plan on getting letters out to agents for representation in March. I am making a list of my top 5 agents that I would love to work with and I'll go from there. I expect rejection, I expect hard work and feeling like crap and wondering if I can indeed carve out a career as an author, but I really do think that it's possible. There are so many authors out there, what's one more? Why can't it be me? Exactly. Dream big.

I am also working on music this year. I have been singing this old song for a long time (aahhaaa, pun intended, I know, I'm so witty) but I really am in music mode. I've been working on recordings and what not. Really rough stuff to learn the art of it. I'm using awful microphones and what not at the moment so things are really crud but this year I'm investing in some stuff and the boyfriend is helping as he's into production. I'm not wanting a career in music in any way shape or form, but I love it as a hobby just for myself but I do have some stuff in a secret place online... If you want to check it out please see it HERE.

Don't worry if you don't like it/think I'm crap. I don't really mind, I just wanted to have fun :P

In the meantime, I best be going. I have 2000 words to write and polish off for Thursday morning and I'm a whole 500 words into it. Joy.

Sam

Nano

NaNoWriMo is currently fast approaching and with it only being my second year I'm both excited to write another novel (still working on the first so this should be... interesting) and scared.

This year I'm working full time, doing 2 modules for Uni in my 'spare' time and trying to work on my first novel all whilst trying to maintain a relationship and friendships... and now I'm going to throw in working on a new novel (which I've not even begun to think about/ plan) just to make things interesting. I hope I don't buckle under the pressure. I like being busy; hate having nothing to do. This should work out, right?

Have you ever written a novel, or ever thought about something you'd like to write but never have? My mum always harps on about a book she came up with when she was 16, she had a title and everything, but she never wrote it (My mum is full of random pointless stories like that, she also will tell you how old anyone who died would be now... as though it's something people care to know...mothers!). I have always wanted to write books but was scared I'd fail, or I wouldn't be able to think of anything to write about. Fast forward to my late twenties and I'm finishing up my first, about to start on a second and have a LOT of ideas for more... Yeah, I'm not published yet, and it may take me a while, but I'm determined to succeed, it's my dream job, and if other people can do it, why can't I?

Ahead of schedule

Yes! I've finally finished re-writes on The Novel. Not the final redrafting or anything, but possibly the middle stage. Thank the Heavens! I didn't think I was going to make it before the end of the month!

Well, that's all for now because I now have a million and one things to do before I go to bed now! Always busy!

Sam

Progress for Progress's sake

I set myself a challenge - finish this set of re-writes on The Novel by the end of the month. When I set myself this challenge I had only done re-writes on 2 chapters. I have since made excellent progress. I downloaded a program called Scrivner - I meant to download it last year but put it off. Recently someone I follow on Twitter was raving about it so I decided to give it a go. Well, it's now enabled me to re-write 5 more chapters with such ease I am embarrassed I didn't download it sooner.

If you're a writer I would recommend. It's great for writing novels, any kind of manuscript really, and it has a nifty 'script writing' setting for any budding script writer (which I kind of am and will be studying at some point in the next year of my degree).

I just wanted to share this joyous discovery with you guys because I know a lot of my followers are writing comrades ;)

Also, on a writing note - my local Starbucks is where I like to do some of my writing. The manager, who is also a writer, has informed me of a short story competition run by Costa coffee. Now I know they have their Costa Awards thing, and they pick great books, but this is a really great opportunity for unpublished authors to get their writing into the world. It closes on the 7th september, so not much time to write a 4000 short story, but if you're interested you should check it out HERE.

I don't know if I will have time to enter (plus, short stories are not my forte, I am not that skilled at story telling) but if you write you should definitely check it out!

Sam

Summer Holidays!

I did it - the exam is over! Yes!!! I was going to blog about it last week but my brain has literally taken days to recover from the increased usage. It wasn't as bad as I thought, though, I keep telling people I think I did my best etc. Because I did do my best; I wrote everything I knew. I didn't forget anything I don't think. But I am one of those superstitious people and now I think I've kind of jinxed myself because I've been telling people I think I did OK, so I'll probably now fail and look like an ass.

Bah! Oh well. What can I do about it now, eh? Nothing!

So, now that exam is out of the way my 'summer holidays' have officially started. Kind of. Because I still have to go to work and I have had to ask for full time work again so I can get some money together. Humph. Hoping they take their time deciding if they will let me because then I can bask in this thing called 'spare time' and pursue what I think is called 'leisure activities'. I am starting to learn French today (my self-taught lessons will begin in the next hour or so) and I'm looking forward to getting edits and rewrites done of my novel. I'm also really looking forward to practising playing my guitar because I never have time any more so that's a bonus! Also - reading! Reading is back on the menu! And working out! All of these things I haven't had time for in the past few weeks due to revision!

Speaking of working out - I went on my first outdoor run in ages, and my first actual run or exercise of any type in the past 2 weeks (had to stop due to getting a cold, and thus wheezing a lot, and revising my ass off). What can I say? It was tough. 2 miles and I ran perhaps 1 mile of it on and off. But, in my defence it has turned out to be a hot day and I can't run in heat! I was actually praying for rain today!

In other unrelated news - my sister is getting the keys to her new house on Friday, which means I will be getting my own room. It's taken 25 years, but finally, I will have my own damn room in this house. I love sharing as me and my sister are actually best friends so it's fun (most of the time) but the idea of having a double bed, and a whole room to put my things in makes me so happy. I'm one of those 'loves to decorate' people, so I've been working on some room ideas and putting a collection together on Pinterest - redecorating is something I think I was born to do!

Right, best get on with French.

adieu!

Sam

Let the edits begin

So, as most of you will probably know, I'm writing a novel. Well, I've written a novel - I started in October (completing just over 50,000 words that month) and finally finished the first draft of my manuscript in January (at just over 71,000 words). This was kind of a big deal for me. I've started countless stories but never finished them because I never really thought I could do it, and I also (even though I kind of fantasised about being one), never thought I could be a writer.

I'm not 'smart', or 'linguistically gifted' - I'm not putting myself down, honestly, I'm just not one of these book learners you so often see writing books. However, when I was writing in October I realised I COULD do it. I could actually finish a book, and then a realised I could actually get it published (still a long way off), because, well - just go into Waterstones. How many books do you see? There. I mean, even if I could only sell 100 copies of a book that would be amazing. Selling 1 would be a step in the right direction.

SO - without further ado, I'd like to announce phase 2 of The Book. Which is: EDITS!

This is probably going to be the hardest part. I've put the book away for a month. I'd like to leave it longer, but I'm getting twitchy and I just want to start looking back into it again (a good sign?). So the 1st of March starts the 2nd draft of the manuscript, which is basically spell checking that bad boy! And checking grammar, kind of. I won't be editing the actual story for another few weeks because spell checking is probably going to take me forever, but the day has finally arrived where I can start working again and I'm excited.

I'm not going to divulged any information about the story or title (which still hasn't been set and probably won't be for a LONG time), if you are super spy like, like me, you'd probably be able to find something on the internet about it... somewhere, but I'm probably going to be taking that down soon. (cryptic!).

Wish me luck and if you have any helpful hints or tips I'd appreciate. I do take writing class at Uni and have a load of information to hand, I also have a couple of writing books but any first hand experience would be fab!

Sam

Madness.

I'm in kind of one of those moods where I don't know what I'm feeling, but it has something to do with wanting to be creative but not being able to. I can't really describe it very well.

I should be writing, as I set myself the challenge to finish the 1st draft of The Novel by the end of January, so I could start to chip away at it in March. February is going to be a month of forgetting about it and focusing on other things, like photography and trying to make cute aprons. Oh, and reading. Let's not forget that I have LOADS of reading to do.

This week I'm supposed to be reading Wuthering Heights.

Heathcliff, it's Cathy, I've come hoooomme, oooooowoooah!

I was going to start it today but I woke up all BLAH, so I'm forgoing the reading, I also didn't hit the gym this morning, despite my previously half heartedly made plans to do so. Well, what? I spent all day walking around Manchester yesterday, that's kind of like exercise, despite the long times spent stood still or else prancing around Waterstones like an idiot. Which is what I do, by the way. I also dance in HMV... well, they shouldn't play music if they don't want me to dance.

No, I should really get back to writing. Because I only have about 6000 more words to write and then I think I'll be home-free... except I don't know how to end the story. Ok, you guys can help me.

Should I end it on a happy note, on a sad note, on an open note? How would you end the book you don't know the story line of?

This could actually be an amusing topic for discussion...

Sam

2012... Oh God, the world... THE WORLD!

Look, don't panic! Don't panic I say! 

Everyone knows the world isn't really going to end this year, don't they? I'm not so sure. Because, you know people don't really believe in the Mayan counting system (well, not average people), or practise the ancient Mayan way of life, yet some 'Mayan Experts' have said that 2012 is the last year for us all. Any I think a lot of people, despite previous comments, might actually believe this in the back of their minds. 

Let's take a look at it, in a realistic point of view. Yes, realistic. That happens here every now and then. You see, the Mayans were good at keeping time. They were the shit. The best. They had a counting system which meant they could be pretty accurate with their dates and times. Never late to a tea party, and always right about when you were supposed to be getting to the airport. (But not really). Basically, they kept a calendar about events that the world would go through (based on their Mayan beliefs) and we are coming up the last part of the calendar so naturally people think this means they didn't foresee us living past December 2012. 

But that's a poor man's version of the truth. Because A. That's based on ancient religions we don't even believe any more and to do so would be ridiculous. Mayan religion is as outdated as Christianity will be in another 100 years or something. (Not religion bashing, but religions have a shelf life and that's just fact.). And 2. Well, if you were employed to write a calendar for the rest of time... wouldn't YOU fob it off so you could go and play a game with your best friend, or have a smooch with your beau under the waterfall. So what would you do? Keep writing a calendar for the rest of your life, doing the same repetitive counting and being 'the time guy' to everyone in world, or would you say 'Hey! Look, the world is going to end in 2012... who's up for garden Jenga?' and get your ass outta there? 

Well, I know what I'd do. But that's just me. And if it makes you feel any better :

"Contemporary scientists have disputed the apocalyptic versions."

And that's from Wikipedia, so we know it's going to be OK! 

Well, that's all for today - hope the new year is going well for you all. I'm currently doing what I do best and what I continue to do for the rest of time. Put off writing my assignments because it makes me feel bad about myself, and if there's anything I'm good at, it's making myself feel bad so I'm gonna keep at it! 

On a side note the book review blog will be back up and running soon. I'm tying it in with my GoodReads challenge of reading 50 books this year so... Toodles!

Sam

Google... you both confuse and excite me...

So, I know I'm probably the last one to have switched to the new blogger that Google has offered us, but, well, I had a look at it a while ago, decided I didn't like change and switched back to the old viewing window.
Recently I decided that no, Sam, you will change. You won't get left behind, you'll move on with the rest of them and rejoice in the new world of Google. And that's just what I did... still not sure about it. It's nice, and neat and sure, I can see a lot of hard work has gone into making it the best it can be... but it's SO different. Still, I'm here now and there's no going back.

Talking of no going back. When I did upload the new blogger, I was prompted that my IE didn't properly support the new script, so I was prompted (very conveniently) to use Google Chrome as a browser instead. I ummed and ahhed, because I'd been contemplating changing browsers for a long time, but nothing felt right. Well, I switched and now everything feels right. Google Chrome is me. It's smart, fast, smooth looking... just like me! haha. I jest. But once I started updating I couldn't stop. I updated my Google Mail accounts and even signed up for Google Analytics for my website... there's no stopping me this week. Literally.

And talking of not stopping - I'm still fully invested in NaNoWriMo, despite my initial fears I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm currently at a word count of about 19201, and will be hitting and exceeding the 20k mark of my novel tomorrow, right on schedule. I'm loving the writing, and I think it will help me with my creative writing. It's helping me get out of myself, and learn to just write, and explore different techniques, voices, POV's and what not. I actually got my first assignment mark back for creative writing and got a 61, which to me is great! Over 50 for the 1st assignment is good in my eyes, because I will only be aiming higher and higher from now on. Got some really good constructive criticism and I'm taking it all in and rolling with it!

Speaking of rolling with it - my sister passed me the Vampire Diaries books to read the other day. This is the first time she has given ME a book to read, usually it's the other way around, but since she exhausted my book collection this year she's had to pass me something she's stolen from a friend. I always avoided VD because I watched the TV show before I read the book, and I don't like doing that, so if it happens I try not to get into the books because it usually ruins the TV show, with the book being better, but I can honestly say I prefer it this way around. VD the book is good, but I don't like the way it's written, and the verbal exchanged between the characters unbelievable. The TV show took all the good things about the show, added their own spin on it and made it 80 times better. So there you have it, the TV show CAN be better than the book!

And speaking of Tv shows - I've recently written an article on MY WEBSITE about cancelled Tv shows. Check it out - I'm looking for viewers and feedback - also contributors. So if you're interested in doing an article, or have any links you want to share to fun sites just email them to;
theswirlingvortex@gmail.com

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call progressional flow. I'm good at it - I even have a t-shirt with I <3 Progressional Flow on it. Yes, I'm that cool!


Bye now!

Sam
x

Don't judge me!

Don't be a judgy budgie but.... I made out-of-the-box cookies yesterday!

Ah, I know. And I call myself a baker! (well... I don't really, but I do love to bake).

It's just, you know that Betty Crocker stuff is the bees knees and sometimes I just can't resist. I actually went through a phase of buying BC devils food cake, which is possibly the best chocolate cake mix ever invented. The cookies are equally good, but can not ever surpass the cake. Oh my lord. I'm salvating just thinking about it....

So I'm a baking cheat - what are you going to do?

Look, I baked this from scratch - never mind the fact all my utensils are clean... no... don't check the bin...

On a fun side note - not that there is anything MORE fun than baking - I have 6 books on the way. Yep. Yeppidee do dah, I bought 6 books at once. Because I ran out of my birthday books and now its time to read MORE. So I'll be reading, and posting little reviews up on my other blog when I can. Good times!

Sam



I know... I look youthful, don't I?



I think...

Therefore I am...

Such a philosophical Q and A. I know... What's gotten into me? I have no idea.

What I was meant to write, was 'I think I've figured out why this damn blogger stopped letting me edit my blogs to make them all happy and shiny and colourful and stuff'. But my hands got in the way!

So, yessh. I only just discovered, when setting up a new blog (I'll talk about that later), that I was on 'old' settings of blogger. Heaven forbid I be told they have changed the editor software. No! Don't tell me you have to manually change which ever one you want to use. *HUFF* Technology, eh?

So, on a lighter note. I set up another new blog. But.. no... wait... don't tell me I'm being silly - just listen! I read a lot of books and thought it would be fun to write about them. So I started this to have fun with. I know I don't usually keep up with new blogs, but hey ho! When you have an idea, you should go with it until you don't want to go with it anymore. And THAT'S why I've done it.

I'm bored now and my dinner is getting cold - toodles!

Sam

Amazon, why do you tease me?

Humph! I love amazon. I've said it before and I'll say it again, because I buy absoluetly everything from there. Everything! (OK, maybe not EVERYTHING, but about 90% of my purchases are Amazonian). I tend to trust everyone on Amazon, who have a rating of anything over 90% as you would, wouldn't you? well, I'm totally dissapointed with a recent purchase and am SENDING it BACK. I never send things back. I'm so useless at sending things back I still have shoes that don't fit me because I love them and I am too lazy to send them back. But this book is going back. 'near perfect' condition, they said. 'Like new'. What they failed to mention was that it is a book from a library. And its WELL read. Worn and pages torn. With the crappy plastic cover and... dare I say.. Yellow pages. I'm a book lover and demand all NEW books I buy be in mint condition to a certain extent. It was nly about £4 but that's not the point. If I went to a used book store I would buy a book as I have just described it. But from an Amazon seller, who said it was 'like new'. No. No sir, I won't stand for it. Back you go, and I'll be without a book for the next week. Grrr. Sorry - book ranting, and Amazon ranting. Whatever next?! Cold pizza from Dominoes? Sigh! sam

I don't know what I'm doing!

Meh!

I just got back from my slimming world group (late, may I add, as I was talked into weighing everyone!), and only lost 1lb this week. Or last week even. Which has bummed me out totally! I know any kind of loss is good, but I was really hoping for 2lbs at the least, as that would have taken me over the half a stone mark in 2 weeks. But I guess I should learn to take a victory no matter how small, even though I hardly ate at all last week because I didn't really have an appetite... humph. Pissed off, but I'll get over it! At least I didn't put weight on!

I am not just going to talk about that though. For today... today I start a new book. And I'm quite excited about that. I have been mourning the end of the last book I read for about a week. I was really gutted it ended (it wasn't just one book, it was the last of a series), so I was all sad about not reading about the characters anymore. But after some self reflection, I have come out of the other end of the depression with a new lease of life and a new book in my hand from the pile of books I got for Christmas.

This weeks book is The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro (writer and director of films such as Pan's labyrinth and Hellboy II). I was really looking forward to getting this book when it first came out and am really peeved I didn't make the effort to get it from waterstones in Manchester, as he was doing a signing, but oh well. At least I have it now, and can get on with reading it. I don't know much about it, but it seems like it will be a thriller, mystery with vampires? I didn't want to Google it and ruin it for myself, so I am going in blind. I can't wait.

I have recently been to the cinema and also watched a couple of DVD's! (me? watch films...? well that almost never happens... not!).

I saw The Dilemma - which was ok and kind of funny, but not as hilarious as I would have liked.

I saw Black Swan - which was great. Sad, depressing, a little scary and rude. But pure brilliance and so clever and captivating.

I also watched Dog Soldiers on DVD, as it was £3 and my dad said it was quite good so I bought it. It was ok. Werewolves were scary as hell but the film was hilarious as it was so... strange. You'd think werewolves would make people scream... lots of screaming in the film... people being scared and confused.... but there was none of that. Which was odd, but made it even more amusing! And for such a small budget film it was pretty incredible!

I think that's all from me. I don't have anything to say that's slightly entertaining etc. So live long and prosper, and if I see you in a dark alleyway any time soon, I'll be sure to drain your blood and leave you for dead... wait... did I say that out loud? Too many vampire stories for me!

Sam

Picture of the day

GOT to try this makeup! Natalie Portman = girl crush. There, I said it.

Books and Tv - the things that shape my life!

Oh yeah!

It's Monday -and unlike most people, I look forward to Monday's because I don't work 'em! I have the pleasure (although the pain of a crap wage) of being part time at the moment; so as I can do my uni work. And Monday's offer me a lie in, and a chance to prepare for Tuesday. So Tuesdays are now my Monday's - but it still makes me feel great!

On to bigger and better things. There is nothing I like more than books and TV. At the moment there are a lot of tv shows which have been born of book series first and there is always that question - should you read the book before watching the show? Now, I am a huge reader (you should see how many books I got for Christmas!) and often will read something before its released onto the big OR small screen, however I hate jumping on band wagons and so will never read a book series if I have already started watching the show. Just one of my many stupid character traits!

I am hooked on many shows at the moment. Mostly fantasy drama's - and if it has vampires in it and its American (I loath British supernatural dramas as much as I loath period dramas from any continent) then I'm there! At the moment I am watching a few things (thanks to my family listening to my rants and buying me a load of boxsets for Christmas) - Vampire Diaries, True Blood, Doll House among other things, like Glee and 90210 (what? A girl gotta watch her teens!!), and I think people think I watch it for the fella's. And sure, the guys are all quite attractive, but the girls are equally attractive and I think that's part of the allure. I like looking at attractive women as much as men (ok, not as much as, but you get what I mean). Pretty girls will always make a tv show watchable, which is not sad but totally true. I know it's not a huge epiphany but it's not supposed to be :)

As for books - I read teen fiction -there, I said it. I read Twilight years ago (before the films thank you very much! <--- annoying trait #1 exposed), and I am in the middle of a couple of series which no one I know reads and that's the way I want it to stay. You see, much like my annoying trait #1 where I like to read things before they become a massive movie success - I have an annoying trait #2; I like to read book series and not tell anyone about them so that they don't start reading them and start liking them and start talking about them. I'm a book hoarder. And I know, if I like a book I should want others to like it too, so we can talk about it and the author will get more money etc. But... I just don't work like that. No one else is allowed to know the characters. No one else is allowed to know about these worlds I find. I really can't help it. Gosh... I could never join a book club, it would drive me mental!

Well -that concludes my rant about TV and books. I was inspired by the pile of Christmas gifts in front of me! :)

Happy Monday everyone!

Sam

Picture of the Day:

Autumn and Paris...

Yes!!!

I am going to Paris on next Monday, after a short stint in London... Could Autumn get any better? I love it. Its ridiculously becoming my most favorite of seasons. Especially since Autumn first started this year its been way better than the summer weather wise. Blue skies and sun shine, kinda warm, but crisp at the same time. I love this feeling!!!!! And on top of it, I get to go to Paris in Autumn... How super stylish! I can't wait to wander around France looking for my new winter coat. I hope to Zeus that I find a good one. My current winter coat feels way too 2005... What I really need is someone to tell me all the cool, non touristy shops to go to to find nice stuff with reasonable price tags.. if that's not too much to ask! :) It probably is, but I am already expecting to spend waaaay too much whilst I am there. Yippee!

I really do feel like everything has come together these past few weeks. Have read some fantastic books, and currently jumping on the Twilight bandwagon -and loving it. Its stupid. I am actually obsessed and I ain't even half way through... ok, maybe I am.. but still.... Its a brilliant read and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone who likes to read!

Yoga is also something thats on my mind at the moment - since starting to go, I feel a lot more composed, although I kinda wish I was more composed in my life, but I feel as though I carry on arms flaying all over the place, in a not so graceful manner. I suppose you can't change who you are in that sense, or maybe you can, but it wouldn't be true to yourself, so would it be beneficial to try? probably not. Oh, how philosophical! Kind of. I will have to be satisfied being myself for the time being... humph. I wish life was more like a book or something, where you find something you are really good at, that comes so naturally. I thought I would have by now. I am sure everyone has something they are brilliant at, but alas, I haven't succeeded in discovering MY hidden talent. I thought it might be dancing, but I went to a dance class and wasn't so sure. Its not that I couldn't remember steps etc. because I could.. I think its more the people I didn't really warm to. which is a shame. But I doubt I will be going back. I tell you who I always get on with though... Butchers... maybe I should become a butcher... although being vegetarian might not be beneficial to the trade...

Love Autumn, Love Books, and Love Life,

Scum.