NaNoWriMo - week 1

Apologies to everyone, but this month will pretty much just consist of me either blogging about the wondrous NaNoWriMo or blogging about working on my new website - The Vortex.

So - lets start! :P

NaNoWriMo started this week and so far.. so good. I think... I have hit the word target each day and I think it's going ok. Today I have to get to 8000 and something words, but I'm going to starbucks with my laptop so I'll get a cheeky eggnogg latte and type away, sans internet access which should hopefully help keep the distractacons away! If you click the link up there you go to my user page, which tells you what I'm writing about and how well I'm doing, word wise.
I'm enjoying writing so far. I've never actually attempted to write a full book before, I've always started writing, to note down story ideas or scenes etc. but never actually thought to myself to expand on the story and, perhaps, try to write it. Partly from fear. So here I am. Over 6000 words in, and really enjoying it. I started up a little playlist to get me in the mood over on YouTube - if anyone is interested in listening to said playlist you can click the link :P

I'll keep you posted on how I get on with the rest of the writing though. To be fair, having the 1st 2 weeks of November off work is helpful so I dread the last 2 weeks when I have to go back to work and I'll have to try to fit writing into my every day trials. Hmmm.... we'll see what happens.

As for the website, its a slow start. Got a few articles, links and videos up so show what kind of direction we want to be heading in. I've been trying to get friends involved in looking at it and stuff, but my friends don't generally have the same internet aspirations as me, so they really couldn't give a tiny rats ass. It's fine with me, I just want to try to get it going though - so anyone who ventures past the site, please let me know what you think - what you like and don't like! I want honesty!

In the meantime - when I've not been working on such things, I've been watching New Girl, the Tv show with Zooey Deschanel. And I love it. I like her anyway, but I was worried it would be a bit too 'quirky' and play too much on the fact that she is cute etc. But it's actually so well done, and so well written it doesn't come across as OTT. In my opinion anywho!

Right I have to get going to 'bucks so I can start writing!

Sam

Google Trends

Yo! So, I find it incredibly interesting to see what is trending on Google in the world. Well, I say world. I only usually look at the UK and US trends, because, well, that's just what I do. You see, I figure if I know what people are interested in googling, I can come up with interesting posts. I'm not trying to get more readers in a sad and desperate, needy 'I want people to listen to me' way. I just like the idea that someone might stumble onto this thing and think - 'hey! this girl is kind of amusing'. I know. I fail at this! Derrrr..... Back to business. I look up google trends. And I'm sorry, as much as I want to blog about interesting things and talk about what everyone else is talking about I can't in any way expand or debate on topics such as: Pass over (Because I know nothing about it) Robert Ebert (because I have no clue who he is) Superman Returns (Which I could go into, but the blog would be Loooooong and people would find I have too much to say on the man in blue!) Atlas Shrugged (Say whaaaa?) Syphilis (Seriously, people have been googling this enough for it to land in the top 10) You see, as much as I want to be talking about current affairs, I can't. because that's just mental. What is wrong with people? why is no one googling 'The Only Way is Essex'? Or 'Why is Spotify going to screw me over big time in the next few months?' - why? Alas, the bigger questions in life go unanswered as people google 'Ice Age' and 'Molly Ringwald'. Ok, I'm actually interested in that last one! I'm super impressed people still give a shiiiiiiii damn. give a damn, I meant. ;) Well, sweet people, I am going to go back to listening to my 'coffee shop' playlist. Which I may post once I have it sorted. It's basically a list of songs I would like to listen to in a coffee shop. yeah... I don't know why either! Laters! Sam

I'm going to make a playlist...

That's right.

A playlist to end all playlist's. Or not - as really, what I just decided is I want to make a really great easy listening playlist, of music you could sit and listen to when you are either working away, reading, or trying to chat with friends in a bar, but don't want to shout so they can hear you over the trance music they are playing at midday on a Sunday.

So far, the playlist is empty. It will be a work in progress, but if any one who passes this little blog has any really great songs that are quiet, or simple, or just lovely to listen to - please let me know, as I have a lot of music... but it could also be classed as a lot of crap music. I have spotify and I'm not afraid to use it, so any musical suggestions welcome.

Thanks all!

Hmmm - Sam wonders if one day, when she gets the play list up and running, there would be a way to play it here... probably not, but it would be a nice thing to happen....

Sam

Infinite playlist...

So.

I just watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist... and it was brilliant. My sort of film. It is one that I laughed out loud to, cringed at, and also sighed at. Why can't I meet a nice, dorky boy? hmmm? exactly.

I am now set on trying to make my very own infinite playlist - which will include many a crap song from the 90's, 80's and maybe even before then... before then? I hear you cry... yes. Yes indeed. 'Strangers in the night' has always been a favorite song, and that music that's mostly heard in elevators... bum bu bum bu bum ba di dum di dum, la la la la la la lalalala... hmm hmm hmm hmmmm hmmmm doo doooooo... something about when she passes and something someone goes 'ooooh' - right? You know the one I mean...

I will do it soon. No more than 20 songs.

What else, what else? Since my last blog, I have had my hair done (not as blonde as I wanted it), I had to get glasses as I have an eye that doesn't want to look forward when I want it to, and so my muscles pull it too hard to keep it in line which makes my eyes go ouchie... I didn't know there was a condition like that, I thought every ones eyes felt like they were being pulled back into their heads when they were tired? no? Huh, go figure.

I have decided to do a course in photographic and fashion make-up. Its something I like to do when I am bored - fun over the top makeup... so, I might as well pay to do it, right? yeah. I thought so too. it makes SO much sense.

And I got an Unlimited pass for the cinema near me.. all in all, this week is expensive. and I have to book my holiday next week, and pay for a hen do that's already costing me over £100 just for accom. and event tickets (excluding train tickets to get there and food and drink money), plus there are about 4 30th birthdays I am attending this month coming up, AND now the course. crap. I need to make more money. (good one Sam, who doesn't?)

I was thinking of setting up my own photography site, but I need to get more pictures for it, and hopefully offer canvas prints, as I can do that in the comfort of my own home (make a buck), and not have to rely on a company to do it for me (oh the joys of having a dad who is a professional printer), but I am unsure how to go about it. I have the site template in mind that I want to buy, but... I don't know... I should really do it.

Does anyone have any tips on how you set up advertising, or just setting up a site in general?

I could google it, but I just skim read coz I get bored easily...

I am tired.

Night night!

Sam