Storytime

So the plan/ goal/ concept for this month's writing was to GET MY BUTT INTO GEAR AND FINISH THIS DRAFT OF THE NOVEL. Hmm, you say. Not too bad when I've had two weeks off work. (Mind you I played more in the garden then with a computer). And I was only concentrating on a few things this draft. First was tense. I have some of the novel in present tense, others in past perfect but on looking at it as a whole, I think it all needs to be in past tense. So I'm working through, changing the tense. Easier said than done, it's more than a change from explore to explored..it's also run to ran etc etc and it affects so much of a sentence. You really have to look at a whole paragraph to see if it's working. I've also added a few chapters to build a character's growth. Which, I know, will have to be worked on later. But my main object was to get the tense down...and then work from there. BUT...OMG...I have so picked up on so many stereotypes...so man...

Spring, especially the past few days, is here. Glorious sun, the days are slowly warming, the blossom is out, flowers everywhere are suddenly doing their thing. The world seems to have a skip in it's step. I don't know about you but winter makes me want to hibernate. I want to rug up, snuggle under a blanket and either read for hours or binge on bad TV.  Winter's grey skies are dark and containing. Bring on a bit of blue sky and sunshine and it all seems so much easier. Mind you, you then see things to do... Cobwebs..dust bunnies...windows...weeds.... But amongst all that, spring has a way of making me face my writing with more enthusiasm. Perhaps it's the sense of renewal and rejuvenation. Spring has so much promise and I think I relate to it. I also try to spend as much time as I can out in the garden. Weeding, mulching, weeding, planting, weeding. All in preparation for the heat of summer. This not only helps to boost my mental health, but i...

Lately, I've spent my Fridays with a young man. A very gorgeous young man... We have a lot of fun together. There is much playing...much wrestling...much reading of books...much getting food everywhere. It is full on and then we have a quiet time. And so I have been making myself mega organised. I take my breakfast and lunch down with me...so we breakfast together, we play....then when it is nap time I actually get out my lap top. Yep, I have managed to get myself semi organised and get to do some work while he's having his first nap. It's usually a very short one but I do get some work done. Then it's up and more play... more food...more wrestling...more reading....hopefully there's another nap in there somewhere and I get more writing done. I am making the time work for me. And frankly it's working really well. This, alas doesn't equate with being at home. Too much stuff to do, too many distractions. And at the moment I'm...

Over the past few months I've been spending a lot of time with my grandson. In fact I have had the fun  privilege of looking after him on a Friday while Mum and Dad both work. It is a time of discovery for both of us. When is nap time...if there is a nap time...how to catch a half naked baby who doesn't want his clothes on...what food does he like....what food does he like to wear...what song will he snuggle to in hopes of nap etc. Huge learning curve for both of us. And he is at a great age. Just turned one and it has been fascinating watching him make discovery after discovery. He likes to switch switches, turn knobs, take down books, tear pages, push open doors, open cupboards. Push chairs, climb bookcases, remove DVD's, pull leaves, destroy flowers, play in dirt. It has been great to see him try to work things out. How do I make this bead move? How far can I push this table? Can I pat the cat? What will it feel like? If I can pat it, c...

Book Week is not only a great excuse to dress up (working in youth services in a public library) it also opens up a great chance for some wonderful discussions. What is your favourite book? What was your favourite book as a child? Do you have a favourite author? A book you reread over and over again? Dressing up means we get some great feedback. From 'WOW you look great' to 'what on earth are you meant to be?' and 'Is there something special going on?" This year I encouraged my Storytimers to dress up and the majority made the most of it. It was great to see superheroes such as Spiderman, Batman and Captain America...we had four Elsa's from Frozen and a few Disney princesses...a witch, Princess Leia, a 'cool' kid and assorted warriors.... and I was one of four unicorns. Love it when the crew at work throw themselves into it. At Storytime we discussed the CBCA Book Week. We talked about how impossible  difficult it would be to be a...

I've had voices in my head for the past week. Not THOSE kind of voices but I've had the inkling of a story going round and round. Just a wisp of an idea, no real theme or plot but I could hear the voice of the narrator. So of course I did nothing and waited for the story to crystallise. Nothing happened. I did my usual tactic when this happens. I headed out to the garden. Surely a quick walk around between showers, in the cold cold winds will jog the old brain. Unfortunately, I got to admire the jonquils and the first of the daffodils but nothing came. There was no great insight. No AHA..that's what's the story all about.  I worked on something else (the dreaded novel WIP). All the time this voice kept harking away. So I began to question who was this woman? Who was she speaking to? And why did I keep seeing this family next door? What did they have to do with the story? Is this a story at all? Well of course, after so many days with the question...

I am a reader, always have been. I read for pleasure and enjoyment. In fact it's part of my nightly ritual, to read in bed before I go to sleep. Sometimes tiredness overrules and the book is put down after half an hour, other times and I'm reading and reading until I realise it is a silly hour in the morning and I have to get up soon. I always have a stack of books by the bed. In fact I begin to worry when I'm down to reading my last book. Small case of abibliophobia- the fear of running out of reading material. Which frankly, would never happen, as there are bookcases full of books in this house...but...the worry persists. Over time I have noticed I have changed the way I read. Now I read as a writer. I'm pulled out of the story with inconsistent details. I'm annoyed by sloppy writing. Frustrated by bad dialogue. I listen to audio books in the car on my way to work and back. I've found that mysteries/ thrillers/ crime stories keep my interest on the...