The Life Of A Wannabe Writer

Plans, Plans And More Plans.

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000Z

Seem to be planning everything in my life write now. Scheduling work out times, DVD watching times, time to watch stuff on the internet, writing time. And in writing time I'm planning how long to spend on editing, scene planning, other writing prep and actual writing. And of course there's time for reading books and magazines, work, time to spend on the internet and time to spend outside. I feel like I'm going to get my life organized. Or just turning a little OCD.

Scene Planning Again

2012-01-23T10:30:00.000Z

I hit a bit of a problem in my rewrite of Power of Friendship 3 that I decided to scene plan it. Also going to scene plan Power of Friendship 4. I'll also be starting to write the Javaless Quest, and see if all this scene planning as helped me to write faster without any writers block.

Might also do some editing and scene planning of other story ideas, including Transom Hull as I'm thinking of starting that back up again. I might be deleating everything that's on the blog so far and starting again. Not sure yet. Gonna be scene planning and hopefully starting to write it in the hope of getting it up and running again by this September. So hoping I can get it all set up again. Might see if I can do a bit of work on it to make it look more like a proper website with pages like I've seen on a few other blogs. Wish me luck!

Reading the Trends

2012-01-16T12:06:00.000Z

Went shopping yesterday and brought some Steampunk books. Never read any Steampunk before (unless you count some Steampunk type Doctor Who novels, like The Resurrection Casket), and as it seems to be the new trend in books I thought I'd give it a go. It's either that or scan the bookshelves for anything that isn't paranormal romances or about Vampires and come up with nothing I haven't already read. I am getting very sick of all the Vampires and paranormal romances. The section of them in most bookshops I've been in seem like a stream of black covers with the only colour in the titles if you can even see the titles. Some books I've discovered amongst them (mostly because I got one of the series free with a magazine, heard about it for a long time or just saw it when it first came out so was put with all the new books that isn't all of the same genre) are hard to find in all that at a glance. I thought covers were meant to help the book stand out.

There's a few I do still read as least in the paranormal romances part. If you could call them paranormal romances. They seem to be put with all those type of books and lost amongst the black covers. More of the paranormal and not much romance which I'm finding very refreshing. I don't mind a bit of romance in my fantasy but I'm getting tired of it being the main part of the plot.

One of the trends I can't stand that I've been trying to read is Dystopian. The idea of everyone having to be the same makes my skin crawl and I just can't stand reading about that sort of world. I have tried, slowly getting through Matched by Ally Condie and it's a good book, but I just can't stand the setting.

Is anyone else taking the chance of reading the new trends because it's so new or all that's there and different from the old trends that still seem to be hanging around?

The Best Thing About Writing

2012-01-09T10:51:00.000Z

What I love about writing is when I'm feeling down I can spill out all those feelings into little bits of fiction. Even if I don't use the scenes in my other writing it still feels good to get it all out. All the anger and the wishing the people who annoy me away can happen in a nice legal way. It's almost like having a good cry to let it all out and come out the other side with a smile and the feeling everything is going to be OK.

Everything Back To Normal-Time To Write

2012-01-05T12:53:00.001Z

Finished all the scene planning I needed to do last month. Now to start writing them. Might do more scene planning for other stories too. But write now doing rewrites and first drafts is what I'm gonna focus on this month. Once the house is back in non Christmas mode which it's in the process of now. And once I've sorted out my wardrobe, dust and rearrange my room, put up a framed photo, sort out a poster that keeps falling down. So much to do, not enough time in the day.

That Time Of Year Again.

2011-12-31T13:35:00.000Z

The time to wish everyone a happy New Year and list the same resolutions I have every year. Last year I did very well keeping fit. Then though the last month hasn't been that good. Too cold and my bed so warm hasn't made getting up early in the morning to do some Wii Fit easy. When this cold I've developed after trying so hard not to be ill other Christmas and New Year is gone (Luckily this cold only started Wednesday so at least Christmas was cold free this year) I will be forcing myself to get back on that Wii Fit. Other things on my list:

Get a new job- Every year this is on and every year I say I will do it. I try, I really do. It's not my fault there's no jobs out there or they won't give me a job because of lack of experience. I want this year to be the year it all changes. I do not want this on my list next year.
Catch up on my DVD and Movie back log- Same one from last year. Am trying and have a plan to get it done. Just need to stick to it.
Be more confident- Do want want to be friendless all my life. Will turn 26 this year, would be nice to have a boyfriend before I turn 30.
Read more classic novels- I have 100 of them on a thing for my DS. Should read them.
Sort this blog out- As in post on a schedule, network a bit to get more followers, stick to posting mostly about writing.

That is all I have at the moment. Sure I'll think of more. So Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:09:00.000Z

Merry Christmas everyone! The one day of the year I know I will not be doing any writing what so ever. Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

A Month of Scene Planning

2011-12-07T15:14:00.001Z

After taking a break from writing at the end of last month I came back very stuck on where I was in my Christmas story and got this awful feeling scenes were repeating themselves. So I decided to scrap it and spend this month doing detailed scene plans for my Christmas story ready for next year and do detailed scene plans for other stories I have ideas for, including the Javaless Quest as I completely failed writing 50,000 words for it during NaNoWriMo.

Right now I've done the scene plans for my Christmas story and kinda want to start writing it, but I've decided waiting until next year when I'd have more time before Christmas to let all the Christmas sprite inspire me. And if I do start writing I won't get any other scene planning done. Hopefully by the end of this month I'd have a lot of stories planned out ready to be worked on during the New Year.

Not doing very well at NaNo

2011-11-12T20:20:00.001Z

In that I'm declaring now that I have failed. I did not plan my novel out as best as I should have and I've been struggling for a few days to get my word count on target. My flow just started to leave me and deciding to work on scenes I did have ideas for wasn't helping. Of course I'm still gonna do some work on it, see just how far I can get and next year plan things out a whole lot better and get working on as detailed outlines as possible at the start of October and not one line outlines a few days before the start of November.

Officially doing NaNoWriMo!

2011-10-28T12:07:00.002+01:00

I've decided to sign up for NaNoWriMo instead of trying to reach 50,000 words in a month without much pressure. If anyone wants to see my profile it's here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/clare-c-greenstreet

Wish me luck!

The Most Annoying Thing Ever

2011-10-21T10:40:00.001+01:00

For the past week I have had Shingles on my back. Just a small section that never spread. I had it covered up and taken pills for it, and now instead of horrible blisters, it's dried up, or at least drying up into scabs. And it's the most uncomfortable thing ever. And so annoying. When I'm not wearing a dressing on my back it's rubbing against my clothes and annoying me more. Wish so much that it'll hurry up and go away so I can get on with other things because I can't take this any more. I wanna be able to not worry about my back hurting and rubbing on my clothes. I wanna get the things I need to do done now instead of waiting good knows how long until I can do them. At this rate they won't get done until next month because I'll end up with no money left to do them!

Sorry for the rant and the slightly gross description but I needed to rant.

Something I Have Learnt

2011-10-10T12:26:00.000+01:00

Never delete old stories. Never. You never know when you might want to revisit them. Even if they're never published, or if you never want them to be published, never delete them. I did that with one series of stories and for a while been wanting to reread them. Only I don't have them anywhere. I found the first on Facebook and going to give it an edit, but the rest, if I want them back, I'm gonna have to rewrite them. And with all the editing and rewrites of Power of Friendship I've got to do, gonna be a while to get round to it. So never, ever, ever delete old stories. Ever, ever, ever, ever.

Editing and NaNoWriMo

2011-10-05T18:59:00.000+01:00

Busy editing Power of Friendship 1 again. Just little edits to sort out paragraphs and stuff. Then I'll be doing the same for Power Of Friendship 2. Once that's done I'm gonna start on doing some Query letters. Been working on one for a long time and with a bit of research into agents I can get it finished and start sending it out. Think I might frame my first rejection letter. And of course the acceptance letter. But I'm not gonna expect that to come with the first few agents I send to.

Also thinking of doing NaNoWriMo for the first time ever. Always wanted to do it. Thinking of doing it for myself though to see if I can do it, instead of officially. It'll give me a good chance to get as much as possible done on The Javaless Quest, the spin off from Power of Friendship 2. When I do the small edits on it I can sort out the time line and stuff and get the story planned out good enough to write as much as I can. Maybe hit the 50,000 word count. Maybe even finish it. Or be close to finishing it. But it'll have been started and that's what'll be important right now.

Music And Writing

2011-09-10T17:01:00.000+01:00

I always seem to have a thing for music. Can't really write without listening to some and right now I've been buying loads of CDs and wanting to download a lot too. Music always gets mentioned in my stories as much as what the characters are wearing. I have play lists that inspire my books and play lists of the songs that are mentioned in the books. The music from is nearly always bigger than the inspire play lists. My characters seem to listen to as much music as I do. There's always a song I really wanna mention in my books.

Does anyone else have songs they love so much they want to mention it in their books? Do you mention songs in your books and have play lists of them? And what songs inspire you?

P.S Please visit the Transom Hull blog! http://transomhull.blogspot.com/

A New Start

2011-09-02T20:00:00.001+01:00

Well it's September and even though the day I write this it feels like Summer (the first day it's felt like that in months. Summer went without a summery month. Except for when I was in Cornwall when London did get some hot weather), It's almost autumn. And I've decided on a new start for the blog. I will update once a week, I will try to keep this more writing focused, I will try to make the posts more wittier, more funny and hopefully a bit longer (but not too long). Finger's crossed that I'll mange it.

P.S don't forget to check out my story I have on my other blog! Transom Hull!

I'm Back!!!!!!!

2011-08-06T16:45:00.002+01:00

Just spent a week in Cornwall without secured wireless Internet. Which meant no e-mails, no twitter, no Facebook and no Blogger. Now I'm back I can really start my upload schedule for the Transom Hull blog. Now I really should start unpacking.

Transom Hull Blog all set up!

2011-07-16T17:03:00.001+01:00

I have finally set up my new blog that will be the place to read one of my stories. It's called Transom Hull and follows the lives and loves of a group of teenagers living in the fictional town of Transom Hull. It can be found here:

http://transomhull.blogspot.com/

Please help spread the word!

Sorry I've Been Away!

2011-07-15T21:25:00.002+01:00

Blogger has been playing up big time. I have another blog, called Transom Hull. It's one of my stories and it's where you can read it. I'll give more details about it once I get started. Maybe tomorrow.

So Nervous

2011-04-08T11:47:00.002+01:00

I'm so nervous because I really wanted some people to read what I had so far with Power of Friendship 1. I put a little plea on Facebook and someone I was friends with in Primary school asked to send it through. I have and now I am so nervous about the feedback. I know I wanted advice but I just can't help worrying about what he might think of it. I know I shouldn't because it'll probabaly be a while before I hear anything. Must go and calm myself down so I can do a bit more writing on it and stop myself worrying about what people are going to think. I won't be able to stop worrying if it's ok if I don't get some feedback from others and to do that people have to read it.

Haven't Posted In So Long!

2011-03-18T11:39:00.003Z

I've been so busy with job hunting and writing I haven't posted in over a month. I've also been trying to catch up on my To Read list, and trying to read some of a book every day instead of leaving it cause I don't have enough time to read a chapter or want to read the comic strips in the paper or an article in Doctor Who magazine instead. So yeah, too much to do and not enough time to do it in.

Old Habits Die Hard

2011-02-12T16:42:00.002Z

There's a habit in my writing I've been trying to break since reading How Not To Write A Novel. Almost every time There's a new day or a reason the characters change their clothes, I end up using the first scene to describe what the characters wearing. And most of the time it's not even one item. I've been trying to get out of that habit as How Not To Write A Novel said it wasn't a good thing but it's proving very, very hard. That and the fact I seem to write far too much dialogue are something I've been trying to stop doing and for the life of me can not seem to stop. Stoping biting my nails is easier!

I Have A Blog Award!

2011-02-04T10:37:00.004Z

Thank you to Emily Cross at http://thechroniclesofemilycross.blogspot.com/ for the Versatile Blogger Award!

Yay! So now I must tell you about 7 things you didn't know about me.

Right now I'm addicted to two series of books. Dark Touch by Amy Meredith and The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter
I have no idea how I manage to do it, but I can seem to work on two different books and read two different books at the same time (not right at the same time though) and not get the story lines confused. I'm probably not the only person who can do that but I'm sure that's not meant to be possible.
My latest favourite item in my wardrobe is a jacket with record players, cassette tapes and boom box radios on it. I got it from work and it was in the boys clothes section. I almost squealed when the largest size they do (12-13 years) fitted me.
Even though I can't drive and think I daydream too much to do so, I really want a VW Beetle. The new one, but also an old one, a convertible one and a VW split screen camper van. Right now I have to settle for toy ones.
I'm scared of breaking my ankle again. I've done it twice, first in 2003 and again about a week out of being exactly a year later when I was in Spain and I really don't want it happening again.
I want to go back to Spain for a holiday without my leg in plaster. I also want to go to New York, take a road trip across the US, take a road trip round the UK and go to Japan. I just need a full time job to get the money
I hate the fact that I'm 24, living at home in a rotten job and don't really have many friends. There's not many clubs round where I live that can help me meet people my age to be friends with and I'm a little scared I'll end up the SuBo of the writing world.

Now for some people I would like to give the award to.

Jenna at http://astheplotthickens.blogspot.com/
Lou at http://livewritedream.blogspot.com/
Miss Anon at http://chaoticpoison.blogspot.com/

Want To Spend Time In A Second Hand Bookshop

2011-01-30T15:34:00.005Z

I went to Arundel yesterday and in the high street (well, I call it a high street, it's all cafes, jewellery shops and little independant shops. The most well known shops was the corner shop and the two banks), there's this lovely little second hand book shop called Kim's Bookshop. I wanted to spend all day there (and given how cold it was I'd really have loved to). I just wanted to climb the staircase all the way up to the top and just explore all the little rooms filled with books as I make my way down. It was just a shame that in the rooms I did explore I couldn't find anything to buy. I don't think I've really got second hand bookshops near me. There is one that I pass on the bus everytime I go to the nearest town to shop I've never been in there and there is another one I really wanna check out and might try next time I'm round that area. Second hand book shops just seem so much more fun to be in than the big book shops. The big book shops you know that they'll only really have the latest books or one's still in print. Second hand book shops you can find just about anything. You just need to know where to look.

Anyway, thought I'd share my pictures of Arundel Castle:

Going In For A Rewrite

2011-01-08T12:39:00.002Z

I got fed up with trying to edit in Word when it's not letting you change the language from US English to UK English that I have deicded to do a sort of rewrite. Anything I've copied and pasted from Works seems to be stuck on US English in Word but any new Word document stays on UK English so I now have to type everything out again, copying it from the old document to the new one. I know it's gonna take a lot longer than normal editing but if I'm gonna get the right language I'll have to do it. Sometimes I wish I had Windows 7 to make it easier instead of having to arrange and resize the windows every time I open the documents just so I can see them both, but I'll manage. I just need to do some time managment so I can do the rewriting, do some time on the Wii Fit, read some books and watch some Anime or DVDs and go to work in the space of a day.

Happy New Year People!

2011-01-01T15:53:00.002Z

Ok, so I've decided I'm gonna make this a brilliant year. I know at the start of the year it's not gonna seem so brilliant, but I'd like to get to New Years Eve and look back and think 2011 was a great year! So, once again I have a list of New Years Resolutions:

Get a new job-yes again it's on the list. But I'm determined to do it this year. It'll take a lot of work, but I shall do it!
Make time to get through my DVD backlog-and watch the extras on them too. I never seem to watch the extras and yet I always buy the DVD with the extras if there is a choice.
Do anything I can to get myself more followers on this blog- I've been reading the How To Blog posts on Anne R. Allen's blog (http://annerallen.blogspot.com/) and hoping I can put a few of the tips into action to make this blog the best it can be. Not sure how I'm gonna go about it yet but I'll try.
Get fit and stick to it-Which may involve sorting out the batteries in the Wii remotes. Surely doing 10-20 minutes on the Wii Fit can't be that hard.

So, that's my New Years Resolutions. Let's hope I can stick to them.

So Another Year Gone

2010-12-29T17:48:00.002Z

Christmas is over and New Year is on it's way. I'm already thinking of my New Years Resolutions. Getting another job is at the top of my list, as is trying to get fit and keeping to it. And when I come up with an idea to see it through. Maybe join a club or something too. I haven't made a proper list yet, but I will soon. So Happy New Year!

So Christmas Is Almost Here!

2010-12-21T12:11:00.005Z

And I am ready. I just wish I didn't have to work on Christmas eve and the two bank holidays. I only have Christmas day and Boxing day off and I'm not happy. Maybe next year I'd have a job that means I don't need to work those days. Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures of my tree and the presents I've wrapped, mostly because I'm a little proud of my wrapping. It's the first time it's gone right.

So, Merry Christmas!

Going To Lock Myself In My Room And Write

2010-12-11T12:04:00.002Z

I've decided that to get my writing done I'm going to lock myself in my room and just write, only coming out to eat or use the bathroom. I didn't get any done last night due to having an awful cold, which I still have and it's driving me mental. But I am going to defy how awful I feel and get some writing done. I want to get what I'm working on now by the 24th and I'll only get it done is if I lock myself away and do some writing. Let's hope I don't die while I'm at it.

Countdown On Ticket Buying Websites Are Evil.

2010-12-04T11:40:00.002Z

They make you rush and do stupid things. Sometimes I'm surprised I get things like my name right sometimes. But the most stupid thing I've done in a panic to get it all done before the countdown on the page runs out, is click on something I thought was the terms and conditions thing you have to agree to before you can even continue only for it to be some ticket insurance thing that's gonna cost me like £7! Luckily I can cancel but I have to wait until Monday to do so and I'd much rather try and cancel it without my parents knowing what an idiot I am. So now I'm panicking about them finding out and getting the ticket insurance canceled within 14 days. All I wanted was tickets to see McFly in March! It's bad enough I missed getting seats close to the front because I only found out about them at 11:00 when they'd been on sale for two hours! Oh good god what am I gonna do?

Collectomaina and Snow!

2010-12-01T15:07:00.006Z

Well happy 1st of December everyone! First I shall talk about Collectomaina 2010 which I went to during the weekend. Spent loads and got autographs of Colin Baker (the sixth doctor), Katy Manning (Jo Grant) and Sylvester McCoy (the seventh doctor). And of course I got pictures:

Now, Snow. Ok, so everyone in the UK and Island are under god knows how many inches of snow right now and outside the roads and main pavements are either ice or sludge but at least our gardens and driveways are covered in thick lovely snow. I had to go to work yesterday, which took me 20 minutes to walk there and even longer to walk back (although that had more to do with the ASDA detour for supplies and then fish and chips). Luckily I have today off but tomorrow it'll be on with the trainers and back out into the snow. Or ice and sludge. Got a few pictures from my garden of the snow though:

I Hate Editing Sometimes

2010-11-25T10:18:00.003Z

I'm trying to edit Saving Christmas at the moment (well, ok, it's turned into a rewrite) and I've realised just how much I hate editing. I know it's an important and necessary job but it feels so long and sometimes very, very hard. I don't wanna think about how hard it's gonna be to edit POF when I start working on the three books I've got already.

Also, still trying my best with the job hunting. Still nothing out there, maybe because it's Christmas no-one is really hiring. So, I guess finding another job will be on my New Years Resolutions list for yet another year.

Ok, I Am Embracing Christmas

2010-11-18T10:51:00.002Z

I'd normally wait at least another week before I get into Christmas or at least admit I'm getting into Christmas but yesterday I went shopping and found the perfect little Christmas tree for my room and brought some little decorations for it. Maybe weekend I'll go and but it, even though I won't be putting it up for another two weeks at least. But once I've brought the tree, I can buy some ribbon and beads and a star for the top and decorations. I still need to make my Christmas mix CD which would be brilliant to start playing while I do my tree. Still need to buy presents and wrapping paper but I'll do that when December comes. Can't wait til Christmas now!

Really Thinking About Cutting Some Characters

2010-11-11T21:33:00.003Z

I've just been trying to finish off writing POF 3 and been thinking that maybe some characters can go in the whole series. I've been wondering if some scenes could benefit from some characters just going. Maybe it won't even make a difference to the scene. And anyway, the characters are gonna die in later books. I just don't know if I can bring myself to do it.

I Hate Job Hunting

2010-11-04T10:27:00.002Z

I really hate job hunting. For two weeks there has been nothing. I've started to realise that I'm gonna be stuck in retail for another Christmas but I wouldn't mind knowing that afterwards I'll have a nice new job that will not ruin Christmas for me.

Anyway, on the writing front, I think I might finish POF 3 before December, which meant I can do some editing on my Christmas story! And then after Christmas I can start on POF 4! Also I'm hoping to make my Christmas song mix CD and pray that this year it'll work. And I need to get myself a mini Christmas tree for my room. And I don't know why I'm thinking about Christmas now.

Photos From Halloween!

2010-11-01T11:15:00.006Z

So here re my photos from Halloween!

Pumpkin 2010 1! Very proud of this because I helped carve the mouth.

Pumpkin 2010 2!

My Witches Hat!

My nails on my left right hand! Took me ages to do because the stickers were hard to get off the card.

My thumb.

My nails on my left hand.

Me in my Halloween outfit. So love the jumper. It's from New Look and costs more than I normally would spend on a jumper.

Another photo of me in my Halloween outfit.

And one more of me in my Halloween outfit. You can tell I was trying to pose in front of my webcam can't you?

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T15:13:00.002Z

Just a quick little post to say Happy Halloween! Hopefully at some point in the next week or so I can post some pictures of my outfit (well hat) and pumpkin that I carved. And of course my nails that I'll be doing in the next few minutes.

Word Counts!

2010-10-26T10:25:00.003+01:00

I've just been checking up on the word counts of three stories I've written but have yet to edit.

POF 1: 108,013

POF 2: 115,774

Saving Christmas: 15,625

I have a feeling I'll probably end up failing NaNoWriMo giving the fact that it took me a month to write Saving Christmas.

One Day I Will Do NaNoWriMo!

2010-10-25T10:32:00.002+01:00

I was going to do NaNoWriMo this year. I was going to do my best to get all my other projects out of the way before November. But I haven't finished POF 3 and I just do not have the time. Maybe next year I will do it, even though by next year I'm hoping I have a full time job. But maybe by next year I will have all my projects finished by November. Maybe next year I will be orginized enough to be prepeared for it. So, it's only October but I have a New Years Resolution. To do NaNoWriMo next year and nothing is gonna stop me.

Cute Things I Want Cuddily Versions Of

2010-10-16T15:31:00.004+01:00

How cute are these! I so want cuddily versions of them!

With from D.N.Angel

An Alien from Toy Story

Kero from Cardcaptors

Minons from Despicable Me

I Hate Having A Sore Throat

2010-10-11T10:16:00.003+01:00

My throat is so sore it's driving me insane. I seem to have developed a strange taste in my mouth that will not go away and I think it might have something to do with the throat sweets I've been taking. It means everything I eat tastes strange and I can't eat much because of it. Please let me get better soon! I can't take much more of this!

At Last Pictures From Film and Comic Con 2010!

2010-10-01T10:36:00.006+01:00

After just over three months I finally have my photos from Film and Comic Con 2010! So here they are:

When Having The House To Myself Does Not Equal Perfect Writing Time

2010-09-21T10:18:00.003+01:00

I had the house to myself last night and thought it would give me perfect time to write in peace. But instead I found myself with my laptop open and the document for Power Of Friendship open, and me flicking through the channels watching bits of Jonas LA, Sonny With A Chance, Ben 10, South Park and a lot of other TV shows. No matter how many times I kept telling myself to stick it on a channel with nothing on, turn the sound off, put some music on and start writing my hand would not put the TV control down. By 9:30 I gave up, shut my laptop down and tried to read How Not To Write A Novel (I know I was waiting until I got paid, but my family went shopping on Sunday so I thought I'd just get it then). But I was still flicking through the channels. I was kinda glad when my parents came home and I could go to bed! Next time I have the house to myself for an evening I'm not even going to turn the TV on. That'll help me get some writing down while I have some peace!

Some Ideas I'm Thinking Of

2010-09-14T10:53:00.002+01:00

I've had a few ideas about getting my writing out there for a while and thought I'd ask people on here what they think.

So, I've been thinking about getting a website to show off some of my work. Now, I know websites can cost and I don't have any website building software so if I do make a website it'll have to be free and easy. I was thinking of putting Tori Susan Evans in a blog as it's written in diary form but I'm not very sure it'll work. So, any advice would be great thanks!

I Want This Book!

2010-09-08T13:45:00.004+01:00

I have just discovered this book and after having a little read of it via the Look Inside feature on Amazon I so want it! I have two weeks until I get paid so I can buy it because I am now only going to buy the important things now until payday (like magazines and food) and spend no more than £15 during the week. Two weeks! Why can't I have a better paid job (one that's full time too) so I don't have to worry about this sort of thing?

I Need Some Sort Of Schedule

2010-09-05T17:33:00.002+01:00

Or at least a weekend or two (or three) with total peace and quiet so I can clear this backlog of DVD's I have but have yet to watch. I have so many that if I think about needing to watch them my head starts to hurt because it'll take forever if I'm watching three or four episodes of a show or a movie once a day every weekend. At the moment I'm getting through my Ghost Hunt anime DVD and would really love a day or two to finishing watching the remaining 20 episodes I have left. Will need to start working on some sort of schedule to get all this done.

I've Got A Job Interview!

2010-08-15T14:04:00.002+01:00

I have a job interview on Tuseday! I'm so nervous! It's the first job interview I've had in like four years (I can't believe it's nearly four years since I started working at Matalan) and I really wanna get this job. There's such a lack of jobs around at the moment that my chances of finding a job quickly isn't very good. Wish me luck!

P.S: reply to Miss Anon's comment on my last post; I live in a small town near London. No luck finding a job due to lack of exprience. Luckily the one I have an interview for doesn't need any.

Wish I Had A Job

2010-08-12T11:20:00.002+01:00

A full time job. Or just a part time job in the mornings. You know, starting at 10am or 11am and finishing no sooner than 2pm or 3pm and no later than 5pm or 6pm. Just something so I can get work out of the way and not spend the days just waiting to go to work. Right now my working hours are 3pm to 7pm. That's working evenings! I'm 24 years old living with my parents! Working evening hours is what students or people lucky enough to live on their own can do! It's not for me but I can't quit until I get another job and it's doing my head in. I'm aiming to apply for two to three jobs a day and might increase that during my two week holiday that starts Monday. I'd rather write during that time but I can't until I get a job. This is doing my head in and I just want to scream! Please someone just give me a job before I go crazy!

So Busy Decorating I've Forgotten To Do Some Writing

2010-08-03T11:11:00.003+01:00

Over the last four days I've been so busy decorating my room I haven't been doing much writing. But I am so proud of my room. I finally have bookcases! And I can have my posters up! And a proper single bed for the first time since I was 13! All I need now is to buy a chair and I can sit in my room for as long as I want and write (and watch Anime).

London Film and Comic Con 2010!

2010-07-18T11:26:00.003+01:00

Had a great day yesterday at Film and Comic Con 2010! Will hopefully get the pictures up in the next few weeks. Got autographs from Mathew Waterhouse from Doctor Who, Russell Trovey from Being Human, Lenora Crichlow from Being Human, Wendee Lee (Anime voice artist) and Greg Rucka (Comic writer) and spent loads of money on lots of stuff! Had to really stop myself from buying more. Can't wait for next year But hopefully I might be able to go to more Conventions between now and then.

Oh My God! Bomb Scare At Work!

2010-07-05T19:22:00.003+01:00

Today, 10 minutes before the end of my shift we had a bomb scare. We had to evacuate the building, and my god, customers are stupid. Despite announcing over the speakers to evacuate twice they were still looking round the store and wanting to try stuff on! I didn't have time to get my stuff so after half an hour outside (the extra 20 minutes I will be getting paid for), I told my manger I was going home to have dinner and coming back later to get my stuff. So I went home, had dinner and changed, grabbed a book to read because they thought it might be two hours at least and headed back. It was all over by the time I got there, about half an hour after I left, so I grabbed my stuff and left. Kinda a shame it was over because I was kinda looking forward to sitting out in the sun for an evening amongst all the excitement. Oh well, at least no-one was hurt.

Union Jacks Everywhere!

2010-07-04T10:54:00.003+01:00

I am so loving Union Jacks at the moment. Mostly the ones that are different colours from the norm. I've been gathering up pictures of the coolest Union Jack stuff I've seen on the internet just because I'm so obbessed with them at the moment. Look at all these lovely cushions I've found!

Best Bargain Ever!

2010-06-23T20:04:00.002+01:00

I have just brought the best bargain ever! The Writers' Handbook 2010 for only £3.99 saving £11! I found it when I went shopping today to spend my birthday money. So on top of the Doctor Who DVD, Nightwing graphic novel, a bracelet that looks like one half of of a handcuff, some comics and Doctor Who TARDIS handbook-as well as the notebooks, folders and pens I got from my aunt and grandparents-I got the Writers Handbook! I am so proud of my bargain!

Birthday Tomorrow!

2010-06-19T11:09:00.002+01:00

I'm a bit excited! Will be 24 tomorrow. I've already got a few presents because my parents took me out shopping last weekend. So I've got DC's 52 volume 1, Saved DVD, Maddigan's Quest DVD and DC's 52 volumes 2-4 and DC's Infinite Crisis on order. Donno what else I'm gonna get but will just have to wait until tomorrow to find out!

Testing Out Some New Blog Designs

2010-06-11T10:19:00.003+01:00

Tell me what you think of the new blog design. I'm testing out the new design feature to give my blog a well overdue makeover so expect it to keep changing over the next few weeks while I try and see which one looks best.

Stuff I've Done Since Last Week

2010-06-06T14:05:00.002+01:00

Ok so since I did my To-Do list last week I thought I'd give an update just so I can keep this blog running as regular as I can. So, what have I done since last week? Well, all I've done is sort out the plotting for Tori Susan Evans 1 and started first draft version 4. Hopefully the very thought through plot will stop me stalling near the end. And that's about it because I've been distracted by job search and giving a long hard think about my life. And thinking about my life is as far as I've got to improving it. And that is about it. I need to make my life a bit more intresting.

Things I Really Need To Do

2010-05-30T15:54:00.002+01:00

Ok a list of things I really need to do:

Sort out the plotting for Tori Susan Evans so it's ready to start first draft version 4. And then get on to plotting book two.
Make my mind up on what to do with Mutant Boy. I've stalled on it and donno if I should just give up or turn it into a smaller story.
Stop playing Solitaire and do some bloody writing for Power Of Friendship 3. If I write near to solidly on it for an hour or so I might actually have time to work on some other projects.
Stop getting so obsessed with celebrity boys. Even Internet celebrity boys. It's not good for my sanity. I'm nearly 24 and not some hormonal teenage girl (although part of me probably is). A cure for this might be to get myself a boyfriend but that's not really gonna happen in the near future.
Get back on the Wii Fit. Even if it's only for ten minutes every morning.
Really up the game on my job search. I need a full time job and I need it fast. Maybe look into working on radio or becoming a private detective.

So, that's my To Do List. I'll be checking up on this list as often as I can just to remind myself to do them. Maybe I should print it out and stick it on my mirror or on the side of my laptop screen.

One Month Til My Birthday!!!

2010-05-21T09:52:00.003+01:00

Just getting a bit excited. Will be 24 in less than a month. Donno what I'm gonna do for it but I'm hoping the sun will shine and the weather will be nice. And that I have a new job before then.

What's My Style?

2010-05-14T09:48:00.002+01:00

I have writing class homework to write something that shows off my writing style. And that made me think about what my style is. Reading through the stuff I write I can see it there in front of me in black and white and yet I can't describe it. I can't even find anything I've written that really shows it off. I can't think of anything to write to show it off.

Does anyone else have problems describing what their writing style is? Would you have a problem describing their style if anyone asked? Or is it just me?

Free Sample Books

2010-04-29T10:20:00.002+01:00

I love getting free sample books in magazines. This month in Sugar I got a free sample of Need by Carrie Jones. When I saw in the book shop I'd seen the book and picked it up. It looked interesting but I didn't buy it. But now I get to read a few chapters of it to see if I'd like to read more. For Free! I normally always try to seek out and buy the books I've read in free samples. In the past I've had samples of Twilight and even a little book that had a few pages of different books, from stuff like the Vampire Academy series to Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen.

But here's an idea. What if sample books weren't just free with teen magazines. What if shops had a little stand or something that had sample books of books soon to be published? And not just for books aimed at teenagers but books for all ages. You could just pick up one or two you think sound interesting, read them through and if you do like them and have got into them, you can buy them to find out what happens. I know it'll probably won't happen but hey, it's an idea.

Well I Still Have A Job

2010-04-27T09:46:00.002+01:00

But I'm really gonna have to force myself to be confident and say hello to every customer I see. I'm gonna be monitored for a week to see if I have any improvement. So, yeah a week to be confident. Let's hope I get a new job soon. Been searching for ages but not even an interview yet. Fingers cross it'll all change.

So Peed Off With Work!

2010-04-20T19:04:00.003+01:00

Just because I didn't say hello to a customer who turned out to be a secret shopper, I'm facing a disciplinary. I have no idea how I'm gonna tell my parents and am thinking of just waiting until the letter telling me the date and time arrives. All because the company wants to be known for having the best customer service they're making the staff say hello to every single customer they see. I can not do that, it's impossible! And not just because I'm shy and find some customers intimidating. I have now been told that I need to have a long hard think about what I want to do. I already know. For a very, very, very long time I haven't wanted to be there. I've been trying to find a new job and am now hoping this isn't going to effect my chances. Part of me now thinks I should just hand in my notice, pack my bags and take a trip round the UK. I've always wanted to do it, only in a VW Camper Van. But I can't drive and don't know anyone who has a VW Camper Van and can drive it. So It'll probably end up taking trains and coaches if I was to do it. But I'm gonna be 24 in two months and I really should be getting a full time job and earn money to get myself a flat and move out. Oh what am I gonna do?

Busy Writing, Just Need To Stop Getting Distracted

2010-04-12T10:25:00.002+01:00

I've been busy writing a lot lately which is good. But I have had some distractions. Mostly from looking through a few S Club 8 fanfictions I'd written years ago. I've been reading through them with the slight idea of doing some rework on them to turn them less into fanfiction and more into a series of proper books. And I've realised just how much my writing has changed. The plots were alright, but the way they were written made me cringe. If I do rework them it's gonna take a lot of work so it'll probabaly end up being a very long time before I get round to it.

New Doctor Who Episode=Awesome!

2010-04-03T19:38:00.002+01:00

Just watched episode 1 of the new series of Doctor Who and it was so awesome! Matt Smith looks set to be a brilliant Doctor! Just watching him and it was like David Tannant never happened. Until the little scene where all the past Doctors were shown before Matt's outfit was reveled. And Amy Pond is gonna be a brilliant companion. The trailer for the rest of the series looks fantastic and I can't wait for the next episode. Looks like Doctor Who is just gonna keep getting better.

Introducing Characters-Mutant Boy

2010-03-20T10:17:00.004Z

Seeing as while I'm sorting out the plotting for Tori Susan Evans I've been doing a bit of writing for Mutant Boy I'm gonna do a little introduction to the characters of the book:

Chris: 15. Mutant who can move things with his mind.

Diane: 15. Non mutant who falls for Chris.

Jamie: 15. Mutant who can turn into different animals.

Baz: 15. Mutant who can control metal

Jack: 15. Mutant who can shot ice and freeze things.

Sal: 14. Mutant who can fly and fire fireworks.

Stacey: 14. Mutant who can phase through things.

Alex: 14. Non mutant who is a computer expert.

Helen: 14. Non mutant and Alex's best friend.

Frank: 33. Anti-mutant supporter who is trying to kill Chris and his friends.

I Think Tori Susan Evans Needs Some Better Plotting.

2010-03-07T15:00:00.002Z

I'm really hating how I've plotted the Tori Susan Evans Trilogy at the moment. It seems so over the place but I don't wanna start again. Not when it means scrapping some really good moments from the first book and then spending from now until December getting the plotting for all three books tight as i can ready to start again with the first book. that will mean the first book starting from 2011 instead of 2009 and will mean loosing events that happened in 2009 that I really wanted to keep. Not to mention having to edit all my character profiles. I just don't know what to do and it's doing my head in. Anyone got any advice? I really need it! Thanks in advance!

Blog Award!

2010-02-25T12:02:00.003Z

Thank You to JessG over at Snippets for the blog award!

Here are the rules of the Creative Writer Blogger AwardNominate SEVEN “Creative Writers”Post links to the SEVEN blogs you nominate. Leave a comment on said SEVEN blogs to let them know they’ve been nominated.

So here are my outrageous statements! If you pick which one's the truth, you'll be my seventh nominee! Just post which answer you think it is here!

I'm obessed with the website That Guy With The Glasses.com. Mostly with comic book reviewer Linkara.
I broke my toe last week
I love my job
I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger
My fave food with pasta
I hate chocolate
I want a pony

Ok, nominees:

Kamille Leili Elahi at Chaotic Poison

Madeline at Cause That's All She Wrote

Elliot Ashcroft at The Not So Secret Life of a Young Writer -

Hope at The Truth About Everything

Emily Cross at The Chronicles of Emily Cross -

Lou at LIVE WRITE DREAM

seventh spot for anyone who can guess my truth!

Still In Shock Over Eastenders Live

2010-02-20T12:37:00.003Z

Why, why, why did Bradley have to die?! He's like the best character in it! No more will we see the James Bond, Doctor Who, Star Wars and other Sci-Fi loving ginger cutie who wasn't afraid to punch someone if they angered him (like Max and Archie) or be the action hero (like during the cafe hostage episode where he helps get everyone out when it catches fire and then gets caught in the explosion).

So the episode. Bradley and Stacey go on the run from the police and I couldn't help thinking of a James Bond film during watching it, what with Stacey looking rather more glam than she has done of late. All that was needed was for Bradley to be in a black bow tie instead of a blue shirt and red tie. After twenty five minutes of Bradley and Stacey running round Albert Square from the police with bits of other suspects accusing other suspects of doing the crime and Ian Beale, the only character to be in the show right from the start, watching old clips of 25th years, Bradley-who earlier had gone back to get the passports he'd forgotten, leaving Stacey alone, is walking back to Stacey after getting the passports without being seen. His mobile rings and he's spotted by the police. He is then chased up a fire escape and along rooftops, including the roof of the Queen Vic pub (you know what's coming now don't you. I guessed yet it still shocked me). Bradley spots Stacey and yells at her to run, only to loose his footing and fall from the roof to his death (10 points if you guessed correctly). A lot of screaming from Stacey and Bradley's dad Max and uncle Jack, brings everyone out of the pub, where we see Bradley lying on his side in a pool of blood, and turning him round shows one half of his face covered in blood. As Max pulls a distressed Stacey aside, Stacey admits to him that she killed Archie.

Watching the aftermath show this morning (because I missed it last night) it did seem funny to see Charlie Clements standing there with fake blood dripping down his face. Everyone involved needs to win an award for this episode. A lot of effort clearly went into it and apart from some shaking camera work and a few little moments like Jack not being able to get his lines out and Ronnie forgetting to pay for Paint Stripper in the Minute Mart it went well. and Lacey Turner did great despite having flu. Her voice may have been a bit croaky but seeing as when it's noticeable Stacey's just seen her husband fall to his death and she's been screaming a crying that just added to the brilliance to the scene. When the soap awards come Eastenders, Charlie and Lacy should win best soap, best storyline, best male and best female actors. Or I'll eat one of my hats.

A Change Of Design-Need Some Help

2010-02-05T10:27:00.003Z

I'm thinking of changing my blog design and have seen some really nice designs on some of the blogs I read but have no idea how to get something like that on my blog. If anyone can help me out and tell me how I can do it I would love you all forever. My currest design just feels a bit plain and boring right now. Thanks in advance.

Why Is Editing Such Hard Work?

2010-02-04T14:29:00.002Z

I've been trying to edit my ghost story for my writing course for a few days now and I haven't even started. Every time I go and read it through to edit it I'm at a loss of what to do with it. I know it needs editing but I just can't do it. Why does everything in life have to be so difficult? Not just editing but finding a job, trying to sell people teddies no-one wants, chores. Why can't life be like it is when you're a kid? Anyway, must be off and get back to trying to edit. Just needed a little rant.

Ghost Stories

2010-01-26T11:06:00.002Z

I love ghost stories. I love how the best ones can make you jump no matter how many times you read it or see it. And now for my writing class I have to write one. And that's gonna be hard. Mostly hard in making it original. Ghost stories are amongst the oldest stories in the world. A lot of ghost stories have been done so many times before that making it original is bound to be hard. Ghost stories today seem to need the twist in it's plot way before the end. Anyone got any tips to make a good, original ghost story?

Dialogue, Dialogue, Dialogue

2010-01-19T10:26:00.002Z

In my creative writing course last night we talked about dialogue and how to make it natural. The dos and don'ts of it. One thing we talked about was slang and how with street language contently evolving how would you make it up to date when by the time the book is published it could be outdated and many people might not know or even remember what it meant. A thought I had was to make up your own slang if you wanted a character to use it. But then you would have to explain in the book what the word meant anyway. And yet I still like the idea of having my own bit of slang.

Also we talked about ways to make dialogue natural. We talked about how sometimes reading it out loud could help, how not making it too long would make it sound realistic and about not drawing too much attention to the said bit at the end because that would distract from what is being said.

What does everyone else think about the use of slang? Would you make up your own or use slang that's already out there? Also what tips do you have to make your dialogue natural?

Must Get Writing

2010-01-18T10:54:00.003Z

I've had a few good days to just sit and write and I haven't got very far. What a time to have a block, when you get a few good days to do a lot. I'm so hoping this block doesn't last very long because I might end up with another few good days to write soon. Fingers crossed on that one. At least tonight is the first day back on my creative writing course after five weeks. It was meant to be four weeks but the snow and ice ended up causing it to be cancelled last week. Maybe being back on the course will help me get over this block. Anyway, should be off to see if I can get myself over this block. I'm gonna go and force myself to write!

This Weather Is Getting Annoying Now.

2010-01-08T10:59:00.003Z

The snow is no longer fun. It's ice mostly now. I can't stand it. I want the snow and ice to go so I can have the shopping trip I planned for Wednesday. I can't really take a bus to one of two good shopping areas in weather that they're saying that you can only go out in if it's really important. Not that I've seen people taking that advice. Work would be a lot quieter if people were. New clothes are not exactly a life or death thing. Not like food and drink and something to read if there's nothing in the house you either feel like reading or have already read loads of time already. Or to rent out a movie you really want to see because the digital TV signal has gone and you risk dying of boredom if you don't have something to do right away. Please snow, ice and this cold weather, go away!

I Must Do Something!

2010-01-06T11:33:00.002Z

I must stop sitting on the sofa doing nothing. When I'm on my laptop and want a break from writing I must stop playing games and do some sort of work into finding a job or getting me out of the house. I just don't know where to start. I did a little bit of searching on jobs in publishing and found a website from one that let's you sign up to e-mail alerts for jobs in whatever field you'd like to work in. So I signed up for jobs in admin. Nothing yet though. I always want things now instead of having to wait though so maybe I should take time on it. But I just want a job now. I can't stand working part time in retail anymore. It's moments like this that I start to wonder if that's all that I'm ever gonna do and want to cry. Maybe I should send out more cover letters to anywhere and just hope someone will want to give me a full time job soon. Maybe I should beg them to give me a full time job. Oh why can't getting a job just be easy for once? Why can't it be one letter with a CV, one interview and that's it?!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:25:00.003Z

So, it's 2010. The start of the twenty-tens. Does sound much better than the Teens. Can't believe I'm agreeing with the Trendmetor from the Daily Express. Anyway, it's 2010. A new year, a new decade, and hopefully the start of a whole new me. And so to the resolutions to make this happen:

Do everything I can to get a new job. Flood my local area with cover letters if I have to! Also on the same sort of thing, do something about finding myself some sort of challenge. Find a job that doesn't sound so boring because even admin work sounds a little on the boring side. I'm not sure what, but something that could be interesting. Would a publishing company take a cover letter from a girl without much in the way of good grades but with a love of writing for a job?
Do more to keep fit. And I don't just mean using the Wii Fit more. I mean getting out in the fresh air. Try to learn to swim maybe, get outside for some running, take up a sport. Something like that. Ok, so this probably will never happen, but I can at least try.
Find some time to watch more films and TV shows. Catch up on all the films and the TV shows I have on DVD that I have yet to watch. Maybe get my butt out of the house and get down to the cinema and watch the films I wanna see there instead of leaving it and having to watch it on DVD anyway.
Read more from the library. I don't have much room on my book case at the moment for a lot of books so I really should get more out from the library so I can catch up on my reading list of classics.
Be more confident. Join more clubs, just get out there and make friends.
Learn to love the way I look. But do try to do all I can to stop my face from being a shiny spotty mess.

So, that's my list of resolutions. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to them. If not, then they'll end up being used for next year too.

My 100th Post! And A Little Thought

2009-12-30T20:39:00.002Z

Ok, this really is my 100th post. I did want it to be a review of my year but I've already done that and by the time I realised that wasn't going to be my 100th post I'd already published it and it was too late. So as I spent this evening finally getting round to watching Harry Potter 5 I've started to wonder that if after you watch a movie you get straight onto your computer and start righting your own work without any sort of moments of those movies seeping in somewhere does that mean you didn't enjoy the movie or even take that much notice of it?

That is what I have just done. And ok, I only wrote one or two lines of Tori Susan Evans 2 and even then it was mostly about the wonders of spending some time curled up on the sofa watching a DVD, but still, is that bad to do that after a movie instead of spending a few minutes or so reflecting on a movie. I've always said I could not watch more than one movie in a row just so I have moments to reflect on the movie. Maybe after a few minutes I might watch another movie of the series, like with Harry Potter or Star Wars or the Narina movie. Does anyone else like to reflect on movies and find it strange to go back to writing nearly straight away after watching one and not really reflecting on it?

A Review Of The Year And Decade!

2009-12-29T10:20:00.003Z

Ok, I wanted to get to 100 before the end of the year. I thought this was the 100th post until I looked and saw I had an unpublished post around that I hadn't deleted yet. Hopefully I will get to 100, but anyway, on with the post.

So I’ve decided that at it’s the end of the year I’m going to do a review of my year. But then I realised it would probably not be a very long and interesting post. All I’ve done all year is work, look for a new job and fail at it, edit Power Of Friendship 1, complete and edit Power Of Friendship 2, write Saving Christmas, write Tori Susan Evans 1, do some work on other stories, organize my story plans and stuff. Not exactly an eventful year. The best thing that happened this year was finally going to see Backstreet Boys in concert, seeing McFly and going to the Film and Comic Con. And discovering the coolest and funniest website in the world. That Guy With The Glasses.com.

As it’s also the end of the first decade of this millennium, I’ve also been thinking about my decade. Ten years ago I was 13. I was in high school, doing my SATS and choosing what I wanted to do for GCSE’s. Within ten years I’ve done my GCSE’s, went to college to do child care, got thrown off the course in the second year, did a few months of an E2E programme before going to a different college to do IT and GCSE English and Maths retakes. Then it was a year of Unemployment before I got a job in retail. And then three years in retail. In these ten years I’ve had ideas for some of my stories that have been written and rewritten, written loads of fan fiction and realised that I wanted to be published. And to think that at the start of the decade I had a huge block and didn’t think I’d ever write a story again. It’s strange to think of the things you can’t imagine life without and realise they weren’t around at the start of the decade. Things like IPODS, IPHONES, You Tube, Facebook and Sky+. Shows like the X-Factor, Top Gear and Doctor Who. All started or were brought back during this decade. It makes you wonder what will happen in the next ten years and what we’d have then that you couldn’t imagine life without that right now we’re living without.

I really need some sort of challenge in my life. 2010 is a new year and a new decade, and it’s about time I did something to change my life. To get me out of the rut my life is in. Get out of retail, out of living with my parents and get out there into the world. I have no idea what I’m gonna do, but I’m gonna do it. I hope.

I Had A Great Christmas!

2009-12-26T11:44:00.003Z

Christmas day was brilliant. I got loads of great presents, the best being finally getting my sliver pearl birthstone ring. No more wearing plastic rings for me! I got a New Moon 2010 calender, some CD's a book, perfume and some DVD's. I watched Doctor Who which was brilliant and played some board games with the family and just had a brilliant day. Hope you lot had a great day and got everything you wanted!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2009-12-24T10:20:00.002Z

Just in case I'm not online tomorrow I'd just like to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you have a great day and get all the presents you want and eat a lot of food and watch lots of TV. Merry Christmas!

I Love Snow, I Do NOT Love Ice.

2009-12-22T10:47:00.002Z

Britain is full of freezing temperatures, ice and a bit of snow. It's making going out not a good idea. But that doesn't seem to be stopping people going shopping and making work very busy. It just makes going to and from work very hard. I'm glad I'm within walking distence even if it takes me double time to get home because I'm walking slow as not to slip and break my ankle or neck or something even worse. Like my head. I know other people who took three hours to do an hour bust journey! Please can this snow and ice go for a few days and come back on Christmas day when no-one needs to go out!

Could This Be The Most Busiest Day Before Christmas Eve?

2009-12-18T18:20:00.003Z

It certainly felt like it. Or maybe it was just because I was doing a full eight hour day rather than my normal four. I don't mind the eight hour days really. But then, I don't think of hometime until my last break. From the moment I start I only think of how long I have until my next break, which isn't long and it makes the day go a bit quicker. But it was close to known stop for most of the day. It wasn't until after my last break that I got a chance to even get off the tills to do putbacks. Getting off the tills for my breaks was hard work and I went off for two of them half hour late. Sometimes I really hate retail at Christmas. More than I like it really. But I only have three four hour shifts to go, including Christmas eve. And then I have the sale to get through, but I miss the first two days of it thank god.

In other news, I've started writing Power Of Friendship 3. I wasn't going to start it until the New Year but I had the time so thought starting it early can't really hurt. The sooner I start, the sooner I can finish it!

The Year Is Nearly Over, Everything Seems To Be Coming To An End

2009-12-14T10:08:00.002Z

X Factor finished last night. Joe won. And I'll admit, for the first time since the X Factor started, I'm gonna buy the winning single. I haven't brought the single for a winner of a talent show since Pop Idol 2. I hope Joe breaks the X Factor winners curse as it were. Where the male winners seem to be around for a few months then sink into nothingness and the female winners do really well. Like the reverse of the Pop Idol winners curse (but then with only two winners it's not much), where the male winners (I.E. Will Young) have done well, and the female winners (I.E Michelle McManus), haven't.

Anyway, my creative writing course has broken up for the Christmas break last week. And it's a long one. 4 weeks. But at least that gives me time to write the 1,500 word short story I need to write to hand in when we come back. I've made a start on it but it's very hard. I'm not very good at writing short stories with that many words.

Also I'm near to finishing the first draft of A Year In The Life Of Tori Susan Evans. I've noticed something about spending the year working on a first draft and that as it comes to an end, it's a little sad. Even if as soon as the New Year starts I'll be working on the first draft of the second Tori Susan Evans book. Maybe it's just me and my strangeness.

What else seems to be ending as the year ends? Not my time in retail that's for sure. My year of looking has come up with nothing so far. I didn't even get any response to all the cover letters I sent out to all the offices within a five mile radius of where I live. I've even started sending out cover letters to different retail stores in the hope they might give me a full time job. Somewhere that doesn't get too busy during the week. Maybe a book store. I'd like to work in a book store. Ok, so the Christmas season will still be busy, but I think I can cope with that.

First Draft Of Saving Christmas Is Finished!

2009-12-07T10:15:00.003Z

Now all I have to do is edit it! I'm also looking for someone to Beta the first draft for me. I'll be doing some editing while someone is reading it through and then maybe do a big edit of it next year. Don't think I'd really be in the Christmas mood after Christmas to edit it so I would have to wait until next year when I am in the Christmas mood to do a big edit. But right now I have over two weeks to get some smaller edits in. So if anyone is interested in reading it through please comment and I'll see if we can work out some way to getting the first draft to you.

Christmas Time And Shopping Is Done!

2009-12-02T16:38:00.002Z

Well nearly. Only a few little bits and pieces to do. A few little presents, a few bows and ribbons and I'm done. Now I can enjoy a bit of Christmas music (hopefully, with it playing all the time at work it might just start to get annoying), wrap some presents and enjoy the Christmas spirit. Oh and finish off my Christmas story and do some editing on it. If anyone wants to read the first and /0r edited version feel free to ask. I'll be happy to send it to you. Would like the feedback.

Sad News-Boarders The Bookshop To Close

2009-11-30T09:47:00.002Z

I heard some sad news yesterday. My fave bookshop Boarders is to close. It's gone into liquidation or some other business term like that. So it will probably close. So more more Boarders. No more going to my local store and going up those wooden stairs that look like they were original from the building because even the building looks like it's been there for at least 100 years. A very sad time.

Back On Fanfiction.Net!

2009-11-27T09:36:00.002Z

I've decided to get myself back on Fanfiction.Net, just because I had to write a Sarah Jane Adventures fanfic to get it out of my head!

http://www.fanfiction.net/~clarecg-a link to my profile.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5529575/1/The_Wedding_Of_Chrissie_Jackson-a link to my story if you're interested in reading it. Like to know what you think about it.

I Need Help! Please Help Me Find This Song!

2009-11-24T10:10:00.003Z

At work there's this Christmas song that keeps playing that I really like. I first heard it last year when it played at work but never got the chance to find out the name of the song and who sings it. It sounds like it's sung by a boy band and I think the song is called All My Heart This Year. But I'm guessing that because it's the last line of the chorus. I wish I could remember all the lyrics so I could put them on here but when I heard it for the first time this year yesterday, I couldn't really hear the words that well, but I reconized the tune and knew it was the song. I tried to Shazam it (a company that you phone up, hold the phone out to loud music and then they hang up and text you the answer to the name of the song and who sings it), but the music wasn't loud enough for them to get it. If anyone has any idea who sings it and the name of the song, please, please help!

Halloween Photos! Only Nearly A Month Late!

2009-11-23T09:54:00.002Z

The Pumpkin I made from the side.

The Pumpkin I made from the front.

I've Fallen Into The Christmas Spirit But Still...

2009-11-21T11:12:00.003Z

It's only the 21st of November! The 1st of December is nine days away! And the Christmas music started in the shops at least a week ago, even if it was intertwined with non Christmas music. At work it started yesterday. But the worst thing is, the music channels. I've seen three that have Christmas music on already! And not Christmas music intertwined with non Christmas music! Just hours of Christmas music! Please why can't they wait until December before they start to send us crazy with all that! I'm gonna end up being sick of it all before December even starts if I have to kept hearing it. At least the music channels it's easy to avoid by not watching them but still, it's still November!!!!!!!

Anyway, this video seems to sum up my feelings right now in some ways:
http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/thatguywiththeglasses/specials/13799-cf

I hope the link works.

I Really Should Start Planning For Christmas

2009-11-18T17:17:00.002Z

I need to start planning my Christmas shopping. I need to think of what I'm gonna get everyone and but them and then get paper and bows and ribbons and stuff. Oh and I need to find Christmas cards to send to people at work. I've been looking for funny Christmas cards because I like sending funny cards but I can't find any good funny cards anywhere. And not packs with more than two designs on them. Not even a funny theme that has two different designs in a pack but has two packs with different designs in each pack. The search goes on I guess.

Backstreet Boys Concert!!

2009-11-11T11:47:00.002Z

It was the coolest thing in the world! First, just a few minutes before the band came on, I heard screams and loads of people around me where looking up at the stands above us. I looked round, thinking the band were coming down from there. Instead it was the X-Factor finalists! I noticed John and Edward's hair first, then noticed them milking the attention from the crowd for all it's worth. Then I noticed Olly and then that guy in Simon Cowell's group who's name I can't remember but not the one with the Afro. In fact, Jamie Afro didn't seem to be there. Stacey and Lloyd were a bit shy and stayed mostly at the back but they didn't really ignore the crowd. And I saw Joe taking pictures of the crowd. They were only a few feet away from me up in the V.I.P stand, almost right above my head!

Anyway, The Backstreet Boys were amazing! Just the best. It was beyond words at how amazing it was. The dancing was totally cool, the little Movie spoof things they had showing during the costume changes were so funny. Brian doing Enchanted was probabaly the funniest, then Nick doing the Matrix, and AJ did Fight Club and Howie did Fast and Furious. It was so worth the just over 12 years of waiting to go and see them.

Introducing My Characters-Saving Christmas

2009-11-10T11:00:00.004Z

An introduction to some of the characters in Saving Christmas. Haven't uploaded the pictures of the elves and Nick and Nicole's parents because I haven't got pictures of them yet but this is the main cast anyway.

Annie Lewis, 15, Dean's sister.

Billie Nixon, 18, Dean's best friend

Dean Lewis, 18, has a part time top as an elf in a shopping centre.

Nicole Claus, 18, Nick's sister

Nick Claus, 21, the real Father Christmas

Barry Cromwell, shopping centre owner who wants to end Christmas forever.

Halloween Is Over For Another Year

2009-11-01T13:17:00.002Z

And the pictures of the pumpkin I cut out will hopefully be coming soon. Now what I am focusing on is the planning of my Christmas story, Saving Christmas. For the rewrite of it I'm gonna try and plot it out a bit better, so hopefully I can get that done in the next week or so and then start writing. Hopefully within the week my sore throat won't turn into a full blown cold and will be gone before the Backstreet Boys concert on the 10th. Can't wait for that! Need to plan what to wear!

My Little Creative Writing Piece

2009-10-21T15:43:00.002+01:00

Ok, I said a few posts back that I would put up the piece I wrote for my creative writing course on here and I've finally got round to doing it. My tutor said it was a strongly visual piece that was very convincing but it could do with being paragraphed. So I'm gonna put it into paragraphs to make it easy for you to read:

She stood leaninging against the lamppost, arms folded, a stony look on her face as if daring the passer-bys to comment on her apperance. Her pink and black stripped tights-with their few rips and ladders disappearing into the top of her calf high biker boots, the laces undone like she couldn't be bothered to bend down to tie them. A black mini skirt and a pink long sleeved t-shirt with the Dirty Dancing film logo across it completed the outfit, one that would always bring disapproving looks from adults that passed. As I sat on the bench I watched her and wondered. What was it about this girl-with her wild blonde and black hair-that made me admire her so? Was it that way she shot down the stares of others with a small smug smile and a raised eyebrow, never loosing her cool and never caring what anyone thought of her? Someone so different to me in so many ways, from her clothes to her attitude, someone more suited to the label of leader that is so often tagged on me. And yet someone who's been there for me for uncountable years.

Her mobile bleeped to signal a text and she flipped it open to read it. A small smile appeared on her face, not smug this time, but natural and sweet. A moment that was never rare but always welcome to see whenever it happened. The moody air that surrounded her had disappeared as her smile seemed to light up the whole dingy street, as if the sun had broken through the thick layer of clouds that hung in the sky above us. As she flipped her mobile closed and hid it under her folded arms, she looked back up, shaking her hair back off her face. The smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes stayed no matter how hard she tried to look sombre and moody again. The text had taken her out of her solemn act, so far that there was no way to sink back into it.

Her gaze seemed distant and I wondered what she was thinking. Would she go rushing off at a moment's notice, off to meet the sender of the text?Would she tell me where she was going or forget I was there? Would I be able to tag along with her or be told it was secret and sent off home? Or would she send me off to do something for her that leave me with more questions than answers?

She caught sight of me and smiled again as she pushed herself straight off the lamppost. She slowly came over towards the bench and stood above me with a cheeky glint in her eyes, as if planning something that would get us into a lot of trouble. "Come on, we have work to do," she said before strolling off with her hands on her hips, head held high and confidence oozing from every step. I watched her go before picking up my bag and running to keep up with her.

So, what do you lot think of it?

Solitaire Can Be An Evil Thing

2009-10-20T09:46:00.002+01:00

My new laptop has easy access to games, giving me a distraction from writing. And it's Solitaire that is causing that distraction. Since Saturday I have played it so many times I've lost count. And I'm loosing more games than I'm winning. Which is making me want to play it even more to try and win. I'm falling into a downward sprial I must get out of. Fast!

I'm Back Online!

2009-10-18T15:29:00.002+01:00

I have a new laptop and I'm back to normal. I'm no longer going crazy although there was a bit last night when I was having problems with the virus protection that I thought I really might do. But it's sorted and I'm all ok. Now I can get back to doing some sirous writing!

You Never Realise What You Have Til It's Gone

2009-10-13T10:43:00.004+01:00

I'm writing this on my home computer because my laptop is dead. Very, very dead. Not sure how it died but the screen is just black when I turn it on. No picture, nothing. And I feel like I might die. I am so attached to my laptop that without it there feels like a big hole in my life that is filled with boredom. I'll have to struggle through the week until I can do something about it, maybe weekend. Luckily Everything but five songs on my ITUNES is backed up, and those five songs I'll have to buy again, probabaly when I have to reload all my music from CD's all over again which will take forever. And I'll have to watch Sarah Jane Adventures on IPLAYER at the weekend instead of when I get home from work on the day it airs because I'll be at work when it's on TV. Roll on weekend so I can sort this all out. I'm going crazy!

I Need A Confidence Boost

2009-10-06T10:23:00.002+01:00

Last night at my Creative Writing Course we spent the first part reading out a scene about a character watching another character. I worked so hard on it, wanting to make it perfect but when it came to reading it out I just couldn't do it. I would have much rather handed it in and left it at that. So it was a good job I handed it in at the end of the lesson. When I get it back I might put it up on here for people to read. Because I wanted people to read it, I just couldn't read it out loud. Anyway, I should now really be off to write the short story we have two weeks to do. I have no idea where to start on that one.

Classic Books I Must Read-Suggestions Wlecome

2009-09-27T12:21:00.003+01:00

Ok, so I've nearly finished reading A Little Princess. Finally. I've wanted to read it for a long time. And I've really been wanting to read a few more classic novels. Now I'm not in school it doesn't feel so schooly to read them. I don't have to strip them apart to write essays on them. I've already read Jane Eyre after having to read the first chapter for school and was actually interested in reading the whole thing. Animal Farm I had to read the whole thing for school and just hated the whole thing, even before I had to strip it apart for essay writing. So I've made a list of the classic books I'm quiet interested in reading. If anyone has read them, please tell me what you thought of them. And any suggestions of classic novels I should read are welcome.

1. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
2. A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (I wouldn't mind getting the movie cover edition of this, just for Ben Barnes being on the front)
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker (I'm hoping reading proper horror won't freak me out too much but I would just love to read the original vampire novel. Mostly due to my obsession with Young Dracula more than anything)
4. Anything that's Sherlock Holmes. I've seen books that are the complete collection and books that are the adventures of and memoirs of and I'm not really sure what's what with them. Research is needed.
5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (And that's only because Mary Shelley appears in a Doctor Who audio play. Can't remember who played her though)
6. Anything Agatha Christie. Mostly because of her episode in Doctor Who.

And that's all I've come up with at the moment.

I Think I Can Do This

2009-09-22T11:00:00.004+01:00

Last night's creative writing course went alright. It was mostly doing a bit of admin and talking to people to sort of get to know the people in the class. And I feel like the youngest person there. Everyone else there were at least over 25 although I'm not really sure because most of the people I got to talk to where between middle aged and retired people. I'm not sure I'm gonna get some friends of about my age out of this yet. Of course I'm gonna stick it out, because I can really learn some skills from this. Steven, the class tutor is a published author and poet so hopefully he'll know what he's talking about. Ok, so he obviously isn't a huge author who can work full time or he wouldn't be in this town teaching a creative writing class three times a week over two days but still, he should know his stuff!

And on a story like moment, on the way up to the building I saw this blind lady walking up the high street with her stick. And who was sitting in the creative writing classroom when I got there, but the same lady. Now, I'm not surprised that a blind lady is into creative writing. She is human and can do what she wants, and I'm near blind without my glasses anyway. I just thought those moments were you see someone that at first just isn't important and then find out that they're gonna be part of your life for a while. In this case seeing a lady walking up the street and then seeing her in my creative writing class. Mostly in books it's just some random scene at the start of the book where the main character doesn't think one of the characters is important only for that character to be more than just a random person for just one scene but important to the book. Read Sovay by Ceila Rees for a prime example.