Watching TV isn't something I make a habit of. Because like many writers I spend many an hour, or two reading and dreaming up other stories. But, there are times when I want to chill out for a couple of hours.
Now, yesterday was one of those days and my partner was delighted when I decided to join him on the sofa to watch TV. What he didn't realise was that I had chosen our viewing for the next hour and a half. So, when the movie hit the screen, I heard a sigh in my ear.
The sigh, was a sigh of disappointment, Why? Because the film wasn't a thriller, or a western, it was a Rom-Com. Did I enjoy the movie? Yes. Did my partner? No because he didn't hang a round to watch it.
Monday, 18 March 2013
Friday, 15 March 2013
The Voice
Some of you may have watched the vocal competition called, The Voice, on TV. The aim of this programme is to discover new singing talent. The show is now so popular that it has been franchised throughout the world. The panel, who consist of some of the biggest names in music, also mentor the acts through to the final stages.
The gimmick of the show is that the initial auditions are held blind. By this I mean that the panel cannot see the acts, they can only listen to the acts sing. The reason being that at this stage the contestants go through to the next qualifying round, solely on the merit and originality of their voice.
This is where I stop trying to boost the viewing figures for this programme. I want to focus on one word and that word is, voice. It's a word that as writers we are familiar with. It's a word that is used to describe an author's writing style. But just as the competitors in the TV programme I mentioned need to make their performance their own, so do writers.
If we try to write in the same style as another author, the style is not our own. Whether the author is on the best seller list, originality for me is a key factor in good writing. What do you think?
The gimmick of the show is that the initial auditions are held blind. By this I mean that the panel cannot see the acts, they can only listen to the acts sing. The reason being that at this stage the contestants go through to the next qualifying round, solely on the merit and originality of their voice.
This is where I stop trying to boost the viewing figures for this programme. I want to focus on one word and that word is, voice. It's a word that as writers we are familiar with. It's a word that is used to describe an author's writing style. But just as the competitors in the TV programme I mentioned need to make their performance their own, so do writers.
If we try to write in the same style as another author, the style is not our own. Whether the author is on the best seller list, originality for me is a key factor in good writing. What do you think?
Monday, 11 March 2013
Duvet Days
I've had a few duvet days this last week, and I'm afraid my appetite for writing as well as food has been somewhat quashed. Therefore in both cases I'm getting back to normal in bite size pieces.
After a couple of days in bed I wanted to fill my lungs with some good clean fresh air, so my husband and I went for a walk. But quickly I found out that I was taking giant steps instead of baby steps. I'm certainly not the fittest person, but I had definitely bitten off more than I could chew. I looked with envy as the joggers ran by me. Although it's a long time since I've jogged, that's for sure. Sick, or not I always look at joggers with envy.
So that's why my post is on the short side today, and normal service will resume Friday. Thanks for hanging around. Have a great week.
After a couple of days in bed I wanted to fill my lungs with some good clean fresh air, so my husband and I went for a walk. But quickly I found out that I was taking giant steps instead of baby steps. I'm certainly not the fittest person, but I had definitely bitten off more than I could chew. I looked with envy as the joggers ran by me. Although it's a long time since I've jogged, that's for sure. Sick, or not I always look at joggers with envy.
So that's why my post is on the short side today, and normal service will resume Friday. Thanks for hanging around. Have a great week.
Friday, 1 March 2013
How Do You Feel About Edgy YA?
Sex, drugs, swearing and violence are things that many of us, class as edgy content within YA. I personally have no objections to any of this in a novel, or short story, as long as it's relevant to the plot.
All of these things, are part of our everyday lives and growing up. We don't live in a bubble, that bursts when we come of age. To make our choices and decisions in life we need to be exposed to the reality of this crazy, crazy world.
That's my opinion what's yours?
All of these things, are part of our everyday lives and growing up. We don't live in a bubble, that bursts when we come of age. To make our choices and decisions in life we need to be exposed to the reality of this crazy, crazy world.
That's my opinion what's yours?
Monday, 25 February 2013
These High Heels Are Made For Talking
'International Women's Day 2013,' will be celebrated throughout the world on the 8th March. There are many events that women of faith and non-faith can get involved in. Either by attending an event in their own country, or on line.
'Confidence is Beautiful' is one such item that those wanting to enter into the fun on line can do. It asks for ladies, to post photos of their high heels, on Facebook and Twitter. Partners are also encouraged to take part.
This event according to the website is, 'To inspire youth and adults to be confident and use confidence to achieve personal goals by accepting, seeing and loving each other as beautiful people.' Because, we all are beautiful.
As various tales such as, Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Princess and The Princess and the Frog demonstrate, everyone of us can be someone's Prince, or Princess.
So, whatever your interested in let's do it for the girls and support 'International Women's Day 2013.'
http://internationalwomensday.com
@womensday #ConfidenceIsBeautiful,NewYork
facebook.com/internationalwomensday
'Confidence is Beautiful' is one such item that those wanting to enter into the fun on line can do. It asks for ladies, to post photos of their high heels, on Facebook and Twitter. Partners are also encouraged to take part.
This event according to the website is, 'To inspire youth and adults to be confident and use confidence to achieve personal goals by accepting, seeing and loving each other as beautiful people.' Because, we all are beautiful.
As various tales such as, Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Princess and The Princess and the Frog demonstrate, everyone of us can be someone's Prince, or Princess.
So, whatever your interested in let's do it for the girls and support 'International Women's Day 2013.'
http://internationalwomensday.com
@womensday #ConfidenceIsBeautiful,NewYork
facebook.com/internationalwomensday
Thursday, 21 February 2013
What a Difference a 100 Years Can Make
I was looking through some old books the other day and the one that really stimulated my little grey cells was printed in the early 20th century. The section of the book that caught my attention, provided an author with handy hints in preparing their MS to be sent to the printers.
The list of useful tips includes, how to fold the paper, the numbering of the pages, the use of ruled paper with the lines wide apart and also advises the author to write plainly.
A hundred years on, some of the advice is still relevant in submitting our MS. But, with the correct software, many of the annoyances as they were referred to in the book have been eradicated. It makes me wonder, what will authors have at their fingertips in another hundred years?
Book referred to : The Woman's Book by Florence Jack Printed 1911. 734 Pages and by The History Press in 2006. 215 Pages.
The fantastic software I use is availablefrom : Apache Open Office.
The list of useful tips includes, how to fold the paper, the numbering of the pages, the use of ruled paper with the lines wide apart and also advises the author to write plainly.
A hundred years on, some of the advice is still relevant in submitting our MS. But, with the correct software, many of the annoyances as they were referred to in the book have been eradicated. It makes me wonder, what will authors have at their fingertips in another hundred years?
Book referred to : The Woman's Book by Florence Jack Printed 1911. 734 Pages and by The History Press in 2006. 215 Pages.
The fantastic software I use is available
Monday, 18 February 2013
It Happens to Teenagers Too
Every day when we switch on our TV, listen to news items on the radio and read the Internet, we are constantly reminded of the violence and abuse that exists in adult relationships.
This abuse in what ever form it takes doesn't just exist in relationships between adults though, abuse is something that is a concern within teenage relationships too. That's why the UK government is running a campaign between the 14th February 2013 and the end of April 2013 to stop teenagers from becoming victims, or perpetrators of abuse.
The website provides facts, guidance, help for all those concerned, or have concerns about someone they know who is in need of help. One thing that it does well, is it highlights all the forms in which abuse can take place. Whether an individual is pressurised into having sex, subject to physical violence, told what to wear, or not as the case may be, help is out there.
One thing it also points out is that teenage abuse isn't limited to boyfriend/girlfriend situations, but those in same sex relationships may also find themselves in an abusive situation.
So, if you live in the UK, and you need further information on teenage relationship abuse, check out www.homeoffice.gov.uk .
This abuse in what ever form it takes doesn't just exist in relationships between adults though, abuse is something that is a concern within teenage relationships too. That's why the UK government is running a campaign between the 14th February 2013 and the end of April 2013 to stop teenagers from becoming victims, or perpetrators of abuse.
The website provides facts, guidance, help for all those concerned, or have concerns about someone they know who is in need of help. One thing that it does well, is it highlights all the forms in which abuse can take place. Whether an individual is pressurised into having sex, subject to physical violence, told what to wear, or not as the case may be, help is out there.
One thing it also points out is that teenage abuse isn't limited to boyfriend/girlfriend situations, but those in same sex relationships may also find themselves in an abusive situation.
So, if you live in the UK, and you need further information on teenage relationship abuse, check out www.homeoffice.gov.uk .
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