What Does No Excuses Actually Mean in 2014?

When I started this blog in October 2007 I had a dream of being a writer.  I think I thought that while I wasn’t working I would write a book, get it published and live happily ever after....

We can all but dream...

But I think that is what this blog (or at least the writing of it for me) has emphasised.  We must each give ourselves the time to dream and where possible take steps towards our dreams.

My dream at the start was to be a writer.  Since then I have become a mother.  This changes so much of you.  In fact, it makes you a totally different person to the one before.  I have often compared it to walking through a door that you can never go back through. 

Would I have succeeded as a writer if I had not been a mother?  Who knows?

 

However, this year I intend to continue to write both my blogs; one on the trials and jubilation's of being a writer, and the other documenting the wonderful journey of motherhood. 

Since having my son in 2009 I constantly look for effective organisational and time management strategies, as well as tips on saving money and being the perfect housewife.  My son has taught me that time is precious.  He inspires me to keep asking questions, and to look for the fun in everything, He reminds me that any opportunity for creativity must be grabbed with both hands and to reach for the stars whenever possible.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Rhyme To Remember My Friends

I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book.
And every year at Christmas time I go and have a look.
And that is when I realize that these names are a part,
Not of the book they’re written in, but of my very heart.
For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime.
And in that meeting they’ve become the rhythm of rhyme.

And while this sounds fantastic for me to make this claim,
I really feel I am composed of each remembered name.
And while you may not be aware of any special link,
Just meeting you shaped my life more than you think.
For once you’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase.
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.

So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine,
Of names upon a Christmas list, forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you,
It’s because you’re on the list of folks I am indebted to.
For you are but a total of the many folks I’ve met,
And you happen to be of those I prefer not to forget.

And whether I have known you for many years or few,
In some way you have a part to play in shaping things I do.
For every year when Christmas comes, I realize anew,
The biggest gift that life can give is meeting folks like you.
And may the spirit of Christmas that forever and ever endures
Leave its richest blessing in the hearts of you and yours.

Peter Scarcliffe, Lincoln (This poem appeared in the Lincolnshire Echo a few years ago and I have kept it in my 'Christmas Box' so am reminded of it every year. I don't know Peter, but Thanks to him wherever he may be. )

ArtyPots, Me?

This year, I am sure one of my resolutions was to; 'be creative everyday'.

So, Saturday I took Jamie and his friend along to Arty Pots in Newark www.artypots.com/

I did some lovely painting and, although I felt very apprehensive that I was about to make a right old mess and end up with a pot that would go straight in the bin, once I got the hang of it I had a great time.

We have left the pots there to be 'fired' (or whatever) to seal the colours in.

Lets see what kind of 'artist' I really am!!

Keep Proving...

Literature is an occupation in which you have to keep proving your talent to people who have none. 

Jules Renard

Quoted in Writers News - November 2013 www.writers-online.co.uk

Rule Number Three: Don't Let Christmas Sneak Up On You....

Feeling a bit overwhelmed today.   I seem to have let my list slip this week and as I sit at the table, I am not sure where the list actually is at the moment.  This is because I find myself surrounded by Christmas cards and 'stuff'.

So, Rule Number Three must be; When you are writing any 'To Do' list, take account of any other events happening within your time frame.

If writing your 'To Do' list in December, don't forget you have Christmas presents to buy and wrap, cards to write, decorations to put up.........In the rest of the year remember birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, holidays and other commitments. 

These will all take up time.  Time that you won't have for your list!!

Ensure you write your list with your diary for that time frame in front of you, and consider how much of your precious time may be taken up with these other commitments. 

It might be at this stage that you can think how you might reduce the impact of these commitments.  Can you delegate any of the tasks that need to be done (that aren't on your To Do list).   Isn't it about time your other half bought the presents or at least wrapped them all?   Or instead of wasting hours tramping around the shops, see what you can buy on line?  Do you really need to send (and write) that many cards?  Will an email do that you can write once and send to lots of friends?

Excuse me while I finish writing my Christmas cards.......Hubby has been 'volunteered' to wrap the presents.  They might not be up to my standard, but its time I can use for another job!!

Rule Number Two: Put Things 'To Do' Out Of Site

So, am still working on the 'To Do' list to be completed before Christmas.

What occurred to me this week is that once you have your 'To Do' list written, you need to put all those things on the list out of sight. 

If you leave items in a huge pile on your desk, or in the corner of your room, or wherever, you will still think about them and even be tempted to try to reduce the pile; which defeats the object.  The other jobs will keep calling to you; until you do something with them.  And that means you end up being unable to focus on the job that is actually on your list for that day / week!

Once you have initially written your To Do list, try and forget about everything that is on it. EXCEPT the first item.  Concentrate on that only.  Once you have completed that item, cross it off and move to the next item.

Trust yourself and your list.

Why didn't I take my camera?

 

Went on a last minute shopping trip to Newark at the weekend and only took my little camera.  The sunset was absolutely gorgeous and although I took these photos, I regret not having my 550D with me....

The Lie?

It was number 4.  I once shared a lift with Jilly Cooper!!

10 Facts (and one lie) about me

Ok, Ok, so I know I said I would reduce my Facebook usage, but sometimes there is something that drags you in.......(another reason why I should limit its usage).  This time it was 10 Facts about Me.  Below are 10 facts about me and 1 lie.  Can you spot it?

• I used to be called ‘Boots’ because I lived in a pair of Monkey Boots (do they still make them?).
• I am also musically stuck in the 1980s but did go to a number of Raves in the early 90s.
• I spent 18 months of my life in a Category A prison.
• I once shared a lift with Jackie Collins.      
• I wish I had realised the real potential of having a University Education (and drunk less, so I  might remember which subject of I got the BA (Hons) in!)
• One of my best friends from the early 90s still refuses to speak to me.  In fact, there is another friend from the late 80s who also pretends I don’t exist (I told you I drank too much).
• I love Art Deco and still refuse to admit to hubby how much I actually paid for the lamp in the front room and the lampshade in the dining room.
• I have part of my body missing; which leads some to interpret I was made out of a test-tube (mum assures me I wasn’t).
• I recently fulfilled an ambition to be paid for my writing when I had an article published in a magazine.  Just working on number two.
• One of my most memorable trips was also a scout camp – me and 13 boys (unfortunately one of them was my brother who regularly rang home).
• Qualifications include my cycling proficiency badge and my 1500 metre swimming badge.  I have also got Grade 4 CSE Electronics and my teacher (whose name escapes me at the moment) was so proud.

Can you spot the lie?

Non-Fiction Course: One Year On (24th Nov)

Yes, it is a whole year since I attended the wonderful non fiction writing course with Caroline High, See: http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/non-fiction-workshop.html

What have I achieved in that year in terms of non-fiction?
Well, I did have my article published in Writing Magazine http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/my-name-in-print.html

I also made a number of pitches to various magazines, but so far I have not had another success.

I have however, been busy with my 'Ideas' list and remain focused on what I want to concentrate on. I have bought a number of magazines to study over Christmas (I think I said this last year) and once the new year comes I intend to be focused on pitching and writing in 2014.

I did send an email to the original attendees and Caroline who led the course asking how they have got on in the last year, but no responses as yet.  Is this because they are too busy being published or too embarrassed at not being?

Did I mention the medium?

Last week I decided to go and see someone for a channelled reading.  I have had the website in my Favourites for a long time and for some reason felt that now was the right time to go.

http://celestialhealing.co.uk/                                                                                                     
Claire has worked as a professional Medium for over a decade. Claire works closely with angelic energy channelling information and guiding people through difficult times. Private sittings consist of reading the aura, passing on spiritual messages and information and taking an in-depth look at how the person is feeling at that moment. What is happening within their life and through the guidance of angelic energy, looking at ways to work through any difficulties.

Free will is very important and Claire’s readings are channelled by the highest pure angelic energy and will give guidance, support, comfort and peace of mind. If there are difficult issues within your life at the moment you will be guided into a quick and peaceful solution.

So, what did she say?   It was all positive.   (If I wear my Psychology hat, I would say they all are, aren't they, or you wouldn't go back, recommend a friend etc.)

I specifically asked her about where I should concentrate my energies over the coming months.  She said I didn't need further education / training, but that all I needed I already have.  She also highlighted that everything I have done / experienced has been leading up to this moment and NOW is the time!

Photography?   No money in that, she said (I could have told her that) but she did say that writing articles was the way forward as a medium to help people.  I also mentioned writing for children and again, she said that would be positive route for helping children.

Whether you believe any of this or not (and I have been sitting on the fence for a long time), I don't care, but it has helped me re-focus myself and, with a little help and guidance, I can see the future.....

Rule Number One: Don't Add To Your To Do List

So, the week started off brilliant.  Having split all the tasks that needed doing into the weeks leading up to Christmas, I started on the first set.

However, starting tasks that have been put off (and ignored) for a while, often means that other tasks appear.  (I suspect they breed when I am not looking).

But, what you need to do is to try and ignore the new tasks. 

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of adding to the original list and found myself swamped by Sunday.  Too many tasks and no idea (again) where to start......

However, the actual process of monitoring my tasks does seem to help me focus on what needs to be done.

Competition Entry - 200 words

Well, I have been working through the 'To Do' list (have finally sorted out all those old writing magazines), but I have also found time to enter a competition in Writing Magazine.  The main reason for entering this particular competition, was the prize - a copy of The Lifestyle Writer by Sarah Beth Watkins.  Just what I need if I am to commit seriously to writing for magazines next year:

www.amazon.co.uk/The-Lifestyle-Writer-Family-Market/dp/1780999844/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386075083&sr=8-1&keywords=lifestyle+writer

The competition?  200 words on Healthy Eating for a Womans magazine.

It was difficult to stick to the 200 words, but I did it and was quite proud of what I wrote. 

We shall have to see if the competition judges agree with me, or if I will be buying my own copy!!

A To Do List for my To Do Lists.....

Inspired by a friends recent posting on Facebook, I have started to plan the next month or so.

I have had the same items on my 'To Do' list for weeks (possibly months) so I have broken them down into the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Spreading them out like this will hopefully give me the space I need to complete them one at a time. 

Looking at a long list of thing to do can be overwhelming, so I am hoping that by Christmas I have accomplished all that I have set out to do.

This weekend I need to sort out my old writing magazines from 2010 / 2011 and file all my collected articles in their correct place within my writing files (I have a number of files for different genres where I keep any articles that I have found interesting, useful or just sparked an idea).

Better get on with it then......

The Woman Who Thought Too Much

No, it wasn't me.  Although I have often been told I think too much, it was Joanne Limburg, who has written her memoir and given it this title.

The book is about her life as a poet with OCD and she describes her journey with the 'disease'.    On the last page of the book, she writes; but then, as I've said, no one expects normality from a poet. 

As someone who is "a little bit OCD" as comic Jon Richardson famously described himself, (see: www.channel4.com/programmes/jon-richardson-a-little-bit-ocd)  I found the memoir very interesting and, I thank God (or whoever), that I have been spared its full trauma.

As part of Joanne's research for the book, she spoke to a leading psychiatrist who suggested that what underlies such crippling perfectionism is the need for that 'just right' feeling that drives all kinds of compulsions from hand washing and oven checking through to counting and word repetition, in which sufferers may use emotional criteria that you don't finish something until it feels right, rather than taking the objective view.

Towards the end of the book she writes; the trouble with writing.....is that you fear in advance - or rather, you know in advance - that whatever comes out on the page is bound to fall short of the fuzzily luminous piece of perfection that you plan to write beforehand.

She goes onto say; one of the necessary conditions of creativity is the ability to bear the disillusionment which an encounter with one's realworld, unidealized products inevitably brings.

However, as she notes, the making of poems can be an ingenious attempt at self-cure, a kind of symbolic healing.  She says the formal working-through of the poem on the page brings about a corresponding working-through of a problem in the psyche.  Difficulties with emotion and experience are transformed on the page into difficulties with form, and as you find a solution to these, an acceptable compromise between the experience or thought you are trying to express and the means available to express it, there is a sense of real physical and emotional release.

In the book she includes the poem The Return about the death of her father.  As one who has also lost her father, I thought it was wonderful and very moving.   Also see Inner Bloke on her webpage.

I have ordered a copy of her book of poems; Femenismo.

See: www.joannelimburg.net/

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Happy Birthday Blog - 6 Years!!

And you catch me in a bit of a limbo.........working on my Master Plan.........

No Mercy!

Have no mercy on yourself.  Cut.  Destroy.  Revise.  Take entire pages out.  Bad writing is like a bad relationship.  Don't be addicted to it just because you are familiar with its ways.  Let go.

However, don't be merciless on your characters.  Do not look down upon them.  Our job is not to judge them but to understand them and help other people understand them.  Empathy is the key word.

Elif Shafak, Rules for Writing, The Daily Telegraph
Quoted in Writers News September 2013  www.writers-online.co.uk

Better to write for yourself....

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self  

Cyril Connolly quoted in Octobers Writers' News.  www.writers-online.co.uk

Cyril Vernon Connolly (10 September 1903 – 26 November 1974) was an English intellectual, literary critic and writer. He was the editor of the influential literary magazine Horizon (1940–1949) and wrote Enemies of Promise (1938), which combined literary criticism with an autobiographical exploration of why he failed to become the successful author of fiction that he had aspired to be in his youth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Connolly

Camera School Module 6 - Animals

Once again I have failed to complete my homework.  However, I have a good excuse this time - I just don't have a cat or a dog  - as the homework requested!

So, what next with my photography?  Well, I certainly don't intend to give up.  I am still taking lots of photographs and make sure that every now and again the posts on my other blog http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.co.uk/  have a photo attached.   I still take my camera out wherever we go and I do believe I am getting better.  Practise is key!!

I would like to go on another course.  www.goingdigital.co.uk/  do a course on Photographing Family and Friends.  Perhaps someone will buy me it for Christmas?

Our Wedding Poem : The Meaning

To love is to share life together
to build special plans just for two
to work side by side
and then smile with pride
as one by one, dreams all come true.

To love is to help and encourage
with smiles and sincere words of praise
to take time to share
to listen and care
in tender, affectionate ways.

To love is to have someone special
one who you can always depend
to be there through the years
sharing laughter and tears
as a partner, a lover, a friend.

To love is to make special memories
of moments you love to recall
of all the good things
that sharing life brings
love is the greatest of all.

I've learned the full meaning
of sharing and caring
and having my dreams all come true;
I've learned the full meaning
of being in love
by being and loving with you.

- Kellie Spehn –

Spoke too soon.....

I don't know what has happened,  but so much for Jamie being shattered every day after school.........this week he has had more energy than ever!!

The More You Do.....?

Met an old school friend a few weeks ago who I have not seen in a while.  We were both at a HR training day.

I asked how she was getting on and could not believe all the pies she seems to have her fingers in; school governor, brownies, theatre. Both her and her hubby.

I asked her where she got the energy from.  She replied that she didn't do Facebook and hardly watched the TV any more.

She reminded me that in the past I have found that the more you do, the more you do!!

This has been emphasised this weekend as I have had the tail end of an awful cold.  It is so much easier to roll over and do nothing.  Its so easy to use the excuse; I haven't got the Strength / Energy / Time, but the first step is the hardest.

Seeing her has reminded me to get on with it.  I have been feeling slovenly lately and must start exercising again before my body truly gives up!

And now that Jamie is at school, its time to get back into a routine which includes time for myself, my writing and my photography!

Christmas Competition Poem.......

Over the post few weeks I have been writing 100 words, on why I would like to have a Winter Wonderland Break at Centre Parcs - which I dearly would!   I started to write a poem, and then changed it to a piece of prose, which I thought flowed perfectly when read out.

Unfortunately, I didn't save it correctly (I was editing the email version and then said No when asked if I wanted to update the email) so I won't be winning that competition any time soon!!

But at least I had a few days / nights being creative (as well as thinking about Christmas!).

Excuses, Excuses 2013

Since getting married (and keeping it secret), coming home from our hols (washing etc.), Jamie's last day at nursery (tears), getting the house ready for the wedding 'reception' (clean, clean and so many jobs to do), mummy getting used to working 5 hours a day (every day), and getting everything ready for Jamie's first day at school (uniform, school dinners, after school clubs, more tears), there has not been a lot of time for anything else. 

However, as Jamie has started school in the last week, he has been shattered, which means I have found time to catch up.  While on holiday we were without Internet for most of the time, and I began to realise how much time I have been wasting on Facebook.  Since coming home I have hardly been on FB; and I am certainly not checking my news feed every 5 minutes.   I don't miss it, as I have realised I see the people I want to see!  That is enough for me.

Here's to reclaiming some more time for myself (and my writing and photography) over the next few weeks / months.

Camera School - Module 5 - Black and White

Sorry.  Although I did take some Black and White photographs over the weekend as directed by the homework, I am afraid I didn't think any of them were good enough.  

I did learn from the module so it wasn't a completely wasted task.  I just didn't think my images were good enough and I didn't have enough time (or energy) to take any more before the deadline!!

Camera School - Module 4 - Nature. Another Silver!

Image Information :

Equipment	Canon - Canon EOS 550D
Focal Length	55
ISO Speed	ISO-200
Shutter Speed	1/790
Aperture	F/5.7

OK, so I read the requirements wrong, and had a bit of a panic a few days before the homework deadline as I tried to find a photo to submit.   The title of the module was 'Nature' and I took this to be the title of the required homework.  Only it wasn't.   It was 'Flower'.....  I had a lovely picture of a butterfly on a flower, but it was more butterfly that flower and so this is the image I finally decided on.   For this I received a  Silver - Pass with merit

The tutors identified the following areas for improvement:

• Composition needs more attention.

The tutors made the following additional comments:

• The background is distracting.

Just Married!!!

While on holiday we got married!!  We told no-one except our witnesses - who also got married.  We were their witnesses and our children were bridesmaids and paigeboys!  

What an idea for a magazine article......The Secret Wedding / Organising a Secret Wedding / Getting Married Without The Fuss......

Fantastic Holiday!

Just come back from a week in Blakeney in Norfolk. 

Wonderful week with plenty of opportunity for photography. 

Less so opportunity for writing - although lots of ideas!!

But plenty of rest and relaxation.....

So much to do......

....so little time....

.......and now a 'proper' job to do as well!!

A Silver!!

So, my least happy with, Camera School submission (Will Running), See: http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/camera-school-module-3-action.html             got me a Silver!!

Silver - Pass with merit

Our tutors identified the following areas for improvement:

• Image isn't sharp enough

Very pleased with that!!

End of first week at work.....

......but    Oh.   So.   Tired.......

New Job (Poem)

This is a poem I wrote a few years ago, which is particularly apt this week!

NEW JOB

It’s a new job.  A new story.

A new past.  A new lie.

A new one; not the old one.

A new truth to live by.

 

And the new me doesn’t worry, doesn’t panic, doesn’t fret.

Because the new me is self confident.

With no problems, as yet.

 

There is no history of slacking, no evidence of faults.

Just the new me; beginning.

Just beginning a new job.

 

In a year it may be different.

The real me may have leaked out.

In an unguarded moment, the mask might slip.

In twelve months they might have their doubts.

 

So until then I’m quiet, I’m clever. I’m new.

Until then, I fit the job description.

Until then, I’ll do.

 

 

 



New Job, New Opportunities

So, I start my new job on Monday.  5 days a week - albeit part time - with hardly any time for myself; what with Jamie being on his summer hols for the next 6 weeks!   So for the last week I have been trying desperately to clear the decks in order to allow myself some 'time off' from my self imposed 'To Do' list, so I can focus on learning my new job!

I will be at work for 3 weeks and then am off on my holiday for a week.  The plan is, that after my hols, I will get back to my writing.  Hopefully, inspiration will strike!   Although I have had a few 'inspirations' over the past few days due to the new job and associated feelings....

In the meantime I intend to concentrate on my photography; reading all the magazines and articles I seem to have acquired recently, so that my holiday snaps will be the best!!

Camera School - Module 3 - Action

I think this is the one I am least happy with - and this is the one I spent the most time trying to perfect!                                                                                             

 

I only got a Bronze for the last one (again) http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/camera-school-module-2-portraits.html  but will be happy with a Bronze this time!!

 

 

Lauded or Condemned?

In amongst the old magazines, I found an interview with Derek Landy regarding his 'Skullduggery' series, See: www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/       It was interesting to read what he had to say:

'Because Skullduggery took off, I can now be lauded and complimented.  Because I had faith in myself and in my dreams and I did not give up.  The flip side is that if Skullduggery had not taken off, and I kept on trying, I would be condemned as the dreamer who refuses to face reality.  There is nothing separating these two types of dreamers apart from the end result.  If you make it, you are lauded.  If you don't, you are condemned.  But if you're a writer you don't really have a choice.  This is what you're going to waste your life doing.'

Old Writing Magazines

Every now and again my collection of Writing Magazines get too much for the cabinet in which I keep them, and I have to have a clear out.  This gives way to a relaxing couple of hours re-reading issues from 3 years ago.  As I am constantly changing what I like to write, this often throws up new ideas from old forgotten magazines.  It also allows me to file the pages of interest within the folders that I have for my separate projects.  It also gives me a kick up the backside......

Me? A Procrastinator?

Official Photographer

This weekend I was 'Official Photographer' at Becci's fabulous 40th Birthday party.  I had promised to take a load of pictures and do a photo book as her birthday present. Thoroughly enjoyed it - although the camera struggled at times to take the photos as quickly as I would liked.  However (as usual) The Shutter Chimps have been very helpful with their advice.   Here is one of the photographs that I love (not taken using Auto).  As you can see Becci had a great time!!!

5 Job Applications completed today...

....I'd say that's enough 'Creative Writing' for one day!!!

Didn't get the job....

Fed up for a day or so, but back to my 'creative writing' last night when I completed a couple of job applications.   Jamie only has 4 weeks left at pre-school and after that he will be at home with me full time for the summer holidays before he starts school in September.  I really must crack on with my writing next week and try and write / pitch a few articles....

Job Interview

Since my contract in the NHS ended at the end of March I have tried to use the extra hours at home alone (when Jamie is at pre-school) to my advantage.  I have been lucky enough to have been able to get a lot of photography accomplished, and have had a number of 'ideas' with regards to articles that I may pitch at a later date.

What I have not enjoyed is the lack of cash.  I thought it would be easy to exist on less, but even writers need to spend money....

So, I am glad to report I have a job interview this Wednesday.  My 'creative writing' was obviously on top form when I completed the application form.  I just need to be able to promote myself verbally and hope that they like me.  Wish me luck!!

Camera School - Module 2 - Portraits

 

 

I only got a Bronze Medal for my Module 1 (Landscape) image (see: http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/camera-school-module-1-landscape.html) but at least it wasn't a fail. 

 

The comments they made on my image were:  Our tutors identified the following areas for improvement:  Composition needs more attention.

 

Module 2 is Portraits, and I have entered the photo above of Ella (my god-daughter) taken at a recent children's party.  I am very happy with this image and hope to improve on my Bronze......

Self Help Book....

http://www.francartoons.co.uk/wp/

No Greater Error

In the recent Cygnus Review (June 2013), See: www.cygnus-books.co.uk/pdfs-permanent/cygnus-review-2013-issue-06.pdf

Pierre Pradervand; in his article 'Towards an Open Spirituality',  quotes Edmund Burke:

"There is no greater error than doing nothing because we believe we can only do a little".

Out of the shadows....

Writing is drawing the essence of what we know out of the shadows

Karl Ove Knausgaard, Norwegian author, quoted in the Guardian and Writers News - May 2013 www.writers-online.co.uk

Procrastination Workshop

Phew!

Finally the week is nearly over and I seem to have done most of the things I set out to do; which is to clear the decks and tick off as many jobs off the 'To Do' list as is possible!!

I have wrapped up my Lincoln Inspired contribution, as I have finally finished sorting out all the photographs I took over the week.  As one of the festival photographers we were responsible for sending a number of 'shots' to the organisers after each event was over.  I was also able to upload a few instantly to facebook via my phone while the events were actually taking place. 

As well as sorting out all the photos from Lincoln Inspired, I have also managed to sort out all the photographs that have accumulated on my laptop over the last month or so.

My other blog http://grumpymumtobe.blogspot.co.uk/ details how busy we have been with regards to school places, parent evenings and children's parties over the last month or so.  I have also been suffering with my back; which poses problems when trying to sit at the computer for long periods of time.

Since the end of March I have been unemployed.  This has meant a trip to the Job Centre and the need to sign on every other week - even though I am not actually entitled to Job Seekers Allowance (but that's another story).  Although I have used some of my time for applying for jobs and attending an interview, I do now have more time for writing when Jamie is at pre-school.  However, being a 4 year old, he is very demanding when he is at home.  Unfortunately, Nana has been away for two weeks and now she is recovering from an operation, so there is no chance of babysitting from her for a week or so. 

So now I have made plans for the next two weeks.  Next week I intend to concentrate on my photography as I have a huge 'To Do List' and have not spent as much time as I would like on the Camera School Modules.

Then the week after next I intend to finally sort my Ideas list; which will also include a bit of a spring clean.....The plan is to fire up the imagination and then dive back into pitching, pitching, pitching articles.

Camera School - Module 1 - Landscape

Decided that if I was to begin to take this photography hobby serious, I had better do something about it.  O.K, so I joined the ShutterChimps which has pointed me in the right direction, and being an 'Event Photographer' during Lincoln Inspired certainly made me take lots and lots of photos and really think about composition etc.    Obviously I cannot afford another course such as the one I did with Going Digital last year www.goingdigital.co.uk/   so I enrolled on the Practical Photography Camera School www.photoanswers.co.uk/Camera-School-2013/. 

Basically this means subscribing to the magazine for 6 months (I did get a free tripod and spirit level!) and each month there is a module to complete.  This month it was Landscapes.  Sorry to say that I did not have nearly enough time to read and digest all the course work before I had to submit my image.  This is my image below:

 

This picture was taken in Puzzlewood  www.puzzlewood.net/ in the Forest of Dean.  Can't say I am totally happy with it as the greens aren't green enough for my liking.........Must try harder for module 2!

Lincoln Inspired Childrens Day

Had a fantastic day at the Lincoln Inspired Children's Day.  We went to a StoryBook Days www.storybookdays.co.uk/index.html  'Where the Wild Things Are' morning; which included making a mask and a cake!  Then the Bookstart Bear made an appearance as part of a Teddy Bears Picnic and then finally we went on a Bear Hunt.  Fantastic end to this years Lincoln Inspired.  I hope to be able to contribute more next year - fingers crossed!!

Alison Dunne at Lincoln Inspired

Was very disappointed that I had to miss the Poetry Workshop with Alison Dunne, to go to an interview and then not get the job, especially after I found one of her poems on the Internet:


If You Don’t Want To Be In A Poem Don’t F*** A Poet

Your limbs will be verbs, your skin will be nouned.
The unbroken line from shoulder to hip
will be a sentence run beneath her lips.
The place she rests her cheek when you’re half turned

will be a stanza full of tenderness.
Your voice will mark the rhythm of the work
and how she hears your breathing in the dark
will be the drumming heartbeat of the verse.
Then she will make an animal of you
a bull maybe, a compact muscled thing

a metaphor for how you will not bend
to her or do what she wants you to do.
And then will be the sound of lines breaking.
And then will be the full stop at the end.

http://ivoryfishbone.wordpress.com/

Lincoln Inspired Artists of Note

Day Two and Dale and Andy from http://thewarbirds.co.uk/ played the Lincoln Drill Hall at lunchtime.  Lovely sarnies!! 

Lincoln Inspired - Walking with the Dalek



Day one kicked off with a Dalek 'flash mob' parading through the streets of Lincoln to publicise Lincoln Inspired www.lincolninspired.co.uk/

Exercise is good for you!!

I know, I know.  Obvious.  But I sometimes have to remind myself!!

The last two weeks I have started walking 4ish miles on a Wednesday morning and have also tried to walk more every day.  I was initially worried that I was going to loose my Wednesday morning 'writing' time and wasn't really sure that I wanted to commit the time to exercise every week, but so far I am glad I did.  I really do feel I have more energy, am more relaxed, have been getting things done and actually not being quite so fretful about having to get things done!

Or it could be the tablets I am taking for my back ache.....

More Reading / Research

Spent a few days last week reading and analysing all the magazines I have collected since before Christmas.  Good job I did as I had thought about sending a pitch to one with regards to organising a party for toddlers, but after thoroughly rewarding the magazine I would say that it would not be a subject they would print as most of their articles are geared towards pregnancy and babies - as opposed to toddlers.  Must see if there are any magazines specifically written with toddlers / pre-schoolers in mind!

ShutterChimps Exhibition with the Family

Today I took along my mum, partner and son to see the ShutterChimps Exhibition at the Lincolnshire Life Museum http://shutterchimps.weebly.com/exhibition-info.html   I know I had seen the exhibition as it was being set up, but it was weird today as there were 'other' people looking at the photographs.   It was strange to watch as people actually stopped and looked at my picture on the wall!!

Afterwards, we managed a walk around Lincoln - where I took some more photographs - and a lovely lunch in one of the pubs on Steep Hill.

Shutter Chimps Meeting

As part of Lincoln Inspired www.lincolninspired.co.uk/ I have been able to get the Shutter Chimps involved.  The ShutterChimps are a Lincoln based photography group that I joined before Christmas.  The group has its own members only facebook page which has been an inspiration over the past few months and has really helped me with my own photography.  As it was myself who introduced the Chimps to the organisers of Lincoln Inspired, I thought I had better make their meeting.  So, with drugs in bag and note pad at the ready I introduced Sara and Chris from Inspired to the Chimps.....

Initially, as the Chimps had organised their exhibition http://shutterchimps.weebly.com/exhibition-info.html with the theme of ‘A Sense of Lincolnshire Life and Places’, I forwarded this information onto the Inspired team and they offered the Chimps a space in the Inspired programme.  Following this, it was suggested that some of the Chimps might like to be interested in taking pictures during the festival.  This was the main reason for attending the Chimps meeting - to explain what would be required.

The meeting went well.  Sara and Chris were very interested in the photographs taken by the Chimps, and many of the Chimps who made the meeting seemed very interested in getting involved.  What is now required is a list of events and a photographer to volunteer for each one.  Perhaps I might even take a few photographs!!

Lincoln Inspired Evaluation

Feeling good this week as I have been involved in the evaluation of Lincoln Inspired; www.lincolninspired.co.uk/    As well as being part of the 'Team' and  the ShutterChimps photography involvement, I offered to put a draft questionnaire together and it was just like being back at Clinical Audit (when I had a proper job).  I loved thinking up the questions that would be needed, as well as the actual the design of the evaluation sheet.  I may not have done any actual 'writing' this week, but I have been pleased to be involved with Lincoln Inspired and using my brain again!

Unfortunately, due to my back still being very sore - and driving being very painful - I was unable to make the meeting with the two other people who had taken responsibility for the questionnaire, but I was very proud of what I had to send in my place! 

Shutter Chimps Exhibition Set Up

A Sense of Lincolnshire Life and Places Exhibition

Just to let you know that as part of www.lincolninspired.co.uk/ I have a photograph in the above exhibition, taking place at The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Burton Road, Lincoln, between Saturday 6th April and Friday 31st May.

The exhibition is described as 'A Collection of Photographic images documenting the county, including the defining characteristics of places particularly through heritage, leisure and geography.'

There are over 50 photographs being shown – including mine!!!

Check out:  http://shutterchimps.weebly.com/exhibition-info.html

 The museum is open 10am til 4pm every day.  For more information on the museum see:  http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/visiting/museums/museum-of-lincolnshire-life/ and the exhibition runs until the 31^st May.

Entrance is free!!

Lincoln Inspired

In May, a very exciting festival is coming to Lincoln.

Taking place between the 7^th and the 12^th May, Lincoln Inspired is a festival of Literature, Performance and Art.

For more information, please see the website at: www.lincolninspired.co.uk/    (You can view my ugly mug under ‘Team’).

There is also a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/LincolnInspired?fref=ts

I am proud to have been involved in the setting up of the festival and am sure it is going to be a fantastic week.

Tickets go on sale on the 30^th March. I have already got my tickets for the Poetry Workshop with Alison Dunne http://ivoryfishbone.wordpress.com/ on Friday 10th May at 11am at the Drill Hall, Lincoln.

Hope to see you at the festival.

 

Forensic Night at Lindum Scribes

On the 19th March, Lindum Scribes were blessed with the presence of a very knowledgeable and interesting speaker.  Dr Dorothy Gennard is a Forensic Scientist and Principal Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of Lincoln.  Her speciality within forensics is entomology.    That means she is the Lincolnshire equivalent of Gil Grissom from CSI.  Pictured here are myself (in the gloves) Jacquie and Jonathan, preparing to look at the evidence...

Dr Gennard introduced the night by producing a meerkat that seemed to have hung himself.  Poor Alexander!    All of us were equipped with gloves (most SOCO wear double and replace them regularly) and aprons in order to ensure the scene remained uncontaminated.  Fred was up first to secure the crime scene.  If there had been any chance that Alexander was still alive, we could have cut him down; being careful to keep any knots in tact as they could provide vital clues.  Sad to say however, he didn't make it.

Marjory - with gloves and protective clothing - then read up the 'suicide' note.  Removing it from the scene, she placed it into a large A4 evidence bag; all the time using the corner of the paper to handle it. A number of members were then asked to seal packages with the evidence that was found at the scene.  Each item is given a crime scene number.  

A few interesting tit bits were picked up.  A specific Drying Room is used to dry any blood stained items, in order to reduce the bacteria on items.  In the case of blood on a T Shirt, an arrow would be used to indicate the direction of the blood splatter.   The T shirt would then be folded in such a way that the blood could be seen.

Sealing the evidence bags was harder than it looked and every seal had to be initialled to indicate who had touched the item.  However, it was very difficult to ensure that the evidence bags were correctly 'sealed' - even with a double seal on every opening.  This is something that could be picked up by a defence team, so it is very important that it is done correctly.  As Dr Gennard stated, she works for the court and not for whoever is paying!

In the case of guns or knives, they would be wired into an 'evidence box'.   Then taped up and sealed.

In the case of a real crime scene, there would be someone taking photographs, or even a video, of everything; especially the evidence.  Today, it was just me!

The members then had a chance to take each others fingerprints for elimination purposes.  The photo on the right shows the equipment required.    We were given a number of handouts that led us through the Loops, Whorls and Arches that make up the classification.  

What was interesting was that there are 900,000 outstanding criminal cases where fingerprints have been taken, but police have yet to find a match.

Scribes members had a great time, but the ink took a lot of getting off!  What was nice is that Dr Gennard gave us all a key ring that we could put our own fingerprint into.  A lovely reminded of a fascinating evening.

Many Thanks to Dr Gennard.

 

Keep Walking....

Saw this in an interview with Michael Crummey (Canadian Poet and Author) in April's Writing Magazine:

I may not always know where I'm going but I will keep walking until I get there....

What's most important in life.....

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
'Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said...
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.  Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture. Jack stopped suddenly...

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was... my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

12 Ground Rules For Writing

Having started planning my next set of articles for publication, I was glad I found a recent article from December's Writing Magazine, which listed Keith Waterhouse's ground rules for writing.  I also found the site: http://grammar.about.com/od/advicefromthepros/a/Keith-Waterhouses-12-Ground-Rules-For-Writers.htm which provided the following information:

English novelist and newspaper columnist Keith Waterhouse (1929-2009) was a prolific writer: 16 novels (including Billy Liar), countless plays and film scripts, and--for almost 40 years--a twice-weekly newspaper column. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a recipient of the Edgar Wallace Award, which recognizes writing and reporting of "the highest quality."  Waterhouse made writing look easy. In his popular guide for journalists, he said that writing "consists simply of choosing a handful of words from the half a million or so samples available, and arranging them in the best order."

At the end of the Waterhouse on Newspaper Style, Waterhouse summarizes a number of his key points with these "ground rules" for writers:

1.  Use specific words (red and blue) not general ones (brightly coloured).

2.  Use concrete words (rain, fog) rather than abstract ones (bad weather).

3.  Use plain words (began, said, end) not college-educated ones (commenced, stated, termination).

4.  Use positive words (he was poor) not negative ones (he was not rich--the reader at once wants to know, how not rich was he?).

5.  Don't overstate: fell is starker than plunged.

6.  Don't lard the story with emotive or "dramatic" words (astonishing, staggering, sensational, shock).

7.  Avoid non-working words that cluster together like derelicts (but for the fact that, the question as to whether, there is no doubt that).

8.  Don't use words thoughtlessly. (Waiting ambulances don't rush victims to hospital. Waiting ambulances wait. Meteors fall, so there can be no meteoric rise.)

9.  Don't use unknown quantities (very, really, truly, quite. How much is very?).

10.  Never qualify absolutes. A thing cannot be quite impossible, glaringly obvious or most essential, any more than it can be absolutely absolute.

11.  Don't use jargon, clichés, puns, elegant or inelegant variations, or inexact synonyms (brave wife died saving her son is wrong; wife is not a synonym for mother).

12.  Words are facts. Check them (spelling and meaning) as you would any other.

Bottled It!!

This week I have been trying to give the house a good clean as we have people coming Thursday night and also Sunday.  When I am doing one of my Spring cleans I end up writing a large To Do list of more things to do, but I always feel so much better once the house is sparkling, jobs are done and everything is in its place.

One of the many things on this week's 'To Do' list has been there for a while, and that was to chase up both my pitches.  I had intended to ring them both this morning - as that's what the books say, but after ringing Spirit and Destiny and being told that the line was 'unavailable', I bottled it and sent them an email instead.

This wasn 't entirely wasted however, as about 20 minutes later I received a return email stating that;

Many thanks for contacting us again.

Your original email was forwarded onto the features department who will be in contact with you in due course should the article be of interest.

I gave a big smile - as at least it means I got the right email address - and then sent a similar email to Writing Magazine.  Haven't had a reply from them this morning so far, but still feel excited about Spirit and Destiny.

Have a huge 'To Do' pile at the moment; mostly of my photography stuff.  I have a picture that is to be featured in an exhibition in April / May at The Museum of Lincolnshire Life, so next week I will be devoting my time to that particular pile.  Hopefully, when I come back to writing, there may be a specific feature to finish.  If not, I still have a small pile of 'possible' markets to propose articles for.

Competition Winner (Photography)

OK, so it wasn't a writing competition, but I am pleased non-the-less!

I am a member of a Lincolnshire based Photography group and every month they run a competition on a particular theme.  February's theme was 'Love' and I entered the following photo:



The judge said: I have chosen this winning image for the Shutter Chimps February Flickr competition, Joannes image stood out to me, the focusing and Boken is great. I seriously lost sleep over which image to pick, so many great images to choose from.

First writers pay packet (nearly) spent

Thought I had better upgrade the memory on my little net book as it is getting very slow at the moment.  When I bought it, it was only with the intention to use it for my writing.  However, I now use it for both sending and receiving emails, as well as surfing the Internet.

Unfortunately, as I am about to lose my job in the real world, I cannot afford a new computer, so spent £45 on a memory upgrade....

That's half of my payment for my first article spent.  Do I treat myself to something else or attempt to save it for a rainy day?

Virus Alert

Sat at my computer the other day, ordering stuff for my sons birthday party on ebay, and I briefly remember seeing a message pop up from the firewall, before my computer shut down and I got a screen - which can only be described as - from hell!!



What was especially scary was that in the corner of the screen was a picture of me - taken via my own webcam.  What was even more scary was being accused of looking at child pornography!!   It all looked very real and I immediately woke up my partner to show him. 
Luckily, we had a second computer and so my partner was able to follow instructions on YouTube to remove the virus.  YouTube stated that 10,000 people have already fallen for this, and at £100 a time that's a lot of money being made. 

Third Pitch...

All fired up after receiving payment for my article in Writing Magazine, I polished another pitch and emailed it this morning.

I then sorted through the huge pile of paper that I have accumulated over the past few weeks while I have been full of a head cold and struggling to think.  Within that pile, are two of the magazines I bought at Christmas that I would like to pitch articles to.  I just need to focus on a specific topic for each of them.  However, writing the pitch today has helped me.

Yesterday, I went shopping and after being dragged into a charity shop, as there was a Maisy book in the window, I found that this particular charity shop sells on old magazines.  I treated myself to December and January's Readers Digest for the grand sum of 10p each.  I was hoping for other magazines, but the rest of the pile seemed to be predominately Woman's Own, Woman's Weekly etc. 

So the plan for the rest of the week is to read, read, read and prepare a couple of draft pitches.....

Professional Writer......

Today I got paid for my article that was published in February's Writing Magazine. 
Does this mean I can now put 'Professional Writer' on my passport?

Comments on my article....

So excited!!  This morning I opened March's edition of Writing Magazine to find a couple of letters that praised my article! 

Hopefully, this will help me with the pitch that I recently made, with regards to two further articles for the magazine....

Two Pitches Made!

Been working on a couple of pitches over the last few weeks and today finally felt they were ready to go.  Just got to wait and see now....

......but while I am waiting for those two I hope to have a few hours free on Wednesday to start work on my next pitch / pitches!!

My Name In Print!!

Can you see?  That's my name there - and there is another page to the article!

Go out and buy February's Writing Magazine www.writers-online.co.uk to see my article in all its glory!!

Julie Wow

Thanks to Julie http://juliewow.com/ who sent me a very nice email with regards to my article. 

She writes:

Loved your recent article in 'Writing Magazine'. It has given me much to think about, especially how I waste so much time procrastinating as opposed to actually doing. Having started a blog of my own last year, http://juliewow.com my writing discipline has improved as a necessity to maintain its presence, but I can still become distracted when 'life issues' get in the way. However, I'm hoping that by following your tips, my writing focus will develop to provide a more productive and successful year ... and boy, do I need it. Keep the good ideas flowing.

So I am trying desperately to get motivated this morning; suffering as I am with a post birthday hangover, as I know now that there are people I have yet to meet, who are watching me from somewhere outside......

Another email

Received another lovely email from Alma who attends the group I call The Poison Pens:

 

HI Jo,

Happy New Year to you too.  What a start!  Congratulations, a very professional piece, full of enthusiasm and good advice.  I hope you will continue to enter at least one competition or submit one article a month.  Years ago, the very kind editor of She magazine - long before it was revamped - advised me that 'in this game, perseverance is all.'  I too am going to try to complete and submit something somewhere every month but my New Year will have to begin in February because of the backlog of tasks/obligations to be dealt with.  I only managed to write two pieces this last year. Shame! (Retirement is unfortunately not only sand, sea and sangria but quite a lot of hard work.) I sold one but will have to work on the rejected one. Can I ask you - did they pay you? Very sorry we won't see you at Ancaster. Keep up the blogging, the practice and discipline must be helping.

Email from Karen Maitland

Following publication of my article in Writing Magazine (February 2013) I sent an email to all my writing contacts wishing them a Happy New Year and of course mentioning the article!

I received this lovely email back from www.karenmaitland.com/  author of the medieval thrillers Company of Liars, The Owl Killers and The Gallows Curse, and one time creative writing tutor of Joanne Borrill.

 

Dear Joanne,

Many, many congratulations on your brilliant article in Writing Magazine. My copy just arrived in the post today, so I turned to your article first while I was eating lunch. Really excellent advice and I will certainly be trying to apply it. I loved the idea of writing the author blurb as you would like it to be and setting out the steps to achieve it, also the setting of SMART goals. I think I'm often one of those people that pours all the water and sand into the jar first in the mistaken belief that if I get the small tasks out of the way then I can concentrate. Such a mistake. I'm sure your piece will inspire a lot of readers like me. Thank you for writing it.

Published!!!

My article has been published in this month's edition of Writing Magazine (www.writers-online.co.uk) - entitled 'Kick-start Your Writing Year' (page 12/13). 

So, as for New Years Resolutions, all I can really say is that I will continue this status as a 'published writer' throughout 2013 and beyond!!

Last Years Resolutions..... (2012)

Last year I made 5 resolutions as part of the workshop I led for the Lindum Scribes.

These were to:
Develop a House Style for myself by the end of January 2012
Attend a workshop on writing poetry in 2012
Enter at least one competition a month in 2012
Take a new piece of writing to every meeting of The Lindum Scribes in 2012
Every day write something or do something that moves me towards the writer I want to be

Unfortunately, I wasn't entirely successful, in that I didn't enter as many competitions as I said I would and I didn't actually attend all the meetings, but I do feel 2012 helped me to concentrate on what I wanted out of my writing (and my life generally!).  I did concentrate on my poetry in 2012 and learnt that it is very subjective as to whether people actually like it or not; which makes it difficult for others to offer criticism.  As such, I left one writing group and joined another.  It was also for this reason I decided against attending a poetry workshop.  I write my own poetry and I don't feel the need at this stage, to think too much about the actual process of writing poetry.  Somehow that takes away the beauty of it.  I did however, attend a workshop on writing non-fiction, which has helped me to focus on my resolutions for 2013.....