Archive for October, 2006

October 31, 2006 • 8 Comments

There are few things more pleasurable to me than spending time in a book store. I can spend hours and hours roaming the shelves. And I have a built-in book store detector, enabling me to spot one from a hundred paces - much to my children’s annoyance!

Anyway, when I’m wandering around I really want to be left alone. I hate it if the people working there come up and ask if I need any help. No thank you. And then if they don’t take the hint and want to engage me in conversaation. NO. LEAVE ME ALONE I shout (in my head, hahaha, I never actually say anything, I’m so polite it’s not funny).

And then if they insist on showing me books… like they know my taste…. I don’t think so…… I leave - really disgruntled at my pleasurable experience being cut short.

I seriously believe there should be ‘Leave The Customer Alone, Unless They Ask for Help’ training for all book store workers (actually that would work for fashion stores too).

What about you? Do you want to be left alone when you’re in a book store?

I bet you’re all going to tell me that it’s my problem……

October 28, 2006 • 4 Comments

Julie Cohen is challenging people to post the opening paragraphs of their book and comment on how they create character and conflict right away.

So, here goes. This is from The Second Virginity of Suzy Green. I have a prologue that shows how Suzy was in the past, but I decided to start with chapter one.

“Bye Dad,” I say, opening the car door and swinging my legs round to ease myself out.

New state, new school, new start.
New state, new school, new start.
New state, new school, new start.

It really helped when Maddie (aka best friend and person who knows nearly all my innermost secrets) and I were singing it the other night on the phone, but now it’s doing absolutely nothing to quell the nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I couldn’t sleep a wink last night worrying my butt off about today. What if they all hate me and won’t talk to me? I’ll be a right Larry Loner. Or what if everyone there is really weird? I mean, if the uniform is anything to go by I’m in serious trouble. I glance down at my way-too-long green and grey checked skirt, which no-one at my old school would be seen dead in, and shudder. And having to wear a tie really sucks. It feels like I’m choking.

This is a fish out of water story. Having Suzy talk about a new start indicates something’s happened in her past. I also wanted to show with this opening that Suzy is an outgoing teen and she’s confident in familiar situations, but can lack confidence when she’s out of her comfort zone. But she needs to fit in, and will do what it takes.

Anyone else going to take up Julie’s challenge?

October 27, 2006 • 2 Comments

I love reality TV. Always have done. But even I was shocked when I realised how much I do watch at the moment: NZ Idol, 10 years younger in 10 days, Extreme Makeover, Amazing Race, America’s Next Top model, Dragon’s Den, Strictly Come Dancing…. I think you get the picture, - and that’s just the shows which are on at the moment (and I can remember). Every week there seems to be another show to add to the list.

So, what is it that makes Reality TV so compelling? Seeing ordinary people doing extraordinary things? Seeing ordinary people doing dumb things? Seeing ordinary people doing what you’d give anything to do, given the opportunity? For me it’s a mixture of all of them.

What do you reckon?

October 24, 2006 • 12 Comments

I’ve just been tagged by Alyssa Goodnight, and have to write 5 interesting or unique things about me…. yikes!!!!

Here goes:

1. As a teenager, on Saturdays and school holidays, I used to work for my father in his shop - he sold children’s clothes. On a regular basis I would stand in the shop window like a mannequin (when he was out, obviously) and suddenly move when people were staring in the shop window - it kept me amused for hours!!

2. When I was 6 I broke my leg and had plaster on it from top to bottom. To this day, one of my calves is thinner than the other.

3. As a student I worked in a pub during the holidays. One evening, to celebrate the landlord’s birthday, a group of us (including his wife) dressed up and did the can-can for him (yes, we did get totally wasted before doing it). When we bent over at the end, the writing on all our knickers spelt out ‘happy birthday’ (I was ‘bir’). That was the evening I met my dh!!

4. I have such a bad memory, it’s not unusual for me to put something on to cook and then go out. I also have no recollection of the time my children were born, how much they weighed, when they cut their first teeth, took their first step etc.

5. I’m such an anal list writer that I put things on my list AFTER I’ve done them, just so I can cross them off my list!

I tag: Amanda Ashby, Christina Phillips, Erica Orloff, Maureen McGowan and Allison Winn Scotch

Comments

Seriously, I am NOT old enough to remember the Road To films with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby……. (okay, I might have seen them on TV, when they showed old b/w movies…).

Anyway, despite that I keep singing the theme tune, because FINALLY I have started my next ms. (Hands up anyone who’s singing too). Those closest to me have been bombarded with different outlines as I try to come up with something that has sufficient hook/plot to sustain it.

I’d really set my heart on writing a YA paranormal mystery, the trouble is I suck at developing the sort of intricacies needed for a mystery. The top and bottom of it is I write ‘normal’ best. Normal with a twist is good. My new one (that feels good to write) involves a girl who does have an undeveloped gift to see into the future which she tries to harness… but that’s as far as it goes.

Are there genres you’d like to write in, but struggle with?

October 21, 2006 • 8 Comments

Now here’s the thing. I’ve come across two types of writers. Those who love everything about writing. And those who love writing once they have the finished product in their hot little hands.

Actually… now I’m thinking about it, there are those in between. Those who enjoy the planning and the writing of the first draft. And those (and I’m seriously struggling to empathise here) who love the revision process more than anything.

So when my father asked me today if I enjoyed writing… I said… of course, or I wouldn’t do it.

But, whether I enjoy the whole process is debatable. Wherever I am in the process, I’m anxious to get to the next bit because I think I’ll enjoy that more. So, when I’m planning I can’t wait to write. When I’m writing, I can’t wait to get to the end and go through and revise. When I’m revising I can’t wait to start my next one…. and so it goes on.

And now I’ve sold, I can’t wait for my cover, and I guess then it will be the publication date, then the royalties…..

I suspect this says more about me than anything else. I’m an impatient, short attention spanned person - a perfect fit for someone wanting a career as a writer, hahahaha.

How do you feel about writing????