NaNoWriMo 2012

Ten days ago I turned 23. I am two years away from being a quarter of a century on this earth. Dear god let's make next year a good one. I had a bit of a wobbly in the kitchen last night when nothing was going right. I had a Gordon Ramsey moment of swearing (not as fun as it sounds, but very cathartic) and said something along to lines to my mum about how I can't get a proper job. She replied, 'try harder'. Which is totally true. If at first you don't succeed, go on a reality TV show.

I have my novel roughly planned. since it's based on a fairy tale (with a lot of artistic license), I'm ready to approach this year's challenge with some actual gusto. It's a good way to train myself into writing, and rediscover the fun you can have in the process.

Rules for myself.

If I'm watching TV, then I'm can write. If I'm honest there is very little TV I really enjoy watching, it's just background noise for me most nights.

Not to beat myself up if I don't make the min word count.

It's all fun and the spirit of month.

Not to think too hard about the past of the writing, but to carry forward like a charging rhino.

and also try very very very hard not to buy a netbook or ipad mini until I've at least paid off a credit card or saved up the money!!

Where literature leads you.

This week has been a bit of an adventure. I got to write my first ever tripadvisor review, and I wasn't a total bitch about it. Sure the service could have been better, but for £30 for a night in Manchester, I can't complain about the fact the woman serving breakfast gave me ideas for a story, (as well as getting her life story in 5 mins...).

It's funny how you end up meeting famous people you aren't overly bothered about.  I know a bit about Red Dwarf, and that it's had a revival in its new series. I didn't know the name of the actor who plays Kryten until someone at the event I was volunteering at mentioned it. Since it was quiet duty wise, I got to sit in on the event and listened to an hour's delightful readings from various talented writers.

I text my friend to say Robert Llewellyn was reading, and it was funny to imagine how she was reacting to the news. Robert Llewellyn read a bit from his new book, and I was delighted at the voices he put on. Afterwards my friend begged me to get his autograph, so I shyly approached him to ask for an autograph and asked him to sign it in my friend's name. I know some famous people can get sniffy about signing any bit of paper or body part pushed at them, but he was polite and his signature put mine to shame. The boyfriend of my friend has given his blessing for me and my friend to marry. He's pretty chuffed on her behalf. So I've come away meeting someone famous and a have a marriage proposal. Time for the hers and hers bath towels.

The Leaves are Turning

It's gently come to that time of year where winter in on my doorstep. The leaves are just starting to set on fire  and have not yet engulfed the trees in their inferno. I don't know why I love this time of year so much, but the air feels fresh, it speaks of winter around the corner. It does of course promise wet afternoons, cold evenings, but the rare days of dry sunshine are so rewarding. I adore the harvest moon as well, so big and bright, the halo of moonlight that glows on a clear night.

I have finished my MA, and celebrated with a friend from the course in the proper student fashion, ie, ending up on the bus drunk at 6 in the evening. Quite fun, a bit strange, a great day to feel the relief of no more deadlines. For a time anyway. I'm currently volunteering for an online woman's charity, which I may have to pack in soon for other work. It makes a good mark for my CV, but I am due to start a new care job that pays well. I have time to sleep when I'm dead, I joke. 

Next week I'm off to volunteer for the Manchester Literature festival which promises to be interest and a great time. It's just booking somewhere cheapish to stay. Staying in a dorm room isn't the best for me, given my talking in sleep tendencies.