An Almost Meme
Here are two pictures of one of my bookshelf’s shelves. Anyone else care to share?
Load of Old Cobbles
It’s a funny thing seeing what you were doing (almost) a year ago, and how you and your writing has changed in that time. I think this was the last proper fantasyish thing I wrote. It certainly has the longest title of a Nik short story. You can see it in Twisted Tongue here. (And if you’d like to see details, from this very blog, as to how it came about, see here and then here.)
What Do You Get if You Cross
two of my favourite things? Namely, my favourite book from last year (called Something Beginning With here, and in the US, the ABCs of Love, by Sarah Salway) and birds.
Well, this, really. The ABCs of Love Bird. Isn’t it fab?
How Do You Have Fun?
It has occurred to me that since I’ve been writing seriously, I have, on occasion, neglected to have as much fun/time off as I probably should have. And I think it’s time that changed. Having time away from writing, even if it’s only a little (this is a job we can very easily live in 24/7) is important. It is good to be fresh.
So that means (with luck) that I’ll be making more of an effort to spend more time doing things I enjoy; that means more walking, more running, more yoga, more looking at birds – more being away from my desk.
So, I am curious, readers of my blog, what do you do for fun? How do you relax? You never know, you might inspire me to take up a new hobby…
The Truth is Out There
In Cardiff, it would seem. As well as filling me with great joy, reading this reminded me of my own experience, which, if you’re a grown-up, you can see here.
Quickly
Just wanted to say a quick thanks to those who helped me out with my high school dilemma – muchly appreciated. I’ve pretty much finished the short story now, which is pleasing.
Also, I’d like to point you in the direction of this fab article, by Samantha Tonge for the ever-cool Vulpes Libris.
Your Help?
If I was to say ‘High School’ what would you think I was referring to? State Secondary? Mixed? Single sex? This is for a story set in the UK.
***
I thought this talk by Sir Ken Robinson was terrific. Thanks to John Lenahan for flagging it up. And while I’m doing youtube linking, I may as well whack this up as well. I know it’s an oldie but it always makes me chuckle.
Of Mystery Insects and Terrific News
We went to a reservoir yesterday, and it was lovely (well, mostly, a bird did poo on my head but that’s another story). There were lots of birds, cormorants, herons, chaffinch, treecreepers, grebes, goldeneyes, a lesser whitethroat – even jumping fish. And this:
I LOVE This
Her name’s Mariee Sioux and she’s brilliant. The version of this on her album, Faces in The Rocks, is even better; it features a redwood carved flute played by Gentle Thunder. Lu-hu-hu-ve it. With music like this, life is sweet.
A Funny One
Well, further to Vanessa’s comment on yesterday’s post (and this isn’t some sort of edit-off or competition, promise!) here’s another, more intense, editing picture. I think this was in February or March.