tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83711525887324653032024-02-19T08:34:52.981+01:00Joe Bloggs“an average or typical man” (or in this case a woman)
I hope that the writing will be a little more than average or typical but the main thing being that Jo will Blog.Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-50273501695984922922011-11-11T17:09:00.001+01:002011-11-11T17:12:16.335+01:00It's NaNoWriMo TimeSo all other things are on hold while I dedicate my time to this years challenge. For details on my progress check out my Writer in Progress Blog where you will find updates of the ups and downs of NaNoWriMo Time!<br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-83143294687382400042011-10-25T10:20:00.000+02:002011-10-25T10:20:25.989+02:00Foreign Flavours Anthology<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Foreign Flavours is the second anthology produced by my online writing community, Writers Abroad. All members have given their time freely to this project and have produced a highly professional and entertaining book packed full of stories, articles and recipes from contributors all over the world. The foreword is written by Alexander McCall Smith, acclaimed author of the famous No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and all proceeds will be donated to The Book Bus Charity. Click on the link in the side bar... Now!</span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-59661905574423978552011-09-14T11:55:00.001+02:002011-09-14T11:55:14.554+02:00Book Analysis - Sister<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheg2Dd93L4LdjZLP72hFqi6RtF6R2KLVKndmIitWST92ZHa7uNHlCnSX8UC7B9uJAiFatNCeKQO-VbkjeFbopPxN4B4BjecnIFWH8KwZmErecHL46qE-ZnPXk6NHYbY6v6Tbnk5-aN0M/s1600/sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheg2Dd93L4LdjZLP72hFqi6RtF6R2KLVKndmIitWST92ZHa7uNHlCnSX8UC7B9uJAiFatNCeKQO-VbkjeFbopPxN4B4BjecnIFWH8KwZmErecHL46qE-ZnPXk6NHYbY6v6Tbnk5-aN0M/s200/sister.jpg" width="127" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>TITLE</b>:<span> </span>Sister<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>AUTHOR</b>:<span> </span>Rosamund
Lupton<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>GENRE</b>:<span> </span>Crime/Literary
Blend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>AUDIENCE</b>:<span> </span>Adults<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>VOICE</b>:<span> </span>Haunting,
powerful yet fragile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>TONE/MOOD</b>:<span> </span>Gripping, frightening, spooky,<span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>THEMES:</b><span> </span>Families,
Murder, Relationships, Sisterly bonds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>FIRST IMPRESSION</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Debut Novel by a script writer whose
background is very evident in the writing. The cover is intriguing with a
solitary figure in a red coat walking in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Beatrice’s sister goes
missing and she flies back to the UK from her home in the States to try and
find her. Along the journey Beatrice discovers as much about herself as well as
lots of things she didn’t know about her sister and her family dynamics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>ORGANISATION: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Twenty-three chapters of
varying length all readable in one short sitting. Some chapters are set within
a time frame e.g. Monday evening which helps to place the time and place of the
story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>NARRATION/POV</b>:<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">First person POV hard to
maintain but author manages this extremely well over 358 pages, this is a long
story. We see the world through the eyes of Beatrice but also through emails
and flashbacks of telephone conversations we see how the other characters see
things particularly the sister, Tess.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>SETTING: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Set exclusively I London,
although Beatrice lives in the US the story starts with her coming over to try
and find Tess. Some links to famous well-known sights helps to place the story
and make it familiar to read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>STRENGTHS/WEAKNESS:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was eager to get to the
end because I wanted to find out what happened, so lots of hooks and suspense.
However, I felt this dragged a little towards the end, almost to drawn out but
it did add to the ending which was very unexpected so looking back it was
probably the right thing. It was beautifully written with a very distinctive
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b>OVERALL IMPRESSION</b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The author’s script writing
skills are demonstrated very well in this story, with very clear scenes which
are acted out with a sense of wholeness and distinction.<span> </span>The suspense slowly built up and the sense of
Beatrice’s desperation about the disappearance of her sister is very real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-69732444773479938642011-09-01T17:38:00.002+02:002011-09-01T17:38:52.187+02:00NEW BROOM?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi2rSDzR-OsDMKh8r9KOYK3YwPpoi8S8aYd-cmP19XrO4rsga_ml7g6W9uVGOqLw__hGTR47QhKFvRW_qjMwA57PxR_B-v6aYjEN4asrLs9JOUfzjI5lTsfCHBlFA1aVlL9tDXNTyvCg/s1600/reduced-messy-desk.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi2rSDzR-OsDMKh8r9KOYK3YwPpoi8S8aYd-cmP19XrO4rsga_ml7g6W9uVGOqLw__hGTR47QhKFvRW_qjMwA57PxR_B-v6aYjEN4asrLs9JOUfzjI5lTsfCHBlFA1aVlL9tDXNTyvCg/s200/reduced-messy-desk.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's the first of a new month and that's when I start to make myself all kinds of promises. But before I can fulfill the actions that just spilled out into my journal I need to do a bit of housekeeping first. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know about you but my desk looks like a war zone. It's got glasses of days old water, a cold cup of tea, pens, pencils and highlighters of all colours, paper some clipped together, dictionaries, books on writing, books for analysis, a calculators, writing magazines, part edited novels, stapler and a box of tissues. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Phew, I'm sure I've missed loads - oh yes a large bankers lamp which is great in the winter but takes up a lot of room right now... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So can I find anything? No, I can't.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do I have a filing cabinet? Yes I do, last opened... some months ago.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Could I arrange thing so I don't spend the whole day cursing that I'm sure I left it right.... <u>there</u>. Perhaps. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First job on the Action List -<b> Get Organised</b>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second job - <b>Start as You Mean to Go On </b>(which I've failed on already as I made a list for today and done just about everything else but what was on the list!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So tell me, what is your writing desk like?</span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-43904401440324309332011-08-25T16:32:00.000+02:002011-08-25T16:32:34.892+02:00Don't Miss It! Closing Date for Foreign Flavours<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTRwDlQXEWBJd-ciCfHk_hQxZRxeucJvkcBThgDLOiCQ38jMl8EZFZXES2T6OzVAXsxDJmsgnauxkK5EEmGrjJllpi18xU4HknyRGDErbUptPp43m7L8mXkclcj7t8v1qaL_MDXi5DxQ/s1600/FotoFlexer_Photologoforfacebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTRwDlQXEWBJd-ciCfHk_hQxZRxeucJvkcBThgDLOiCQ38jMl8EZFZXES2T6OzVAXsxDJmsgnauxkK5EEmGrjJllpi18xU4HknyRGDErbUptPp43m7L8mXkclcj7t8v1qaL_MDXi5DxQ/s200/FotoFlexer_Photologoforfacebook.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Foreign Flavours is the title of the second anthology organised by Writers Abroad. The theme is food, drink and cooking from around the world and submission are welcome from writers who are expats (or repats). We are accepting both fiction and non-fiction alongside recipes if appropriate to the piece.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The acclaimed writer known for his No 1 Detective Agency series, <a href="http://www.alexandermccallsmith.co.uk/">Alexander McCall Smith</a>, has agreed to write our foreword.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The proceeds of the sale of the book (via Lulu) will be donated to <a href="http://thebookbus.org/">The Book Bus</a>, a well deserving charity which promotes the access to books for children in Africa and South America. To maximise these donations there will be no payment to authors who are selected to appear and Writers Abroad members are giving their time to edit, proof and produce the anthology. So a worthy cause all in all!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Deadlines for submission is the<b> 9th September </b>at midnight (Central European Time) and the Anthology will be available for publication at the end of October, making it an ideal Christmas Present, so if you can't submit, put in on your gift list instead!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.writersabroad.com/">Writers Abroad</a> for submission guidelines.</span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-84518667954020526722011-08-12T12:59:00.001+02:002011-08-12T13:00:20.084+02:00Shatter by Michael Rowbotham<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FMn62S9kDzcYex3QlmgHYlYifTsTgTcBiru8FyVSKi3fGDbljY0mXFlg42dRZzrdBEqVZM4YDIyiQJY20hs1B8I4f9ABPevEydHTrxyekuoHkIixOIYrQ_8yiqRLayjo9FVNma2ztTU/s1600/shatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FMn62S9kDzcYex3QlmgHYlYifTsTgTcBiru8FyVSKi3fGDbljY0mXFlg42dRZzrdBEqVZM4YDIyiQJY20hs1B8I4f9ABPevEydHTrxyekuoHkIixOIYrQ_8yiqRLayjo9FVNma2ztTU/s1600/shatter.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the first of the book analysis I talked about. I'm playing about with format, so it will kind of 'grow' and the system is adopted from <i>Read Better, Write Better Novel Study Workbook.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>TITLE:</b> Shatter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>AUTHOR:</b> Michael Robotham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>GENRE</b>: Crime (Shortlisted for Crime Thriller
Award)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>AUDIENCE:</b> Adults<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>VOICE:</b> Quietly powerful, clear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>TONE:</b><b> </b> Solemn, thrilling, scary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>MOOD:</b><b> </b> Mystery, dark, emotionally disturbing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>THEMES:</b><b> </b> Relationships, death, psychological, good
vs evil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">FIRST IMPRESSION:
The first thing that struck me was how dark the cover was, after reading the
story, it was a very apt colour to choose. There is an image on the front which
I can’t quite work out, looks like some kind of angel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">PREMISE/PLOT: The
blurb is both intriguing and all encompassing, makes you want to read on. A
woman throws herself, naked apart from a pair of red shoes from a bridge for no
obvious reason. Her daughter claims she would not have committed suicide and
was afraid of heights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">ORGANISATION: Seventy
short chapters, which suits my reading style. I like reading from scene to
scene and putting the book down after a cling hanger, only to pick it up
seconds later because I have to read on! Has an epilogue which is very
appropriate and rounds off the story, because you care about the characters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">NARRATION/POV: Mainly split between the main protagonist,
Joseph O’Loughlin and the ‘baddie. Point of View changes only with scenes which
made it an easy read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">SETTING: Set in
Bristol, an area which is very familiar to me and a definite pull for selecting
it to read. The events take place in a
reasonably short time frame.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">STRENGTH/WEAKNESS The major strength of this novel was the
portrayal of evil through a non-physical manner. The author handled the psychology
of evil and portrayed how, when threatened with what people believe to be true,
they will and can do things they wouldn’t normally do. I couldn’t find any weaknesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">OVERALL
IMPRESSION: First time reading work of this author and would definitely read
another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-85237813238457539512011-08-02T12:06:00.001+02:002011-08-02T12:06:58.269+02:00Multitasking and the Art of Zen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I like to think that I'm the kind of person who can do more than one thing at any given time. I don't know why, as a child I just could not rub my tummy and pat my head at the same time, why should it be any different now? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been thinking this blog could include the activity of learning, a bit of self development. So one of the things I'm going to try and do over the next few weeks is to post some book analysis on the blog. Since I've started to write more seriously I've found that my approach to reading has altered. I am constantly looking at the way a book has been turned out from cover to the last line and am always trying to put into practice some of the things that work and abandon the bad habits I've picked up on the way. It should be a great way to critique a book from writing perspective (and I will make it clear that the analysis is purely a personal view but hopefully a measured one) and help my writing develop at the same time. Who knows! Only time will tell. Hope to get one done by the end of the week, so watch this space....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So it's now officially the Summer season here in Italy. Tools have been put away, notices have been posted on doors and the beaches will be awash with activity of the <i>passagiata - </i>men, women and children will strut along the shore at various paces and then stand, arms akimbo and slowly turn to follow the sun, a little like the large yellow flowers which fill the fields here at this time of year. I shall be keeping away, too many people and not enough private space for my liking. I'm going to go all Zen like and just breathe in my surroundings...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Couldn't find an appropriate quote for August but I was quite taken with this poem...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">"August rushes by like desert rainfall,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">A flood of frenzied upheaval,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Expected,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">But still catching me unprepared.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Like a matchflame</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Bursting on the scene,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Heat and haze of crimson sunsets.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Like a dream</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Of moon and dark barely recalled,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">A moment,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Shadows caught in a blink.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Like a quick kiss;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">One wishes for more</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">But it suddenly turns to leave,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">Dragging summer away."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e2605;">- Elizabeth Maua Taylor </span></span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-23108886904696014632011-07-01T17:07:00.000+02:002011-07-01T17:07:00.283+02:00NATURE KNOWS BEST<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hGtX20JIyRUvggCt_bw88xrhFhSJaYLU5uj5GxRH5gjjB9r7r86cH1Q07uLH9nbO6A0oNtwNcqz5j2Z0IgWtwHdXDVm9mLLoYkHCx3sfd1vgWtS0jVN-rjLO2ncNcKWO16jRxmWmE8U/s1600/th_mother-nature+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hGtX20JIyRUvggCt_bw88xrhFhSJaYLU5uj5GxRH5gjjB9r7r86cH1Q07uLH9nbO6A0oNtwNcqz5j2Z0IgWtwHdXDVm9mLLoYkHCx3sfd1vgWtS0jVN-rjLO2ncNcKWO16jRxmWmE8U/s1600/th_mother-nature+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it's a hard lesson to learn. We live in a rural lane occupied by a number of semi-feral cats and every year a litter or two arrive at my door. Luckily I've managed to find all of the kittens - around 10 in all - homes with lovely cat-loving people. However, some litters have been whisked away by the wretched tomcats wanting to have their 'conjugal rights' back - they come in the middle of the night and carry the babies to the woods where they can't be found. Two large guards in the form of white Italian sheepdog have almost put paid to that. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But this time one wee kitten just lost the will to live. She was a runt, and her two siblings were growing at double the weight she was. We came back one day to find her dead and the mother still cleaning her - strange. But I felt so awful, as if it was something I'd done, even though I knew it isn't in my gift to give and take life.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As writers though, we can give life to characters (and take it away) and that can be a tricky time too. Nature has no part to play in our creation so we can't blame her, and often I find myself killing off characters with gay abandon. I must have a mean streak somewhere, but most of the time my fellow writers at Writers Abroad will point out the error of my ways and insist that someone survives! We nurture, support and sometimes love and hate our characters with equal measure so no wonder we feel some sort of parental responsibility. Still, I can cope with my fictional creations far easier that I found being a new parent. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn't find a specific quote for July, but came across this one which seemed to sum things up...</span><br />
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<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 8px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 8px; color: #009900; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black;">People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black;">Forgive them anyway.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be kind anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Succeed anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be honest and sincere anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The good you do today, will often be forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do good anyway.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Give your best anyway.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Mother Theresa~</span></div><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-13155890576945948862011-06-03T17:30:00.001+02:002011-06-03T17:30:01.128+02:00JUNE MONTHLY MUSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I4bL96bJiaH0CEviUiLMU6Wsejr1Sq4TPRztRH2rK_ytWq8sIzWIRK_pUtDoP__fDleq07geSukwcPUoGiIkPV_FPpzMRNZoijpTMZVxQ5T3TtX2BQwBpoh-CwM6nOjebyqeUsw7Crg/s1600/midsummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I4bL96bJiaH0CEviUiLMU6Wsejr1Sq4TPRztRH2rK_ytWq8sIzWIRK_pUtDoP__fDleq07geSukwcPUoGiIkPV_FPpzMRNZoijpTMZVxQ5T3TtX2BQwBpoh-CwM6nOjebyqeUsw7Crg/s1600/midsummer.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As you've probably noticed if you are one of the few that actually follow this blog, I have posted since the beginning of last month. It's been a conscious decision. I don't have any excuse. I just set some priorities and this wasn't one of them. As you can see from the <i>Writer in Progress</i> blog I haven't been sat around twiddling my fingers either. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've had quite a productive May in many ways as well as having my father over to visit for ten days, so overall I'm quite chuffed with myself. I'm hoping that June will be just as fruitful and it probably will particularly in the garden. June is a busy month if you grow your own vegetables like we do but it is one of the most satisfying achievements I could imagine. It's a little like writing (bear with me here). I start off with little seeds (either from a packet or in my head) and plant them in the ground or commit pen to paper. Then I dabble with them, make sure they have enough water, talk to them (yes I do!) and when I see the a tiny little shoot breaking through the compost, I just know that something will happen. Sometimes nothing happens, it just dries up and I don't dwell on it, just go on to the next set of sowings, or tend to the larger seedlings. Writing, a little like gardening is best done daily and in short bursts, that way I don't get out of practice or feel the tug on underused muscles. And daily I see progress, sometimes very small and sometimes not for a long time but when it comes to harvesting, the proof is in the pudding so to speak. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I'm going to make sure I continue to apply this strategy to both of my passions, with equal zest and hope that the literary harvest is just as tasty!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I'm into quotes at the moment so here is one for June:</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq" style="color: #003399; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>If a <b>June</b> night could talk, it would probably boast that it invented romance.”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq" style="color: #003399; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Bern Williams</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq" style="color: #003399; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which actually is quite an apt quote for me and my Man Friday as we celebrate two wedding anniversaries this month, yes two! One on the 11th which is the day of our wedding ceremony in Florence and one on the 21st which is the day we had a humanist blessing back in the UK. Sweet eh?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-42916024417977520832011-05-03T18:23:00.000+02:002011-05-03T18:23:20.462+02:00READING MATTERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXbmwDgq1DctDfV3ypKJnNsf_ulHW4k_Fd7IZ3_RSANxpOU4Gj396cPFk-gx4EQODQq-Tk1R1n934JPL28Luf8cjzqavPeg7tmyEI9SnMv2ilIyo4NnORX7-hc1qOesKD8irTa15-qoQ/s1600/bookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXbmwDgq1DctDfV3ypKJnNsf_ulHW4k_Fd7IZ3_RSANxpOU4Gj396cPFk-gx4EQODQq-Tk1R1n934JPL28Luf8cjzqavPeg7tmyEI9SnMv2ilIyo4NnORX7-hc1qOesKD8irTa15-qoQ/s1600/bookshelf.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a writer, I know it's important to read, in order to improve my craft. This is not a hard task. I've always loved reading, though my choice and preferred genre has probably moved considerably since the <i>Famous Five</i> series and <i>The Valley of the Dolls. </i>I used to read at the breakfast table, walking to school, helping to dress my younger siblings, and even under the covers by torchlight. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, reading as a child and as a reader is a much more satisfying experience than reading as a 'writer'. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You don't have any of those little voices in your head which insist on looking for rounded characters, distinctive dialogue which don't need speech tags, consistent point of view, showing not telling, plenty of conflict and of course a good old plot to follow. I'm not saying that readers don't notice these things, they do and will make choices based on these elements about whether a book was a 'good and satisfying' read or not. It's just that they don't particularly label or define their satisfaction or dissatisfaction in detail. Well, not in general anyway. As a writer, learning the craft, I find it so difficult to just sit back and enjoy a story. I'm always deconstructing it to try and uncover why I like a particular character or hate them at first read. Or murmuring into my coffee cup ' that's telling, not showing', or tutting at the scene where numerous 'head hopping' is ruining my concentration. All things, that as a writer, I have to strip down and build up again to ensure that the story is not only technically written well, but has a good chance of pleasing the intended reader.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This tendency I suppose on the one hand must be a good thing, because it shows that I am indeed learning the craft. Maybe one day, it will all become second nature to me and I can return to reading (or not as the case maybe) for the pure pleasure of entering a world of someone else's making</span>.<br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-11264665150468618922011-04-21T17:21:00.000+02:002011-04-21T17:21:55.156+02:00PRODUCTIVE PROCRASTINATION OR JUST ANOTHER EXCUSE?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI7gtc54BF2LZgOXoeVsAc8JZOdLNX9NHnH_y0txB07CZkorfec1QBB_ccmXcKc7MJGzEu7ZltD0ain5JsEG7pRoh_X0DTphOfEV8JqtecfjgL7sELkLfJNhsDMKSOFgzLi6Nah_IG3Y/s1600/brushdestroyed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI7gtc54BF2LZgOXoeVsAc8JZOdLNX9NHnH_y0txB07CZkorfec1QBB_ccmXcKc7MJGzEu7ZltD0ain5JsEG7pRoh_X0DTphOfEV8JqtecfjgL7sELkLfJNhsDMKSOFgzLi6Nah_IG3Y/s200/brushdestroyed-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've just spent the past couple of days painting. Not in the style of Monet or Rembrandt, I hasten to add. Just walls, kitchen and bathroom walls. I panicked at first, being away from the PC, as once you start these jobs you have to finish, and they seem to have a habit of growing into a full blown spring clean. But actually, on reflection, it's been a good 'writing' time. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For one thing I've not been distracted by the Internet and my inbox. I read a piece by Lorraine Mace in the latest Writers Magazine last week about the perfection of procrastination on 'writing days'. I think it must be a particular affliction for writers, and unfortunately there isn't a magical cure. One thing I have learnt though, is to develop a habit of productive procrastination. Yes, that's right. Productive time wasting. But the fact is you're not. Wasting time that is. If you choose to procrastinate whilst doing something quite banal, it can actually help the writing process.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I probably did more writing in my head, with my tongue sticking out as I edged the window frame than I have done on recent 'writing' days. I sorted out the beginning chapter of my novel in progress, The Promise', something which has alluded me for weeks, I drafted out the outline of a Monday Muse, including the setting and two characters, I had numerous ideas about other potential writing projects, and edited several short story ideas where they had got a bit stuck. So all in all, not a bad time spent. And the kitchen positively sparkles! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So next time you hit the avoidance phase, why not pick up a brush instead of a pen? Try it - you may be surprised!</span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-13806588950835911532011-04-13T19:29:00.000+02:002011-04-13T19:29:17.827+02:00Writing Competitions - A Case of Win or Lose?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqjBofyMuK08rI9wEFc_Eo9fL5i3FRc1R5RbJqT2khxDvdDtww-ANcXLoAzWcDaRge15pf2WkgdaHlbdItMYlUCM-utJ7BULKdn6fG21iLu9nSHDbzXJk21o5FQvUpkGw7FFU05quP8s/s1600/dice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqjBofyMuK08rI9wEFc_Eo9fL5i3FRc1R5RbJqT2khxDvdDtww-ANcXLoAzWcDaRge15pf2WkgdaHlbdItMYlUCM-utJ7BULKdn6fG21iLu9nSHDbzXJk21o5FQvUpkGw7FFU05quP8s/s200/dice.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The main aim of our writing group at Writers Abroad is to improve our writing through feedback, encouragement, support and to badger each other to seek publication. Part of this obviously means entering competitions. We've all had a bit of a dry period at the moment and the continual 'non-placement' of our stories can be a little daunting on an individual basis. So what are we doing wrong, if anything? We have quite a robust feedback mechanism which includes: characterisation, plot, dialogue, conflict, showing not telling - all the stuff that together should make a good story and we have an agreement to be honest and constructive.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of our members have had publication of some sort or another so we know that we sometimes get it right and some members have had novels and novellas published, so we have a rich background to pull on. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know that this writing business is a very 'subjective' one and I suppose that's why some writers give up and opt for something which is maybe a bit more dependable. And perhaps my view of some of the 'winning' entries I read are a bit 'sour grapes' but some of them do seem to break all the rules of short story writing which is a little frustrating. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've come to the conclusion that there aren't winners or losers in writing competitions but there are only a limited amount of places for stories to be showcased. It's a bit like rolling the dice. That doesn't mean I've written a bad story, just not one that reached out to one or two judges. If my work was read by a whole panel of readers, it might be a different story. So I'm not giving up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can't be that certain about my commitment to a daily blog, though! </span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-10297461416243103112011-04-08T13:01:00.000+02:002011-04-08T13:01:15.263+02:00Distractions and Temptations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGuxgF-x4_txiUmbdP5pxzMgc7M0SH3tIFxlfJdeHu3hrWrCTSc6zEICU6eiLD3uZt_dWLumvQFm91AOnVnf6EXTemFI-4PGAWPv_1to0y_77A6LI2o0KnTVbRUba3nih9FGehIfw56U/s1600/P1000267+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGuxgF-x4_txiUmbdP5pxzMgc7M0SH3tIFxlfJdeHu3hrWrCTSc6zEICU6eiLD3uZt_dWLumvQFm91AOnVnf6EXTemFI-4PGAWPv_1to0y_77A6LI2o0KnTVbRUba3nih9FGehIfw56U/s200/P1000267+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having blogged about my ten most guilty pleasures earlier this week, I missed a post yesterday because I was enjoying one of them ! It wasn't a bag of Maltesers or a bath, because we have neither of them here in Italy and are considered two of my most luxurious luxuries. It wasn't a glass of red whilst cooking (but a glass of rose) or a quick nap after lunch - instead braving the heat to walk Bertie. I didn't sing, watch a film, read a mag or write with a fountain pen and Simon simply refuses to let me buy another bag... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a few weeks of - should we, shouldn't we, no we can't - can we? - sort of debate, we decided to add to our little family of animali and now have 9 week old Freya, a Maremma (Italian Sheepdog) puppy who has lived in the field where she was born until yesterday. At the moment she's learning how to climb steps and stairs (barking when she needs a little help) and following our two year old Maremma dog, Bertie, around like a little lamb. She has also been down to say 'hello' to Na, Wilma and Doris our three hens. We've named her after a Norse Goddess of love and beauty - a little like myself... I wish.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not that I need more distractions but hey, life is for living in the moment which reminds me of a quote by Oscar Wilde (I think) '<i>I Can Resist Everything But Temptation'.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i>Now, must get to work on the purchase of a new item for my bag collection. (Poor Si).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-61449947346411359832011-04-06T18:14:00.000+02:002011-04-06T18:14:30.257+02:00Inspiration<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are days when we all could do with a bit of a lift, a hand up or an armful of a cuddles.When things look bad we tend to forget the good things and when things are good we never remember the bad. A stumbled across a quote by Winston Churchill and a poem which says it all for me.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Hm_7Odz0F5VeosdyfR8BAg9qQ7rWp-W_TFsQP7QpUlELGiwiY93epv-QKRC0vcJGH6yNEDovPK1XGbEOLEZOWo13U_aCEvxq5bJGLi3dwW5yEXJ09y-ksvcxAOKdpo-t4-DeaD1g9M/s1600/M93Never-Give-Up-Winston-Churchill-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Hm_7Odz0F5VeosdyfR8BAg9qQ7rWp-W_TFsQP7QpUlELGiwiY93epv-QKRC0vcJGH6yNEDovPK1XGbEOLEZOWo13U_aCEvxq5bJGLi3dwW5yEXJ09y-ksvcxAOKdpo-t4-DeaD1g9M/s1600/M93Never-Give-Up-Winston-Churchill-.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Don't Quit Poem<b> </b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Author Unknown</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, </div><div style="text-align: center;">When the funds are low and the debts are high, </div><div style="text-align: center;">And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, </div><div style="text-align: center;">When care is pressing you down a bit, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.</div></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life is queer with its twists and turns, </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">As every one of us sometimes learns, </div><div style="text-align: center;">And many a failure turns about, </div><div style="text-align: center;">When he might have won had he stuck it out; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- </div><div style="text-align: center;">You may succeed with another blow.</div></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Often the goal is nearer than, </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">It seems to a faint and faltering man, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Often the struggler has given up, </div><div style="text-align: center;">When he might have captured the victor's cup, </div><div style="text-align: center;">And he learned too late when the night slipped down, </div><div style="text-align: center;">How close he was to the golden crown.</div></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Success is failure turned inside out-- </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, </div><div style="text-align: center;">And you never can tell how close you are, </div><div style="text-align: center;">It may be near when it seems so far, </div><div style="text-align: center;">So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These are going up on my wall above my desk, so tell me, where do you get your inspiration from and the energy to keep going?</div><div style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Don't Think Just Write</b></span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-55347508396231889962011-04-05T18:05:00.000+02:002011-04-05T18:05:35.377+02:00Ten Guilty Pleasures<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn8L6r_AN0JDf1RToayTmST6ARdlo3DSBD83zKIzTgICw5BD4j0kl9xN5Q5-4Mmo4yPaUpFbch0l_Qms8f1RChHwx1t3Rs3ivWj1CJHzvLQR3-zu03RXdCUfhoZrhbvLxnkEINs7byRc/s1600/th_maltesers_350x236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn8L6r_AN0JDf1RToayTmST6ARdlo3DSBD83zKIzTgICw5BD4j0kl9xN5Q5-4Mmo4yPaUpFbch0l_Qms8f1RChHwx1t3Rs3ivWj1CJHzvLQR3-zu03RXdCUfhoZrhbvLxnkEINs7byRc/s1600/th_maltesers_350x236.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Although writing and my loved one are definitely listed as a pleasure, I can hardly admit that I feel guilty about them. What would life be without a little bit of a guilt trip now and again? These are some of mine - I'm sure there are lots more...</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maltesers (or chocolate balls as my granddaughter calls them) as many as I can cram in to my hamster-like cheeks</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A glass of something red whilst cooking lunch</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A ten minute snooze following lunch</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Flicking through a trashy magazine (like <i>Hello</i>) looking at pictures</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A long, soapy bath ideally by candlelight and with a good book and a tank of hot water for refills</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Any Elvis Presley film</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bags of any kind, preferably leather and made in Italy</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fountain pens and inky fingers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Puppies and kittens - usually ones that no-one else wants</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Singing along to '<i>I will Always Love you' </i>by Whitney Houston (you don't want to be around)</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So come on 'fess up. How do you pass your guilty moments?</span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-24238513234122491642011-04-04T19:14:00.000+02:002011-04-04T19:14:09.496+02:00Writing Prompts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvNoBtZF0vQsZIFbJDtr1gmRu0XPYVAS1h-LS_T0bmA4jXJBMQVzEWNSBgudWScVCwUv0JAhyphenhyphen06vfICLHaaLGbFByS56Cr5hLhNGcyxxm_i8D5jdNbnZyh5tLElUkSeuLxEWwmEuaZvs/s1600/alphabetsoup.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvNoBtZF0vQsZIFbJDtr1gmRu0XPYVAS1h-LS_T0bmA4jXJBMQVzEWNSBgudWScVCwUv0JAhyphenhyphen06vfICLHaaLGbFByS56Cr5hLhNGcyxxm_i8D5jdNbnZyh5tLElUkSeuLxEWwmEuaZvs/s200/alphabetsoup.gif" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Are good for a writers soul. At <a href="http://www.writersabroad.com/">Writers Abroad</a> we do them regularly - our Monday Muse. The key is to choose a prompt, which can be anything from a first line, an image, a plot scenario and free write (write without punctuation, following your thoughts) for twenty minutes or 500 words. Sometimes we go over time and word count, but that's not important. Writing without the inner critic helps to free the mind and whilst some of it might not make a lot of sense, many of us have gone on to develop these muses into flash fiction and short stories, some of which have been published.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are some of the sites that offer some suggestions for prompts. Why not have a go and free your inner writer, the one who is the most creative... it may look a little like alphabet soup to begin with but I can guarantee you that a nugget of a story will be hiding there somewhere.</span><br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.archetypewriting.com/muse/generators/plot.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plot Scenario Generator</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefirstline.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First Lines</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.charlottedillon.com/Prompts.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Charlotte Dillon - Writing Prompts</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.newbiewriters.com/prompts.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Newbie Writers</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Creative Writing Prompts</span></a></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-73857791383310240552011-04-03T18:44:00.000+02:002011-04-03T18:44:14.380+02:00Mothers Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyL-Q9S-VfXtOjrOXAL0HvQWr5VjECys_paMk3XAouFEGaz7s2yVHlq9QJjBiTYbVaoh4bFJg8GGr9MLfVa3yUWM-TB0IsKCNk91tIQtE04EJPWibUmRNg041WwA_izkcnrE3fXPTbEw/s1600/Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyL-Q9S-VfXtOjrOXAL0HvQWr5VjECys_paMk3XAouFEGaz7s2yVHlq9QJjBiTYbVaoh4bFJg8GGr9MLfVa3yUWM-TB0IsKCNk91tIQtE04EJPWibUmRNg041WwA_izkcnrE3fXPTbEw/s200/Flowers.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is a little over rated if you ask me, and yes I'm a mother! It seems to me just a way for someone (makers of greeting cards, florists for example) to make more money and often out of small children. Why is it that the price of flowers particularly increase just for this one day? I'm of the thought that everyday could be a 'mothers' day because mothers don't only mother on one day, its a year long job for the rest of your life. And if it's the only day that a child recognises the efforts made by their mother, it's a pretty poor show.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So even though my darling son has remembered, he also often remembers me throughout the year, by just saying 'thanks' or 'I love you'. Far more meaningful than going along with the crowd. I'd rather he spend the money from today on something which really counts, perhaps on children who no longer have their mothers or mothers who are in need of help in one way or another. That would at least make a difference to someone. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-42183591216344783232011-04-02T20:07:00.000+02:002011-04-02T20:07:53.385+02:00Front Page<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you could be on the front page of any magazine, which would it be? For me it would have to be a writing magazine. I won't choose one here because it feels a bit fatalistic. But to feature on any one of them would be quite a personal scoop. Maybe it would tie in with the publication of the first of a series of historical drama's that I'd been commissioned to writer over the duration of my life - well one has to dream big! Or maybe it would be a series of 'how to' articles from the desk of a published author, a position I hope to have one day.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't think I'd like a picture of my phizog though, I take a dreadful picture as my long suffering husband will only tell you. 'Smile naturally' he shouts at me just as the shutter is about to go off rendering a malevolent grin which only looks good on the face of a comic about dogs with big mouths. No, I'd like the cover of my book on the front page, but then that's another dilemma - who would create such a thing of beauty? I love front covers. A front cover is one of the reasons I would pick up a book in the first instance, I may put it back down again having read the blurb, or the first page, or heaven forbid the last page (a habit I'm trying to break). But a front cover is important. It's like any kind of 'front shop'. It needs to draw your audience in, whoever it maybe. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So come on, spill the beans, where would you like to flaunt your stuff?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-90952145450219101632011-04-01T18:57:00.000+02:002011-04-01T18:57:51.976+02:00Ultimate Blog Challenge<a href="http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/"><img alt="/" border="0" src="http://ultimateblogchallenge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/UBC-banner2.png" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've signed up for the Ultimate Blog Challenge for April, in the hope that it might give me the inspiration to blog for the love of it - rather than it being a chore. I love to write and am at my happiest with pen and paper or in front of the PC, thinking of the right word, the perfect phrase, the succinct sentence. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, with blogging, I've stumbled along a bit lately and I've been thinking over some of the reasons why this may have happened. I think there are several things a blog, or a blogger needs:</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A <b>Passion</b> for what you are writing about</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So a <b>Theme</b> is probably a good thing</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The <b>Commitment</b> to blog regularly and consistently</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which means that you need to <b>Write</b> well and succinctly</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To <b>Follow</b> other like-minded blogs and contribute via comments</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, with that in mind, I shall use this month to shape and develop my blog into something I Want to do and hopefully a place where people can come along and enjoy the read...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-14150396441973529782011-03-22T18:05:00.000+01:002011-03-22T18:05:36.118+01:00FOREIGN FLAVOURS ANTHOLOGY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTcRKEVwrrDdD5ylQULPUqMMPXgh8nWUG1s2FyXm7AnkaoxbBXchY0yzVoShTI4lou4VBgKbh3uQfwIa7VEekohD8-_airxsI8Wpk7NUioK7dB199qrEaeV6FBJkxcAEoTfynNySoA2g/s1600/world-food-day-300x256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTcRKEVwrrDdD5ylQULPUqMMPXgh8nWUG1s2FyXm7AnkaoxbBXchY0yzVoShTI4lou4VBgKbh3uQfwIa7VEekohD8-_airxsI8Wpk7NUioK7dB199qrEaeV6FBJkxcAEoTfynNySoA2g/s200/world-food-day-300x256.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those of you who know me will probably be sick of this call already and it's not even a week since I started the campaign. But anyway, marketing is marketing!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Call For Submissions: Foreign Flavours</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Theme: Food, drink and cooking from around the world</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Genre: Fiction and Non Fiction</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Submissions from ex pats and re pats via the <a href="http://www.writersabroad.com/">Writers Abroad</a> Site</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Deadline - 9th September 2011</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fee/Prize - No Fee, No Prize but all proceeds from publication will go to <a href="http://www.thebookbus.org/">The Book Bus</a> Charity</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And our foreword this year is being written by acclaimed author (famed for his Ladies No 1 Detective Agency Series), Alexander McCall Smith.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plenty of time to get those creative muses running...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don't Think Just Write</b></span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-29452370409140792072011-03-17T12:42:00.000+01:002011-03-17T12:42:26.752+01:00Unification of Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKbKTxgzplVgPHGAyqz6pDekvT0hd5EXMUsFStwE22Dx5meelcogfe7p_YrANd19aXqV1tCTvPPDV4-BebOFlbA2NJAXn9QimWCdjTyAoza3_pCWku72_gyXu2PoCx9YE3XmFgup43es/s1600/italy150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKbKTxgzplVgPHGAyqz6pDekvT0hd5EXMUsFStwE22Dx5meelcogfe7p_YrANd19aXqV1tCTvPPDV4-BebOFlbA2NJAXn9QimWCdjTyAoza3_pCWku72_gyXu2PoCx9YE3XmFgup43es/s200/italy150.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today is a bank holiday in Italy as they celebrate 150 years of unification. There is lots being written here about whether Italy is in fact, united or not. Talk of the North and South divide and the kinds of things that I read about most other countries too. But all I can say is that I celebrate the diverse differences within each region; the landscape; the food; the wine; the local culture and celebrations. All this makes Italy a fabulous, rich and diverse country to live in, despite who's in charge. Who cares? Well, I've never been very political as some of you will know, so I don't claim to know what I'm talking about!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What is quite amazing is the fact the Italian language as we know it is fairly young as this wasn't unified until much later. Even today, many of the older people speak with their traditional regional dialects. Which makes it a little hard for us learning the language!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, Buon Compleanno Italy! For me this is where I have felt most at home, where I can be who I want to be and a place which inspires me to fulfill my passion - living to write.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Don't Think Just Write</span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-83116101166794323122011-03-15T17:16:00.000+01:002011-03-15T17:16:23.156+01:00New Sun Rising - Stories wanted for Japan<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My blog today will be dedicated to the latest response for writers and writing to help those suffering from natural disasters. Many of us will have been shocked and saddened by the ongoing devastation in Japan, that seems to put most of our worries into perspective. Like Haiti and Queensland, there is always someone who takes up the challenge to do something by using their craft and that of others. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whilst the idea of putting together an anthology for these issues isn't a new one, for those in Japan, this is more than likely a first experience. So prose writers, budding bards, scribblers of manga and fellow bloggers, please visit the site '<a href="http://booksthathelp.org/">New Sun Rising - Stories for Japan'</a>, to find out how you can contribute.</span><br />
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Don't Think Just WriteLouise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-24151624117225895082011-03-08T17:16:00.002+01:002011-03-08T17:21:04.121+01:00International Womens Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KgopAWw-iKlFXZfpugU5-p7JNCyuuc0Q8kHfoyhnRwKpLCSJWwxlC1pT-g_fTeH0VVbBncAxhQg2XeNf86AsIf2S6ZzOKKWt0tNQwh5Zho_4LaPfxgCDxpXCg4xkCZ3B4-JQtrRDZs/s1600/Mimosa+pic+for+Bob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KgopAWw-iKlFXZfpugU5-p7JNCyuuc0Q8kHfoyhnRwKpLCSJWwxlC1pT-g_fTeH0VVbBncAxhQg2XeNf86AsIf2S6ZzOKKWt0tNQwh5Zho_4LaPfxgCDxpXCg4xkCZ3B4-JQtrRDZs/s200/Mimosa+pic+for+Bob.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Mimosa (before the rain and the snow :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today is International Womens Day, 8th March. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, women were suppressed and treated unequally as compared to their male counterparts. This caused instability and fuelled the desires and debates amongst women who wanted and fought for change. Today, the celebration has less of a political message, with men in many countries using it as an opportunity to express their love for their women. However, the origins of the day remain and it is still used to raise awareness about the struggles of women throughout the world. I've written an article about here on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/International%20Women's%20Day:%20Celebrating%20the%20Achievements%20of%20Women%20http://www.suite101.com/content/international-womens-day-a209605#ixzz1G0Pb6raD">Suite 101</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> about its celebration here in Italy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For me it has another importance, two of my granddaughters were born on this day to two different families. What are the chances of that happening? I hope that they contribute something to the equality of women and that they don't suffer the struggles of many that instigated the celebration of such a day. Of course without struggles like this I suppose things would never change. And of course such a rich source of writing to be had.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh, and I'm not a feminist as such, far from it. I believe in the equality of all for their individual talents and expertise, we all have something to offer. So International Mens Day is in November. Watch out for it...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-68780167115926387462011-02-24T15:45:00.000+01:002011-02-24T15:45:42.407+01:00WHAT IS THE POINT OF BLOGGING?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj354OFDzLyWQVtA918CHHBwP313ijcUphmf6XGUJ_nzfRbJy3ONft4TP2T4Jek9wPcNu_GGDIRp0r2TuEl1KRutXZdCr2tfA3FXaRuHRA99xcv17pVHL7oZMnoLeC6ux3YyVKY69jTRlw/s1600/question_mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj354OFDzLyWQVtA918CHHBwP313ijcUphmf6XGUJ_nzfRbJy3ONft4TP2T4Jek9wPcNu_GGDIRp0r2TuEl1KRutXZdCr2tfA3FXaRuHRA99xcv17pVHL7oZMnoLeC6ux3YyVKY69jTRlw/s200/question_mark.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'ve been asking myself the same question about writing today. One of those 'never get off the starting block' days where I had great plans and they all fizzled out into nothing. It's not writers block, I can write, but it's just not coming together. Which got me thinking about my blogs. I try to make sure I do them regularly and for me they are quite cathartic and a good thing to look back on. I do wonder if they just exist in the ether along with hundreds and thousands of other blogs, gathering a kind of space dust of some kind. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe it's just me. Maybe its because I write a lot and I write a lot about writing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe I should try something different. A diversion. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But then I have enough of those. Tomorrow will be different.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">..</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Don't Think Just Write</b></span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8371152588732465303.post-75513022019473828242011-02-09T17:23:00.000+01:002011-02-09T17:23:00.518+01:00WRITING RULES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylR7Tyui7nbM2H-Flpvy-US2tUyrZ8RhIqn9S0CNNO-xG8fQAbi_AqLkmtrl5TI6rCci4Je6-fZfNmszhmtCaw9jB0PG9QUDh6HxGqtlt7f6to_lnw7TQ3GzYzUWC1CwJjSyEXaPOcLA/s1600/wisdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylR7Tyui7nbM2H-Flpvy-US2tUyrZ8RhIqn9S0CNNO-xG8fQAbi_AqLkmtrl5TI6rCci4Je6-fZfNmszhmtCaw9jB0PG9QUDh6HxGqtlt7f6to_lnw7TQ3GzYzUWC1CwJjSyEXaPOcLA/s200/wisdom.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> Words of Writing Wisdom</b></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">'Do it every day. Make a habit of putting your observations into words and gradually this will become instinct. This is the most important rule of all and naturally, I don't follow it '</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Geoff Dyer</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like pondering the odd quote or two. Mostly writing quotes, but they could be about anything. It's just words that people have about a particular subject, in this case writing. This one caught my eye because of the last sentence. Writing rules are everywhere; rules about how much, when, how, who with, what with and what on; but the old adage remains true even for writers. Rules are meant to be broken but also rules are a very personal thing. Rules that work for me, may not for any other writer. In fact I don't have many writing rules, apart from one. That is to read and write - perhaps two rules then. Writing isn't instinct. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing is tough, writing needs to be worked at and it certainly doesn't come naturally. If it did, everyone would be a winning writer and there wouldn't be any bad writing to compare the good with. At least I feel I'm contributing somehow to the writing process.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don't Think Just Write</b></span>Louise Charleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12527630049666283199noreply@blogger.com0