Possibly a bit behind the other bloggers but...HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
Can you believe it? 2013!
To be quite honest I never thought we'd all see it, what with the Mayan calander coming to an end and the world having meant to implode or blow up or something else that I never really paid much attention to yet totally believed.
Yup. Family were mighty dissapointed this year when I gave them each a card that said:
"Sorry I didnt get you a present...the world was meant to end five days ago."
I decided this year I wasn't going to bother with New Year resolutions, I didn't really bother (*cough* stick *cough*) to them last year, or the year before. But what I did do last and what I did stick to was a plan.
Last years plan was pretty straight forward:
1) Go into hospital
2) Have lots of surgery (Pamela Anderson eat your heart out!)
3) Be pampered by lots of nurses
4) Recover (This was a bit*h!)
5) Finish Empire, start screenplay.
All of this I managed succesfully (I was very good at the 'getting pampered' bit ;))
This year however, I didnt really go into the bells with a hard and fast plan. I kind of had this loose idea of where i wanted the year to take me, but no real 'get up and go' or 'DRIVE' to make it happen.
That. Being. Said.
Its now the 24th of January and there have been some pretty big changes.
First and foremost, I am a whole year older! (Apparently that means I am now wiser and more mature...not bloody likely :P)
Secondly I'm moving out. For those who dont know I left my previous 'abode' rather rapidly after a hell of a lot of drama and ended up back in with mother dearest. This actually worked out quite well with all the surgery (and mums home made stew isnt something to be sniffed at!) So I didnt mind too much. I was also very aware however how much I missed my own space.
Randomly. And when I say random I mean random (as in last Tuesday random). I decided.
"Right, let's see what's out there!"
Friday morning I viewed two flats. Friday afternoon I picked one.
This coming Monday I move in.
Its a nice one bedroom in a quiet residential area in my home town. Down near the Clyde and the Castle. And I CANNOT wait!
I've also met someone who is pretty amazing (she is actually cooler than me :D).
I had kind of shyed away from relationships and the idea of meeting someone after the last debaccle and the drama that went with it and really wasnt looking for anything at all. But I can honestly say I havent been this happy for a looooooonnnng time.
Genuinely "Amazed" that I hadn't met her before I did as not only does she live in the same town as me, and went to the same school, but shes also...a nurse!
You know that way when your phone goes and your heart kind of skips a beat? Yeah. that;s me.
I have caught myself thinking about something she's said or done in work and before I know it this huge smile is splitting my face when Im meant to be on the phone giving contractors a hard time. I feel like I've known her for years.
Maybe this'll be my year?
More writing news to follow!
Watch this space folks, its all happening ;) !
SBP
Thursday, 24 January 2013
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Christmas is defintely upon us!
So it is officially December and this is the first blog post of the month (and one of the last ones for the year :( ) So what has happened since the last one?
Well let's get into that later. Remember the three points I made in the last blog? Lets get back to them.
First off the bat - work. Ironically, after the really bad Thursday I left work to find a text message from my sister telling me that her place was hiring.
"Excellent!" I thought. "Jump on it!" said my brain.
So there I was a week later strolling down unknown roads in Clydebank (without a map I might add! Dumbarton is bad enough and I've lived here for years!) looking for a building I'd never seen (and as it transpired, doesn't believe in signposts or even signage - totally blank storefront!).
By sheer dumb luck I found the place (dumb luck being a well timed glance at Google maps) and proceeded to sit down for the most casual interview I have ever been through. It was done in front of the other office staff which was new - especially when they started laughing at my answers (yes they were jokes but it was still surreal lol - I had no idea how many people were interviewing me :S)
Despite the casual setting, the interview went pretty well. They advised me to expect a phonecall and I left, turning right, then left again before finally digging out my phone to find out where Singer train station was. My sister phoned later to say the 'big boss' had asked about me and that they were going to phone me at somepoint.
The following Tuesday I was told I would be offered the job, but I had changed my mind.
It just didn't feel right.
For all work can be stressful - and the pay could be better, they have been good to me this year with all of the surgeries. Apart from that, it's kind of like that pair of jeans you all have. You know the ones! The ones that are ragged around the heel and the colour has all but bled out of them, you would never dream of leaving the house with them - but they are sooooo comfy you just cant throw them out!
That's what my job is like.
Comfy :) . So that being said Im there until I publish 'the next big thing' or become a world class cardiothoracic surgeon, whichever comes first lol!
Secondly - NaNoWriMo. Was just a disaster.
I like the story I developed but It really messed up my other projects and 'umpteen' deadlines were missed because of it. I found myself writing scenes for the screenplay only to have characters from NaNo crop up. That being said the story I've started will be published on one of the sites I write for so that is good news :D, it's great news actually!!!!
Thirdly - That dating site thing.
This was kind of surreal. I tried to approach the whole thing with an open mind, I really did! But it was just soooooo hard when every person that contacted me seemed to be campaigning for the mentally insane:
Firstly, I dont know what "Awww man gein it yaldie at the wknd with sum mad dawg and ma chums wae the tunes bangin'! Yolo Biatch! MadWaeIt 2k12 FTW!" means.
Dont get me wrong. I can translate it. I just dont know what Im meant to do with the translated information.
Secondly, "I dont like movies or current music, prefer not to listen to older stuff either. I dont like dogs or cats and hate horses. I despise the cold and cant stand it when the sun is blinding my eyes. I hate travelling to new places and new food makes me feel sick..." you get the picture.
The best thing about the second message, the one with the list of dislikes was right at the end where the person actually wrote "You sound interesting, If you like what you see...get in touch"
...so if i like someone who doesnt like anything...?
Account deleted.
So that was what? 10 days?
Then I got a FB message that I didnt expect or plan for.
I had PM'd a girl a few months back that I had read about in the local paper. She had been nominated as a regional finalist for an inspirational person award and the article really did inspire me. She seemed like an incredible person. Now at the time the Glasgow Writer's Group was putting together a collection of short stories based on medical conditions and disabilities and I had submitted a piece.
In my PM I had suggested that this person had such an amazing story to tell that she should consider submitting for the anthology. I didn't get a reply and to be honest didnt think too much about it.
Then out of nowhere at the end of November I got a message from her asking about my condition (which I had described briefly in the original message.) Before I knew it we were chatting about holidays, hobbies, dreams and aspirations and everything in between.
Despite me sending several embarassing autocorrect messages (one where it changed PMA - Positive Mental Attitude, to PMT - well you all know what that is!) things were going well. I really liked this girl and with my heart hammering in my chest I asked her if she'd like to go out sometime. She said yes.
And we met up for a casual drive around Dumbarton (did you know Dumbarton has a fire station in Dumbarton East? No? Me neither.).
She is every bit as funny, intelligent, inspiring and beautiful as I thought she would be. More so! My jaw was actually sore from laughing with the amount of funny stories she has to tell (one where she managed to put a patients bra on backwards!?!? :P)
And things are still going well on that front :) - better than well, I really like this girl!
And that is you all pretty much up to date with whats happening.
With Christmas round the corner I am taking it easy on the writing front - Im sure "Write more" will appear on my list of new years resolutions but I think I will focus the first few months on polishing finished pieces and actually making sure they are submitted by deadlines (as opposed to spending four months on the Aeon One submission only to realise id missed the due date by three days!!!)
I have a couple of MtG events scheduled in for January. One in Liverpool on the 5th and one in Milton Keynes on the 20th. Probably end up running Pyro or Tron for either of these but also have a Naya deck list im forming in my head.
We shall see.
Expect another update before Christmas (still got my Crimbo shopping to do!) but incase you miss it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Dare to Dream,
SBP
Well let's get into that later. Remember the three points I made in the last blog? Lets get back to them.
First off the bat - work. Ironically, after the really bad Thursday I left work to find a text message from my sister telling me that her place was hiring.
"Excellent!" I thought. "Jump on it!" said my brain.
So there I was a week later strolling down unknown roads in Clydebank (without a map I might add! Dumbarton is bad enough and I've lived here for years!) looking for a building I'd never seen (and as it transpired, doesn't believe in signposts or even signage - totally blank storefront!).
By sheer dumb luck I found the place (dumb luck being a well timed glance at Google maps) and proceeded to sit down for the most casual interview I have ever been through. It was done in front of the other office staff which was new - especially when they started laughing at my answers (yes they were jokes but it was still surreal lol - I had no idea how many people were interviewing me :S)
Despite the casual setting, the interview went pretty well. They advised me to expect a phonecall and I left, turning right, then left again before finally digging out my phone to find out where Singer train station was. My sister phoned later to say the 'big boss' had asked about me and that they were going to phone me at somepoint.
The following Tuesday I was told I would be offered the job, but I had changed my mind.
It just didn't feel right.
For all work can be stressful - and the pay could be better, they have been good to me this year with all of the surgeries. Apart from that, it's kind of like that pair of jeans you all have. You know the ones! The ones that are ragged around the heel and the colour has all but bled out of them, you would never dream of leaving the house with them - but they are sooooo comfy you just cant throw them out!
That's what my job is like.
Comfy :) . So that being said Im there until I publish 'the next big thing' or become a world class cardiothoracic surgeon, whichever comes first lol!
Secondly - NaNoWriMo. Was just a disaster.
I like the story I developed but It really messed up my other projects and 'umpteen' deadlines were missed because of it. I found myself writing scenes for the screenplay only to have characters from NaNo crop up. That being said the story I've started will be published on one of the sites I write for so that is good news :D, it's great news actually!!!!
Thirdly - That dating site thing.
This was kind of surreal. I tried to approach the whole thing with an open mind, I really did! But it was just soooooo hard when every person that contacted me seemed to be campaigning for the mentally insane:
Firstly, I dont know what "Awww man gein it yaldie at the wknd with sum mad dawg and ma chums wae the tunes bangin'! Yolo Biatch! MadWaeIt 2k12 FTW!" means.
Dont get me wrong. I can translate it. I just dont know what Im meant to do with the translated information.
Secondly, "I dont like movies or current music, prefer not to listen to older stuff either. I dont like dogs or cats and hate horses. I despise the cold and cant stand it when the sun is blinding my eyes. I hate travelling to new places and new food makes me feel sick..." you get the picture.
The best thing about the second message, the one with the list of dislikes was right at the end where the person actually wrote "You sound interesting, If you like what you see...get in touch"
...so if i like someone who doesnt like anything...?
Account deleted.
So that was what? 10 days?
Then I got a FB message that I didnt expect or plan for.
I had PM'd a girl a few months back that I had read about in the local paper. She had been nominated as a regional finalist for an inspirational person award and the article really did inspire me. She seemed like an incredible person. Now at the time the Glasgow Writer's Group was putting together a collection of short stories based on medical conditions and disabilities and I had submitted a piece.
In my PM I had suggested that this person had such an amazing story to tell that she should consider submitting for the anthology. I didn't get a reply and to be honest didnt think too much about it.
Then out of nowhere at the end of November I got a message from her asking about my condition (which I had described briefly in the original message.) Before I knew it we were chatting about holidays, hobbies, dreams and aspirations and everything in between.
Despite me sending several embarassing autocorrect messages (one where it changed PMA - Positive Mental Attitude, to PMT - well you all know what that is!) things were going well. I really liked this girl and with my heart hammering in my chest I asked her if she'd like to go out sometime. She said yes.
And we met up for a casual drive around Dumbarton (did you know Dumbarton has a fire station in Dumbarton East? No? Me neither.).
She is every bit as funny, intelligent, inspiring and beautiful as I thought she would be. More so! My jaw was actually sore from laughing with the amount of funny stories she has to tell (one where she managed to put a patients bra on backwards!?!? :P)
And things are still going well on that front :) - better than well, I really like this girl!
And that is you all pretty much up to date with whats happening.
With Christmas round the corner I am taking it easy on the writing front - Im sure "Write more" will appear on my list of new years resolutions but I think I will focus the first few months on polishing finished pieces and actually making sure they are submitted by deadlines (as opposed to spending four months on the Aeon One submission only to realise id missed the due date by three days!!!)
I have a couple of MtG events scheduled in for January. One in Liverpool on the 5th and one in Milton Keynes on the 20th. Probably end up running Pyro or Tron for either of these but also have a Naya deck list im forming in my head.
We shall see.
Expect another update before Christmas (still got my Crimbo shopping to do!) but incase you miss it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Dare to Dream,
SBP
Monday, 19 November 2012
What would you do?
Hello hello!
Man has this year been a fast one! It's actually November, people are actually saying the C word and I realise that I may actually need to start thinking about it sooner rather than later :S
Not that I'm complaining, it is definitely my favourite time of year. Maybe it's just the hype but doesn't everyone seem a little bit happier in December? Unless of course you're that one parent that hasn't picked up a Buzz Lightyear (or whatever the flavour of the year is), you do not look happy! But in general, people smile more :)
I'll be honest I tend to over do it at Christmas. I spend more money than is sensible on gifts, I play the Crimbo albums on repeat and I definitely make merry with the merriment on Christmas Eve :P . And I love every minute of it! Make memories not money, the first one will make you smile when the other one is gone and spent.
Now before we get to the "What would you do?" in the heading, let's talk about some changes since my last update.
1) I am actively looking for another job (as opposed to half-hearttedly going to work hoping something will land in my lap) The current job is fine, it's just...different since being back at it post-op. It seems like the work load is 100x more and the money hasn't upped with the expectations. And apart from that, I'm just not happy there anymore.
If I'm going to spend the bulk of my life in a job then you can be sure I'm going to make sure it's something I enjoy doing. I get that we all have bills to pay and having a job is pretty much a necessity - but if you're not happy there then I personally guarantee you, you could be doing something else, getting paid the same and be a WHOLE lot happier. It's never too late to make a change.
2) My writing has been side-swiped by NaNoWriMo.
For those who don't know, NaNoWriMo stands for 'National Novel Writing Month' and it runs in November every year. The aim is to write one complete and finished 50k manuscript in the month of November - take it from me. This. Is. Not. Easy.
I wasn't going to bother this year round but woke up after an obscure dream (as oft happens) and couldn't shake the idea I had for a novel.
The screenplay and the other projects are officially on hold until December!
3) I have *cough* joined a dating site...there "I said it!"
Not entirely sure what I'm expecting from it but I met a couple when I was at the PTQ in Dundee (which you can read about on manaleak.com) who were awesome together. I got talking to them and it turned out they met on POF.com and armed with that success story I opted to give it a go.
I like the way the site is setup so you can filter out the people looking for 'casual encounters' and the nutters as I'd like to stay away from the 'naughty pond'. That place seems like it'd be full of bad memories and I really don't need to add to my already impressive collection of *cringe* moments.
I'm in two minds about what I think about the whole 'dating site' concept. Anyone who knows me will testify to the fact that I am A) One heck of a talker + B) A flirt.
That being said I just don't think I'll meet the type of girl I'm looking for in a nightclub or pub. No harm in giving this site a go!
NOW!
On to the serious stuff! "What would you do?"
I know this isn't in the usual "funny/self-humiliating" style of my blog - but something happened on Friday night I can't not talk about.
I was playing MtG in Queen's Park at the shop as I often do. I step outside for a bit of fresh air and get talking to a girl at the bus stop (she is presumably, waiting on a bus). Blethering away quite the thing about nothing inparticulair and a car screeches to a halt in front of us and out jump four guys shouting in some foreign language at the confused and somewhat terrified looking girl.
Now for all I am a confident individual - and consider myself pretty well prepared for most situations, this one threw me. I stepped in front of the girl (who at this point is talking back a bit sheepishly in this other language) and then both she and one of the guys point at me. Do I run? Stay?
Before the flight or fight response kicked in the guy says to me in perfect English (kids, cover your ears)
"Fuck off! She belongs to the family, she doesn't talk to non-muslims so beat it boy!"
Now apart from the fact this guy was ages with me and I really have an issue with anyone who isn't 60+ calling me boy - does anyone else see a problem with the above statement?
I certainly did.
At this point the girl is being not quite pulled, but certainly encouraged towards the car. I still have no idea what's going on so I kick off and do a bit of shouting myself, attracting the attention of some of the guys nearby.
The guy that called me 'boy' stops and turns around a little bit calmer noe he's got an audience.
"Look mate it's nothing personal - this is my sister, she's not allowed to speak to non-muslims, just let it go."
Sorry. Not sold on that tune mate.
So I ask the girl if this is her brother and does she want to get in the car with him. At this point she looks a lot less scared and a lot more embarassed than she did originally and I kind of see the family resemblance BUT, and this is the thing that really gets me...
She looks at her brother first before answering the question, and he nods. The girl then tells me that this is her brother and that the other guys are her cousins. It turns out she is waiting on a lift from him and pretty much re-iterates his words.
"It's nothing personal - it's just our culture..."
(kids, cover your ears!)
Bullshit. It's not culture. It's sexism verging on slavery.
Now please don't get the wrong idea. I am not criticising Muslim culture - I judge every single person I meet on their own merits and I will never have a go at someone because of their creed, colour or race. But I cannot accept that a man can have a daughter and treat her like property to be traded. I've served on ships with multi-cultural crews coming from all walks of life and all types of religion, I like being exposed to new cultures and new ideas - it makes me a smarter man, but Friday night...
It just doesn't add up, at least to me. When did we regress to the stone ages?
So back to the question : "What would you do?" - What lengths do you go to for the sake of a stranger?
The girl got in the car with her brother, her cousins walked away and I went back in to finish my game of cards. But the whole thing has been bugging me all weekend.
To whomever finds themselves reading this, these next words are aimed directly at YOU!
You are an individual. Your own person with your own thoughts, feelings and desires. You are not defined by the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the music you party to or the house you pray in. Don't let anyone pressure you into making choices you don't want to make or do things you don't believe in.
If you want to sing into your hairbrush in front of the mirror, rock on! If you want to dance like no one's watching while your waiting on a train, awesome! I saulte you! And if you want to go against the grain of everything you've been brought up to believe, then you are one of the most incredible people on the earth, and you have my utmost respect. I didn't say being you was going to be easy - but being a 100%, pure gold, star-spangled first rate version of yourself is much better than being a two bit carbon copy of what someone else thinks you should be.
Don't conform to their norm, what is normality anyway?
Being preachy isn't my style, but neither is being a bystander when I see something I don't agree with. I hope I got my point across.
Anyways, my rant is now officially over! Stay tuned for more updates! Hopefully there aren't too many 'dating site' related embarassing bits!
Dare to Dream folks,
Live your life!
Comment below.
-SBP-
Man has this year been a fast one! It's actually November, people are actually saying the C word and I realise that I may actually need to start thinking about it sooner rather than later :S
Not that I'm complaining, it is definitely my favourite time of year. Maybe it's just the hype but doesn't everyone seem a little bit happier in December? Unless of course you're that one parent that hasn't picked up a Buzz Lightyear (or whatever the flavour of the year is), you do not look happy! But in general, people smile more :)
I'll be honest I tend to over do it at Christmas. I spend more money than is sensible on gifts, I play the Crimbo albums on repeat and I definitely make merry with the merriment on Christmas Eve :P . And I love every minute of it! Make memories not money, the first one will make you smile when the other one is gone and spent.
Now before we get to the "What would you do?" in the heading, let's talk about some changes since my last update.
1) I am actively looking for another job (as opposed to half-hearttedly going to work hoping something will land in my lap) The current job is fine, it's just...different since being back at it post-op. It seems like the work load is 100x more and the money hasn't upped with the expectations. And apart from that, I'm just not happy there anymore.
If I'm going to spend the bulk of my life in a job then you can be sure I'm going to make sure it's something I enjoy doing. I get that we all have bills to pay and having a job is pretty much a necessity - but if you're not happy there then I personally guarantee you, you could be doing something else, getting paid the same and be a WHOLE lot happier. It's never too late to make a change.
2) My writing has been side-swiped by NaNoWriMo.
For those who don't know, NaNoWriMo stands for 'National Novel Writing Month' and it runs in November every year. The aim is to write one complete and finished 50k manuscript in the month of November - take it from me. This. Is. Not. Easy.
I wasn't going to bother this year round but woke up after an obscure dream (as oft happens) and couldn't shake the idea I had for a novel.
The screenplay and the other projects are officially on hold until December!
3) I have *cough* joined a dating site...there "I said it!"
Not entirely sure what I'm expecting from it but I met a couple when I was at the PTQ in Dundee (which you can read about on manaleak.com) who were awesome together. I got talking to them and it turned out they met on POF.com and armed with that success story I opted to give it a go.
I like the way the site is setup so you can filter out the people looking for 'casual encounters' and the nutters as I'd like to stay away from the 'naughty pond'. That place seems like it'd be full of bad memories and I really don't need to add to my already impressive collection of *cringe* moments.
I'm in two minds about what I think about the whole 'dating site' concept. Anyone who knows me will testify to the fact that I am A) One heck of a talker + B) A flirt.
That being said I just don't think I'll meet the type of girl I'm looking for in a nightclub or pub. No harm in giving this site a go!
NOW!
On to the serious stuff! "What would you do?"
I know this isn't in the usual "funny/self-humiliating" style of my blog - but something happened on Friday night I can't not talk about.
I was playing MtG in Queen's Park at the shop as I often do. I step outside for a bit of fresh air and get talking to a girl at the bus stop (she is presumably, waiting on a bus). Blethering away quite the thing about nothing inparticulair and a car screeches to a halt in front of us and out jump four guys shouting in some foreign language at the confused and somewhat terrified looking girl.
Now for all I am a confident individual - and consider myself pretty well prepared for most situations, this one threw me. I stepped in front of the girl (who at this point is talking back a bit sheepishly in this other language) and then both she and one of the guys point at me. Do I run? Stay?
Before the flight or fight response kicked in the guy says to me in perfect English (kids, cover your ears)
"Fuck off! She belongs to the family, she doesn't talk to non-muslims so beat it boy!"
Now apart from the fact this guy was ages with me and I really have an issue with anyone who isn't 60+ calling me boy - does anyone else see a problem with the above statement?
I certainly did.
At this point the girl is being not quite pulled, but certainly encouraged towards the car. I still have no idea what's going on so I kick off and do a bit of shouting myself, attracting the attention of some of the guys nearby.
The guy that called me 'boy' stops and turns around a little bit calmer noe he's got an audience.
"Look mate it's nothing personal - this is my sister, she's not allowed to speak to non-muslims, just let it go."
Sorry. Not sold on that tune mate.
So I ask the girl if this is her brother and does she want to get in the car with him. At this point she looks a lot less scared and a lot more embarassed than she did originally and I kind of see the family resemblance BUT, and this is the thing that really gets me...
She looks at her brother first before answering the question, and he nods. The girl then tells me that this is her brother and that the other guys are her cousins. It turns out she is waiting on a lift from him and pretty much re-iterates his words.
"It's nothing personal - it's just our culture..."
(kids, cover your ears!)
Bullshit. It's not culture. It's sexism verging on slavery.
Now please don't get the wrong idea. I am not criticising Muslim culture - I judge every single person I meet on their own merits and I will never have a go at someone because of their creed, colour or race. But I cannot accept that a man can have a daughter and treat her like property to be traded. I've served on ships with multi-cultural crews coming from all walks of life and all types of religion, I like being exposed to new cultures and new ideas - it makes me a smarter man, but Friday night...
It just doesn't add up, at least to me. When did we regress to the stone ages?
So back to the question : "What would you do?" - What lengths do you go to for the sake of a stranger?
The girl got in the car with her brother, her cousins walked away and I went back in to finish my game of cards. But the whole thing has been bugging me all weekend.
To whomever finds themselves reading this, these next words are aimed directly at YOU!
You are an individual. Your own person with your own thoughts, feelings and desires. You are not defined by the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the music you party to or the house you pray in. Don't let anyone pressure you into making choices you don't want to make or do things you don't believe in.
If you want to sing into your hairbrush in front of the mirror, rock on! If you want to dance like no one's watching while your waiting on a train, awesome! I saulte you! And if you want to go against the grain of everything you've been brought up to believe, then you are one of the most incredible people on the earth, and you have my utmost respect. I didn't say being you was going to be easy - but being a 100%, pure gold, star-spangled first rate version of yourself is much better than being a two bit carbon copy of what someone else thinks you should be.
Don't conform to their norm, what is normality anyway?
Being preachy isn't my style, but neither is being a bystander when I see something I don't agree with. I hope I got my point across.
Anyways, my rant is now officially over! Stay tuned for more updates! Hopefully there aren't too many 'dating site' related embarassing bits!
Dare to Dream folks,
Live your life!
Comment below.
-SBP-
Sunday, 4 November 2012
WHAM!
Don't panic. I'm not going to start talking about 'Wake me up before you go go' (Although now ive mentioned it I am going to look it up on YouTube, what a song!)
You know how I can tell something major is going to happen on any given day? It starts like every other one. Every morning I wake up and think about the day to day routine, cause that's what it is, a routine. Monday to Friday is the worst.
Wake up
Make coffee
Get in car
Go to work
Finish work
Get in car
Go home
Have dinner
Bed
My weekday in nine easy to follow steps, how boring! Well after last Friday you can give me that boring list ANY day of the week!
Friday started off like any other day, right up until the "Go to work" bit. There we were, just passing the aquaduct at the airport, idly chatting, listening to Chris Evans and 'The Candyman' for what must be the millionth time. The traffic in front stopped, we stopped...the car behind didn't.
WHAM!
Now I can only imagine, and certainly hope, that most of you don't know what it's like to get hit by another car travelling at speed. Well let me tell you, the coffee goes EVERYWHERE! Some people say the sound is like a gun going off, well, that's an understatement. It sounded like a cannon was fired a metre and a half behind me!
The force threw us (and the coffee) forward and the recoil tossed us back. There was a moment of silence as the contents of my flask dripped down the windshield before my head started pounding.
A moment or two, or maybe ten minutes later. Im not sure. Either way we found ourselves pulled in in the left hand lane staring at the offending Audi that had hit the Ka, no prizes for guessing who came off worst.
There I was trying to decide whether I was going to be angry or relieved when this tall, blonde, Drop. Dead. Gorgeous, women steps out of the car. I like to think it was because of the adrenaline I was speechless, in honesty though I think it was the green tights and light blue dress. The woman could easily have been going to audition as one of Santa's little helpers (despite being over 6ft tall). Details were exchanged, liability decided, and off we went.
Surprisingly, we laughed our asses off the rest of the ten minute drive in to work. Seriously, hysterical laughter resounded around the car. It's funny what adrenaline does to you.
The day dragged on and the headache came back, along with a really sore neck and shoulder. The car has been/will be written off as the entire base beneath the boot has been warped and a trip to the hospital confirmed that both driver and me sustained whiplash. Why do I ask for excitement? Why did I want to break away from the norm? Give me a bog standard boring working day!
Phew. So anyway, that's the drama out of the way.
It has made me think about things over the weekend. I don't want to sound melodramatic, we are both absolutely fine (except the sore necks, which should pass). But thinking about how things could have been makes me queasy.
Firstly, If I hadn't been wearing a seatbelt I know for a fact my face would have went through the dashboard. And as nice a dashboard as it is, I have no desire to make it's acquaintance on a permanent basis. Seatbelts save lives. You know when your younger and your mother insists she wont drive until you buckle up? Dont be a dick. Buckle up!
Secondly, what if she had damaged the petrol tank? Now most explosions (at least in the movies) happen in frontal collisions, but surely taking a 'dunt' in the petrol tank cant be clever? It's been a while since I was in school but im sure the fire triangle is still the same. Oxygen *sniff* check! Fuel, in a petrol tank? Ignition, metal on metal, chance of sparks? We could have blown up in the middle of the motorway! Thankfully most of the damage was to the rear left side of the car, and the fuel tank is on the rear right, but it could have been very different.
Thirdly, what if my bloody coffee had been hot? I'd have looked a right prat! I can see the headlines now "Man sustains third degree burns in non-burning vehicle!"
Thankfully none of the three happened, but it could have, which is scary. It could also have messed up the whole operation (which for those who dont know, was quite a big deal!). I dont think it has at this stage, but my shoulder is still pretty delicate and thats where the muscle came from. We can only see. all still breathing though so thats a good thing!
I am getting back into the swing of things in the office. Despite the monotony my days are quite productive. I have been doing a lot more writing, working on old projects and scribbling down new.
Ive also started looking into how I can turn Magic The Gathering into a profitable arrangement. Ive set up shop on Ebay, contacted distributors to enquire about prices for wholesale and am seriously considering diving into this as a business.
In other MtG news, Im playing in the Dundee PTQ next weekend (which is a big deal, take my word for it!) so for those who are interested, keep an eye on ManaLeak.com for the article that will follow (hopefully talking about how I won, if not it will be talking about how I 'almost won' and the injustice of life :P)
Peace out,
Dare to Dream,
Wear your bloomin' seatbelt!
SBPhoenix
You know how I can tell something major is going to happen on any given day? It starts like every other one. Every morning I wake up and think about the day to day routine, cause that's what it is, a routine. Monday to Friday is the worst.
Wake up
Make coffee
Get in car
Go to work
Finish work
Get in car
Go home
Have dinner
Bed
My weekday in nine easy to follow steps, how boring! Well after last Friday you can give me that boring list ANY day of the week!
Friday started off like any other day, right up until the "Go to work" bit. There we were, just passing the aquaduct at the airport, idly chatting, listening to Chris Evans and 'The Candyman' for what must be the millionth time. The traffic in front stopped, we stopped...the car behind didn't.
WHAM!
Now I can only imagine, and certainly hope, that most of you don't know what it's like to get hit by another car travelling at speed. Well let me tell you, the coffee goes EVERYWHERE! Some people say the sound is like a gun going off, well, that's an understatement. It sounded like a cannon was fired a metre and a half behind me!
The force threw us (and the coffee) forward and the recoil tossed us back. There was a moment of silence as the contents of my flask dripped down the windshield before my head started pounding.
A moment or two, or maybe ten minutes later. Im not sure. Either way we found ourselves pulled in in the left hand lane staring at the offending Audi that had hit the Ka, no prizes for guessing who came off worst.
There I was trying to decide whether I was going to be angry or relieved when this tall, blonde, Drop. Dead. Gorgeous, women steps out of the car. I like to think it was because of the adrenaline I was speechless, in honesty though I think it was the green tights and light blue dress. The woman could easily have been going to audition as one of Santa's little helpers (despite being over 6ft tall). Details were exchanged, liability decided, and off we went.
Surprisingly, we laughed our asses off the rest of the ten minute drive in to work. Seriously, hysterical laughter resounded around the car. It's funny what adrenaline does to you.
The day dragged on and the headache came back, along with a really sore neck and shoulder. The car has been/will be written off as the entire base beneath the boot has been warped and a trip to the hospital confirmed that both driver and me sustained whiplash. Why do I ask for excitement? Why did I want to break away from the norm? Give me a bog standard boring working day!
Phew. So anyway, that's the drama out of the way.
It has made me think about things over the weekend. I don't want to sound melodramatic, we are both absolutely fine (except the sore necks, which should pass). But thinking about how things could have been makes me queasy.
Firstly, If I hadn't been wearing a seatbelt I know for a fact my face would have went through the dashboard. And as nice a dashboard as it is, I have no desire to make it's acquaintance on a permanent basis. Seatbelts save lives. You know when your younger and your mother insists she wont drive until you buckle up? Dont be a dick. Buckle up!
Secondly, what if she had damaged the petrol tank? Now most explosions (at least in the movies) happen in frontal collisions, but surely taking a 'dunt' in the petrol tank cant be clever? It's been a while since I was in school but im sure the fire triangle is still the same. Oxygen *sniff* check! Fuel, in a petrol tank? Ignition, metal on metal, chance of sparks? We could have blown up in the middle of the motorway! Thankfully most of the damage was to the rear left side of the car, and the fuel tank is on the rear right, but it could have been very different.
Thirdly, what if my bloody coffee had been hot? I'd have looked a right prat! I can see the headlines now "Man sustains third degree burns in non-burning vehicle!"
Thankfully none of the three happened, but it could have, which is scary. It could also have messed up the whole operation (which for those who dont know, was quite a big deal!). I dont think it has at this stage, but my shoulder is still pretty delicate and thats where the muscle came from. We can only see. all still breathing though so thats a good thing!
I am getting back into the swing of things in the office. Despite the monotony my days are quite productive. I have been doing a lot more writing, working on old projects and scribbling down new.
Ive also started looking into how I can turn Magic The Gathering into a profitable arrangement. Ive set up shop on Ebay, contacted distributors to enquire about prices for wholesale and am seriously considering diving into this as a business.
In other MtG news, Im playing in the Dundee PTQ next weekend (which is a big deal, take my word for it!) so for those who are interested, keep an eye on ManaLeak.com for the article that will follow (hopefully talking about how I won, if not it will be talking about how I 'almost won' and the injustice of life :P)
Peace out,
Dare to Dream,
Wear your bloomin' seatbelt!
SBPhoenix
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Finally...
Life has gotten back to some form of normality. Whatever that is.
I'm now into my second week back at the office and I am loathed to admit (and somewhat confused by the fact) that I am actually enjoying being back! There is only so much Jeremy Kyle one man can take and suffice to say in my eight week house bound lock down I have had more than my fair share!
It's funny how he inspiration to write returned right about the same time I ended up going back to work. Maybe its the plain yet elegeant decor that stimulates the creative juices, or perhaps it's the rhythmic clicking of the keyboard and the relaxing ring of the phone that inspires inspiration. Or maybe it's that I really, REALLY want to be somewhere else.
Not that it's a bad job. It's actually a pretty good one. 9-5 Monday to Friday. Every weekend off. Decent salary, hell I have nothing to complain about. It wasn;t that long ago I lost a job and had the cruel sting of unemployment nipping at my heels. I remember the relief I felt at just having any job. In the current climate I should definitely not complain about being employed...
But I'm bored.
The job has become, predictable, despite the fact it's ever changing. Each day, more or less, follows the pattern of the last. It was only after going back post-op that I realised how much of a routine I was in. And I am not a man for routines. I like spontaneuity. One of my favourite quotes is:
"Take chances, live for risks, and follow your heart until it finds release. Your dreams know no boundaries, they only lack belief!"
Yet I must have been stagnating because for the past twelve months I have taken no chances and unless you call my epic flirting fails on the train 'risks' then I really haven't embraced that mantra.
That is all going to change. Has changed.
I am pleased (hell who am I kidding, I'm supercalifrajilistickly elated) to announce that one of my short stories has been published by the wonderful PureSlush.com and is available for purchase here! The Editor Matt Potter is a gem. I have never come across an individual who is so prepared to help writers with their manuscripts and submissions. "First class nice guy, without the wank."
Not only that, but Im featured in there with some of my favourite (and most talented) writing buddies! Gill Hoffs and Joanna Delooze!
So I am pretty over the moon about that! BUT! That's not all!
Many of you will know (and many more will not) that I am an ardent Magic the Gathering player. I love it, always have. Many moons ago when I was in high school (nearly ten years now...) I would travel up to Arena games every weekend and pit my deck of mythical creatures and spells against someone elses, usually I would get beat, pretty badly. But I enjoyed it anyway.
I mentioned in my previous post that I had got back into it, in a big way. I spent alot of my time off catching up on the development and changes that have happened in the game and have been drafting at Glasgow's new shop Spellbound Games for the last six weeks.
So how does this relate to writing? Well, I write about Magic the Gathering obviously.
After talking to different people about the game and strategies etc I came across Manaleak.com, the biggest MtG website in the UK. I made some e-mail enquiries and am now a featured writer on the site!
First article went live on Thursday, you can view it here! Magic the Gathering
The last month has certainly seen a bit of progress on the writing front. Still waiting to hear back about the Empire submission. Had one request for the full manuscript and two rejections so far so that is a pretty fair ratio. Heres hoping I get two more requests to see the full thing and then get it signed off on!
I've also set up a YouTube account where I upload videos of Magic the Gathering Online. Search SBPhoenix channel on YouTube for those interested in learning a bit about the game and for all those others who just miss the sound of my voice :P
Right anyways, consider yourself up to date! Tomorrow I have an article to finish off and some more MtG practice before the pro tour qualifier in Dundee on the 10th...I also need to think of some witty one liners to try on the new girl at work ;)
Dare to Dream folks!
Life is out there, go get it!
SBP
I'm now into my second week back at the office and I am loathed to admit (and somewhat confused by the fact) that I am actually enjoying being back! There is only so much Jeremy Kyle one man can take and suffice to say in my eight week house bound lock down I have had more than my fair share!
It's funny how he inspiration to write returned right about the same time I ended up going back to work. Maybe its the plain yet elegeant decor that stimulates the creative juices, or perhaps it's the rhythmic clicking of the keyboard and the relaxing ring of the phone that inspires inspiration. Or maybe it's that I really, REALLY want to be somewhere else.
Not that it's a bad job. It's actually a pretty good one. 9-5 Monday to Friday. Every weekend off. Decent salary, hell I have nothing to complain about. It wasn;t that long ago I lost a job and had the cruel sting of unemployment nipping at my heels. I remember the relief I felt at just having any job. In the current climate I should definitely not complain about being employed...
But I'm bored.
The job has become, predictable, despite the fact it's ever changing. Each day, more or less, follows the pattern of the last. It was only after going back post-op that I realised how much of a routine I was in. And I am not a man for routines. I like spontaneuity. One of my favourite quotes is:
"Take chances, live for risks, and follow your heart until it finds release. Your dreams know no boundaries, they only lack belief!"
Yet I must have been stagnating because for the past twelve months I have taken no chances and unless you call my epic flirting fails on the train 'risks' then I really haven't embraced that mantra.
That is all going to change. Has changed.
I am pleased (hell who am I kidding, I'm supercalifrajilistickly elated) to announce that one of my short stories has been published by the wonderful PureSlush.com and is available for purchase here! The Editor Matt Potter is a gem. I have never come across an individual who is so prepared to help writers with their manuscripts and submissions. "First class nice guy, without the wank."
Not only that, but Im featured in there with some of my favourite (and most talented) writing buddies! Gill Hoffs and Joanna Delooze!
So I am pretty over the moon about that! BUT! That's not all!
Many of you will know (and many more will not) that I am an ardent Magic the Gathering player. I love it, always have. Many moons ago when I was in high school (nearly ten years now...) I would travel up to Arena games every weekend and pit my deck of mythical creatures and spells against someone elses, usually I would get beat, pretty badly. But I enjoyed it anyway.
I mentioned in my previous post that I had got back into it, in a big way. I spent alot of my time off catching up on the development and changes that have happened in the game and have been drafting at Glasgow's new shop Spellbound Games for the last six weeks.
So how does this relate to writing? Well, I write about Magic the Gathering obviously.
After talking to different people about the game and strategies etc I came across Manaleak.com, the biggest MtG website in the UK. I made some e-mail enquiries and am now a featured writer on the site!
First article went live on Thursday, you can view it here! Magic the Gathering
The last month has certainly seen a bit of progress on the writing front. Still waiting to hear back about the Empire submission. Had one request for the full manuscript and two rejections so far so that is a pretty fair ratio. Heres hoping I get two more requests to see the full thing and then get it signed off on!
I've also set up a YouTube account where I upload videos of Magic the Gathering Online. Search SBPhoenix channel on YouTube for those interested in learning a bit about the game and for all those others who just miss the sound of my voice :P
Right anyways, consider yourself up to date! Tomorrow I have an article to finish off and some more MtG practice before the pro tour qualifier in Dundee on the 10th...I also need to think of some witty one liners to try on the new girl at work ;)
Dare to Dream folks!
Life is out there, go get it!
SBP
Thursday, 27 September 2012
What's happening!
What's happening folks?
...no seriously, what is happening? I need to know. I've been house bound for close to five weeks and am beginning to feel the subtle effects of cabin fever setting in. Bedroom fever would be more appropriate as I have pretty much lived in my bedroom for a month (and not in the good way)
My arm is now back to semi-functionality. By that I mean I can straighten it, comfortably lift a paperback book (though a hardcover is pushing it a bit) and just about type at my normal speed as long as the left hand does most of the work.
I guess I should start with a bit about the wound.
It's fine, well fine so far as I/we can gather. The doctors still don't know if it was necrosis or a blood clot but either way it has stopped leaking pussy blood (sexy I know) which I am most relieved about. In terms of how it looks...pretty good considering how it did before, but still aways to go before it matches the other one.
The scars are healing nicely, the one on my chest was brutal initially - it literally looked like I had been cut in half. But it has calmed down substantially and although it's still noticeable, it'll fully heal to be quite a neat scar. I've not been able to get a look at the one under my arm due to the inability to move the shoulder but i'm told it's healing nicely. So that's good.
I was full of good intentions of getting lots of writing done during my recovery but unfortunately it has just not been possible, physically or emotionally. The inability to type at speed was really annoying and then all the drama and the not knowing whether id need another op knocked me for six. Thankfully as stated I am now almost back up to my normal typing speed so hopefully I can get lots done over the coming week before I return to work.
I have done some writing so it hasn't all been wasted. The screenplay, which I've provisionally called 'John Doe' is coming along nicely. Act I is entirely typed and some of the dialogue is great! For those who are interested in writing for the big screen I strongly advise you to buy 'The Foundations of Screenwriting', phenomenal book. I read it in about three days and went through a pack of post-it's which are now protruding from the pages.
Empire II has taken a back step - the story is all mapped out it just needs to be written but to be honest, right now im much more excited about where the screenplay is going.
In none writery news, there is not much to tell unfortunately (being stuck in a house all day every day does nothing for your social life!)
My mother has decided to get a dog, a Maltese pup which I believe is to be called Bayliegh if it's a girl...and Alfalpha if it's a boy, don't ask, i'm not to sure myself.
My days have been pretty much filled with Buffy the Vampire Slayer saving the world, and constant drafting on MtGO.
There is a new set for the game released this weekend. Shoulder dependent I will be making my way up to the shop to play the sealed tournament (which I am quietly confident about, the online events are going really well - I've not had to pay for any for over a fortnight and Ive played in about fifty :P).
Music wise there is nothing to report, I've discovered it's very hard to keep a rhythm without moving your shoulder so I am just not going to bother until i'm back to being fighting fit!
Nearly there! Each day is a step closer to the dream...
Keep smiling!
SBP
...no seriously, what is happening? I need to know. I've been house bound for close to five weeks and am beginning to feel the subtle effects of cabin fever setting in. Bedroom fever would be more appropriate as I have pretty much lived in my bedroom for a month (and not in the good way)
My arm is now back to semi-functionality. By that I mean I can straighten it, comfortably lift a paperback book (though a hardcover is pushing it a bit) and just about type at my normal speed as long as the left hand does most of the work.
I guess I should start with a bit about the wound.
It's fine, well fine so far as I/we can gather. The doctors still don't know if it was necrosis or a blood clot but either way it has stopped leaking pussy blood (sexy I know) which I am most relieved about. In terms of how it looks...pretty good considering how it did before, but still aways to go before it matches the other one.
The scars are healing nicely, the one on my chest was brutal initially - it literally looked like I had been cut in half. But it has calmed down substantially and although it's still noticeable, it'll fully heal to be quite a neat scar. I've not been able to get a look at the one under my arm due to the inability to move the shoulder but i'm told it's healing nicely. So that's good.
I was full of good intentions of getting lots of writing done during my recovery but unfortunately it has just not been possible, physically or emotionally. The inability to type at speed was really annoying and then all the drama and the not knowing whether id need another op knocked me for six. Thankfully as stated I am now almost back up to my normal typing speed so hopefully I can get lots done over the coming week before I return to work.
I have done some writing so it hasn't all been wasted. The screenplay, which I've provisionally called 'John Doe' is coming along nicely. Act I is entirely typed and some of the dialogue is great! For those who are interested in writing for the big screen I strongly advise you to buy 'The Foundations of Screenwriting', phenomenal book. I read it in about three days and went through a pack of post-it's which are now protruding from the pages.
Empire II has taken a back step - the story is all mapped out it just needs to be written but to be honest, right now im much more excited about where the screenplay is going.
In none writery news, there is not much to tell unfortunately (being stuck in a house all day every day does nothing for your social life!)
My mother has decided to get a dog, a Maltese pup which I believe is to be called Bayliegh if it's a girl...and Alfalpha if it's a boy, don't ask, i'm not to sure myself.
My days have been pretty much filled with Buffy the Vampire Slayer saving the world, and constant drafting on MtGO.
There is a new set for the game released this weekend. Shoulder dependent I will be making my way up to the shop to play the sealed tournament (which I am quietly confident about, the online events are going really well - I've not had to pay for any for over a fortnight and Ive played in about fifty :P).
Music wise there is nothing to report, I've discovered it's very hard to keep a rhythm without moving your shoulder so I am just not going to bother until i'm back to being fighting fit!
Nearly there! Each day is a step closer to the dream...
Keep smiling!
SBP
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
The creative process...
But first an update about the boob.
This week has not been as good as last week was. There is a haematoma in the chest wound which has had to be drained on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This is either a result of a clot that has cleared, or a symptom of necrosis that would suggest the fatty tissue is dying, which, worst case scenario would mean the DIEP procedure was for nothing.
It may be that the necrosis is only on the fringe of the tissue in which case they can cut it off or if it's minor enough my body will absorb. I should find out tomorrow and hopefully get some definitive answers instead of being in limbo which is where I am at the moment.
But this post isn't about the boob, it's about the creative process.
A writing friend asked me the following today and I went a bit OTT on the response and thought that others may find the information useful so I decided to post it here.
This is what I was asked:
***
Hey Chris, hope your well - was just wondering,
a. how you went about your reworking of your novel? I've been trawling through mine for months now, i suppose there are no shortcuts?
b. how did you go about sending off the finished one, did you send a cover and 3 chapters to basically a list from the internet? or something more simple?
I remember your novel was a kind of sci fi fantasy wasn't it.
cheers, and hope you get it accepted! My pal suggested that i self publish but id rather go down the old school route first, sounds like your the same.
The following is just about as much information as I can give on how I write and submit my manuscripts:
Evening mate, as well as can be expected
Basically I write it three times (which sounds majorly daunting but it's less and less each time.
Once I finish the first draft I leave it for a few days then read it start to finish without taking notes (which is hard at first). This is to try and get a feel for it from a readers perspective and is me focusing more on the story than the quality of the writing. After Ive read it I write down the bits of the story that didnt make sense/add up/get resolved.
Once the second draft is complete and the story flows as it should I look at the extra bits I wanted to add and really work out whether or not they can be added in. If they can then I put them in, if they cant they stay in a seperate folder.
The most important thing on my mind is cutting out things I dont need - I have a bad habit of re-iterating a feeling or emotion in a character more times than I have to. Best advice I can give on self editing is to READ ALOUD! It sounds obscure but it lets you hear exactly how it sounds in your head. Running out of breath? The sentence is too long. Paused when you said that? Needs a comma. Words getting you tongue tied? Stop being clever. (This one is also one of my major downfalls - I seem to do alliteration without thinking about it and it's not until I read it aloud that I realise how ridiculous it actually sounds. Reading aloud also points out where we have words that dont belong)
Once that is all done - I usually have a brandy. I again take a couple of days away from the manuscript and read it again start to finish. I try to do this like I would read someone elses book though this time I sit with a notepad next to me and jot down anything that stops me from reading or makes me read a sentence twice. Hopefully at this stage it isn't often, I tend to find some chapters are worse than others.
One final edit and that is the manuscript DONE!
The first thing I do is go through the writers and artists handbook and put an * next to publishers and agents that accept the genre I want to submit and also make sure that they take unsolicited manuscripts.
Once I have about 10-15 I look at their websites - if it's not professional looking or sounds a bit dodgy I score it off my list. I find out who submissions get sent to and how they like to receive them. Most people like a cover letter, a synopsis and the first three chapters or 50pp. But not all, give them what they want.
With my first novel I let myself go at this stage and wrote cover letters like I was best friends with these strangers. Surprisingly Blackstone actually asked to see the whole manuscript but they did give me a hard time over the cover letter of all things. You will be judged from the get go on your writing so put the same amount of time and effort into writing the cover letter and the synopsis as you did the novel - you cant have one without the other.
Submission Letter
Before I write even a chapter plan I write the story in 25 words or less. In a fresh notebook at the top of the page:
"Keiras allies must prepare Kerona to battle the invading Empire while she unlocks the secrets of ancient Draconian artefacts and masters the gift of Power." - 25 on the nose.
I include this line or something very similar to it in my submission letters. It's short & sweet and tells them in a nutshell what they are going to be reading about.
I also include a short bit about my writing background, short stories I've published, comps ive won or been shortlisted for etc. Something that puts a bit of you and your personality into the letter - but don't go overboard.
I also do a bit of homework on the publisher/agent and compare my work to someone they have represented in the past if it is applicable - if it's not don't try to make it so, ask yourself why you are submitting to a publisher/agent who has never represented anyone similar to you before.
I try to keep it short (and usually give it to someone other than myself to proof read). My thought process here is that this will be read by someone who reads all day long - they will be looking to get through a pile ASAP - short and to the point is going to go down much better than them reading a life story.
Synopsis
I seriously struggled with these originally. Basically put in the bare bones of the main plot and any sub-plots that are important to the outcome of the story. No cliff hangers. Period.
Imagine you are in a pub and someone asks you about your book, but they are heading for the door. You have 30 maybe forty seconds to tell them the story start to finish. You mention the main characters and what what their goals are and how they get there. That is exactly what a synopsis is.
I usually aim to do this in less than 300 words - most people want a one page synopsis which is roughly about 500 so it gives you space to play with.
I then give the synopsis to two people and ask them what they think of the idea for the story. If they ask questions about sub plots or character development I tell them, and do nothing.
If they ask questions about the main story, I seriously look at the synopsis and ask myself what has to be added to remove that question from the readers mind. It's all about clarity at this point. I have a limited chance to impress this person - the last thing I want is for them to be confused or asking questions that Im not there to answer..
I them proof the synopsis for spelling/grammar/word choice etc and finally hit save.
I have another brandy - and then bundle it up and send it off.
I usually send them out in sets of five - some publisher stipulate that they don't like this. If that is the case, don't do it.
It's important to bear in mind that I have not had a novel published the 'old fashioned way' (I have self published one of my novels but like you I want it done 'legit') and the only info I can give is how I send my submissions and edit my novel.
That being said, from every set of five submissions I've sent off - someone has always requested the full manuscript - just a case of persevering until they say yes.
Hope that helps,
SBP
***
That response - typed ONE HANDED folks! Oh yes! (Took me ages!)
Hopefully it's useful to some of you out there.
Peace out, Dare to Dream
SBPhoenix
(I'll keep you posted about the boob) ;)
This week has not been as good as last week was. There is a haematoma in the chest wound which has had to be drained on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This is either a result of a clot that has cleared, or a symptom of necrosis that would suggest the fatty tissue is dying, which, worst case scenario would mean the DIEP procedure was for nothing.
It may be that the necrosis is only on the fringe of the tissue in which case they can cut it off or if it's minor enough my body will absorb. I should find out tomorrow and hopefully get some definitive answers instead of being in limbo which is where I am at the moment.
But this post isn't about the boob, it's about the creative process.
A writing friend asked me the following today and I went a bit OTT on the response and thought that others may find the information useful so I decided to post it here.
This is what I was asked:
***
Hey Chris, hope your well - was just wondering,
a. how you went about your reworking of your novel? I've been trawling through mine for months now, i suppose there are no shortcuts?
b. how did you go about sending off the finished one, did you send a cover and 3 chapters to basically a list from the internet? or something more simple?
I remember your novel was a kind of sci fi fantasy wasn't it.
cheers, and hope you get it accepted! My pal suggested that i self publish but id rather go down the old school route first, sounds like your the same.
The following is just about as much information as I can give on how I write and submit my manuscripts:
Evening mate, as well as can be expected
Basically I write it three times (which sounds majorly daunting but it's less and less each time.
The First Draft
The first time is basically free association - get it on paper. I work from chapter plans and rough notes and just write, regardless of how bad some of it is at the time, I know there is some good stuff amongst it. This is the part that is fun, let your imagination go wild - be spontaneous, give your characters as much personality and as many quirks as you can.Once I finish the first draft I leave it for a few days then read it start to finish without taking notes (which is hard at first). This is to try and get a feel for it from a readers perspective and is me focusing more on the story than the quality of the writing. After Ive read it I write down the bits of the story that didnt make sense/add up/get resolved.
The Second Draft
The second draft is where I perfect the story, I dont care about the writing just now - everything I wrote down after reading it gets looked at. If something didnt work for me on the first read through it gets re-worded, trimmed or cut entirely - be brutal. Sometimes at this stage of re-drafting I will get a sudden spurt of inspiration and want to take things in a new direction or add things in. This is great, dont knock it - but put it in a seperate document - if its good enough to go in it can go in after Ive finished editing the original thing.Once the second draft is complete and the story flows as it should I look at the extra bits I wanted to add and really work out whether or not they can be added in. If they can then I put them in, if they cant they stay in a seperate folder.
The Third Draft
The third draft is where I am concentrating on the writing. I basically do a line edit of every chapter, usually over a couple of weeks and ask myself. "Is that the right word to use there?", "Is the grammar correct?", "Can I make that sentence tighter?" etc etc.The most important thing on my mind is cutting out things I dont need - I have a bad habit of re-iterating a feeling or emotion in a character more times than I have to. Best advice I can give on self editing is to READ ALOUD! It sounds obscure but it lets you hear exactly how it sounds in your head. Running out of breath? The sentence is too long. Paused when you said that? Needs a comma. Words getting you tongue tied? Stop being clever. (This one is also one of my major downfalls - I seem to do alliteration without thinking about it and it's not until I read it aloud that I realise how ridiculous it actually sounds. Reading aloud also points out where we have words that dont belong)
Once that is all done - I usually have a brandy. I again take a couple of days away from the manuscript and read it again start to finish. I try to do this like I would read someone elses book though this time I sit with a notepad next to me and jot down anything that stops me from reading or makes me read a sentence twice. Hopefully at this stage it isn't often, I tend to find some chapters are worse than others.
One final edit and that is the manuscript DONE!
Finding a Publisher/Agent
Now is the REALLY hard bit. It involves lots of waiting and lots of rejection for reasons you will never know (a bit like my Friday nights but that's going off on a tangent).The first thing I do is go through the writers and artists handbook and put an * next to publishers and agents that accept the genre I want to submit and also make sure that they take unsolicited manuscripts.
Once I have about 10-15 I look at their websites - if it's not professional looking or sounds a bit dodgy I score it off my list. I find out who submissions get sent to and how they like to receive them. Most people like a cover letter, a synopsis and the first three chapters or 50pp. But not all, give them what they want.
With my first novel I let myself go at this stage and wrote cover letters like I was best friends with these strangers. Surprisingly Blackstone actually asked to see the whole manuscript but they did give me a hard time over the cover letter of all things. You will be judged from the get go on your writing so put the same amount of time and effort into writing the cover letter and the synopsis as you did the novel - you cant have one without the other.
The Submission Package
There are lots of different 'suggestions' flying around on how to go about writing these documents, all I can tell you is how I write mine.
Submission Letter
Before I write even a chapter plan I write the story in 25 words or less. In a fresh notebook at the top of the page:
"Keiras allies must prepare Kerona to battle the invading Empire while she unlocks the secrets of ancient Draconian artefacts and masters the gift of Power." - 25 on the nose.
I include this line or something very similar to it in my submission letters. It's short & sweet and tells them in a nutshell what they are going to be reading about.
I also include a short bit about my writing background, short stories I've published, comps ive won or been shortlisted for etc. Something that puts a bit of you and your personality into the letter - but don't go overboard.
I also do a bit of homework on the publisher/agent and compare my work to someone they have represented in the past if it is applicable - if it's not don't try to make it so, ask yourself why you are submitting to a publisher/agent who has never represented anyone similar to you before.
I try to keep it short (and usually give it to someone other than myself to proof read). My thought process here is that this will be read by someone who reads all day long - they will be looking to get through a pile ASAP - short and to the point is going to go down much better than them reading a life story.
Synopsis
I seriously struggled with these originally. Basically put in the bare bones of the main plot and any sub-plots that are important to the outcome of the story. No cliff hangers. Period.
Imagine you are in a pub and someone asks you about your book, but they are heading for the door. You have 30 maybe forty seconds to tell them the story start to finish. You mention the main characters and what what their goals are and how they get there. That is exactly what a synopsis is.
I usually aim to do this in less than 300 words - most people want a one page synopsis which is roughly about 500 so it gives you space to play with.
I then give the synopsis to two people and ask them what they think of the idea for the story. If they ask questions about sub plots or character development I tell them, and do nothing.
If they ask questions about the main story, I seriously look at the synopsis and ask myself what has to be added to remove that question from the readers mind. It's all about clarity at this point. I have a limited chance to impress this person - the last thing I want is for them to be confused or asking questions that Im not there to answer..
I them proof the synopsis for spelling/grammar/word choice etc and finally hit save.
I have another brandy - and then bundle it up and send it off.
I usually send them out in sets of five - some publisher stipulate that they don't like this. If that is the case, don't do it.
It's important to bear in mind that I have not had a novel published the 'old fashioned way' (I have self published one of my novels but like you I want it done 'legit') and the only info I can give is how I send my submissions and edit my novel.
That being said, from every set of five submissions I've sent off - someone has always requested the full manuscript - just a case of persevering until they say yes.
Hope that helps,
SBP
***
That response - typed ONE HANDED folks! Oh yes! (Took me ages!)
Hopefully it's useful to some of you out there.
Peace out, Dare to Dream
SBPhoenix
(I'll keep you posted about the boob) ;)
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