Luna Quirks

2012 - the year brought to you by the letter W

2012-01-12T16:19:00.000+10:00

Wow. 2012 has arrived. Already it's in double figures. January has that effect on me. It's one of those months that you look forward to and boom! you blink and it's gone before you know it. I never feel like I've had the calendar turned onto January for the full 31 days. Weird but true.

So. 2012. At last we meet. Sure, there's been heaps of talk of an apocalypse being the big feature for you at the end of the year but for me so much will happen before that...well, I may need an apocalypse to catch my breath. You are going to be a year of new phases and lifestyles. Why yes. Plural.

My son is off to university to pursue a career in physics and moving in with his dad. I will have gone from school-mum (or mom for those who prefer) to empty-nester in the space of three short months. I don't have time however to actually navel gaze this life transition. I'm too busy preparing for another one.

My wedding (the 1st of the letter "W"s). It is under five weeks away and I like to think of it as being caught in The Wedding Vortex. There shall be some traditional things (we do say vows, sign paper & then break bread after all) but there are many things that may not be seen as traditional (though what goes for traditional these days?).

In amidst all this I am also this year no longer in a day-job (well, at least until August or September). So, my new "day job" is writing. I'm finally able to spend my time on my words (the other "W" in my life). I shall continue to develop the Elemental series as well as get on with writing my Vestal Virgin centric story.

I'm looking forward to these changes. As the only constant in life is change. Saying that, I will however be continuing my reading challenges. They help keep me focused. I'm keeping records of them over on Goodreads I'm again using the challenges set up by Book Chick City (who I found via the wonderful Eleni).

My choice this year shall be -

I'm always wanting to expand my exploration of authors and genres so this fits beautifully. I'm going with 25 as the goal. Should be do-able.

How did November & a post about Joss Whedon get here?

2011-11-24T00:00:00.002+10:00

So, this month it appears I've gone and written a post about Joss Whedon and storytelling for the Darksiders Blog. You can learn how Joss brought me into the world of emotion, stories and dinosaur betrayal.

The rest of my life has been very busy on the parenting front. My son is now officially a high school graduate which means we are all free of the school regime. So excited about it on many fronts, one of which is no more early morning starts. Well, except tomorrow which shall be an OMG-o'clock start due to assessing night shift workers. It's so rare, I don't mind. Too much.

The lead up to silly, crazy, hot season this year also absorbs waiting for university offers for son and realising it's now under three months until I get married.

Dark Side Down Under

2011-10-26T10:30:00.000+10:00

Writing of time flying, it has been brought to my attention the Dark Side DownUnder blog I'm a member of is about to turn 1.....

There are some awesome prizes on offer with book giveaways from Keri Arthur, Rowena Cory Daniells, Tracey O'Hara and Erica Hayes to name a few of many.

All you have to do is come along, make a comment and answer a question on Monday, October 31.

Creativity, Life & Time

2011-10-26T09:57:00.000+10:00

As I look at the calendar I'm slightly stunned how near the end of October we are. I knew at the start of this year it would be a rough year for me to balance my desire to write with my parent hat (we won't discuss wedding planning, I'll keep myself in denial on that front).

It's taken most of the year, but I've given myself permission to ride out the remainder of the school year (er, with 3 weeks to go) where getting words not down is okay. My son is wrapping up school and viewing life post school and all that entails - university applications, scholarships, choices, life without the school regime. In a way, so glad it's him not me (remember being 17??). I have no doubt he will find and land on his feet, however it can be hard to watch the rollercoaster being so close to the action.

Meanwhile, there have been a lot of blogs appearing in my Google Reader about creativity, the need to keep going, burn out, balancing the creative with the practical side of one's life and it has me thinking.

So, while that blog post is percolating in my mind I'd like to direct you over to a blog by Deborah Biancotti (who is currently playing over at World Fantasy Convention) about creative exhaustion. It is something that happens to everyone in many different and varied ways. I know I've certainly enjoyed reading all the various responses Deb has received and it shows how no matter what way we travel to and reach the end product everyone has these thoughts. It's how we learn to handle them that counts.

Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

2011-09-01T19:18:00.000+10:00

The internet can be a time suck it's true. But sometimes you come across things (I love facebook and twitter for this very reason)....like this. Go on. Have a scroll through. I think they are all beautiful, awesome achievements.

Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

I know I've been remiss in posting since the music. Real Life has been keeping me out of mischief. However, I have plans. They are somewhere round here, mixed in my ones for world domination.

Unintentional Radio Silence

2011-07-30T19:56:00.000+10:00

Or should that be unintentional blogging silence. There was a plan. To do a blog during the Romance Writers of Australia 50K30day challenge. Being consistent, I didn’t pull that off either. Real Life intervened (as it does).

July saw me co-ordinating on the ground the RWA 5DI program. Was interesting being on the other side of the fence as six years ago I did a similar event called EnVision. I’ve never looked back from doing it and wanted to pay it forward. In between timekeeping during 5DI, editing managed to resume (I’d hoped to, but wasn’t planning anything). Was such a relief after so many bumps this year.

Back in June, the plan was to get on with edits and to make headway into my current wip (aka mermaid’s story). However, she and Real Life had other plans. I’ve spent the snatches of available time reworking the turn she insisted on doing. Now I have this, the dirty draft is going to go down.

Now, August looms. Of course, August in Australia also means the RWA annual conference. It’s the 20^th anniversary and looking like being a wonderful shindig with plenty of networking, fun and learning.This year is in Melbourne and one of the guests I’m very much looking forward to meeting is Kelley Armstrong. Melbourne is a lot cheaper (and shorter) to fly to than Canada.

I find it very amusing in my final year as an unmarried woman I will be room sharing (think of it as a professional girls weekend). Continuing on this train of thought is my other half mentioning since next year’s conference is much closer to home he may tag along (we get married and he comes to crash my girl’s weekend, er, I mean professional development).

Given we are both off to Brighton, England in 2013 for World Fantasy Convention (our delayed honeymoon) perhaps starting with a Romance Conference may be a wise thing.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 30 The End is Here! Desire, Romance & Blood

2011-05-09T12:52:00.000+10:00

I've done it. Managed to keep with this meme all the way through. Never done this many blogs in a row. I'm thinking the once a month with extras will be the way to go (it's where I sit comfortably in the blogging world when added to twitter, facebook and oh yeah, that pesky writing thing I do). Part of the experiment in doing this meme via my blog rather than facebook (keeping the list was another) was to see if I wanted to blog more often. I can see a blog post about where the interwebz fits into my world.

The final choice was for favourite song this time last year. May 2010 was a blur. I was busy working 2 jobs (both regarding teaching/training), juggling a teen in the first of two years of senior (we're in the final year now) and organising an engagement shindig......songs weren't really a priority.

Trawling YouTube by ways of friends posting songs on facebook was more how I came across songs last year.

The result is I'm wrapping with two songs.

The first is a performance by a capella group On the Rocks dong a performance of a Gaga medley with Bad Romance dominating (& it was the song on high play on radios too). I love the movements they do along with the general awesomeness of a bunch of guys pulling off the songs.

The second is another I must've heard a lot and started to enjoy via morning weekend tv music shows. Undisclosed Desires by Muse. Added bonus to a version I found on YouTube (before my son bought a few of the cds) is someone put a composite of Eric Northmen & Sookie Stackhouse from True Blood to the song. A fan of the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris and the HBO tv show (though do not watch/read one expecting the other to be the same). Personally I think the actors playing Pam and Eric in particular have nailed their characters brilliantly. Some of the others I hold reservations on (& just don't get me started on the fairies....)

So to wrap.......some Eric goodness :-)

30 Day Song Challenge Day 29 Childhood, Puppets & Eurovision

2011-05-08T08:18:00.000+10:00

The end is nigh. Today is the penultimate song choice. A song from your childhood. Being chosen and revealed on Mother's Day no less.

I could go with Abba, have memories of one of their albums being the first one I asked to own. Then I thought I could pull out one of the many hippie country folk songs from John Denver, Carole King, Peter, Paul & Mary, The Seekers since that is what I grew up listening to. But since many songs I've chosen are tending to the more obscure or left of field I figure I should keep this going.......

What I didn't realise in this song choice was it was originally a Eurovision song. Honestly, my mother has a lot to answer for *lol* (the fact Abba did Eurovision in no way changes this fact). The song came out before I was born, how on earth I heard it I have no idea. I do remember the small, single song LP record and requesting to have it played (I couldn't use the stereo system - was too young .....) and bop around the lounge room dancing to it. Repeatedly.

Without further ado........here is a classic earworm that can be hard to get out of your head. Puppet on a String sung by Sandie Shaw. Oh, and I managed to find the actual Eurovision performance.....so very different to what is done nowadays.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 28 What's Guilt? No choices made

2011-05-07T18:18:00.000+10:00

Today is the hardest one in the list. Again I knew it was coming and again I have no idea what to use. In fact I'm not going to be putting a song up. Different to guilty pleasures (like chocolate) it is mean to be a song that makes me feel guilty. I don't feel guilty when any song plays and I have none that trigger a case of guilts....

Wonder if that's in part due to the fact I live my life eternally feeling guilt (mother's guilt, creative guilt...you know, those "I should be doing something about this/that/whatever" sensation and you're not doing it).

I searched around the interwebz to find songs about guilt - since that was the closest I was going to get but even then I was quite meh over the exercise.

Tomorrow is going to amusing as hell (well, in my brain it is).

30 Day Song Challenge Day 27 Playing Music Harder than it seems

2011-05-06T16:47:00.000+10:00

A song I wish I could play. It's taken me most of the day to think on this one (and that is knowing this choice was coming).

I keep coming back to a number of instruments I wish I could play. Owning them or even having the commitment to rent them to practice is the main obstacle to this wish. On the list of instruments I wish to own/play (which I've realised all are used to play Baroque Music).....

oboe

harpsichord

bassoon

Cello

(yeah, there's the cost of a decent sized car right there for you...which is why I've not indulged myself on this desire).

So, I've been spending the day doing mundane tasks like grocery shopping, making jam drops all the while thinking of various pieces of music over the years I've thought would be cool to play. I can think of pieces for each instrument, to play with an orchestra.....harder than it seems to make a choice.

I couldn't find a shorter snapshot version of this one...Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach. Really love it about the 1 - 2 minute mark.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 26 Playing is No Longer Secret

2011-05-05T07:23:00.000+10:00

A song that you can play on an instrument.

Oh this was fun to choose. I was remembering the time in my life I played the flute (essentially until I left school, though I do still pull it out every now and again). My high school had a very ambitious music program with a conductor who thought nothing (or, maybe he gave it some thought), of throwing to the advanced concert band works of a high standard. It was hard and we needed to practice. I wasn't as disciplined as I should've been but perhaps if I had my life would've taken a whole other route (music & ancient civilisations were my big loves.....still are in fact).

Ergo, today's choice. The Marriage of Figaro Overture by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Undiluted aka rearranged for school students. We played the real deal. I have copies of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd flute parts. Have played them all. I didn't have the piccolo at this point (that would've been around for the Magic Flute the following year). I was 15yrs old/Grade 10 and can remember playing it along with Slavonic Dances by Dvorak.

I hear this piece and immediately my brain goes to playing the notes, mastering the double tonguing technique required, remembering the rests, the different points of starting, harmonies.....

I love playing music. On my wish list of when I have a gazillion dollars I'd love to buy an oboe and learn to play it. In the meantime, I should probably look into getting my flute serviced......

30 Day Song Challenge Day 25 Teens Make Me Laugh

2011-05-04T07:17:00.000+10:00

A song that makes you laugh. A couple came to mind, but one stood out. Sort of Dunno Nothin' by Pete Denahy is a look at the day to day conversations one can attempt to have with a teenager. In particular a teenage boy. I have a teenage son and have had days like this. I don't know about girls, I'm sure they can be just as non-communicative towards parents, family or people who aren't part of their inner sanctum. It's a very Australian song. Aussie language and humour in all areas - the lyrics, the delivery, the settings used. Makes me laugh. Hope you get a smile too.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 24 Humour & funerals make an appearance

2011-05-03T07:30:00.000+10:00

A song you'd like played at your funeral. I've thought of this on occasion and I have two songs I'd like played. Whether it'd happen is another thing entirely.

One song is What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. I first discovered this song via the Robin Williams movie Good Morning Vietnam. It's also the final song at the end of the TV version of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'd have this one played first (as you can get weepy).

My son I'm sure would say the next one is an obvious show of my humour but really it's to tell people to get on with their lives and to celebrate life. The song is Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin, an earworm of a song that came out in the late 80s. Added bonus to the video is Robin Williams making an appearance.

Sure be sad, but what I really want at my funeral is for people to celebrate the act of living and the times they had with me.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 23 Wedding Secrets not revealed

2011-05-02T13:42:00.000+10:00

A song to play at my wedding. However, my wedding is on a schedule for next year. We haven't decided what songs we're going to use yet. Not to mention, my arrival song is going to be a surprise for the groom.

Maybe, after the ceremony next February, I'll do a post about weddings but until then.....I'm going to seal my lips, and take the U.S. fifth and not tell here.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 22 When Chilli is Sad

2011-05-01T12:21:00.000+10:00

A song listened to when sad. Sometimes it depends on the cause of sadness, a passing memory, something that is upsetting at the time, being a witness or participant - it all changes the song choice for me. So, I trawled through all my music lists, listened to a few. Then realised one automatically pops into my head - Otherside by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I'd forgotten how much I liked this video too.

The other time this song makes an appearance is when I do my swimming laps - there's a great rhythm in this song that times perfectly with strokes used in swimming up and down a pool. Swimming however does not make me sad. It relaxes me. So, a multipurpose song really.

I use Red Hot Chili Peppers a lot when I'm writing. The music can help me slide into the zone to a point I've no idea how much time has passed by.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 21 Happy Song with Lions

2011-04-30T19:54:00.000+10:00

Aaaah, Saturday and the hunt for a song I play when I'm happy. Honestly, nothing popped. But one I find cheery and always leaves me feeling chirpy would be The Lion Sleeps Tonight. I always thought it was a traditional song (aka folk song), however, if you're curious click on the song title (just above here) to go to the Wikipedia listing and see the interesting history this song has had on the copyright front.

It's been around awhile but more recent history is an appearance in The Lion King - movie and musical. A great movie that has much sentimentality tied to it as well.

The version I'm linking to today cracks me up with the animation of the hippo and the dog. I love the gestures both facial and body. Enjoy!

Oh, and I can never listen to it just one time.....there's always at least a second....or a third.....

30 Day Song Challenge Day 20 Emotions Begin, Today Anger

2011-04-29T07:37:00.000+10:00

Wow, I've kept with this and find myself in the final 10. For the next few days it's choices tied to emotional states. Today it's anger. Discovered something interesting as I trawled through my playlists. I don't listen to music when angry. Lower levels of that state, frustration, annoyance, aggravated I may listen to some things, but when angry - nothing. Having a very hot temper (that is on a very, very long fuse), when I hit anger it's more about calming down afterwards.

So, with that in mind, I've chosen a song from a playlist I know I use when I've been angry and am looking at finding my balance again. Besides, listen to the lyrics......

30 Day Song Challenge Day 19 - Playing Favourites

2011-04-28T07:40:00.000+10:00

A song from the favourite album. Oh that's not hard. Not hard at all.....yeah, right. I have some albums I've kept for years because they're favourites. I have others that are newer to the collection & I'm thinking they'll become perennial favourites. How does one choose?

Speed of Purple is a band created and led by Sallie Campbell. Yes, Sallie has appeared elsewhere in this list so it's no surprise that she should appear here. I love the sound she creates, and her music choices always leave me inspired. There is a reason why any of her work, no matter where she is, I tend to seek out and enjoy immensely (the fact she is an awesome person is an added bonus). Some of the others Sallie has been tied with have been Tulipan, Deep Blue Orchestra, Kate Miller-Heidke, string quartets & collaborations with many others.

This song is from Beautiful Things and I've chosen Puppet, the opening song to use here. It's one of my favourites but really every song on this album I love and repeatedly listen to.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 18 So Many Choices & the Radio

2011-04-27T08:06:00.000+10:00

Today's choice is about a song I wish I heard on the radio. Sheeesh. What a loaded selection. I know many wonderful and very talented musicians and wish I could hear all of them on the radio (one of the reasons I no longer listen to the radio as much anymore).

Problem this morning was not just picking only one but working out who had the easiest link out so you can hear them do their thing. So, as a result I'm going to list a few that I'd like to hear on the radio....they would be Sunas (though they are getting play with their new CD Celtic Road just released), Speed of Purple, led by a good friend, Sallie Campbell (who is currently very busy with the Deep Blue Orchestra <--- another group I'd love to hear on radio) and Liz Lecoanet who is one very talented vocalist (but her song is not out for public release as far as I know and I can't link anywhere).

So, with all those wonderful people is another fine singer, Wendy Rule. I heard her live last year at one of the house concerts she did (at friend Mil Clayton's place). Wendy's voice is amazing to hear live - hence why I used a live rather than studio version of the song. Really, the cds (& I own nearly all of them) are a cleaner recording but no changing her tone, depth and strength of voice.

Enjoy The Wolf Sky......

30 Day Song Challenge Day 17

2011-04-26T09:02:00.000+10:00

A song heard often on the radio. Hmmm, I don't really listen to the radio that much, and, the one I do listen to isn't focused on music. Doesn't help matters, the one time of day I do have it on (aka the alarm clock) they're going through a retro one hit wonder phase (& therefore I can't remember any of them....plus the fact I'm waking up).

So, I'm going with one I hear/see regularly on the weekend music programs on tv. Plus, I know I've gone into my son's room (who does have a music station as his alarm) & heard this one too. Not to mention it's one I can tolerate reasonably well (hey, I could've picked something really annoying & earworm making).

I still feel sorry for him, lugging his piano around. Times like those, playing the piccolo = win.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 16 or how I've turned on a song

2011-04-25T10:58:00.000+10:00

Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia which is a day of reflection & for once an early start in the household as my son walked in a march representing his school (though they are on holidays, the senior leaders chose to do it). As a result I've been up for a lot longer than usual before posting here on this challenge.

The song to go in search for is one I used to love but now hate. Really, there aren't many in that category. Sure, I was a teenager in the 80s and for that there are a number which hold cringe worthy affection. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to hate them. I put it down to nostalgia for my first loves, and all those 'first' experiences as you grow up.

Kokomo by The Beach Boys was released in 1988 in conjunction with the movie Cocktail, starring a much younger Tom Cruise and Bryan Brown. Personally, I was more enamoured with Bryan over Tom (he never held that huge an appeal for me - I think it's too many teeth in that smile....)

I've tried to give you a whole experience, finding a link that has movie snippets throughout......now go wash your brain out with something.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 15 The Inner Me

2011-04-24T12:34:00.000+10:00

Choose a song that describes yourself. I'd be curious to see what others would pick for me in this category. Doesn't help there are two songs I'd use here. Even had a discussion with the other half on it and we couldn't split them apart.

The one I'm going with the link to is Bitch by Meredith Brooks. I think it really does encapsulate all aspects of myself. We all have light and shadow.

The second option would have been Did It Again by Kylie Minogue. Again a song about light and shadow or perhaps better described the many faceted sides that humans have.

30 Day Song Challenge Day 14 - Surprise Loving, Gaming & Opera

2011-04-23T12:39:00.000+10:00

Now back on track to today's selection - a song no one would expect you to love. This is a fun one to choose - I mean, how do I know what people expect of me? Especially, since music, like my reading is very omnivore-like - pretty much anything goes?

Well, I thought of one. And I loves it. Really do. I think the most amused by my lurve of this one is my son - since it's the end credits to one of his favourite games of all time - Portal (which btw has had the long awaited sequel, Portal 2 was released only a few days ago).

I loves the lyrics, the intent, the style and delivery....*sigh*. I'm also amused to have discovered the singer is a classically trained soprano opera singer, Ellen McLain.

I'd even contemplate it as my wedding arrival song next year but you know, good taste and all that (you have to listen to and know the lyrics)....

Now don't you feel like chocolate cake?

30 Day Song Challenge Day 13 - Guilty Pleasure with bellydancing

2011-04-23T11:53:00.000+10:00

Oops, running late. I blame car trouble, lengthy road trips (four hours one way) and no sleep. Today's choice is a song I find a guilty pleasure. I think it can be interpreted two ways and am taking the view that it may be uncool to like this one type. Who knows with these things.

Shakira's Hips Don't Lie just appeals. I like it without watching the filmclip but the bellydancing she does in the clip also appeals (note to self, get organised and resume classes one day). Also appealing, the trumpet and beats in this song. Time to get hip flicking!

Song Break via way of Playdate

2011-04-21T08:53:00.000+10:00

I have completely lost track of time this year. Today I'm having a playdate over at Kylie Griffin's blog discussing the hows and whys of what I write.

Kylie is a lovely lady who I met via Romance Writers of Australia. She is busy working on her books with Vengeance Born due out in February 2012 (an awesome time to be doing anything in my opinion). You can find out more at her website http://www.kyliegriffin.com/Home.html

I'm looking forward to catching up in person again at the August conference. Much celebrating will be had!

30 Day Song Challenge Day Twelve

2011-04-21T08:14:00.000+10:00

A song from a band you hate. Tough one on the basis that a)really can't think of one at the level of hate and b) why would I play something here if I hate it so much?

Rather I can think of soloists that I intensely dislike - enough to turn off the radio, switch the tv channel or avoid the product (if they've gone & sold the song for advertising). I'm going with one from this pile.

I suspect it's as much a case of overkill AND the fact that the "farewell tour" thing is so overdone it's beyond a joke. Just retire already. Or don't. None of this taking a last bow, on and on and on and on.....

So, if you dare to play it - some John Farnham......

30 Day Song Challenge Day Ten - Why Must I Choose

2011-04-20T09:10:00.000+10:00

A song from your favourite band. Well, right there is a dilemma. I have a couple of favourite bands but went for one that I've known and heard the longest. The Ink Spots. They now fall into the "Nostalgia" section of the music store but I think they had a resurgence in the gaming world thanks to Fallout 3.

My favourite song by them would be 'Taint Nobody's Biz-ness if I Do but can't find a sample. Intead I've gone for one of the more well known ones (Fallout 3, The Simpsons are two I know of who have used it).

Enjoy I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire

Seasons, Sleep & 30 Day Song Challenge Day Ten

2011-04-19T09:18:00.000+10:00

A song that makes you fall asleep. I've chosen a song that helps me fall to sleep rather than one that is so blargh you fall asleep to avoid it.

The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi wins this round. Years ago, when I had trouble sleeping as a kid (it's been an issue for a long time) my mum would play a cassette (yep, technology ruled) of the Four Seasons to help distract my brain as I drifted off to sleep.

The result is each season means something slightly different to me. Depending on which side of the tape we were up to (that fangled technology required these accommodations) meant I either started with Spring or Autumn. So, those were the signals for my brain to start getting to sleep. If I heard Summer or Winter start I knew I was having one of 'those' nights aka taking forever to get to sleep.

Spring and Autumn are such triggers now, that I tend to almost not-hear them. I've gone with an excerpt of Winter as the show'n'tell. Plus I think the link is kinda awesome (I'm a sucker for fancy masques). Enjoy!

30 Day Song Challenge Day Nine - Dance Day

2011-04-18T09:31:00.001+10:00

Today's selection is a song you dance to. Amusing aside, it's Monday and raining. Finding this one and relistening is a good way to start the week too :-)

There's a number of songs that fall into this category but Love Shack is the no brainer.

Love Shack by B52s - it's just got the right beat for bopping along at any level of sobriety. I remember enjoying the video back when a teenager and still find it brings a smile. This song also meets other categories such certain event & know the words.

2011 30 Day Song Challenge Day Eight - Where I'm forgetful

2011-04-17T13:41:00.001+10:00

I've amused myself no end this morning. I'm notorious at not remembering things.....like song lyrics (or even better, mishearing them), or for not singing. Only a precious few have heard the event. Long story why. It just is.

So, I'm thinking, racking my brain, trawling through my various songlists for a song that I know ALL the words to. Sometimes, I'm slow.

It's no secret that I'm a Joss Whedon fan. Being able to Joss this meme has made my day.
I know all the words to all the songs in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Once More With Feeling" aka the Buffy Musical Episode. Then I realised I know all the words also to Dr Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog AND Commentary! The Musical (the commentary that comes along with Dr Horrible dvd)....

Aaaah, I'm spoilt for choice now. Decisions. Decisions. In the end I went with ......"Something to Sing About" - I tend to sing it (even if it's silently in my head) as soon as it starts.

So many choices and picking one very hard to do especially when you add all the Dr Horrible choices into the mix.

30 Day Song Challenge Day Seven

2011-04-16T11:35:00.000+10:00

Certain event + song association = today's choice. Another no brainer for me. It's short and sweet, not to mention one I could use for tomorrow's selection (knowing all the words to). Welcome to Green Day, Time of Your Life

For many, this song may remind them of the end of the TV series Seinfeld but for me, it's my divorce song.

Yup, this came out as I was going through a tumultuous period in my life. The lyrics were, and to this day are, poignant. I have no regrets about my marriage nor our eventual separation and the lyrics reflect my view of our relationship.

I posted the recorded version, but this is a song that also is amazing to hear live versions of, which alas I've yet to do but YouTube is a wonderful place to ~~waste time~~, ~~lose hours~~, er, find things.

2011 30 Day Song Challenge - Day Six

2011-04-15T08:10:00.000+10:00

Oh the relief! Finally, an easy and no-thinking-required choice. Today's selection is Stasia by Tulipan. A group that has since disbanded but through an amusing twist of fate I've become friends with one of the members, Sallie Campbell (via uni and that is another story).

I hear the opening notes of this song and I'm immediately transported back to The Woodford Folk Festival I attended at the turn of the century (1999/2000). It was a huge year for me personally and professionally and with some friends we bought full season passes and pitched our tents.

The finding a link so you can hear it for yourselves is another thing. They were just on the turnaround of the internet music explosion. I couldn't find anything on you tube but found this link and page over on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/tulipan/music/songs/stasia-73534800

So very many memories. It was awesome and all I need to do to bring back the feelings of laying on the hill under the night sky in the amphitheatre is start this song.

2011 30 Day Song Challenge - Day Five

2011-04-14T09:49:00.000+10:00

A song reminding me of someone.

Oi vey! These are getting tougher not easier. In part I have a bad memory and being slightly stubborn, I didn't want to pick something from more recent times. Music has always been a big part of my life. The maternal line of my family like singing (I'm the odd duck and that would be a post for another time). Since my Nana got a mention yesterday, decided today it was my mother's turn.

She has done yoga since I was a teenager - sure it's why she is so (relatively) zen dealing with life. This song was one on a cd she gave me when my son was born. She would sing along with it to him, and sing it without the cd. She loves kirtan, an Indian form of sacred chanting and meditation. This particular song has been done with a choir (and yes, it is long - in part the form of song to achieve a meditative state) but it works.

The interesting thing I found with this song selection was it wasn't so much the song or its lyrics that reminded me of someone, it was the situation/event/memory associated with someone and the song.

Saying that, this one does manage to combine to the two - the person and the memory association.

30 Day Song Challenge Day Four

2011-04-13T13:07:00.000+10:00

I really should get consistent with my subject titles, ah well.

And so we reach the Song that Makes You Sad. It wasn't until I had to choose I realised I don't really have any that make me sad. So, after much thinking and surfing through songs I came to one that the memory and association brings about a melancholic state and if done right, tears can occur.

My sister (who is a trained soprano) sang this in honour of my Nana at her funeral a few years ago. I've always found this song soul reaching but, now if sung by a female it is sure to throw me back to the day of the funeral.

I've chosen Celine Dion from the choices available on You Tube.....I'd much prefer to give you my sister's voice, but she hasn't gotten around to uploading stuff on the interwebz much.

Regardless of where it is in this challenge songlist, I think Ave Maria is a beautiful song and when done right, by instrumental, male or female vocal can move the soul. As a friend of mine also doing the challenge via facebook, has shown by her choosing Ave Maria as song that makes her happy (we are astrologically flip sides of the same coin so it makes sense....I think).

30 Day Song Challenge

2011-04-12T08:13:00.000+10:00

Today it's about making one happy. I noticed that happy comes up again later in the month.

One thing I've realised is a number of songs I enjoy, serve many masters so it's been interesting to work out which one I want to place where. Today is a good example. I could think of a few songs that land in the world of "make you happy" but I want to use them more elsewhere.

Whether I remember this as the days move by is a completely different thing.....

So....without further ado...Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.

There are a number of Python songs I could use here. A close and tied second would be The Lumberjack song and The Philosopher's song.....

2011 30 Day Song Challenge - Day Two

2011-04-11T08:59:00.000+10:00

Today is Least Favourite Song.

I'm fairly tolerant of a lot of styles but it was a close call between these two songs. I'm only going to inflict one here - to spare brain cells and earworms.

Chain Reaction by Diana Ross & She Drives Me Crazy by Fine Young Cannibals are the unfortunate winners of this category. Both of them still to this day have me mute or change the channel on tv or radio.

The fact that both of these songs come from my teen years and I still to this day I switch them off says possibly as much about radio/tv overkill on playing them as much as the songs themselves.

Enjoy isn't the word to use. Tomorrow should be something better......

30 Day Song Challenge

2011-04-10T17:46:00.000+10:00

So. I've finally succumbed to a music meme. It was bound to happen. I've played music since primary school & I suspect if I'd been able to talk myself into the idea of a touring and itinerant lifestyle I would've pursued music as a career choice.

Music was one of those crossroad major decisions one makes in life. Thanks to the school system at 15 I had to choose between music and ancient history. Ancient history won as I was able to continue instrumental music until I finished school.

Given I ended up with a double major in ancient civilisations for my first degree it was the right way to go. Not least as I never did convince myself of a wanting musician lifestyle - and to this day I see a live production of something I always want to be down in the pit with the musos (not on stage with the performers).

So, without further ado - here is day 1 of the meme.

Your favourite song. I went with the Elvis version of Suspicious Minds. I also enjoy the Pet Shop Boys version (& suspect if I heard, or more importantly, remembered others I'd like them too).

2011 Reading Challenges

2011-01-06T10:31:00.000+10:00

After the toe-dabbling in 2010 with reading challenges, I’ve decided to once again take some up.

However, this year I want to take up some new and shiny challenges. I’m a reading omnivore, there isn’t much I won’t at least try to read. Finishing may be another question (I’m looking at you Russian authors and Jane Austen) but committing to starting. Well, that would be a good resolution to put out in the interwebs.

The first one is Stephen King. I have ‘On Writing ‘somewhere handy most of the time but other than an occasional novella, I’ve never really delved. As a result I'm taking the option to read six in a year.

Associated with Stephen King, would be the Horror & Urban Fantasy challenge. It's an interesting one this as both terms can create wide variations of what is defined as Horror or Urban Fantasy. I'll be surprised if I don't make the twenty-four reads.

The final challenge I’m taking is one that will force me to double-check the genre I’m reading. I already read in mystery and suspense topic, but again they tend to have the paranormal, speculative fiction bent. I’m hoping by having this number to achieve I’ll expand my author list (plus I think I can now sneak in my J.D. Robb glomming I've been undertaking too). Twelve is most definitely a manageable number too.

Of course keeping a list is also a handy way of looking back in a year’s time and see that I haven’t been faffing around the house too much.

Technology & Book Challenges

2010-12-27T19:37:00.000+10:00

Technology. Such a double edged sword in this day and age. I thought I’d had my moment of technological difficulties back in February. Alas, no. My computer decided to end the year with some hiccups.

So, once again I’ve been forced offline or reduced to hijacking a computer from a family member. Least this time I had some peace of mind knowing backs up were regular. The problem is fixed, but for how long. Well, how long is a piece of string?

Then, I finally get my computer back – Yay! To only have our household succumb to the storm season. Brisbane is a sub-tropical climate & though summer has been very slow to start, the tropical thunderstorms we’ve had have hit way above their weight. The whole household went offline. This was only finally rectified by Christmas Eve.

So, I’m tentatively saying out loud that I appear to be back in the electronic saddle & wading through the inbox of email, blog feeds, google reader etc.

Over the coming few weeks I’m looking at how I’m going to incorporate my blog with other aspects of my online life.

As well, deciding which Book Chick City challenges I’ll undertake in 2011. The ones I’ve done this year have been great for keeping me on track to read (& take note of what I have been reading). I’ve met the speculative fiction one, well & truly.

The library challenge run here, not so much. Though I am mostly happy how many books I’ve borrowed (as I’m aware that due to the busy-ness of the year meant not as much reading as I’d like).

Dark Side Down Under

2010-10-27T15:26:00.000+10:00

Time is flying. I’m certain this year someone, somewhere, wound up the clock to see how humanity copes with the speed. I’ve essentially been recovering from all the trips taken, cons attended & workshops undertaken. As well as absorbing all of those experiences.

Something else that has been stirring is the creation of the Dark Side DownUnder blog. Eleni Konstantine & Keri Arthur have been the masterminds behind this outing of the RWA Australia Paranormal group.

We’re being let loose on the world…on Halloween no less. The group has on many occasions been a wonderful place of support and encouragement (as well as a place to discuss essential topics like who is the hotter Dean or Sam).

The Joss Whedon Post

2010-09-01T11:25:00.000+10:00

The next few blog posts are going to be out of order. Between being ill and flying all over the place (literally) I’ve not had time to sit down and view a computer screen. However, one thing I do want to post about is the experience I’ve just had, attending Joss Whedon at the Opera House. I was hoping for awesomeness. Awesome is an understatement.

I’m one among many who find Joss their hero and inspiration. He has been behind many projects. The most well known would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Those in the know also revere Firefly (& the movie Serenity). His more recent shows have been Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog and Dollhouse. As he mentioned on Sunday, it’s a cult (& an awesome cult at that).

The talk on Sunday was hosted by comedian Wil Anderson (recently of The Gruen Transfer & Gruen Nation) who as a fan ‘got it’. The afternoon ran as follows. Joss talks, Wil & Joss chat, Q&A with audience. In the end it ran about 20ish minutes overtime though I’m sure the audience would’ve happily stayed much longer. I know I certainly would have.

Joss mentioned he was switching his format as a result of other experiences including the recent Melbourne talk. So, he started to talk about essentially ‘why’. The why he writes/does what he does. He did it in the context of his shows and how a ‘small adolescent girl with superpowers’ is a recurring character for him. He explained how this works for him – what he is doing when he does this. He calls it going to The Dark Place. You need to capitalise it with the way he says it and as a writer it resonated. Deeply. He did admit that not all writers have this (though I think admitted or not, it happens) but it is what he needs to do. Essentially, it is that place that terrifies the bejeebus out of you but as a creative person you know that is exactly where you have to go.

The Q&A portion of the session brought up a variety of topics. Specifics for shows (Firefly, Goners, The Avengers, and Dr Horrible being the main ones), the writing/creative process and a few very heartfelt thank-yous for what he’s done.

There were a lot of other things discussed and I even managed to write a few handwritten notes (by the light of my phone) which I’m sure will be referenced in future posts.

I’ve really only skimmed what was talked about – if I went into minute details this post would be a novel in itself (& really I have my own stories to tell). I have to go delve into my own Dark Place now…before I head off to AussieCon4 on Friday.

If you’re interested in some of what was talked about, go here for an interview done straight afterwards for Triple J and also read Mel Scott’s Crossed Wires for her wrap of the Melbourne talk.

Romans and Druids at Christina Phillips Blog Party.....Forbidden

2010-08-27T09:13:00.002+10:00

Life has been hectic and is not slowing down for another few weeks. Show’n’tell posts will be forthcoming about what I have been and am getting up to (2 cons & one fangirl trip). The short version is the annual RWA conference, AussieCon4, and Joss Whedon at the Opera House.

Once I work out how to get photos from my iPhone to the computer I'll post some pics from the recent Romance Writers of Australia annual conference. While there, I was able to meet in person many friends made online which was fantastic.

I've made many writer friends over the years and haven't been able to work out the how/when/technology to share in their launches/releases (other than attending their blogs, or in person launches). Christina Phillips has the honour of being my first "go look and see".

To help celebrate the release of Forbidden, Christina Phillips's debut Roman/Druid Ancient Historical Romance from Berkley Heat, she's holding a launch party with lots of amazing authors and fabulous giveaways! In addition, Christina's giving away a signed copy of Forbidden to one lucky person who helps spread the love. All you have to do is mention the party (you can copy and paste this blurb), being held from 1st to 6th September at http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com.

You can Tweet about it, blog, Facebook, MySpace or anything! And then drop her an email at ChristinapPh @ gmail dot com (no spaces) to let her know. Please put Forbidden Launch Party (or something similar) in the subject line. The winner will be drawn for that on Monday 6th September.

Blogging & online life

2010-08-03T17:54:00.000+10:00

Developing a blog is an interesting experience. I’ve enjoyed online life for over ten years and yet it’s only a little over a year since I decided to start blogging.

I can remember posting until the wee hours of the morning many nights for years on message boards discussing Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and when they started Angel and Firefly. Yes, I’m a Joss Whedon fan. It took those shows for me to explore the whole world of forums, message boards and the online world in general. Have made some awesome friends from the experiences. In fact it was on a dare to write something for an online friend who noticed way before me that perhaps I was a storyteller. I told her I’d last 6 sentences. Instead I was looking for an ending 16,000 words and original characters later. I was wrong and bam the beginning of my passion for writing flared brighter than a bonfire.

Yet, blogging is something I am only beginning to embrace and I’ve been trying to understand why it is one of the last aspects of the internet I’ve utilised. Driving home after visiting a friend (yes, visiting people in real life is still something people do even with the digital avalanche) I understand what it is. Interactivity. With message boards, Yahoo messenger, MSN, ICQ, Facebook, Twitter, emails, MySpace etc the level of interactivity is much higher and direct. Not surprising how social networking has taken off. It’s quick and immediate. Message boards can be busy and quiet, with notes being followed at the reader’s request.

Blogging feels personal. Private. I write a journal and have done so ever since I can remember (the fact I didn’t tie this to any side of my once-repressed writer is another matter). I find blogging a little like journaling and working out what I want to ‘put out there’ and what is going to stay private has been a new juggling act.

I’ve had these thoughts about facebook and twitter too. I watch and follow some very successful writers, actors and musicians and wonder how they feel juggling the private and the public. Once it’s out in the interwebs it’s there. Doesn’t matter if you take it down, somewhere out there your words are recorded.

Twitter is being catalogued in Library of Congress, which amuses me no end. Imagine it, a millennium from now, someone reading the archival material (assuming they retain the technology to read said material) and wondering why it was kept. As a classics student, years ago (and even today) I wish I had access to the general day-day chatter, styles and mores of an era. Cicero is wonderful to learn Latin, but really he can be very dry. Assumptions about the why behind reasons create much scholarly debate. Will that be our culture in a thousand years?

Winter Hibernation

2010-07-24T09:01:00.001+10:00

*blows dust off the blog*

So, the monthly blogging fell by the wayside. Life happens. Teaching is tiring. It can also be a wonderful experience filled with lots of good moments but for me, it is draining to the point of exhaustion. I’ve always known this but never really understood why. My other half pointed out something that I’ve known, but never truly thought through to the logical ending. I’m partially deaf. Always have been. Since birth (though not picked up until kindergarten where it was thought I may be a) have an attitude problem or b) be deaf. No doctor has ever worked out why. The best I managed to find was an explanation when working at the university and talking to a PhD student developing hearing aid technology. His explanation gave me an understanding of why when I’m tired you could be speaking Icelandic to me and I’d understand you just as well as if you were speaking English. How does this tie into teaching? Well, teachers need to listen. As in hearing listen not that “Active Listening” stuff you are taught to do to show understanding and getting along better with fellow humanity. So, teaching for six hours a day = six hours of concerted effort in the act of listening. No wonder I am exhausted on those days to the point of wanting to sleep about half-an-hour after I’m home.

It also meant, the longer the teaching went on, the more exhausted I became. Which meant life moved to prioritising Must Do/Essential Life Stuff. I wish I could say I kept writing a lot. Over the duration of the contract I managed around 5,000 words. Sounds like a lot until the context of 5,000 would be about ten days worth of work usually.

I’m still recovering. I knew July was going to be “downtime” month when I agreed to the gig (which by the way didn’t end until the end of June). I need to rebuild my energy up for “conference season”.

In three weeks time I’ll be at the annual RWA Australia conference. Really looking forward to it. Love meeting and talking writing. Dressing up – both in costume and for the gala night. Good times. Then a fortnight after that I’m dropping into Aussiecon4, the annual science fiction world convention. The original plan was for myself, the other half and the teen to all attend the entire con. However, it is not a good time in the school calendar (especially for a teenager reaching the pointy end of schooling & doing subjects at advanced speed).So, instead, the other half is going for the entire duration, the teen is staying home and I’ll go down on the Friday evening (once The Teen is at his father’s) and come home Sunday night.

As I said at the beginning, Life Happens.

The Infernal

2010-04-22T19:14:00.001+10:00

Wow, two posts in a month. Could be making up for the lack of March madness, er, I mean musings. The Infernal has a special place in my writing journey. In part the book itself and in part the author. I came across The Infernal in what feels like a million years ago but was in reality 1997 or 1998 while working in a university library. I was putting new titles onto the shelves for students and The Infernal was amongst them.

The original cover grabbed my attention as did the title and I decided to borrow it (alas, I cannot find the relevant cover anywhere to show’n’tell). To this day it is one of the very few (& I mean VERY few) books where I can still recall images created by the words (Kim, if you read this, I now have a morbid fear of pine trees). Kim is one of a very small handful of writers where I will automatically buy their books.

When I first decided I was going to attempt to write my first story (after the passion to write was inflamed on a dare by some o/s friends) I was trapped by research. Having a degree in ancient civilizations meant I’d spent many hours delving deeply into knowledge of topics. I was fairly sure that fictional books didn’t quite need the depth in knowledge but I was unsure (of a lot of things). I came across two authors in an anthology, Mystery, Magic, Voodoo and the Holy Grail, Kim Wilkins and Louise Cusack.

Little did I know the impact this would have on me. Very nervously I sent off an email to each of them basically asking for their opinions about research and fantasy and fiction writing. I had no idea if either of them would read the email let alone reply. Imagine my shock when BOTH of them had replied within a week of my sending the query. I was completely speechless, gob smacked, in awe (you get the idea). Plus the information they gave was (of course) very useful.

Fast forward to the present day. I’ve now have had two wonderful year-long workshop stints with Kim (through the Qld Writers Centre). Louise gently nudged me to join the Vision Writers group and is still an ongoing mentor, keeping me on the track of my writing path (making sure I don’t fall off it) to this day.

So, The Infernal holds a special place. If it wasn’t for the fact Kim scared the living daylights out of me with her visual imagery I wouldn’t have come across the anthology. If I hadn’t come across the anthology I would never have contacted either Kim or Louise. I don’t even want to say how my life would’ve unfolded (though I’m sure writing would’ve reared its head regardless of what I chose). I say my life, rather than my writing life as it has been through my writing life that I have now made a wonderful circle of (in some cases, very close) friends. Not to mention my fiancée.

Now, Ticonderoga Publications is doing a special limited edition release of Kim’s first book. Isn’t the cover pretty? I love the tone, hues and scripts chosen. There will only be 100 created. I should drop hints to my other half. I’d certainly struggle to justify indulging in such a beautiful copy. Go here to place an order.

Time Vortex

2010-04-18T17:27:00.000+10:00

I seem to have fallen into one this year. So much for the year being quiet. I really should know better by now. I did have a quite relevant reason for missing March online. During the mad preparations that was the Emerald deadline my laptop died. Died as in replacing the hard drive. Luckily for me, the m/s was in email land waiting for my reader/edit . One thing it did teach me, I must really want to pursue this writing thing. I could’ve quit. I could have in the tears and swearing, sometimes simultaneously quit. Stopped. Walked away. I didn’t.

The computer going kaplooey did throw a spanner in the works of my life. It didn’t help the computer was physically away for some time and when it did come home it wasn’t right. It still isn’t completely there but at least now I’m not so gun-shy of coming back online. My Google reader was approaching scary proportions with many still to be caught up on.
I’ve been amazed at how online many lives have become. Not just for writing but also socially and professionally. I had HR, pay office and all manner of things caught in emails I could not access (until recovery had occurred).

This brings me to the other reason for my absence online, or rather, my minimalist approach to online time. I have taken on an extra contract. I have no idea why given my plan this year was to write two books and get much more serious about sending the stories out into the world (I’ve whittled it down to one book to be written now). Life happens. So I’m now back in an adult classroom as well as my usual factory playground for work.

Making me organised is the way I’m seeing it. I’ll be this way until the end of June (or until the teacher I’m replacing returns, which I’m guessing will be early). Just in time for my event planning to take place.

So April is past the half way point. Least living in Australia I don’t have to worry about my taxes (that would be September for me) but juggling work x 2, engagement/birthday event planning, family and oh yeah, writing is keeping me out of any kind of mischief.

Til next month. Ciao.

What a week it has been. Wow!

2010-02-12T14:37:00.000+10:00

I'll say it again. Wow. What a week it has been.

Saw my mentor the very lovely Louise Cusack a fortnight ago to sit down with a mind to layout the 2010 writing plan. Having finished my edits on Firewalker I was umming about what next. I have six ideas that perpetually play around in my head and figured a break (for awhile) from the Elemental Worlds was a good idea. Louise agreed and without further ado, I began researching, mulling and forming ideas for a book from the kernel of an idea. The goal was to start the dirty/zero draft beginning of March. The goal is still there, however it may now be slightly delayed.

On Wednesday morning I opened my emails and discovered I had made it into the 2^nd round for the RWA Australia Emerald award. I was floored. Completely gobsmacked, speechless and stunned. I stayed like that for most of the day. I think writing this post it is only beginning to sink in as I realise I now have until the 17^th to get Firewalker scrubbed and polished and sent back out again.

It was the first time I truly felt like I may be doing something, albeit small right. My goal for 2009 was to write and edit and submit a book to the Emerald. Purely for the feedback it offered after the first round (I actually had to go look up what happens next on Wednesday much to my partner’s amusement). Making it to the 2nd round had not really been on my radar. The warmth and support given by members of RWA has been amazing and I am truly humbled by it all.

So, Firewalker is back in front of me and I’m madly getting it ready for my two readers. Then it will be a life of red frogs, coffee and no sleep as I absorb their feedback and embrace the art of polishing (it's a challenge even in my housework lists). This was the plan for Firewalker – only to be done in two months time. My pushy salamanders, mermaids and elementals are making themselves heard.

Congratulations to the other wonderful ladies who have made the 2^nd round with me. I know we are all now heads down not coming up for breath except for occasional feeding.

Reading Challenge Specifics

2010-01-31T12:27:00.000+10:00

For those of you interested in the how-to of the challenges here are the details below.

For the library challenge go over J. Kaye's Book Blog to sign up.

I've decided to aim for the Stepping It Up level (75 books). Given the amount of research and reading I do I think I should get there. Be interesting to see.

For the spec fic challenge I'm going for the highest level - Obsessed. Given the majority of books on my TBR pile fall into this category I'd be surprised if I did not make this one.

Reading into the New Year

2010-01-31T12:19:00.000+10:00

Wow. The first month of a new year has nearly passed me by. January always feels like that. One minute you’re looking at a calendar full of new shiny opportunities, next minute you’re wondering where in heck January went. For me it is summer, maybe that’s part of it. Like August in the northern hemisphere, January here is the month where lengthy school vacations occur (school in the process of resuming depending on which state one is in), everyone runs away for holidays/vacations and makes resolutions which most of the time don’t last past the first couple of weeks.

For me, New Year more often than not occurs around the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21/22). I feel a build up of energy and wonder what will be around the corner. By the time January 1 finally occurs, I’m already thinking of the year to come.

So, what is 2010 going to bring. Changes. A lot of them. They’ve already started happening and some I’ll post about. Another thing I’ve decided to do, in the interest of my online life is to commit to some reading challenges (if I ever work out how to set them up here). I’m always reading. My current TBR pile by the bed is hovering around the 75+ book mark (it’s down from about 90ish).

Without further ado these are the challenges I’m committing to as a reader for 2010.

The first is the Speculative Fiction Challenge. So much of what I read can be stored under this umbrella. I’m going with “Obsessed” . I found this one through Eleni’s Library (thanks Eleni).

The second reading challenge I’ve chosen is the Library one. I borrow a lot of books and make my librarians work hard. I don’t always use fiction and am curious to see the record grow over the coming year. This one I found through SuziLove & Eleni – thanks ladies….I think!

I’ve also set myself the challenge to aim for a blog post a month. That shouldn’t be too difficult….she says on the last day of January J

October Biting

2009-10-30T08:28:00.001+10:00

This whole blogging thing has taken awhile to get my head around, as can be seen by how long between posts. There were also a couple of crazy-busy months thrown into the issue as well. The idea of starting a blog at a busy time, not necessarily a wise one.

It’s given me time to think do I want to keep it going or not? The answer is yes. I enjoy following other blogs, personal and professional ones (my Google reader gets very long very quickly if I fall off the cyber-wagon) and I’ve watched and learned from them. Even as I’ve broken my own rule of being consistent with a minimum amount of posts I find myself thinking of various ideas and things to discuss.

Today I went public over on the RWA Australia blog doing a Blog Bites with Anita Joy. I agreed awhile back and it has taken me some time getting to it. It’s fun to do and I enjoyed answering the questions. I’m definitely feeling my way with what I’m comfortable with in the online world. Sure, I have a Facebook, Myspace and Twitter account, but was I ready to commit myself to a blog or website? I figure a blog is a baby step to this answer. A website? No, not yet.

Must be something about doing the 50K in 30 days that appeals to my inner blogger. I’ve signed up, for the first time, to NaNoWriMo aka November madness. I’ve ummed and aaahed over doing it for years and this year after my June experience have jumped on in. The idea is to write a book in a month, or at least a partial book.

This time around my mermaid, T’Alinth is finally getting her say. She has been with me since this whole writing journey started. I think she was one of the first characters that would not leave me alone (she is such a pushy, petulant little thing). It has been her that propelled me over the edge into the writing world when I was too nervous to be around other writers (that is a whole other post).

As I write her story, I will continue to revise and polish FireWalker, the book I wrote back in June. It’s going to be a busy and very much writing focused month (but why do I think being busy a month before the craziness that is December is beyond me). Since writing takes centre stage (instead of being overseas, attending conferences) so will Luna Quirks.

Storytelling

2009-06-11T17:41:00.001+10:00

The plan was to blog weekly and already I've veered away from the plan. There is a good reason for it. I’ve been busy. Finishing the draft for FireWalker. Yay!

I made the deadline, with a couple of days to spare, being prepared for the meeting tomorrow with my mentor. For a day or two in there, I thought I wasn’t going to make it. Going away for the long weekend made it dodgy. I surprised myself and wrote while away. Only had one day off last week and that was due to the 6 hour drive on the back of a lack of sleep the night prior.

My tally for the first week for the RWA NaNoWriMo was about the 16,000 mark. I knew it would be high and this week balances that with only about 9,000ish. There are still days left so we’ll see. The tally I set includes playing with a novella. I’ve yet to decide which one I want to play with. So many ideas, only so many hours in a day.

I was very fortunate to be one of the guinea pigs for the now very popular and successful Year of the Edit series of workshops run by the Qld Writer’s Centre. We had the very talented Kim Wilkins as our tutor. I’m pulling on my notes from that year to work on the scene map and commencing the structural edit for this book. I know a lot of people would say it needs to be ‘frozen’/placed in the drawer etc for a bit but I’ve discovered I’m an odd duck. Well, I already knew that but as I discussed the story with my partner, (who also write) he was amused to see how I really do not have any memory of writing some of my scenes. Even ones with my favourite characters are forgotten about. It means as I edit I am reading my story with a ‘first time’ overview. To edit a story detached and methodical are two words that are heard over and over and well, over again.

It leads credence to my theory I am first and foremost a storyteller. If I had lived a few hundred years ago, I would have been quite happy being a travelling bard, telling the stories, slightly different each time. Possibly, I may have had to be male as well, but that is another post for another time. Now in this day and age, stories, to a degree, need to become a static document, captured in time for repeated reading pleasure. It will be interesting to see how detached I will be as in the past my modus operandi was to abandon the baby aka story altogether. It was told, out of my head why would I want to look back at it?

Committed to June

2009-06-02T17:24:00.002+10:00

June is a busy month at the best of times. There are multiple birthdays to remember – some even landing on the same day. This year June also means a month out from my trip to New York visiting my sister. So, why did I think finishing the manuscript by mid-June was a feasible and workable idea? I have no idea. I don’t think any vodka was involved in the decision making process either.

Once I finish the verbal stoush that is occurring in the current scene I will have made it to the beginning of the end of the book. Yay! Though the thought of reaching the end fills me with as much angst as any other section of the book. It happened in the last book I wrote too. I become caught in a state of stasis, unable to move forward or backward. I wonder if I’ll ever write again? If the story will work?

So we come to why I’ve committed myself to the 50k in 30 days challenge. Though in my case I chose 30k in 30 days. I like repeating numbers and also, the book should be ending in about 20,000 words. But having the commitment and guilt to achieve this being answerable to other real human beings…well, that ensures that FireWalker will be done. The wonderful discovery is that the real humans I am interacting with are a very supportive, wonderful bunch of people. I’m sure June (and the word tally) is going to fly on by.

Finishing under my tally means there will be 10,000 words to play with in another world arena that has been brewing for years too. Yes, you read right. Both worlds I am/wish to play in have been in my head for awhile. In some cases, the characters have been living in my head for nearly a decade. Even if they fill my brain to overcrowded levels, many have become like those comfortable old, fluffy slippers you can’t bear to throw away.

Breaking the Cherry.

2009-05-31T14:47:00.003+10:00

It had to happen. I figured it was time I came into the digital world rather than commenting on many other blogs, I should actually commit to one of my own.

As an aspiring writer and as a member of RWA I've committed myself to the June NaNoWriMo challenge. The goal is 30,000 for the month. Oh, and this week is also the RWA BIAW too. That one, I'm only committed to 8,000. Seems quite small next to the number with an extra zero.

The book I'm working on has a tight deadline and nothing works better than being held accountable to others for getting work done. The book has to be done well before the June 30 deadline - though there will be no tax returns required shortly thereafter. If I'm feeling so inclined (not to mention having some word count up my sleeve) I may well play in another couple of worlds that have been cooking in the primordial ooze for quite some time.

So how come this blog? Well, as I'm committed already why not add one more experiment into the mix. We'll see what happens.