Thanks Mr Gutenberg

mid 2010

2010-07-24T21:29:00.001+10:00

i did not get to the end of this book, i was struggling with the next one down and then the flu arrived.

2010-07-24T21:27:00.000+10:00

i really enjoyed this book but didn't get to the end due to the onset of flu

early 2010

2010-07-24T21:26:00.000+10:00

a great book. i gave my son a copy

late 2009 into 2010 (i think)

2010-07-24T20:37:00.003+10:00

the last books of 2009

2009-12-29T10:22:00.004+10:00

once again, only half the book had to be read, as the author retells us somuch, in case we are reading her book as a 'stand alone'. The rest had it's own charm

could not get into this, it was ghastly.

I c

this was too heavy for me given deaths of 2 friends. Maybe later

loved, loved this book. Quirky and charming. Great zing at the end.

loved the TV show, so I bought the book.

2009-10-23T09:32:00.005+10:00

Australia knows him as the cravat-wearing critic and hulking soulful judge on TV's crazily successful MasterChef Australia but it's his writing that has had the food world talking for the last ten years.

Here are all his best stories and columns. A collection of Matt's irreverent, intelligent, and amusing adventures in food.

This book will take you from the best restaurants in the world to grungy hole in the walls on the wrong side of town; from the ritual of a traditional pig annual kill to lunch at a Sikh temple in the suburbs; basically wherever the world's best food can be found. more at Random House

* * *

rather than an over indulgent meal I am finding this to be a delightful endless buffet. I can rest between courses, yet return to fresh and delightful fare.

2009-09-12T21:45:00.003+10:00

I thought I would try and get this read before I see the film. Might be a tough call...though I have a fair bit of plane travel coming up, so maybe.

Reading Now

2009-09-12T21:38:00.002+10:00

I'd have to say the first 2/3 pages annoyed me, but now I am enjoying this. I have read several books about the conflict between the House of York and the House of Lancaster and find the era most fascinating,

Paullina Simons News

2009-08-28T15:45:00.002+10:00

As ever Marg over at Reading Adventures has the hot off the press news.

Sadly, I did not enjoy Paullina Simons last work. so I might wait for Marg's review.

I did, however enjoy meeting the author, and also basked in the compliment

she gave me re the bag I carried that night.

my writing.

2009-08-27T13:22:00.002+10:00

After a slow grieving life begins anew.

Slowly, but surely, I notice my mind, and heart, turning back to my writing.

My mother was a great supporter of my efforts and I do hope to get back to it soon.

A Book Blogger Appreciation Week Meme

2009-08-27T13:10:00.004+10:00

I was not part of BBAW last year. So here I am addressing the questions for newbies.

1. Highlight for me this year while Blogging has been the support as I grieved through the death of my mother. Blogger-Friends have been wonderful.

2. Which Book Blogger has helped me most? That would be Marg from Reading Adventures. Inspiration has come from her and many others. My reader is stuffed full...

3. What one question of the BBAW 08 ers? How do you fit in reading ALL those books?

Good Luck to all who have been nominated.

Middlemarch

2009-08-27T13:02:00.002+10:00

This is a somewhat difficult book to read. I am progressing, albeit slowly.

I find the sudden narrator speaking up rather jarring.

I don't mind the Greek Chorus style insights and wisdoms,

however the owner of 'I' is not calrafied.

The characters are drawn nicely, comprehensivly.

now reading

2009-08-14T20:19:00.001+10:00

2009-07-29T23:14:00.004+10:00

up to page 15 in this so far. And very yummy it is too.

...lost the feeling of it 1/3 through, might be due to severe bout of flu.

2009-07-29T22:53:00.004+10:00

'Emma' by Jane Austen

I love the movie of this work, starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

Reading the book was a richer experience, and again, reading the introduction after completing the work. Also the end notes were fascinating.

I found the work bright and delightful comedy of errors.

The contrast with Jane Eyre which I recently read...see below...is marked, however it does not show either lady in a lessor light.

The lessons of life are there to be learned, and learn them they do.

'The real evils indeed of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself...'

Perhaps it is more of a challenge to acquire self-lessness etc at Hartfield rather than Thornfield Manor.

Emma & Knightly

2009-07-05T11:30:00.005+10:00

I am about 80 pages into this not badly done spin off. The tone and ambience seem to be true to the original work by Jane Austen. So far though, the story line is somewhat lightweight. However after a some, dare I say Google research & reading of Emma analysis, I see this is how it ought to be. For Emma is an over indulged, rich young lady with too much time on her hands and not enough mental stimulation. Everyone seems to be having trouble remembering she is now married, thus is forever greeted as Miss Woodhouse. I don't think this helps her, nor the fact that she and Knightly live in her father's home. Though I understand why.

Hopefully something will occur that will allow Emma to grow up and reveal the mature and wise woman I suspect is inside.

It will be too bad if it does not. Indeed it shall.

(NB Emma reminds me a little of that other spoilt rich daughter, Scarlett)

Darcy's Passions

2009-07-05T10:17:00.004+10:00

O-kay this story is good, but as to the the writing...

Yes the story, or rather the concept is good. But the agonies of the writing have to be endured to be believed. Let me save you the struggle.

Just how many times can "flashng eyes" be mentioned before we must inwardly groan. And always in inverted comma's or "speech marks" as they are so often referrred to the theses days. But mostly no one was speaking.

Perhaps the author meant flashing eyes, or even flashing eyes ..when flashing eyes would have done or just plain eyes. Or someting else...I did however also become fed up with the references to the lavender fragrence Lizzy preferred.

How much shorter and more effective this book would have been if Mr Darcy struggled only once - well alright, twice, but not over and over. - to resist the eyes of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Only to fail and then try again, and again and again. Was not Mr Darcy a man of unusally strong self discipline?

Who amongst you can Ever imagine Mr Darcy saying to Miss Elizabeth (but speaking to his sister)

'I bet Miss Elizabeth has a book with her...'

and

rejocing in the 'fall'?

Hello?

Pride and Prejudice is a quintessential ENGLISH novel. Set in England...so that would be Autumn. Would it not?

Rating: You have been warned: 2**

finally let's not even discuss the book cover: words fail me.

Jane Eyre

2009-07-05T09:30:00.002+10:00

I read this and was amazed how much more there is to get from it when (re) reading as an adult.

I was reading for a book group - and the assignment was to not read it as a romance, rather to read with a view to understanding the challenges Jane Eyre faced; and overcame.

To grasp how she did so, and to learn what we could in terms of personal insight, hopefully to acquire wisdom. Thus the text became compelling and even more personalised.

In this particular edition there is comprehensive analysis of the text. I mostly skpped this until I finished reading the story. At end of the text is printed many of the reviews of the day; they make most interesting reading.

Finally there are pages and peages of end notes. Cross references to other texts and influences in the life of Charlotte Bronte.

I had read with a marker pen in hand and now as I read the end notes I was amazed to find how many of the references I had been able to recognise.

This gave me a great insight to the life of Charlotte Bronte, and to her musings, possible aspirations, and influences. Even empathy.

All and all an amazing experience, one that I could not have fortold.

I plan to re read in 2 years time.

Rating: 5+ *****

2009-05-30T11:17:00.001+10:00

just started reading this: the book PM Kevin Rudd gave to President Barack Obama a known Lincolnite.

2009-05-30T11:13:00.003+10:00

part 3 by Bernard Cornwall

almost finished part 4

Currently reading...

2009-05-02T19:07:00.005+10:00

Part one of the 'Starbuck: US Civil War Series'

waiting in my TBR Basket

Part 2

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

2009-03-12T20:27:00.003+10:00

as we read...the mysterious land of modern India unfolds before our eyes.

The culture and customs, the beautiful and the not so beauiful.

For me the first half or so of this book was riveting and unique.

The 2nd half could have been anywhere in the world.

Interesting to see the sub continent through another Australian's eyes.

To have familar points of reference along the way.

The characters are fascinating. The world of Linbaba foreign and dangerous.

The insights remarkable.

The writing, evocative.

'I clenched my teeth against the stars. I closed my eyes. I surrendered to sleep. One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorow. But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. Some truths about yourself are so painful that only shame can help you live with them. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you' (italics added)

visit the website here

the movie

forum

Update

2008-09-01T12:23:00.004+10:00

About 18 months have passed while I cared for supported, and generally assisted my mother, a labor of love for us both.

Not a labour at all really; it was a priviledge.
We drew very close and spent her last weeks wisely.

This blog needs updating and I will be doing that shortly.

read the exciting post below....

The Big Step

2008-09-01T11:50:00.003+10:00

although you may continue to visit this blog direct

if you

CLICK HERE

you will arrive at my new domain,
where you can find all my blogs, and more
in one place.

Ask me how I came to have my own domain...
Who was my designer?

Update

2008-04-24T11:02:00.002+10:00

I haven't been here for a while - given the passing of my mother.

I have just finished reading Ken Follet's 'The Pillars of the Earth'.

I didn't really enjoy it - though I was lured to it by hearing the author speak.

The building of the Cathedral was interesting, however the on going battle between
good and evil, represented by various persons, became predictable. Not to mention tedious.

The bad guys were so incredibly dense that they never recognised that they would be out

manoeuvred by Father Phillip every single time.

2008-03-15T14:01:00.000+10:00

Im reading agian

December 07 Airport Purchase

2008-01-01T11:59:00.001+10:00

I have only read a few pages of this Pulitzer winning book
by Australian Author Geraldine Brooks, who now lives at Martha's Vineyard.

The new year has begun so it will have to go on to my TBR shelf for later.
2008 is a writing year for me.

FINISHED

2008-01-01T11:48:00.000+10:00

I have managed to finish reading Paullina Simons 'Road to Paradise'. Not before my midnight but hey it was still 2007 in the northern hemisphere!

Bit let down by the book, not her best, I feel.

I will go to her website to see what others have felt.

Had concerns re political agenda. To me, has no place in literature.

Reading for Christmas

2007-12-17T12:58:00.000+10:00

I have 3 easy reads due to be collected from the library and I will finish them before the end of the year, at which time I will cease reading fiction for a year while I continue to work on my WIP again.

In case I don't catch up with all of you before -
Merry Christmas, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays...
pick which fits your circumstances.

Thanks for you on going support and great reads on your BLOGS!

Remember:
WE ARE GOING TO BE GREAT IN 2008!

Books I have not finished reading

2007-12-17T12:47:00.001+10:00

These have to go back to the Library..I will finish them later...
Above:
'Arthur Boyd A Life' by Darleen Bungey - I am reading this as I wrote to the artist and he wrote back with encourgment and support.
'Vroom By the Sea' by Peter Moore. An Aussie writers adventures in Italy with a Vespa scooter..I was going to the Book signing but ran out of time.
'The Atonement'...by Ian McEwan, now to be released as a movie - I found the premise fascinating.
'The Archivest' by Martha Cooley (who in this instance writes from a mans point of view) - A quirky tale I was referred to in a a discussion group...because I find TS Eliot - the man and his work - elegantly inspiring.

2007-12-09T15:18:00.000+10:00

will catch up here soon....

2007-12-05T07:44:00.001+10:00

It's Catch Up Day...

stand by for more....

2007-11-20T10:14:00.000+10:00

I am now next on the waiting list for 7 books....
will they ALL arrive at once....

10 days to go....

2007-11-19T19:47:00.001+10:00

I received this book...from CC - I am delighted.
IN 10 days I am to attend a book signing with the author.

2007-11-16T12:12:00.000+10:00

The Faraday Girls is the book that placed me 140th+ on the waiting list...so that's a vast improvement.

waiting waiting

2007-11-16T12:04:00.000+10:00

I am in Library Limbo....

Those Faraday girls
AD-PBK MCI McInerney, Monica. Your position in the holds queue: 38

Vroom by the sea
914.5 MOO Moore, Pete, 1962- Your position in the holds queue: 1

Who are they? ONORDER Altham, Katie. Your position in the holds queue: 1

Pillars of the Almighty Follett, Ken, 1949- Your position in the holds queue: 3

Atonement McEwan, Ian. Your position in the holds queue:4

Women & money : owning the power to control your destiny ORM Orman, Suze. Your position in the holds queue: 3

The New Year's quilt : an Elm Creek quilts novel
ONORDER Chiaverini, Jennifer. Your position in the holds queue: 17

The bicycle thief [dvd] = Ladri di biciclette ; Miracle in Milan = Miracolo a Milano ; The roof = Il tetto
DVD De Sica, Vittorio, 1901-1974. Your position in the holds queue: 24

Arthur Boyd : a life
BOY Bungey, Darleen, 1947- Your position in the holds queue: 1

The archivist
AD-PBK COO Cooley, Martha Your position in the holds queue: 1

2007-11-10T19:07:00.000+10:00

waiting on several books from the library -
which will of course arrive at the same time.

Cross Bones

2007-11-09T10:46:00.000+10:00

I am nearly finished reading this book.
It's been riveting.

I have learnt a lot of things and been entertained along the way.

Although a genre I have never read before I think I will probably try another of Kathy Reichs books....

catch up

2007-11-09T10:42:00.000+10:00

'Vroom...' was great. A quick light read. Someone had penciled under all the unique places Peter Moore visited, no doubt forming a list for an hoped for trip.

I checked out the author's website HERE and was thrilled to see there are more books to read, about his adventures with Sophia.

Also he is coming to Brisbane soon.

Great.

Next Up will be

2007-11-02T09:16:00.001+10:00

After listening to an interview with this author I was fascinated by her actual work and the way she has included it in her writing. Whilst not a normal selection this seemed worth a read...will report back later.

Why I'm reading this

2007-11-02T09:08:00.000+10:00

I was putting groceries in under the seat of my 'Milan' scooter Gigi, when approached by a woman asking if this was MY scooter?
Resisting the temptation to say no this is my daily RAK* I said yes, and she asked if I had read the above book? She felt I would love my scooter more after I had. Ordered on the e-catalogue from the library in less than a week I am reading it.

*RAK = random act of kindness

This Month

2007-11-01T09:16:00.000+10:00

at last we are in the month that Paullina Simons will be in town. 28 days to go.....

If you love words ...

2007-10-30T13:32:00.000+10:00

watch this HERE

Reading along

2007-10-27T10:52:00.001+10:00

...Miss E 2007 (you know who you are) is reading the 'eat pray love' now as well, and The Writer in Tennessee is getting it from the Library. I HOPE!

It is a very readable book..funny, interesting and insightful.

Elizabeth's personally gained wisdom is a candle a flashlight or a huge
spotlight for us all, in some way;

Grab a copy and read along.

Or have you read it already?

Now Reading...

2007-10-26T11:40:00.001+10:00

2007-10-26T11:35:00.000+10:00

I have finished reading this book. It was most interesting; especially as it explored the difference between the public image and the private woman. And why the world has typecast her and won't accept her any other way.

What I want to know is....

2007-10-24T14:48:00.000+10:00

how when books are reserved on the e catalogue for the library you can start out at different levels in the que but they all finally arrive in the same week.

Reading Now

2007-10-24T14:46:00.000+10:00

Biography of Julie Andrews by Richard Stirling

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

2007-10-17T12:02:00.001+10:00

I have just finished reading this. It was published this year so it is as contemporary as you can get...full of insights one can relate to if you have adult children.

Baby boomer's (even those of us on the very cusp) were a unique generation and still are, especially as parents of adult children.

The first thing I learn was I am not alone, and then I went on to learn a new approach every few pages and to continually gain insights.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, entertaining and insightful. Well researched, clearly written.

2007-10-12T17:32:00.000+10:00

It begins with the vision to recognise when a job, a lifestage, a realtionship, a relationship is over

- and let it go.

It involves a sense of the future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving on

rather then out.

Ellen Goodman

From 'My Life so Far' by Jane Fonda

A Book I Would Like to Read...

2007-10-10T14:52:00.002+10:00

I listened to an interview with author Monica Mcinerney on radio ABC 612 Brisbane ( now you can listen live on the web) this morning re her new book 'The Faraday Girls.'

The book, and Australian author sounded most interesting, so I rushed over to my Library e-catalogue and placed the book on hold; I checked my account to see how many in the que for this book and discovered I was 141st!!!

oh dear - seems a Plan B is called for.

Madonna King also asked about Monica's writing habits, and the fact that she lives some of the time in Ireland and some in Australia, though not usually the same location as previously.

Writing Report

2007-10-08T17:24:00.000+10:00

Last week I traveled by bus then train down to the Gold Coast.
I wrote on my laptop most of the train journey and completed a chapter which was great.

Reading at the Moment

2007-09-28T20:59:00.000+10:00

it's very interesting and written in a way that you feel she is here talking with you.

I didnt win this I bought it!!

2007-09-27T13:34:00.001+10:00

I am really looking forward to this event.

where am I up to?

2007-09-26T21:47:00.000+10:00

I was recently asked how I was going with my book writing.

It wasn't until I had replied that I saw I was way further along than I had realised.

Book 1: a couple of chapters written - however I know the story

Book 2: the first 12 chapters and the last 2 - however a lot of research is required for the middle

Book 3: the begining is completed and the middle mostly done and quite a bit of the last 1/3rd.

Book 4: a few chapters written - research done - story in my head.

Books 5 & 6 Story known but no writing done yet....they are prequels from different POV that fit between Books 2 & 3

2007-09-14T21:47:00.000+10:00

In announcing to the African American audience in Watts LA - some two months before his own assassination -
the death by shooting of Martin Luther King
Robert F Kennedy sought o comfort them, the nation and indeed himself by quoting from
the ancient Greek writer

Aeschylus (525 - 456 BC)

He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep
pain that cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our despair,
against our own will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This profound quote is engraved upon his gravestone, a mere 30 feet or so from the grave of
his brother President John F Kennedy, gunned down in Dallas Texas.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aeschylus was the only man of his age, or indeed of any age,
who can compare with the great master of the modern drama in
sublimity of conception and grandeur of poetic imagery.
As to the esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries
and his immediate posterity there is sufficient evidence, and
first in the Frogs of Aristophanes, who there describes his temper as proud,
stern and impatient; his sentiments as pure, noble and warlike;
his genius inventive, magnificent and towering; his style lofty,
bold and impetuous, full of gorgeous imagery and ponderous expressions,
while in the dramatic arrangement of his pieces
there remained much of ancient simplicity and somewhat of uncouth rudeness.
Dionysius of Halicarnassus lauds the splendor of his talents,
the propriety of his characters, the originality of his ideas and the force,
variety and beauty of his language. Longinus speaks of the bold magnificence
of his imagery, though condemning some of his conceptions as rude and
turgid and his expressions as sometimes overstrained.
Quintilian ascribes to him dignity of sentiment, sublimity of ideas
and loftiness in style, yet often overcharged in diction and
irregular in composition. Such, as seen through the eyes of antiquity,
was the Shakespeare of the Greeks.

Another Question....

2007-08-21T16:23:00.000+10:00

'Has there ever been a great writer who did not spend a childhood in books?'n page 44 the author poses the Question

Page 44 of 'Shakespeare'

Coments from the book:

2007-08-21T16:10:00.000+10:00

Mr Peter Ackroyd has this to say in chapter nine of his Biography on William Shakespeare (see previous post)

' If there is one aspect of a writer's life that cannot be concealed, it is childhood. It arises, unbidden and unannounced in a hundred different contexts. It cannot be denied or misrepresented without severe psychic disturbance on the surface of the writing. It is the very source of writing itself, and must necessarily remain undefiled.'

As a writer I found this comment food for substantial thought.

Reading at the Moment

2007-08-14T22:47:00.000+10:00

This is an excellent book. Fascinating...Peter Ackroyd does it again.

MY UG

2007-08-14T01:07:00.000+10:00

2007-08-14T00:51:00.000+10:00

I completed the final chapter of book 2

It just appeared in my mind...
so I seized the moment and headed for the garden swing,
with feet up, a tall glass cool filtered water
thus settled I was able to tap away on my UG.
I wrote 2000 words.

Carla's Prompt

2007-08-06T10:09:00.000+10:00

How do you determine what to write?

I don't; the words just flow into my mind and I write them.
If it is dialogue, I hear it and write what I hear.
The scenes roll through my mind like a movie and I write what I see.
Occasionally in editing I will decide on a 'better' ie stronger word.....working on Wordsworth's theory of
'Passion recollected in tranquility' - change the word to change the intensity, not the meaning...

My volunteer readers sometimes suggest a change in order/structure and a Canadian editor made some suggestions about how to blend some relevant info naturally into the opening scenes...which I really need to get on and do.

I do rewrite. Chapter one has had 17 rewrites so far....but I feel once I have underpinned that securely the rest will be easier to build. And I think I can reach that by rewrite 20.

Also, in this case I know the start to the end of the story, but sometimes I am surprised when a new character arrives on the scene demanding attention. They always are have a critical part to play albeit brief...and I am used to the introductions now.

When it happens (an arrival) I think of Tolstoy.

Carla's 30th July Prompt.

2007-08-02T13:00:00.000+10:00

What was the last book you read? Did it make you laugh? Was it a love story that made you feel all mushy inside? Tell us about it!

Ok so I am a little late in getting to this but hey whats a couple of days between friends....

I read all the time, like ALL the times, usually several books at once. Plus do my own writing.

I have just finished reading 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eungenides. It was an Oprah Book Club selection, and frankly I usually loath her choices. But every now and then...
JE won a Pulitizer Prize for this his second book, and how could he not? So here is my review....

* * * * *

Given the subject and knowing nothing about it (of course) I was a little reluctant to begin and dragged myself through a few pages. Quickly the cinematic style (some may say visual or realism) pulled me in and I became hooked.

I continued to struggle with the idea of the story itself; however as page by page I met the characters and learned about them, and their choices, I was drawn further and further in.

JE's style and turn of phrase daily danced though my mind.

I find myself wondering if he thinks/speaks like that or struggled over his keyboard to find the right expression?

I appreciated the technique of switching between being Callie, then Observing her; of being in other peoples minds and knowing their thoughts and feelings:male and female. (especially for the mother at the end - very tender).

The power of being able to see and show US the readers, the world through different points of view ie characters eyes and experiences was powerful and effectively used.

The way the author used events in world history to place us in time. Eg A President with only one vowel in his name....

The dealing of secrets in families...death bed confessions, acceptance, tolerance, culture (of all kinds) and it's associated Barriers are sensitively and thought provokingly addressed.

A long time in the making; plus the writing but surely a book for our times.
I had to return the book to the library but I would like to re read it from a literary point of view rather then for the story.

Progress & Progress

2007-08-01T20:06:00.000+10:00

I now have a zappy Lappy; that is to say a laptop, and so last night I wrote 1400+ words being the penultimate scene of book 2.

It was deeply satisfying to write the scene, especially since I wasn't trapped at my desk.

I am very very grateful to the Provider of this modern piece of technology. I guess you know who you are?

2007-07-04T23:49:00.000+10:00

I am currently reading 'Middlesex' by Jeffrey Eugenides

and
'Evening' by Susan Minot that I now see has been been made into a film.

2007-07-04T23:41:00.000+10:00

I'm back at work...writing, I have completed 2 further chapters.

There are more playing in my head and I hope to get on with them tomorrow.

I was looking for some literature that would back up the deep held beliefs of a central character;
and therein to provide the motivation for certain actions he will take.

After roaming around Google for a while and talking to a some usual sources I felt I ought to read
the American 'Declaration of Independence'. I found a great website and took some time reading this amazing document.

It said all I needed, and then some; and was a sage reminder that just sometimes truth and fact, can in reality say things better then any literary work may do.

2007-06-06T20:49:00.000+10:00

I have read several books in the last weeks,
and therefor will be updating my slide presentation (see index to right)
of what I am reading now over the next few days.

So, please come back and visit again soon....

2007-06-06T20:47:00.000+10:00

After the stress of recent weeks I find that my characters have returned to my mind.

Indeed new scenes are appearing and shortly I will be back to writing.

I will not be able to not write.

2007-05-15T20:29:00.000+10:00

I am currently reading 'The Constant Princess' by Phillipa Gregory...having read 2 others by her whilst caring for my mother.

I will be updating my what I am reading book list next week...

2007-05-15T20:27:00.000+10:00

If my mother continues to remain stable or improve, she will return home in a few days to a week..

Then after a couple of days to catch up on everything else in my life I will return to my writing.

This is the plan - I wonder what will happen?

struggling

2007-04-28T22:51:00.000+10:00

where have the weeks and days gone?

I am writing in my head and will shortly be returning to the actual getting it down on paper process...

Whilst many and varied aspects of life have been happening there has been underway - on the back burner, so to speak - a sifting and refining process which it is felt will enhance what is to come.

New characters have presented themselves and notes made.

Thanks to those that peek in now and then to see what is happening.

a small progress report

2007-03-10T17:28:00.000+10:00

I may not have posted much here lately or written a lot in the last month however
my characters are alive and their story continues to unfold in my head.

As my relationship with them continues I am finding subtle shades and traits to their individual
personalities. Some of them have surprised me with actions or depths of feeling I had not expected.

I am working on Book 3 and Book 1/2 - this seems to have combined; which is fine.

Working on B3 has allowed me to recognise what needs to go in B1 with regard to fine detail.

Futhermore, B1/2 enables me to 'plant' events and experiences that will cause certain responses later.

Another return

2007-03-10T17:22:00.000+10:00

After yet another battle with physical pain I have returned to my writing.

I have also been doing quite a bit or research.

It continues to amaze me what I find in research that fits exactly what I need.

I was looking for a post Civil War Orphanage - hoping to find it here or there;
in this town of that; and there it was. In exactly the town I needed it in.

Incredible...but true. This has happened so many times now.

2007-02-16T09:14:00.000+10:00

this last 7 -10 days has been a litany of pain:migraines and splitting headaches, thoracic spine pain - you name it and it's hurt!

Thus no writing, but steps are being taken to resolve and fix for ever this
annoying and life long problem.

be back soon.

I read during my vacation.

2007-02-12T08:56:00.000+10:00

Sidney Poitier's 'The Measure of a Man'. (just a few pages to go) A very interesting and through provoking book.

I have just finished all the currently published books in 'The Elm Creek Quilt' Series.
I enjoyed these very much.

Also 'Winter Solstice' by Rosamunda Pilcher, maybe I already mentioned this. It was like reading a Dame Judy Dench movie.

Last week

2007-02-12T08:55:00.000+10:00

I wrote 2100 words.

A pleasing effort.

Todays report.

2007-02-05T19:46:00.000+10:00

Today I started writing at 9:44am and one hour later I had 16oo plus words
by 11am I was up 18oo when I stopped.

The scene in my head came to an end and the time ran out as well.

I had done 600+ the other day and some more research but the writing is flowing now.

slight revision

2007-01-29T23:17:00.000+10:00

it is actually going to be 1st February and I have to get some heavy duty research done - so these last couple of days to get everything else in order.

Them I am all set to go....

Returning to My Writing

2007-01-26T02:21:00.000+10:00

I plan to recommence writing on Monday 29th January.

Australia Day

2007-01-26T02:16:00.000+10:00

I Love A Sunburnt Country
Written by Dorothea MacKellar (1908: written 1906)

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded Lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens,
Is running in your veins;
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies -
I know but cannot share it, My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of drought and flooding rains,
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel sea,
Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me.

The tragic ring-barked forests
Stark white beneath the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
An orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the crimson soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,

When sick at heart around us
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold;
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand - T
hough Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown Country
My homing thoughts will fly.

2007 Writing

2007-01-10T20:27:00.000+10:00

In a few days I will be recomencing writing.

Some good scenes and interesting thoughts have come into my mind while
I have been away south.

I look forward to a productive year.

A long time ago, far far away

2006-11-21T20:12:00.000+10:00

The Writer is away from the desk.

Will be back in a few days.

Did I mention...

2006-11-16T09:40:00.000+10:00

gardening
emailing
thinking
sleeping
reading - as in actual books
shopping
Literary events
going to all the events I win tickets to
the occasional movie
remembering birthdays and special days in the lives of the special people in my life
and most important and significant to me: time to nurture my spiritual self, assist others and rejoice in life.

Every day

2006-11-16T09:28:00.000+10:00

I read:

CNN website (am and pm)
News.com.au (several times during the day)
2/3 other people's Blogs that are updated daily

I exercsie.

I take:

2 small blue tablets/1 cream /1 white/1 pink/2 brown - unless it's Sunday then I take just 1 brown/one large pale green/one smaller bright green/1 large bownish football shaped

I also deal with headaches all day every day

Most Days

2006-11-16T09:25:00.000+10:00

I read:

The New York Times
The Times (London)
The Age (Melbourne Australia)
4-5 Blogs of other people

My Time

2006-11-16T09:09:00.000+10:00

Apart from my writing:

I have a family.
I am a moderator on an online International Lit Discussion Group.
I belong to a writer's forum.
I maintain 3 Blogs.
I have an overseas student living with me - so from time to time must teach, encourage etc.
I have a body that demands care. And a mind that wont stop. If I don't take proper care of the former the latter does not get expression.
I contribute to an online visual/written fiction work. (This is my playground)
I have commenced Yoga classes.
I am an interpreter for a deaf/blind woman. (Like Helen Keller but calm and sweet)
I locate information for people.
I clean, I cook I run a home.
I do digital scrapbooking.
I make Power Point Presentations
and then there is everythng else!

oh and did I mention Christmas...

NaNo Update

2006-11-16T08:59:00.000+10:00

I am around the 8000+ mark.

I am not overly concerned - for me I am on target.
I have been disciplined in my writing;
patient with my health interruptions and learnt many things along the way.

Some of these things have been about myself. Thus the journey has been worthwhile and it's only 16th November.

Learning about Murder!

2006-11-16T08:53:00.000+10:00

I have been writing as if I have knowledge I do not in fact have.
Then suddenly I thought of just the right person to ask
and voila! now I know all about (well, not all) arsenic.

A friend pointed out to me that I could not possibly have the maid murder the woman and man...(maids generally being diminutive) by stabbing them.
The murder is essential - hey this is not the real world - as they have the tickets to The New World...I wonder when America stopped being called that; or even when it began.

I hadn't really thought about the physical difficulties of a small woman stabbing a man.
Enter poison.
Enter arsenic.

But now I read that it works rather faster then I had anticipated.
I can work around that.

Like I said it's not reality!

Nano...

2006-11-08T20:12:00.000+10:00

less than 44,000 to go

Chapter 4 completed.

2006-11-08T20:09:00.000+10:00

Finished another 1434 words.

Onto Chapter 5 now...

NaNo-ing Along

2006-11-07T11:44:00.000+10:00

am‧ble –verb (used without object)

to go at a slow, easy pace; stroll; saunter.

a slow, easy walk or gentle pace.

a stroll.

Chapter Three Completed

2006-11-04T21:57:00.000+10:00

some 1800 + words. I have about 44,700 to go.

"I expect our other 2 guests may be hungry also” Robert knew well the disturbance it was causing to have 2 fellow servants, and foreign ones at that, in the house as guests."

The things we learn

2006-11-03T10:33:00.000+10:00

After the struggle with the north wind and the setting in migraine; I added in a night out seeing the new Andrew Denton doco (see my 'Fields of Observation' Blog posting - check index to right)

I came home very tired. The found I was overtide and sleep beyond me.

Soon discovered writing was beyond me...barely made it to 500 words...just under infact.

Today I will rest, and then when I am ok again I will continue...it's just the getting it onto the page/screen, the story is all in my head.

Hmm I wonder if dictating the work counts?

North Winds

2006-11-02T14:53:00.000+10:00

Today there is a gusty north wind where I live.

This might cause a problem for tonight's writing.

The effect of a day such as this, can wipe me out for 24 hours or so.

I am already struggling...

maybe there is a wind change due.

Today Tonight & Writing

2006-11-02T07:23:00.000+10:00

I am to be out at the Andrew Denton movie tonight (see 'Fields of Observation' Blog - in the Index) -

thus today will be my first attempt at writing NaNo in the daylight hours.

But first some more sleep...

I am running a spell check etc - but not editing, - each morning, of the night before's work.

NaNo Day 2

2006-11-02T06:53:00.000+10:00

I made it to 1607 words last night, I was very tired for some reason...3470 words so far.
(The Bus Driver upstairs, decided to finish some kitchen improvements and woke me from my daily siesta)

Thanks to the Elysabeth for her Link to a name site..see commenton previous post.

Also to the Smart Card Perpetrator for the list the he offered to send me.

I needed more names...

2006-11-01T17:05:00.000+10:00

The only thing that held me back was the names of some characters as they appeared, I could see them but didn't know their names - and there was no tme for the niceities of life - so I have just made a quick list of assorted names and put it on my desk top.

While I was writing a scene with a child asleep in bed, I looked over my shoulder expecting her to be behind me in my bed...whoa...

I don't have to think, it's all in there in my mind. Basically I write what is see and hear... and the only problem I have is can I type as fast as I think....

I did a spell and grammer check at the end but no editing this is Nano after all....

I dont write on sundays so I have to do extra to make up for that but if I can keep up with what happened at the first go I will be ok...

Chapter One completed.

2006-11-01T02:02:00.000+10:00

At 12:07 am I commenced. It is now 1:45 and I have just written over 1800 words...completed chapter 1 of Book 2.
I feel great, it wasn't hard to do, and it all unfolded well. I need to know more French names though.

Begining NANoWriMo

2006-11-01T00:02:00.000+10:00

I have tonight made a new Desktop Folder, and chapter Folders. I designed a Book Cover to inspire me... so I am ready to go...in 4 minutes.

Pre 1850 Shipping Records

2006-10-30T09:16:00.000+10:00

I have scrolled through endless shipping records and finally found one at the approx date I require.

Liverpool to New York - arriving in June.

Forgot June was summer in NYC and had plotted out a few things. My error was highlighted when I read that in March 1849 Niagara Falls dried up. Everyone woke to silence.

Note quite my time frame, however it jolted me into the right season.

The right ship only became the right ship when I found the right family on board. There are no records of where they went or what they did after they arrived. This suits my needs also.

It was interesting to read in the Passenger Manifest that while name and age were given the only catagories were Labourer, Gentleman or Boy. Women and Girls received a mere ----

There were many men travelling alone with their children - no mother.
Many young couples with an aged parent.
There dreams and asperations were quite palpable.

Sadly many many deaths during the trip.