Sunday 21 March 2010

Sunday Salon

Good morning Sunday Saloners,

I hope you have had a good week. Spring has finally arrived and the joy I feel is unbelievable. I cannot get over how hard this winter has been and how long it went on for. I know I have no reason to moan, as a lot of you have had constant snow for months, but I just don't cope well with cold anymore. My mother kindly reminded me that at eighteen I thought nothing of going out in the middle of winter, with hot pants and a sleeveless body covered only by a short suede jacket. Now I do layers, I mean, lots and lots of layers, so I end up looking like the Marshmallow man in Ghostbusters.

I managed to go on a really long walk this week, which totalled at 10 and 1/2 miles. It was all along the beach and thoroughly enjoyable. I got to see the actor Martin Clunes filming on our beach, which is always a novelty to see. I didn't realise how popular our beach was for filming. The day after the walk, was a bit of a killer, I actually woke up with my stomach going into spasms where I had walked so much. It was like leg cramps but in my stomach. The best bit was I went to get weighed the next day at Weightwatchers and only lost a measly 1/2 a pound, all that effort for nothing.

Reading wise, I have had a good week. I managed to finish and review Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe. I also finished The Book of Tomorrow and nearly finished The Book Doctor which both count towards two different challenges - The Bibliophillic Challenge and the Take A Chance Challenge, where I needed to read two books with the same word in the title.

I also managed to finish reading No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty and I have to say it was one of the most helpful books I have ever read to help with my writing. It made me realise that it didn't matter if my first draft was pants, because every one's first draft is pants. It is about getting the story down and then working on it after. With that in mind, I have furiously been writing and have clocked up 23,000 words in the last couple of weeks. At the moment, I wouldn't even let my dog read it, as the quality is really rather bad, but I am really confident that I will get there in the end. Through the book I have discovered ways to chain my inner editor to the wall and not let her out until first draft is finished. I have worked out how to kick the procrastinator's butt and turn her into a super writing machine. If you are considering writing, then I really would suggest reading this book, to help you jump head first into the writing pot.

I won an Amazon voucher this week over at Melissa's Bookshelf and couldn't wait to buy some books with it. I haven't received them yet this week, but I will show them when they arrive.

Well I am hopefully off for a bit of retail therapy today, doubt I will get much reading done until this evening.

Have a great day.


24 comments:

  1. Spring, how lovely, I am getting so jealous all over blogland reading about spring

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  2. I'm so glad to hear your writing has been going smoothly! That's awesome! I've never read that particular book but I know people swear by it!

    And I hope you feel better from your walk soon...

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  3. Good luck with your books and enjoy your long walks! I'm looking forward to spring jaunts in the park. Here's my Sunday Salon

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  4. Sounds like you had a great week. 10.5 mile walk in one day...painful!!!

    Hope your coming week is enjoyable as well.

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  5. OH - I am glad that you liked the book, No Plot, No Problem. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but must confess that I am not nearly as far along with my writing project as you. WAY TO GO!!!

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  6. Retail therapy's always good. *hugs* I'm really glad to hear your writing's going much better. Getting stuck is the worst. But 23,000 words? Wow. Good on ya, girl. :)

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  7. Ah, spring! I wrote a couple of posts on that topic...and mentioned it in my Salon today.

    Congrats. on the word count you've reached. I'm doing that 50,000 words in 50 days challenge. So far, in eight days, I've pounded out 10,423.

    My Salon:

    http://laurel-rainsnowsaccidentallife.blogspot.com/2010/03/sunday-salon_21.html

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  8. It is already hot here. It doesn't augur well. We will have a horrendous summer.

    Here is my TSS post!

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  9. The 10 1/2 mile walk had to help tone even if it didn't help you lose tons of weight.

    Spring is in the air here, too and I'm so glad. I'm so over winter.

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  10. I'm really glad that you have been writing so much. I was going to ask you if you have been writing lately, as I am really curious about it. Thanks for the tips. I also write poems and short stories, but I don't show them to anyone because I am shy:)

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  11. I cannot wait until the start of my Spring Break a week from Monday! :)

    Can't wait to see your Amazon Loot.

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  12. I am so happy we are getting nearer to summer! We still have some snow but this month has been so nice which is unusual so I'm happy. It'll be nice to sit outside and read again though.

    I laughed at your comment about how you dress now because so do I. I used to go out in a short jacket and no boots, gloves or scarf. Now when I take the dog out in the winter for his walk you can't even recognize me. lol.

    Retail therapy is always the best way to go.I hope the girls didn't drive you too crazy. Have a great week Viv!

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  13. I remember that Stuff as Dreams Chris said the same about No Plot? No Problem. I'm glad you both found it so useful!

    And hooray for Spring! Though I have to say that the mental imagine of you looking like the Marshmallow man made me laugh :P

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  14. Your beach walk sounds glorious. I love getting in those long walks like that . I usually walk to brunch with my friend on the weekend and then we walk back after. I can sneak in 8-10 miles in a single day that way.

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  15. I loved that No Plot No Problem book too, but too bad I never put it into practice and wrote as much as you have!

    ps: I haven't got any reply from you about your antivirus that has been giving warnings about my site. Could you let me know? :)

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  16. It's amazing how good a bit of sun makes you feel isn't it? I'm the exact same. Mum used to have to pin me down to get a coat on me now I can't get my coat done up for all the layers.

    Well done on the walk. Just keep telling yourself it turned to muscle which ways more so they say. :P

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  17. i'm cracking up about your turn of a phrase--first draft is pants. i'm adopting that!

    the walk sounds great, if a trifle long. as for 1/2 a pound...better than gaining, right? :)

    spring is finally here in new jersey--it was almost 70 along the shore over the weekend. i've got my flip flops on and am feeling fine.

    nat @book, line, and sinker

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  18. That is so cool that you are writing more! I'm with you when it comes to the cold - I wear many layers. :)

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  19. I'm very happy to see winter go. We've benn having great weather. Congrats on the Amazon voucher. Enjoy!

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  20. Spring! I would love to walk with such good weather and when spring is in the air. I can't wait to see the books you bought with you Amazon vouchers!

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  21. Your beach walk sounds divine! And since it's now Monday, "Happy Monday"!

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  22. 10 1/2 miles? Way to go! I cant wait to take my bike out.... maybe I will do it tomorrow when I go to the gym. That could be fun :)

    You inspire me! Have a super day!

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  23. Wow, Vivienne...you're quite the little dynamo!!! A ten and a half mile walk! And all the writing you're getting done! Not to mention all the great books you've been getting read. Sheesh--you're making me feel like quite a slug. :)

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  24. wow...great week in books, and raking in the walking miles as well. Hope this week is a good one as well.

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