Tuesday 18 January 2011

Really Random Tuesday

Really Random Tuesday is a meme created by Suko at Suko's Notebook which is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of.

Firstly I thought I should show you where I have been spending far too much of my time recently. Twitter has taken over my life.  I have avoided joining it for such a long time, but I was beginning to think that I was missing out on something. Everybody seemed to be at a party, where my invitation was still in the post. So I caved and joined. If anyone wants to follow me on Twitter, you will find me listed as @serendipidy101 and I would love for you to come and join me. I am very friendly, bit like an over excited puppy and I will speak to anyone!

Recently, I discovered that I have statistical information appearing in my blog. I had never noticed them before but they have been fascinating to read.  I thought I would share with you the top most viewed posts. I am agog as to why these have been chosen more than others.

So the top three viewed posts are:

1) The Book of Tomorrow by Cecilia Aherne

2) Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

3) Finding Sky by Joss Stirling.

The third one I can understand as it is current, but the other two I can't work out.

Talking of blogs, mine is having a little bit of a face lift at the moment. I hadn't realised than when a lot of you look at my blog, you were seeing a different view to me. I had not realised that my title was out of sync with the header. No one ever told me, so apologies for looking at a wonky screen.  My husband decided that I needed to make it a little slicker, so the picture will change soon too.

On the writing front, I am still where I was before Christmas. I now have two first drafts and found I was experiencing an extreme case of writer's block.  I have helped my writer's block a little after reading about morning journals. Morning journals basically involve writing three pages of continuous thoughts as soon as you wake up. No time to grab a cup of coffee or turn the kettle on for a cup of tea. You write straight away. Well I began to carry out this ritual at the beginning of last week and I have say it does work. My brain is full to the brim of things I would like to write about, all desperate to have their five minutes of fame. I can highly recommend this activity.  It has helped me to come up with different ideas for my blog as well as for my two first drafts.If you want to write, but find it hard to let your writer muse out, then try out the morning journals.

I am joining a creative writing group this week too, which I am really excited about. The group is run by an ex journalist from Writers News, so I am looking forward to learning from her.

On a final note, I went to my book club last Thursday and we picked The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson for our next read.  We discussed The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and I was surprised to find that quite a few of the book club members really didn't like it at all. They found it boring and slow.  I loved it, but I think you have to enjoy that kind of genre to be able to get into it.

That is a round up of my bookish news this week. What have you been up to?

20 comments:

  1. You've really got into twitter - thanks for keeping me company while I was at work on Sunday!

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  2. Verity - is that a good thing or bad thing. Tell me to be quiet if I get annoying. LOL. No problem. I am happy to keep you company through Sundays.

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  3. I didn't know you were on Twitter. LOL I follow you now. I check in there about once a day to see if any family leaves a message.

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  4. I'm intrigued with the morning journal idea... that's a time when lots of ideas seem to float through my mind. Good luck with the writer's group.

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  5. Oh gosh, I just joined twitter like two weeks ago and it is awful how often I am on. I didn't realize you were tweeting (lol, I feel so silly saying that in seriousness as an adult) and will now follow you. :)

    I also enjoyed City of Bones. Have you read the other two in the trilogy? I don't know if I'll pick up Clockwork Angel...

    And no more cupcakes on your website? They looked so yummy.

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  6. Your new writing group sounds like such fun! I wish I could find one near me. I think I need that accountability in my writing life.

    I am re-reading Julia Cameron's book. I think I am going to try to add morning pages to my daily routine starting in February. Too many resolutions to try to incorporate them all at once :)

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  7. Oh, Twitter can be such a time suck, but it's so much fun! I'm following you now.

    I know what you mean about the blog stats. I have one old post that still gets quite a few hits every single day and I can't figure out why.

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  8. Oh just wait until you discover search terms. The phrases that bring people to your blog are fascinating.

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  9. I'll follow you on Twitter - I'm not as "tweety" as some but I'm there ;-) I don't think I noticed your blog title was out of sync. I look at my stats from time to time and the search terms always make me smile.

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  10. I'm glad you found a writing group that will work for you Viv!!

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  11. Please no more talk of Twitter - so far I have managed to avoid the temptation but I can feel myself weakening.

    Loving the new look by the way.

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  12. Vivienne, I love the new look of your blog, but I do miss those gorgeous cupcakes!

    I have been intrigued by Twitter for a while now, but am online too much as it is. But there is something adorable about that bird! And the concept of tweets is just too cute. Have fun with this, Vivienne. I have seen other bloggers tweet about their posts and giveaways, in addition to daily tidbits. :)

    Thank you for doing this meme, and for making my Tuesday!

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  13. I haven't got caught up in Twitter yet...maybe I'm afraid I won't be able to walk away from it! So I just might join you one day.

    Your blog facelit is great! I didn't know your previous title was not centered.

    I'd love to join a writing group. I hope you enjoy yours and it works out well for you.

    Good luck!
    ~ Amy

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  14. I've avoided twitter myself, mostly for fear of getting totally sucked into it. lol

    Those morning journals sound like a good idea for writers.
    Enjoy the creative writing group!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  15. Thank you so much for sending a tweet about my recent review! That was so sweet. I haven't gotten on with Twitter yet... I sort of want to but can't decide.

    That's so exciting that you are going to join a writer's group! I hope it'll be just what you are looking for and please keep us posted. I've belonged to a few over the years and it's always interesting the mix of people you get and it can really be very rewarding.

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  16. It's been so much fun to have you over on twitter :D I've been a bit of a stranger over there lately, but I'm always lurking in the background checking all day :p

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  17. I still have yet to dip my toe into the twitter pool. Scares me for some reason - afraid I'll get sucked into it and never get anything done around here. I feel like I spend too much time on the computer as it is.

    Your writing routine sounds like it's really working for you. Have fun with it!

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  18. Have fun at the creative writing group! Keep us all posted, which I''m sure you will. :D

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  19. I think people who say twitter isn't a time suck are delusional (I say with love of course). It's hard, though, when you get a really good conversation going to step away--other times it can feel like you're talking into a void! :) But I enjoy it.

    I honesty didn't notice about your header. I'm kind of sad to see the cupcakes go away, though. Must be the sweettooth in me!

    Enjoy your new writing group and book club!

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  20. Welcome to Twitterland. Just added you. :D If you put Twitter on your phone, it can get really addictive. :P Be warned.

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