Inspiration In Locations...

Inspiration is all around us - everywhere we look.  From the streets of London and the architecture that follows, to the rolling hills of the countryside and coastal shores.

So many times whilst driving somewhere I've become lost in thoughts and dreams as I watch the world go by (luckily whilst I've been a passenger and not driving.  That could create a few problems...) and so many times ideas have come to me; locations in my fantasy world have come to life, followed by its history, and I see my characters travelling through or living there.  Inspiration really does follow us everywhere, and when you're looking you can see so much beauty.

So, when you hear the saying 'too beautiful for words', does this ever ring true?

Sometimes.

I was inspired by watching a Top Gear challenge (for those that don't know, Top Gear is a TV show about cars etc etc).  The challenge saw the trio (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond) venture to Vietnam with 3 run down scooters and bikes, and they had to travel across the country on these, a journey that took them to Halong Bay.  I was mesmerised.  It's so beautiful, and as soon as I saw it, I knew a place like this would exist in my world and in my WIP.  Just look at it!

So with something like this, how can you find the words to describe it and do it justice, to bring across the breathtaking feeling I feel when ever I see it?  It's a challenge.  A challenge that I accept.

So, what places have inspired you? And have you ever found yourself 'lost for words' when it comes to describing it?

Pic of the Week . . . Frank Hong

Well it's snowing here in wintery England and it looks set to stay until Wednesday (according to forecasts), and so to celebrate this white stuff that's falling from the sky I thought I'd go for something snowy.

Introducing artist Frank Hong and his art piece 'Dragon Age'.  Be sure to check out his gallery on DeviantArt.  If you like this, you won't be disappointed with the rest :)

So, enjoy and have a warm weekend :)

We All Need Confidence When It Comes To Writing...

Confidence.

What is it?

When it comes to writing, confidence (amongst numerous other things) is feeling happy with what you're producing.  It's the knowing that your story works, that it flows, that your characters are real.  Yeah, you still may need to edit a few things, but you're confident you can do this, you're confident where these changes need to be, and that your changes will work.

You know what you're doing and you're happy.

But take a wee hiatus from writing and things can change.

I read a blog post a little while back and they mentioned that the longer you leave writing the more you lose your confidence.  I've never considered this before, but having just taken a good few months off writing my WIP, I've found this to be true.  I've gone back to it with mixed feelings.  My characters are seeming 2 dimensional.  The story isn't as fantastic as it used to be.  Where's my enthusiasm?  Where's my love for these people?

My confidence in this piece has fallen dramatically.  Maybe it's to do with looking at it all through fresh eyes - minus the rose tinted glasses.  I'm seeing faults.  I'm seeing flaws.  I know it's a good story - one that I'm happy with, and despite losing my enthusiasm, I know I could make it work.

The trick is finding that enthusiasm again.  Which I'm working on.  I can't and refuse adamantly to a abandon it.  I'm so close to the end I can smell it, but can I bring myself to finish it?

That's the hard part.

But I will.  I will force myself on.  I will sit in front of that blank screen and write the last few chapters.  And then I will edit it and I will correct the flaws that I see.  I will make it work.  I will love it again!  It's all about having confidence in what you can do.  Every writer needs this confidence.  And it all starts by blogging about it.

First step to rebuilding that lost confidence:  Check!

Pic of the Week . . . Nimarra

ON THIS DAY January 11th 1693 Mount Etna erupted, and a connected earthquake destroyed part of Sicily. 

Because of this I thought I'd base this weeks Pic of the Week on volvanic activity and the likes.  This picture is a wallpaper I found created by an artist going by the name of Nimarra. 

Enjoy and have a grand weekend :)

Pic of the Week . . . Life of Pi

A couple of writer friends and I went to see 'Life of Pi' in the cinema the other day.  I have to say, having seen the trailers, I had no idea what it was about and therefore had no real urge to go and see it.  However, when I'm invited to the cinema, I don't need much persuading and I have to say I was thoroughly surprised.

It was SUCH A GOOD FILM!

The trailers don't do it justice.  I think they're intended to show how spectacular the visual effects are - and having seen them in 3d, I'm inclined to agree - but the trailers don't give any of the real story away which was why they never gripped me.  Basic story line:  A ship wreck renders a young boy alone on a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic with only an adult male Bengal Tiger for company.

I'm not going to write a review for it.  I enjoyed it and if you like sweet tales then this may be for you too.  That's all I'm saying, but I am going to dedicate Pic of the Week to it.

As you may know, I'm a crazy cat lady, and my heart wrenched at what that tiger had to endure in the story.  At one point he even gives the old 'Puss-In-Boots' look with those huge butter-wouldn't-melt kitty eyes and I felt like crying (in fact I think I did in a few places...lol).  I can't help it.  Any other cat lover out there would agree that no matter what the breed - be it a moggy or tiger, lion, leopard - they all have kitty characteristics that remind us of our own beloved felines and it yanks at our heart strings.  Well, it does mine.

So, here's Pic of the Week and it's a scene in the film where a whale breaks the surface of an ocean full of bioluminescence.  This part was stunning.

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Festive Pick Of The Week . . .Garry Rowe

I'm not guaranteeing that I'll get to blog between now and the New Year - busy days ahead, but who knows I may find time.  If this is the case I couldn't see 2012 through without one last Pic of the Week.  And it's a festive one too.

The artist is Garry Rowe from Glasgow, and the instant I saw this picture I knew it had to be posted.  It's moody yet festive, calming yet charming... 

So to all those out there who are still hanging around after my disappearance, I wish you a very merry Christmas. 

Enjoy!

This Hiatus Must Surely Be Over...

It's been a rough few months over here in windy, rainy, snowy England (with a few sunny spells in between) but things are looking on the up now.

It's been...how long since I last posted?  But it hasn't been uneventful, I can tell you that.  Lets see...

1: I lost my job.
2: My husband had an accident at work which resulted in a shattered wrist, 2 operations, endless physio (for which he's still undertaking) and over two months off work, causing him to climb the walls and rip his hair out. 
3: Both of the above resulted in huge financial worries and the pressure to find another job alongside nursing a very sorry-for-himself other half. 

All of these has resulted in a decline in creativity.  Whereas my hubby has been climbing walls in frustration at being at home and unable to do much for himself, I've been going through the same process because my creativity has had no chance to flourish.  I NEED to create.  I NEED to write.  Even though I've done little bits here and there in between times, nothing has been what I call, progressive.

On the other hand, Starfish Publishing held a second book launch on November 24th (25th??). There were numerous books being launched into the big wide world of Amazon, and many took advantage of the new CreateSpace option, which allows authors to publish hardcopies on a print-on-demand service.  For those who have dreamt of seeing their work in actual book format, this service is amazing.  However, it also has its drawbacks which I will go into at a later date (ensuring I come back to post again).

The launch went really well and we raised £230 with 15% going to charity.  Well done everyone! 

I included a book in the launch too.  I'm sure I've blogged about it in the past, but I'll plug it again.  It's a collection of short horror stories and is titled 'A Bribe For The Ferryman'.  So far I've have a few good reviews from readers (not from Amazon though) and managed to prove to people just how sick my mind can be...mwah-ha-ha-ha.

So, now things are beginning to look up.  I have myself another job (a good job), my husband is on the mend and has gone back to work on light-duties.  My financial worries are smoothing over and slowly but surely I'm feeling that creative spark re-ignite.  Thank god for that!!!!

All I need to do now is get myself back into a blogging routine.  I'm working on it, people.  Honest I am :)

Till next time

Ta ta