Happy Birthday Christian!

33 today.

This is a writing blog!

I just realised that this is supposed to be A WRITING BLOG and I haven't blogged about writing in AGES! Not surprising really. I've been writing, but it has been HARD, not flowing at all and every word wrung drip by drip from the old rag of imagination. Things are looking up though, and the drought seems to have broken. Waters of creativity are once more flowing, filling up the reservoir of inspiration.

Mmmm... sounds more like a weather report than a writing update. I think I've over done the metaphor.

Stargate owes me! *spoilers*

I am so depressed. I have just watched an episode of Stargate SG1 which has stolen the entire plot from my Iserie Valult novel, 24 Hours. (Look away now if you don't want to find out about either the book or the Stargate episode)

In the episode there are alien bugs, they are active in the dark, they have a prodigious reproductive rate and they can consume a human being in seconds. Also, they lay their eggs when they bite your flesh and eat you from the inside out. I know the idea wasn't exactly original (nothing special, as one reviewer noted) but it is depressing to see Stargate do it (and not pay you any royalties).

Sigh.

My top 5 favourite romantic scenes

The Times online are running a competition to find out what their readers favourite romantic scenes are. The top prize is 20 romantic movies on DVD. To inspire their readers, they mention lots of scenes, from West Side Story to An Officer and a Gentleman. Now, those movies make me feel sick (no offence), so I thought I would do a rundown of my top five romantic scenes from movies (and tv shows) that I can actually watch.

No. 1 - Terminator.

Kyle time travelled for love

Kyle Reese has been saving Sarah Connor from the Terminator all day and now they have a few moments of respite in a motel, where they spend their time making bombs. In the lull before the storm, Sarah whiles away the time by asking Kyle about his former girlfriends (there weren't any - so much pain). Then he turns to her and says:-

'John Connor gave me a picture of you once. I didn't know why at the time. It was very old, torn, faded. You were young like you are now. You seemed just a little sad. I used to always wonder what you were thinking at that moment. I memorized every line, every curve. I came across time for you Sarah. I love you. I always have.'

Aw. By the end of the movie, we know that Sarah was thinking of Kyle at the time that photo was taken and that Kyle is John's father. What a romantic use of a time paradox.

No. 2 - Futurama

There are so many wonderful romantic scenes between Fry and Leela that it is hard to choose. How about the time he writes a holophoner opera for her, (the most difficult musical instrument in the world to play) Leela, Child of the Stars, and makes a deal with the robot devil so that he has the skill to play it, but when the deal goes bad and he loses his ability, Leela is the only person who stays to see how the opera ends. In simple, childish notes, Fry depicts Fry and Leela waking hand and hand into the sunset.

OR

How about the time Fry spells out his love for Leela in planets

OR

When he sat by her bedside for weeks without sleeping or washing, waiting for her to come out of a coma

Leela goes mushy for Fry's talent

OR... ok, the list could go on. My choice is the scene where Fry first plays the holophoner for Leela. Gifted with amazing talent by a troupe of parasitic worms, Fry turns his feelings for Leela into pictures and music. While the worms may have given Fry the talent, you certainly can't doubt the truth of his feelings.

No.3 - The Princess Bride

The best kiss in the world - apparently

Every scene in this movie drips romance - from Westley's 'As you wish' in reply to Buttercup's commands, to his whispered last breath of 'True love'. However, I'm going for the final scene when, villain Prince Humperdink defeated, Westley (or his dashing alter ego Dread Pirate Roberts, if you prefer), Buttercup and friends ride into the sunset on a brace of beautiful white stallions. Buttercup, still in bridal gown (for her wedding to Humperdink) and Westley bring their horses side by side, lean forward and kiss.

'Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.'

No.4 - It's a Wonderful Life

Once again, it is hard to choose a scene from this movie. There is the scene when George and Mary, both children, are in the drug store and George bends down behind the counter. Mary leans across the counter top and whispers in his deaf ear - 'George Bailey, I'll love you til the day I die'. And then there is the scene where George and Mary walk home from the dance, after falling into the swimming pool, and George promises Mary the moon. Or there is the scene where George, grumpy because of his brother Harry's marriage (which means Harry isn't coming back to Bedford falls to look after the Building and Loan while George goes to college) wanders over to Mary's house. He behaves horribly, but as they come close together to talk to Sam on the phone, his love for Mary overwhelms him, almost against his own will (I'm never going to get married, he shouts at Mary, seconds before he kisses her).

George and Mary only have eyes for each other

However, the most romantic scene for me is at the dance, when George and Mary have that first look across the dance floor. George hasn't seen Mary in a few years and is moaning about being asked to take his friend's kid sister for a dance, and then he sees her, and their faces light up as their eyes meet across the crowded room, everything else fading out into the background. You know that they are destined to be together for ever after that.

No.5 - Emma

Not my choice, but Mr Knightley and Emma having a romantic moment

I'm sorry I don't have a proper picture for this scene, but I don't own a copy of this movie and had to look else where to illustrate it. The scene I have picked doesn't actually involve Emma and Mr Knightley (as pictured) but rather MrKnightley and Emma's protege, Harriet Smith. Now, I know there is no romance between these two characters, but I still think this scene is really romantic. All the usual suspects have gone to a dance. Mr Elliot has been touring the floor looking for someone to dance with him, but with no joy. Finally it is suggested that Harriet would like to dance with him, which she affirms, but Mr Elliot suddenly realises that he is an old married man and no longer wants to dance. His put down to Harriet is in no way subtle, and you can feel her pain as he walks away. Then in steps dashing Mr Knightley to the rescue. Although he never dances, he graciously asks Harriet if he could have the honour and whirls her around the dance floor as if she was the only woman in existence. Now, that is some man. They don't make them like him anymore. *sigh*

This news made my day!

I found Nathan Fillion's blog and myspace page! His posts are very humorous and intelligent.

Movies - v - Books: Part 1

As you all know, I love books and I love movies, and sometimes I love stories that are both books and movies. A lot of the books I've been reading recently have been adapted for the silver screen. In fact, the reason I read books like The Prestige (by Christopher Priest) and The Bone Collector (by Jeffrey Deaver) is because I had already seen them as movies and was curious to see how different the book was. And different they always are. Even the most faithful book to film transfer is going to change in the translation. That is because of the very different nature of the two media. Books allow the author time to develop characters, to go deep into a character's thoughts and feelings, to slowly build up a layered three dimensional perspective of who the characters are. You don't need that so much in a film. You already have an actor standing there, embodying everything that the character is. In books, it is the thoughts and feelings that make the character, but in movies, as in real life, it is the actions that maketh the man. We can't see their thoughts so we have to rely on what they say and do to understand what kind of person they are.

I have noticed that there seem to be two types of movie book.

Type #1 - Based On

The first type is when the film is as faithful to the book in all intents and purposes as it possibly can be. Ok, so they don't include all of the characters, subplots and minutiae (because there just isn't enough running time in the whole world) and true fans are bound to be disappointed, but the movie makers have made a really good stab at getting what the book is about down on film. These kind of films can be very hit and miss. Sometimes all the fundamentals are there, but the spirit of the book hasn't been captured or poor direction, bad acting and rubbish budget have let it down. Occasionally, what made a good book just doesn't translate to a good movie, or the book wasn't that great to begin with. On a rare few occasions, the written word and the moving image combine to make something wonderful. Very, very rarely though.

Type #2 - Inspired By

The second type plays much more fast and lose with its original source material and usually with better results. The books might have contributed as little as one single idea, a character or a pivotal event, but the creative process has continued and led to something bigger and better than the original novel. While the movies can often be as bad as in Type #1, they more often soar to heights that the source material could never have reached (BladeRunner, anyone?)

In the coming weeks I intend to compare and contrast several movies and their books that have inspired me in either medium and put them into one of the above categories. I will be limiting my choices to books which have been adapted only once, so there won't be any classics (don't get me started on the various adaptions of Dracula, Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice) and even the wonderful I Am Legend (and the two very far from wonderful movies inspired by it) will not be mentioned (because of the two very far from wonderful movies inspired by it). Likewise, books like Eragon and (sorry to mention them in the same breathe, so to speak) The Lord of the Rings will not be mentioned, because I haven't see the movies. While I don't have to like both the book and the movie, I will definitely like at least one of them, otherwise it will be no fun to write about them!

I don't understand

We all know that Darren Shan has sold 10 million copies of his books world wide (he tells us at every available occasion) and that is an amazing achievement (and must have made DS a tidy sum, even allowing royalties of 50 cent per book). You all know what I think of the Shanster, but you can't deny that he appeals to a certain audience (he is big in Japan apparently) and his fans do buy his books.

Now, consider Garth Nix, Antipodean fantasy author. I am a big fan of this guy, especially the Abhorsen trilogy. I think he is original, imaginative and writes really well. I find him inspiring and I would like to think my writing is on a similar wave length to his. Doing a little googling yesterday I discovered that his total sales amount to 4 million. Ok, that is a brilliant amount of books to sell and he doesn't have as many books as our Darren, but I was surprised. 2 million in the USA and Canada, 1.3 million in the UK and Ireland and the rest in his native Oz and NZ. I suppose I was shocked that one of my favourite authors who I consider writes excellent literature hasn't even sold half as many as Darren Shan who writes... well, I can't think of a polite word for it. That's my opinion anyway. Obviously 10 million people think otherwise.

Book Pledge: 45/150

Happy Anniversary Janna!

One year with me today

Sad News

As you all know, Darren Shan was signing copies of his new book - Blood Beast - in Waterstones in Drogheda today. I had planned to go with VT, wearing my glittery Shan-tastic t-shirts and getting my photo taken with the wonder that is Darren. Unfortunately, I didn't make it and it seems I have lost my chance to meet the Shan-Star for a while as he has jetted off to tour England and is then travelling to Japan, Thailand and Korea. I'm gutted.

Taking my tongue out of my cheek, and on a serious note, to be fair to Mr Shan, he does work hard for his fans. He does a lot of tours, signings, talks, replies to fan mail and updates his website and blog regularly (just as well you can't see me blushing with shame). He has also sold 10 million copies of his books, so he must be doing something right.

Muffin's Anniversary

I can't believe that Muffin has been dead a year already. I still cry when I think of her. She was a very special dog.

Convention Mania!

Me with friend at Dr Who Museum in Blackpool

I went to my first science fiction convention this weekend. It was in Blackpool and was called Starfury Decalogy (as in the ten year anniversary of Starfury conventions run by Sean Harry). There were plenty of guests there (Sean's favourite guests from the ten years, apparently) from lots of shows like Angel, Buffy, Firefly, X files, Battlestar Galactica, Andromeda, etc. Most of the fans were Angel fans and everyone wore their show affiliation proudly on their chests (i.e t-shirts).

Here I am with Christian Kane (Lindsey from Angel)

All the guests were really nice. My stand outs for guest talks was Armin Shimerman. He is a very intelligent, witty, well educated, entertaining performer and gave brilliant answers to all the audience questions. I didn't get to meet him in person, but I gather he was as nice in person as on stage.

My personal favourites were Christian Kane (Lindsey from Angel, pictured above) and Juliet Landau (Drusilla from Angel and Buffy). Christian wasn't great on stage, but was really genuinely nice when I met him for my photo and at the autograph session. Plus he asked how to pronounce my name and said he loved it! (what a charmer). Juliet was equally friendly. That is not to say that the other guests I met weren't nice, it is just that Christian and Juliet stood out in my experience. Honourable mention also goes to Mark Sheppard (Badger from Firefly and Cecil L'Ively from The X Files) who loved my Nathan Fillion t-shirt and was very chatty.

My new best friend - Kaylee from Firefly (AKA Jewel Staite)

All the other people at the convention were really friendly and united in their love of the tv shows. There was a great feeling of camaraderie and even though there were a lot of delays and a lot of queuing, there were no unpleasant moments.

As for Blackpool. Well, it has 11 miles of sea front (mostly lined with hotels, amusements arcades, tattoo parlours and pound shops), lots of dogs, a huge roller coaster, a conspiracy museum, a Doctor Who exhibition, a sea life aquarium and lots and lot of slot machines. It also has a nice little Italian. The people in the shops and the hotel were very friendly.

If there was a down point to the convention, it was that the dealer room was poor. I expected lots of interesting stalls and a huge room full of merchandise, but it was a small room with a couple of tables and enthusiasts. I managed to pick up a few nice things all the same, but I was hoping to get some cool t-shirts (and this lovely serenity, firefly, browncoat lanyard I saw) but there were none to be found.

Now that my inner fangirl has finally been allowed to have her head, the only question is - when is the next convention?

Daisy and the Doctor

Did you see it? Were you watching? Dr Who last night on BBC1. Just when I had almost given up hope, they come along with this smashing episode - certainly the best episode of series 3 and possibly one of the best in the whole new series!

The dashing Doc

The story goes - The Doctor and Martha are being chased by this dangerous family of aliens who want (or need) a Time Lord to survive. In order to prevent being hunted down to the ends of space and time (they have his scent) he uses his chameleon machine to become human (if only Rose had known about that!) storing his Time Lord consciousness in a watch (a time piece - get it!). Then he jets off to 1913 England and becomes a school teacher in a boys school, with Martha as his maid, where he quickly falls in love with the school nurse, lonely widow Matron Joan.

Matron Joan - AKA Daisy Steiner

The episode is the first part of a two parter, so unfortunately I will have to wait til next Saturday to see the exciting conclusion. However, I have a few exciting things of note about the episode. The love interest for the Doc in the episode is none other than our own beloved wanna be writer - Daisy Steiner - passing herself off as a nurse, Matron Joan!

Daisy Steiner

But what of Tim Bisley, I hear you say? Indeed, what of Tim? For those of you who don't remember, Tim and Daisy pretended to be a couple to rent an apartment together (Daisy struggling writer, Tim aspiring comic book artist) and struck up a strong friendship which hinted at something more.

Tim can't believe the news

Despite two seasons of Spaced, Tim and Daisy never got together (romantically) but I lived in hope. Now I know there is a new man in Daisy's life, I am sad that I will never see her with Tim, but if she wasn't to end up with him, I couldn't be happier to see her in the arms of the Doctor.

Daisy and her new man - the Doctor

In other news, I really love the 1913 fashions they have in this episode. They are so flattering - to male and female alike - and are very dignified. I love the dress Daisy wears to the dance and Martha, the Doctor's companion, looks so much better in the old fashioned clothes and make up than she does in the modern slap.

1913 Martha

2007 Martha

Shantastic News!

I was in Waterstones in Scotch Hall in Drogheda yesterday and I heard some SHANTASTIC NEWS! Darren Shan, teenage horror author, will be in Waterstones signing copies of his new book 'Blood Demon' on Thursday 7th June from 4pm - 5pm. I am going to go and get black t-shirts made up with Shan-tastic on the front in glittering letters and I want to get a photo of me and Darren together. Would anyone like to come with me, we could get a group together (all wearing t-shirts) and make a day of it! Email me if you are interested, it'll be fun!

On a less happy note, the third part of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein titled Dead and Alive, isn't out yet (the reason why I was in Waterstones yesterday) and looking up Amazon today I found out that the release date has been bumped til next year. Shame.

Welcome Toffee!

The newest canine companion to the Murphy family arrived yesterday. Her name is Toffee and she is a baby black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She is a very friendly, adventurous, out going little pup who has already bonded with her master, Madeline, and who almost knows her name (after only 24 hours!) She has yet to meet the Blackrock hounds, so all that fun is in front of her!
Welcome Toffee, and wishing the best of luck to Madeline in her dog ownership.

The lesson I have learned

Is that you should always bring your book with you. I went for lunch with a friend the other day and I brought my book with me, but left it in the car once I arrived at the meeting point, because I thought I would hardly need it while eating lunch. How wrong I was. Half way through eating, my friend popped out for a few seconds and didn't return for fifteen minutes. That was precious reading time lost because of not being prepared. And then, this morning, I was waiting for my mum while she went into the shop and AGAIN, I didn't bring my book with me and lost out on minutes of reading. In future I am going to keep a book on me at all times. I might have to strap it to my body to achieve this, but if it must be done, it will be done. Maybe I could invent the first book holster.

Book Pledge: 33/150

Writing Competition

the RTE Guide in association with Mills & Boon are running a writing competition. These are the guidelines for entry: -

'We are looking for a romantic story or between 900 and 1000 words with a beginning, middle and happy ending, an innovative plot and a strong focus on the central characters.'

They aren't looking for much, are they?

Writing Update

This is meant to be a writing blog and recently my writing posts have been few and far between. So here is an update:-

The Moonwolf Chronicles:- Til the Moon Fails is still being written. I wasn't happy with the first draft so I have started it again from scratch. It is coming along well, but there is a lot still to be written.
- The Mark of the Wolf. I have notes on the rewrite and on what I want to change and improve and highlight, but as yet no work has been done on it.
- In Search of the Moon is in editing limbo.

Iserie Valult books:- Valerie and I have had some very productive meetings about our joint trilogy of science fiction books, which have taken Biff and co into interesting and new territory. However, it has not progressed any further than that.

The WB: - No further work done.

7 Days in Hell:- Has been submitted for a second time.

Short stories, flash fiction, other work:- Nothing to report.

Books: - 28/48

Submissions:- 7 Days in Hell - 2 Other - 0

The World's First Clone?

These two actors have always intrigued me by their similarities. The man in picture one is Mandy Patinkin, perhaps best known for playing Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride (now say it with me... 'Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die'). He was born on 30th November 1952 in Chicago Illinois. He is 6ft 3/4 ins tall. His full name is Mandel Bruce Patinkin. He is Jewish. He has been married to the same woman for 27 years. He has a couple of kids. Apart from being a talented actor he is also a successful singer.

The man in picture two is Kevin Kliner, perhaps best known for playing William Boone in the first season of Earth Final Conflict. He was born on 3rd May 1958 in Baltimore Maryland. He is 6ft 3ins tall. He has been married to the same woman for 9 years. He has a reputation for being difficult to work with.

Now look at the two pictures. These men have a a striking similarity, don't you think? In fact, they could almost be the same person. Maybe they are - maybe they were the world's first clones! I have no proof - yet - apart from the fact that they look and sound alike. They must be related somehow, they are so alike. Has anyone else noticed this?

Arlene Philips Shocker

Anyone who has watched the BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, will know Arlene Philips. Now, think of this woman. Imagine her. Visualise what she looks like. Got a mental picture of her? Good.

What age would you say she was? In her fifties maybe?



63!


I can't believe it. I am in shock. Dance really is the secret of youth.

Happy Birthday Nathon Fillion

Happy Birthday Nathon, 36 today. And because one picture is never enough...

You will always be the Captain. Stay shiny.

Happy First Birthday Mango & Tottie

Happy Birthday Mango and Tottie. 1 today. Hope you have a good one.

Book pledge: 23/150

Happy Birthday Angel

Today would have been dear Angel's 18th birthday, were she still with us. I hope she is running joyfully through the fields of heaven, with Muffin, Cino, Sheba and dozens of cats in tow.

Superscan Trek

Shopping, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the trolley, Murphy, and its weekly mission to shop where no one has shopped before (cue music)

Superquinn in Dundalk has introduced Superscan, the new way to shop. You scan your reward card as you enter and you receive a scanner (similar to that pictured above) to scan your items as you do you shop. You pack your goods as you go around the aisles and then hand in the scanner at a special till, pay and go. It is quick, simple and FUN!

Yes, I said FUN. Shopping is finally fun. The scanner reminds me of the tricorder from Star trek, and it is so cool scanning all the bar codes as you go around, looking at the price of each item and how much your total is as you shop. I know that the novelty will wear off eventually, but for the moment I am Mr Spock (a short, chubby, female human Mr Spock, I admit) to my mother's Captain Kirk. :D

The 50 Greatest TV Dramas - according to C4

I caught a bit of this on Saturday night, but I was too tired to watch more than a few minutes. However, my interest was piqued by the fact that I had seen a clip from The Prisoner on the ads for the programme and I wanted to know where it placed. I was sure that Channel Four would put the list on their website, as they have with other similar minded shows, but they haven't as of yet. However, I have found the list (posted by some kind mortal on their blog, and from there to a forum) and I discovered that

a) The Prisoner ranked #38

b) Doctor Who ranked #26

c) The Sopranos ranked #1

The thing about the list is, I wonder what they define as a drama. It had things like Hill Street Blues, and The Sopranos, yet was predominately British. It had Pride and Prejudice, Z Cars, Roots, Band of Brothers, Bleak House, Shameless - rather an eclectic mix for dramas, don't you think? And where are The X Files? Also, I think both The Prisoner and Doctor Who should have ranked MUCH HIGHER than they did.

Book Pledge: 20/150

Sunday night movies

I was watching Channel 4's Sunday night movie double bill last night. First there was I, Robot with Will Smith, based on a short story by Isaac Asimov.

I saw this movie in 2004 when it came out and I enjoyed it, but I never really thought about watching it again and I only took the time to catch it on the telly because the robot, Sonny, is voiced by Alan Tudyk (Wash from Firefly and Serenity). In 2004 I didn't even know who Wash was! Imagine. I watched the movie again primarily to listen to Sonny's voice (and all I had to do was close my eyes and I saw Wash) but I got engrossed in the movie and really really enjoyed it. I would watch it again without hesitation. It has a good (although simple) story, good special effects and likable characters portrayed by competent actors. Definitely better than other Asimov adaptations (Bicentennial Man anyone? Shudder). Why is it that Philip K Dick (whose books I find difficult to read) makes such great movies (Bladerunner, Screamers) and Asimov (whose books and stories I love) makes such so-so movies?

Anyway, the second movie was 1995's Johnny Mnemonic with Keanu Reeves.

I remember watching this movie at the time and hating it, but I thought I would give it a go as a nostalgia trip. I couldn't believe how BAD it was! It was only made 11 years ago, but it is so creaky and dated, the quality of the film looks like it is twice as old. Keanu Reeves - a good looking guy with VERY limited acting skills - is SO BAD as the title character that I don't know how he got away with it. His delivery of hackneyed, corny lines is so inappropriate and devoid of modulation that it is hilarious. For anyone who doesn't know the plot, he is a data courier who uses his brain to smuggle downloaded secrets. His normal capacity is 80GB (which doesn't seem all that great) but he doubles his capacity to 160GB. I chuckled my way through the cardboard rubbish of the first ten minutes or so, but then I turned it off because it totally lost my interest.

In conclusion, two very different science fiction movies, with almost ten years between them:- one movie is good, engaging, entertaining and captivating, the other so bad it deserves to be sent into the dark dungeon where stinkers are left to disappear into oblivion.

Happy Birthday Adam Baldwin

45 today.

America Ferrera - AKA Ugly Betty

I am a big fan of Ugly Betty. America Ferrera is very likable in the title role and I like its blend of humour and drama. I thought I would post this picture of America in her real life persona to show that she is not at all ugly (although, anyone who watches the programme can easily see that).

Happy Birthday Muffin

Muffin would have been 10 today, had she lived.

Hot Fuzz

I went to see Hot Fuzz today. It is REALLY good and REALLY funny. I love Spaced and I love Shaun of the Dead, so Hot Fuzz ticked all the boxes for me. A lot of reviewers said that there are two types of comedy in this movie - a slow, Miss Marple kind at the beginning and an explosion laden Bad Boys take off at the end. They are correct in this, but critics have criticised the movie for this, saying it doesn't gel. I didn't find this at all. I thought it was hilarious from beginning to end and that the parody of block busters like Bad Boys was excellent. There aren't enough movies featuring sweet middle aged English women riding a bicycle while firing two hand guns! Simon Pegg has also got flack for playing his character Nick Angel so seriously. I thought he was excellent in this part and made Nick very likable. Thoroughly enjoyable all round.

Happy Chinese New Year

2007 is the year of the pig. Pigs are honest, reliable and extremely loyal. They are quick-tempered, but they don't like to argue. They are kind to those they love and make a good companion. They like to set themselves goals and carry them out, but they can be too impulsive sometimes. Pigs will get along with Rabbits and Goats.

Happy Birthday Blueberry

9 years old today.

Eygptian Dance Class

Went to Egyptian Dance Class in Dublin this evening. I really enjoy it. The teacher is really good and it is such a beautiful, gentle, graceful dance that really works out your muscles as well! Tonight I learned two new moves - a travelling step and wrist circles (don't know the official names!) It was nice and gentle tonight, compared to the intense workout at the last class, which suited me as I was tired and in a more gentle mood.

Plans for February

My plans for February are as follows: -

1. Write 50K words of Til the Moon Fails
2. Complete and submit assignments 4 and 5 for the Writers Bureau
3. Read 12 books
4. Start rewriting The Mark of the Wolf
5. Edit and submit zombie flash fiction Deadly


Book Pledge: 9/150
Submission Pledge: 0/30

Review of January

My goals for January were as follows: -

1. Write 50K words on Til the Moon Fails.
Something about the Til the Moon Fails has been bugging me since I started it, and this month I realised what that was. So, I have gone back to the start to rectify the problem. This means I didn't get as much done on furthering the book as I had wished, however I hope that it will continue to flow quicker and stronger from now on.

2. Start to edit The Mark of the Wolf.
I read The Mark of the Wolf and took copious notes and I realised that editing was really a euphemism for rewriting it. The writing is good and there is a story there, but everything is layered with mounds of historical/big house drama that are unnecessary and slow the writing down. I gave myself two months for this job, which I now realise is foolishly optimistic, but I'm looking forward to starting working on the next draft come Feb.

3. Send Assignments 2 and 3 to the Writers Bureau.
Yup. Assignment 2 submitted and completed and, as of today, assignment 3 submitted.

4. Two meetings with Valpot about our joint books.
Yup again. Had two very productive meetings about Ely, its origins, its people and its mores.

Book Pledge: 9/150
Submission Pledge: 0/30

Happy Birthday Christian Bale!

33 today.


(this one is for you, Pinky!)

What kind of soul are you?

The product of more hours wasted browsing www.blogthings.com

You Are a Visionary Soul

You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness. Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connected to your soul. You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable. Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings. You have great vision and can be very insightful. In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself. Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend. You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer. Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Irish Writers Union

Joined the Irish Writers Union and got my membership card and newsletter last week. It feels good walking around with my card in my wallet. I feel like I can whip it out at a moments notice and commandeer someones book or car, shouting 'I'm a writer, I need your book for research purposes'. I don't think I would get away with doing it for long, but it is nice to think about it. :)

Book pledge:
Submission pledge: 0/30

Magazine Shopping

I went shopping for magazines today (for research purposes, of course) and I just couldn't believe the amount of magazines out there. There were several magazines on tattoos and tattoo art, all kinds for surfing and wind surfing and diving, several for knitting and papermaking, half a dozen for shooting, others on walking and running as well as your usual women's mags, animal mags, fishing and cars and hobbies and news kind of stuff. However, Easons in Dundalk didn't stock one magazine on writing or publishing. Either that, or they were all sold out this late in the month by the trigger happy writers of the town. It really opened by eyes though. There is a whole plethora of magazines out there devoted to obscure subjects that I can write for.

Book Pledge: 9/150
Submission Pledge: 0/30

I was born in September!

I was browsing www.blogthings.com and I tried out the find your true month quiz. Turns out I was born in my true month. Go figure. Here is what they told me, for anyone who is interested.

Your True Birth Month Is September

Thinking Sensitive Secretive Systematic Understanding Good memory Calm and cool Does work well Likes to criticize Loves wide things Kind and sympathetic Hardly shows emotions Concerned and detailed Able to motivate oneself Suave and compromising Clever and knowledgeable Quiet but able to talk well Tends to bottle up feelings Loves to look for information Trustworthy, loyal and honest Careful, cautious and organized Choosy especially in relationships Loves sports, leisure and traveling Must control oneself when criticizing Likes to point out people's mistakes

What's Your True Birth Month?

Christmas cat

This is my cat Fudge making a part for himself in the crib at Christmas.

Book pledge: 6/150

Horses up date

Here is my lovely horse, Cori, looking very noble (and very mucky) when he came up to the field gate to greet us on Christmas day.

Here are Cori and JB munching on their Christmas treats (some feed and plenty of carrots) with Rags scavenging the feed bowl for any left over crumbs on Christmas day.

Mid point of January already!

I read the Year of the Nodpot blog this morning and noted that DN Reporter has done an up date on the Nodpot's January pledges because it is already half way through. I can't believe it, I've only been back at work for a week! It makes me feel bad that I'm not 25K into In Search of the Moon and that I haven't sent off the second assignment to the WB and that I haven't even finished re-reading the Mark of the Wolf. However, I have 2 1/2 weeks left to get everything done. To paraphrase Bob the Builder - Can I write it? Yes I can!

Book pledge: 5/150

Randomness

I finished Brother Odd! It is a really good book and I really enjoyed it. It pushes the boundaries even more than the first two books, which I like, and the nuns and monks are so beautifully written.

I think 2007 is going to be a good year for the Nodpots and the Murphy family in total. I really believe it is the year that both Valpot and I will get published and maybe Mungs too, I'm not so sure about him (sorry Mungs!)

Please God I'm right

Book pledge: 41/2/150

BROTHER ODD

I am a big Dean Koontz fan and I was strolling past a bookshop today, peering into the window just on the off chance they might have his latest - Brother Odd (third installment in the brilliant Odd Thomas series) - when my eyes fell upon it sitting on the book shelf! I squealed with joy and ran into the shop, much to the amazement of my mother, who was with me. I started it at lunch time and so far it is excellent. I was so tempted to curl up in a comfy chair (or even a less comfy one) and read it all afternoon, but I forced myself to put it down at 2pm and go upstairs to write. It will be waiting for me when I'm finished working and it will be a good idea to prolong the pleasure. Reading a new book, especially a new book that I expect to be good (and even more so when it is one by Dean Koontz) is a wonderful experience. When I sat down to open the cover for the first time, my fingers were trembling. It is a little like eating a finally cooked meal. Part of me wants to rush through and devour it as quickly as possible, while another part wants to slowly savour each bite. Mmmm... I feel hungry now.

Book pledge: 3 1/2 and now 1/4 books/150

Back to work

Started back to work today. Things haven't gone exactly to plan, but I am working around it and the day is still going well. Mungo started his new book today. He didn't write as much as he would like to, but he is pleased with what he has written and I know he will pick up the pace during the week. I was meant to work on assignment 2 for the Writers Bureau this morning, but got distracted by other work. I'm not worried about it because I have given the mornings of the week over to it (discounting Wednesday, that is three more mornings to finish it in - eek!). I'm about to start work on Til the Moon Fails now. More copies of 7 Days in Hell and Leaf arrived in the post, so that was an exciting diversion. Looked up my writing for last year. Wrote roughly two hundred thousand words (well, between 200K and 300K). I want to break that total this year and sending it flying!

Book pledge: 3.5/150

Book Review

I have just finished reading Next by Michael Crichton. I have been a fan of his books for years and I particularly like Jurassic Park and Prey. Next, like all novels by this author, is immanently readable and moves at a fast pace, instructing the reader about the complex nature of gene therapy and transgenic animals in a relatively simple manner. Not to give too much away, there were certain animal related aspects of this book that I really liked, and it was a very fast, enjoyable read. However, like State of Fear before it, I feel it suffers from what I call the 'Lost' syndrome. Like recent television programmes are copying the popularity of reality television (the 4400 and Lost spring to mind) and abolishing the conventional hero who leads the reader through the world of the story, so has Michael Crichton in Next. There are no central characters that we can root for or identify with. There are multiple short chapters about different characters that are all separate but mildly linked. Joe Bloggs, who we meet in chapter one, may not appear again for another 200 pages, and so on. At times I found this choice of narrative quite boring. Without any apparent cohesive strand to the narrative, the middle of the book lagged for me. My interest in these (seemingly) random characters wained. The chapters are so short that it often took me several paragraphs to remember who the reintroduced character was, only to move on to another character within as many more paragraphs. I don't like this particular way of writing. I like to have a hero and a strong narrative. In this age of reality tv, everyone has a chance to get their story told, but in reality there are some people whose stories are just not interesting enough to anyone other than themselves and their friends and families. I dislike this trend creeping into literature. I admire Michael for trying it out, but as so many of his books are made into movies, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the blueprint for the script and shudder at the thought of such a fractured film.

All in all, I found Next very absorbing and thought provoking. I hope Michael returns to the more conventional main character approach of the novel, but other than that, I would recommend this book to fans of his work. 5/10

Book pledge: 2/150

Fantasy books for 2007

For those of you who may have noticed I have no new fantasies planned for 2007, it is because I want to take a little break from that genre. I've been working on the Moonwolf Chronicles since 2004 and I am working on them this year - finishing them, editing them and getting them ready for publication - and after that is done, I want to set Reath aside for a little while and let it settle. It doesn't mean I have locked the lid on the fantasy box for 2007, it is just I don't see myself writing another one this year at this moment. I have a plan for another horror and I have a science fiction story I want to write, and then I'll be back to fantasy in 2008 - most likely either Tracker or my opus magnum (begins with B). I hope my other books will be enjoyed just as much as the Moonwolf Chronicles and look forward to 2008 for a new series of Reath books beginning.

Happy Feet Review

Went to the cinema this afternoon to see Happy Feet. I had heard a lot about this film, both good and bad, but I tried to clear my mind of it when I entered the film so I wouldn't be prejudiced. Unfortunately, due to a sudden and unexpected rush of traffic in Dundalk we were about 10 minutes late and missed the beginning, but I don't think we really missed anything and I caught up quickly. The natural inaccuracies bothered me a little at first, but I thought they would build up a realistic penguin world to bypass them, but they didn't. Nicole Kidman's voice work as Mumbles mother really irritated me after a while. Mumbles never moulting got under my skin as well. He was visually different enough for the animators not to need that as a visual clue as to which penguin was Mumbles. I didn't think the animation was that good, and when they showed the penguins swimming, it really paled in comparison to the real thing. I suppose the biggest problem I have with the movie is that it had no story and after 10 or 20 minutes of looking at endearing fluffy penguins, I got bored and started to pick holes in the animation and natural inaccuracies because I had nothing else to occupy my mind. I liked the idea of the heartsong though, and all the penguins singing together with the Aurora Borealis over head was a cool scene. The end was particularly laughable. Overall, I came away from the cinema bored, brow beaten by illogical environmental propaganda and glad that the movie wasn't very long (although it felt it) because I didn't have to pay for parking. One other thing of (mild) interest - I was sure the leopard seal was supposed to be voiced by Steve Irwin, but it certainly didn't sound like him. Did the Irwin family pull his voice after his tragic accident?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

My New Year writing resolutions for 2007 are as follows:-

1. Finish Til the Moon Fails
2. Edit the Moonwolf Chronicles and submit
3. Write another Zombie Horror
4. Do two assignments for the Writer's Bureau each month
5. Write a couple of short stories and send them out to publications
6. Write Twenty-Four Hours with Valerie (and maybe another joint venture)
7. Edit 7 Days in Hell and submit

I have also taken a pledge to read 150 books this year and a pledge to submit the Moonwolf Chronicles up to 30 times (please God I won't have to do it that many times!)

Book Pledge: 1/150

Nodpot of the Year - 2006

They say a picture tells a thousand words, and I think it is quite obvious what the out come of the Nodpot of the Year was from this photo. I didn't win. I know, it was a shock to me too. I really thought I had got the hat trick and won for the third time this year. I hoped that Valerie would win. I was convinced that Mungo hadn't got a chance, and then he reached in his grubby little paws and stole the cup away from me. His gloating is insufferable. I don't know how I am going to put up with a year of this. At least he is planning on going on tour with his cup, I might get a few months break from him then.

So, the six months are over...

and what have I done? Well, quite a lot actually. I have finished In Search of the Moon, Written a good chunk of Til The Moon Fails and written a complete novel in 7 Days in Hell. A lot of people have commented on the fact that my six months are over and have asked what I am going to do now. The answer is - keep on writing! It has been a really great six months and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to do this. I hope that I will begin making money from writing in 2007 as well as continue to love doing what I am doing and getting lots done!

Thank you to all the people who have helped me and supported me over the last six months. You are all stars and I love you (you know who you are!)

All the best, Iseult

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Wishing one and all a happy and holy 12 days of Christmas and a happy New Year. All the best in 2007!

This day week is Christmas day!

It seems weird that after all the preparation, planning and executing, I don't feel like it is Christmas at all. I have two Christmas parties this week, and presents to give out to family and friends. Maybe I'll get more into the Christmas spirit the nearer I come to the date. I feel like this every year - November, I can't wait for Christmas but by the last week I feel washed out and like it is any other normal week of the year.

Weapons of mice distruction

I heard on the radio this morning that a man carrying 100 mice in his bag caused havoc when the mice escaped from the bag and ran around the airplane he was travelling in, even falling on to the heads of other passengers. An investigation is looking into how the man got the mice onto the plane in the first place.

If mice can be smuggled onto a plane, maybe it isn't too far fetched to think snakes can be too!

For Pinky

Happy Birthday Michael Shanks. 36 today.

On the subject of Michael Shanks, check out Star Toons for some really funny Stargate cartoons. My favourites are: -Bridge Works close up of Earl's list triple ship and the asgards secret weapon

Who will be Nodpot of the Year 2006?

The Disresponsibe Nodpots voted for the Nodpot of the year last weekend. It has been going for two years and I have won it two years in a row, so I have hoping to win it again this year and get the hat trick. However, I don't know if I am the most worthy member to receive it. Mungo did a lot of writing this year, and he is totally new to this whole writing lark. He also shamed me with the amount of times he submitted Leaf to publishers and agents. I think Valerie really deserves to win though. Apart from the impressive list of books that she has read, she won Nanowrimo this year and wrote a wonderful book, as well as sponsoring me and giving me lots of help and support. She has also submitted her book to agents and done lots of writing work. If anyone deserves to steal my hat trick from me, it is her. Either way, we'll have a great night on the 31st and, as Pinky said on Mungo's blog, may the best noddy win!

I've gone Beta!

Finally I've updated to the beta version of blogger. Don't know if you will notice any difference, but it is a bit cooler to use. I know it is a while since I last posted. I've written loads of posts in my head, but I never got around to typing them up. I should have scribbled them down somewhere, so I could put them up here later, but I forgot about it and now they have been neatly filed away at the back of my mind.

I'm busy getting ready for Christmas. Sometimes, in all the hustle and bustle, late nights, early mornings and busy foodless days, I wonder what it is all about. I've lost track of the real meaning of Christmas, the reason why I celebrate the great feast, and got lost in a wash of hollow (yet pleasant) commercialism. At such times, I say to myself - don't worry about presents, they aren't really important and everyone will understand. Spend time on thinking about God and the light of the world that came to us on the 25th of December. For a few moments, I fully intend to concentrate on Christmas in a spiritual sense and spread peace and joy. Then something sets me off about presents again and I plunge once more into the elf factory.

Anyway, enough of that. What about writing, I hear you cry! 7 Days in Hell is finally finished and the Christmas orders are in from lulu.com. I'm dying to hear what other people think (although a little nervous as well). I still hope to get Til the Moon Fails finished before the Christmas holidays (Dec 23rd), but it is playing second place to the Christmas gifts that have to be made.