Writing21 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
No progress. Kids home for Easter and no quiet to be had!
Reading“Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom” by Cory Doctorow
Only a little way in. I’ve not got a clue what’s going on, still finding my feet in the midst of the world building – but the characters are compelling and I’m enjoying it.
I’m impressed at how quickly I’m building strength with very little time investment. Still taking it slowly though – what feels fine at the time can end up with me feeling extremely achy for the next couple of days if I’m not careful.
Geek
Finished the second play through of Dragon Age 2 this week and am still enjoying it so much that I’ve started a 3rd – though I do hope there’s going to be some new DLC soon.
I’ve recently found a cute (and importantly, free!) game on the ipad: Bug Village – build your own little ant colony and help them to thrive.
Also, if you have an iPhone, you really should try this new twitter client – it’s gorgeous! Tweetbot. Not free, but worth it.
Writing21 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Been plodding along nicely this week, not much to report.
Reading“The Betrayal” by Helen Dunmore
I’m about three chapters in. It’s well written, but a bit more literary in style than I would normally go for. It’s been such a busy and tiring week that I’ve been reluctant to do much ‘effort’ reading no matter how good the story. Kids are off school next week, though, and I’m taking time off writing until after Easter, so I should be a bit more awake and have some time available during the day to read.
Fighter
Kettlebell: 8kg Deadlifts: 10 Two-arm swings: 15 Left-arm swings: 15 Right-arm swings: 15 Alternating swings: 10 Turkish Get Up: 1 (right handed only – managed to stand using left hand but lost form getting back down).
I’m really thrilled at my progress – could barely lift myself off the floor last week, now able to do a full get up, if only on my stronger side!
Geek
I have been making the most of my super-fast internet this week and been watching a lot of video. A few of my finds:
Fabulous programme, although I did feel quite uncomfortable during the footage of some of the historical experiment recordings, particularly on the small baby.
Gutted that I missed the first episode – it’s fallen off iPlayer now and doesn’t seem to be purchasable anywhere – as it’s directly relevant to my book plot!
Writing20 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Yay! Scene 20 done. This means that I earned a little treat (I’ve been giving myself rewards for every 10 scenes completed which at current rate of editing is taking me ages! I got ninjas.
Reading“The Way of the River: Adventures and Meditations of a Woman Martial Artist” by B K Loren
I adored this book. Very inspirational memoir in the form of a collection of essays describing the author’s experiences as a woman in martial arts. I related to so much of her journey and it’s refreshed my own enthusiasm for training. I particularly liked her take on the balance between internal and external martial arts – this is something I definitely need to improve on in my own practice.
It’s no good. I think I need a lighter kettlebell for TGUs until I build my strength up. Either that or I should just rename them the Turkish Keel Over or the Turkish Slump. That would work.
Geek
Storybird – this site has been mentioned a lot on the Storywonk Podcast, but I’ve only recently gone to look for myself. It’s a really beautiful, fun and collaborative way to tell and share stories.
I’ve been playing The Sims Medieval on and off this week. It’s fun, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it at full price. It feels like it ought to be an RPG (medieval setting, levels, buffs, questing) but without the depth it falls short. Even as a Sim game it feels a bit shallow. It’s likely to be a one week wonder for me.
Writing19 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Still working on Scene 20. Haven’t been terribly motivated this week, but have managed to keep plodding along slowly. I think it’s the lovely weather – far too easy to stare out the window instead!
Reading“The Host” by Stephenie Meyer
Just finished this last night. As I mentioned last week, it was a slow start. The story didn’t really pick up pace until the end of Act 1. Unfortunately, at that point it also became deeply disturbing and creepy in a way I suspect the author didn’t intend.
Basically, I felt the book’s theme promoted domestic violence. The subtexts were that it was okay for the lead character to be brutalised because she wasn’t truly human. She was virtuous because she didn’t fight back, not even to protect her own life. That if you love someone enough, they’ll finally see the true you underneath and love you for it and stop brutalising you. That your body doesn’t belong to you, that it’s really the property of the men in your life to see fit how to dispose of it.
There might have been a decent story hiding underneath, but unfortunately the themes just made me feel ill and very very disappointed.
Fighter
Have been restructuring my fitness routines this week. Kettlebell arrived but I’m taking it slowly – what seems fine during use results in me feel very achy and sore the next day! Also, I want to get the basic form correct before running ahead with more complicated exercises. Current routine is:
Not much progress this week. The house move and other stresses finally caught up with me and I’ve spent most of the week feeling exhausted. By Thursday I decided it was time to cut myself some slack and gave myself two days off – which is progress in itself – I’m not usually good at being kind to myself.
Writer
Writing19 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Finally finished Scene 19 but it’s not flowing as well as it ought to. I’m going to leave it now though until next revision – maybe re-reading it as part of the whole will give me better insight.
Reading“The Host” by Stephenie Meyer
I really enjoyed the Twilight series, despite its flaws, so I was looking forward to reading this but it’s not grabbed me nearly as much. I’m not very far into the book, but I’m struggling to work out what’s going on and the nature of the setting. Hopefully it’ll pick up soon.
No progress this week – as my energy ran out, exercise suffered first. My routines aren’t really exciting me at the moment, either. My new kettlebell arrived this morning though, so hoping to shake it up a little next week.
On the plus side, class went well and I had the opportunity to go over and improve some techniques.
Geek
I’m spending all available free time on Dragon Age 2 at the moment and carefully avoiding any sites about it to avoid being spoilered!
Whew! What a busy week. I’m mildly amazed that I got through to the end without dropping all the balls I seem to be juggling at the moment. Have wine, pizza and good company due this evening as reward.
Writer
Writing18 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Contrary to appearances, I’ve actually made a lot of progress, particularly with research. The first draft of the scene I’m working on was very weak and working on it felt a bit like uphill swimming in custard, but I’ve kept chipping away at it (the scene, not the custard).
Reading“When We Were Romans” by Matthew Kneale
Loving this – it’s very cleverly written. The narrator is a 9-year old boy (with all the quirks in grammar and spelling that you’d expect – it’s as if you’re reading his diary) and the voice is spot on. I have a 9-year old son and the speech pattern feels totally believable. It isn’t so much what’s said explicitly, but what isn’t said in the gaps – you have to interpret what’s going on behind the scenes as he misinterprets events or doesn’t comprehend the enormity of what is happening to his family.
Didn’t get to class this week, but did manage to keep up with home training and exercise. Seriously considering dropping the 6-week programs though – I’m not enjoying them anymore and I think the kettlebell program will be better for me.
Writing18 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
I expected to take a while to get back into a decent editing rhythm again after the half term break, but I slipped back into the routine remarkably quickly. Scene 18 was written from scratch to tie in loose ends and make a smoother transition. I think it’s worked well, I’m pleased with it.
More excitingly, I’ve had a great idea on how to strengthen a currently minor character to bring together various sub-plots more clearly in Act 3. Major progress.
ReadingVarious magazines
I’m currently between books and have been catching up with a big stack of magazines that have been towering alarmingly by my bed (I must stop subscribing to these things, I hardly ever remember to read them).
Good training session again this week, which I shall write about separately. General exercise has been rather sporadic, though, due to a very busy week.
Geek
Tiny Wings – A cute and oddly addictive game for iPhone/iPad despite the simplistic gameplay. The artwork is just gorgeous!
The Sims Medieval – due later this month and looks rather cool. It’s The Sims set in the Dark Ages with quests and crafting and magic. Pre-ordered!
Lilley’s Folksy – I’m a bit obsessed with Etsy and Folksy at the moment. I love discovering quirky and fun crafted items. These ninjas are just perfect :)
Writing17 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
I’ve had a chill out week while the kids have been home for half term, so no progress. I have had a few ideas for plot improvements and tweaks, though, so clearly the break has done my subconscious some good!
Reading“The Cats of Seroster” by Robert Westall
Almost finished. It’s a fantastic read – I do love picking up books you’ve read many years before and discovering that they’re still awesome!
Small signs of progress and feeling more positive about my training this week. Exercise has been sporadic (again, due to half term).
Geek
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs – our half term animated film of choice. I hadn’t heard of it before, but it’s good wacky fun and bonus – the heroes are geeks!
Chocolatier: Decadence by Design – I’ve played the Mac version in the past, but have just discovered an iPad version and snapped it up. You get to own your own chocolate company, design chocolates, and travel the world for ingredients and adventure. Good fun and nicely ported to iPad too.
Writing17 (out of 65) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
I’ve finally beaten scene 17 into submission, for this pass at least. As a result, though, I’ve split it into two separate scenes and total scene count has increased! Still, it feels like progress.
Writing has now been put on hold for a week as the kids are off for half term. Experience tells me that trying to get any writing done while they’re around is an exercise in frustration. Besides, I’ll enjoy the break.
Reading“The Cats of Seroster” by Robert Westall
This was my favourite book as a young teen. I got it out of the library 10 times before finally admitting that this was a ‘to keep’ book and bought my own copy. I have no idea where that copy is now and I fancied reading it again.
I managed to find a second hand copy via Amazon Marketplace, but was a little nervous reading it, in case through adult eyes it wasn’t as good and it’d spoil the memory. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. I am thoroughly enjoying it and was gripped from the very first page.
Back on track with fitness, but feeling quite negative about the other aspects of training. Hoping it’s just a temporary lack of confidence due to all the other stuff going on and that I can get my focus back soon.
Fully appreciating Etsy for the first time. I’ve been looking for a trinket box to tidily store all the stuff that gets dumped on top of my bedside table and getting sick of the same stuff in every shop. Managed to find a wonderful artist in the UK who is making a personalised design for me – I’ll post a photo when I receive it.
Getting excited about the release of Dragon Age 2 (due in the UK March 11) and the Dragon Age: Redemption webseries starring Felicia Day (due March 8):
I had hoped to make a lot more progress this week.
Admittedly, we only moved house recently, but given that all the unpacking has been done, I’d assumed that life would be more or less back to normal.
Sylvia has already pointed out that this may have been a little over optimistic. (Exact quote: “er, yes, ok, I’ll be REALLY interested in how many of your readers think you should be over it already, having moved houses a fortnight ago”).
Writer
Writing16 (out of 64) scenes complete – structural/continuity revision
Scene 17 hates me. It’s a reaction sequence immediately following a major setback at the end of Act 1. The lead character is in shock and is emotionally disconnected, the main consequence of which is the scene is feeling totally flat as a result. I’m slowly chipping away at it, but time and focus have been working against me.
Reading“Nobody Gets the Girl: A Superhero Novel” by James Maxey
I’m about a third of the way through this – I’m not normally a fan of the superhero genre, but this is well written, easy reading, and very funny.
Incidentally, this is the first Kindle book I’ve read (via the iPad app) and I was impressed with the app’s ease of use and how simple it is to send books to iPad from the Amazon store. I’d previously been avoiding Kindle editions as I love the iBooks experience, so it’s been a pleasant surprise. Would happily buy books on either platform now.
Fighter
The good news is that I finally made my Krav class this week.
The bad news is with no consistency of exercise and training since Christmas, my fitness levels have dropped considerably. I struggled to keep up in class and was very sore for two days after.
Finally got to a Physical Challenge on My Fitness Coach so am now using that metric to measure cardio. It’ll do.
Geek
Pocket Legends – a mobile MMORPG I’ve been trying out on the iPad (you can play on iPhone or Android devices too). I’m fairly impressed with it, but it does have its moments of frustration and a decent amount of death (that would be a fairly traditional MMORPG, then).
