Thursday 26 March 2009

Firmly in the Past


Those who read my blog back when I was crazy woman, Annie Bright, may remember I was in a car crash back in 2006. Perhaps you even recall me ranting and raving about the injustice of the justice system. Didn’t I go on!?

Anyways, I gave up the fight for justice. Despite knowing that a driver had overtaken a bus at speed, had not attempted to brake, and had ploughed into my car causing more than a bit of distress mentally and physically, I gave up fighting.

Frankly, the fight for justice was causing more heartache than the accident itself (well perhaps not quite). The sight of emails and letters from my solicitor and insurance company made my nerves more than a little bit frayed. Oh and it rubbed off on my poor hubby too! Until one day he said, ‘please give up the fight.’ And, being the dutiful wife that I am, (HA!) I did.

And today, I received compensation, well 25% of it. A diddy amount compared to what my solicitor originally thought I would get, which was 80%. But although I’ve lost the case, I’ve kept the most important thing - my sanity! And saying goodbye to the stress that surrounded it all was the best thing I ever did. Sometimes in life it is best to just let go.

And now I’m signing off for a whole week. Yes, one whole week! I’m taking the advice of lovely TF and I’m gonna suck a gobstopper for a bit. Be back soon!

Wednesday 25 March 2009

A Bit of Culture


I went to London yesterday to see the incredible play, ‘The Woman in Black’.

Adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, from Susan Hill’s wonderful, gothic horror novel, it truly kept me on the edge of my seat – well actually that’s a lie, I slunk further and further down in my seat in case the ghost got me.

My tutor recommended the play when I was attempting to write my own fifteen minute stage play for the Open University. And although I was pleased enough with my result, I now realise, after watching The Woman in Black, how pathetically mediocre my own play in fact was.

The play was a great example of less is more, and shows, if people are left, in part, to their own imagination, novels and plays work tremendously well. And all kudos to the actors, who performed brilliantly.

Oooh, and then I went to Cafe Rouge for steak and wine after – yummy.

I’m going on-line later to book Wicked, recommended by Tam. Oh, and I’ve seen Derren Brown has just opened bookings for his show, Enigma – me thinks I’ll book that too!

Friday 20 March 2009

With the GOOD comes the BAD!

Oh my word it’s been a week and half. Now they say you have to take the good with the bad.

Well the bad came today in the form of a rejection from Take a Break, saying, in standard letter form, that my story was not quite what they were looking for. But I refuse to be deflated; nothing can take the shine from my sale of earlier this week. Well perhaps it can a widgy bit – rejections are so horrid, aren’t they?! But I’m going to read through my story, have a bit of an edit, and get it straight back out there – somewhere - anywhere. They can’t keep me down for long!

On a happy note, look at the lovely card I’ve received from Helen.

She sent it because she didn’t want me to miss out on Pay it Forward. I’d previously made a right mess of the whole thing, by shouting, ‘me, me, me’ and then ‘no, no, no.’ I went all to pot, worrying I wouldn’t have enough people who read my blog to Pay it Forward to. What am I like? Anyhow, Helen still sent me this lovely card. How kind of her. Thank you, Helen.

Wednesday 18 March 2009

SOLD!


Oooh, I’m on cloud nine and a half.

I have sold another story to my now very, very favourite magazine, My Weekly. Yippee!

They will print my story in one of their summer issues in the Coffee Break slot! And I'm so excited because they do such marvellous illustrations.

I’m absolutely thrilled to bits. YAY!

Monday 16 March 2009

My Timoney Tree


I felt a little like Cilla Black, saying, ‘Surprise, Surprise’ at the weekend.

It went like this; my Grandfather left Ireland in 1917 when he was seventeen. His brother stayed in Sligo. They only saw each other once after that, and have now passed away.

Anyways, I’ve been trying to track down my Grandfather’s brother’s family. And, after many, many years of research, I only went and found them! Am I clever or what?

So, at the weekend his brother’s daughter, now 82 years of age, met my Aunt, now 84. They are first cousins. So, as you can imagine, were absolutely thrilled to bits by it all! Wonderful! It’s left me with a shiny glow that has nothing to do with wine!

I have decided to write about the Timoney brother’s lives for my final assignment for my Open University course. They both led full and often hilarious lives, although in places bitter sweet. I can’t wait to write about it. Off to start it right this minute!

Friday 13 March 2009

Award & Happy Red Nose Day!

Ooh, I've seen all these lovely red noses. And thought I'd get one of my own! How do I look?

And another ooh! Look at the award the lovely Karen has sent my way.

I would like to pass it on to the marvellous, Lane, the very clever and funny, Tom Foolery and to new blogger,JillyWilly who I studied with last year. Please do say, 'Hi!' to her.

Happy Red Nose Day! Roll up, roll up - Get your own red nose here!

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Claims to Fame

A little while ago the lovely Fionnuala posted a clip of Gerry and The Pacemakers on her blog. On seeing it, I proudly told her that my uncle used to know him. It was my claim to fame. Yes indeedy!

But the more I thought, the more I realised, it was my uncle’s claim to fame not mine. So it got me wondering what MY claims to fame are.

Now you may think I’m going to mention my writing at this point, but NO! Because the two things I’m most chuffed about are -

1. My next door neighbour is Tom McDermott's (from the first ever Big Brother)sister!

2. I had my photograph taken with Little and Large at Butlins.

Now I don’t want you to think the above has changed me at all, because it hasn’t. I’m the same person you’ve gotten to know and always will be. In fact, even when I’m a famous novelist, with my own pool, a doberman and JK’s phone number plumbed into my mobile I refuse to change! In the words of Gloria Gaynor, ‘I am what I am!’

Can you trump my claims to fames? It’s hard I know!

Monday 9 March 2009

18th Birthdays and Slug Commentary!



My youngest turned 18 yesterday! Crumbs, that came at me when I least expected it! So that means I’ve got no children left! Awh! How did I let that happen?

Over the next two days I’m devoting my time to explaining away my slug story in a 750 word commentary. That should be interesting. Although I’ve got to a point where I actually understand it myself – so that’s something I suppose. Oh, and I let my husband read it – yes I am quite mad! And he said that it had left him thinking – He meant it in a good way - I think!

I’ve written over 36,000 words of my novel – but I’m at that stage where all the characters are getting on my nerves. I think I’ve spent too much time with them. And it doesn’t help that I’ve got a better idea brewing. But I’m determined to carry on – so I can actually say I’ve written a novel!

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Juxtaposition

Yes, I’m using big words now. And it's a nice word don't you think?

I discovered it on my Open University Advanced Creative Writing Course. And decided, if I could describe what it is on my blog, I may actually understand what it means.

So here goes. 'It's two things that are happening in a piece of writing that are placed near each other or side by side for comparison or contrast.'

Right, all I have to do now is weave the word cleverly into my commentary of my next assignment. Which seems to be a fiction piece mainly about slugs! Don't ask!

Crumbs, there is much more to this writing lark than I first thought!