A new book on novel writing

There is a new fabolous magazine out here in Sweden called "Skriva". I guess it´s just a sign that writing has become everybody´s best hobby. Good for us all! Writing-groups are gathering all over the place and the writing-coaches seem to make a tonload of money, because they try and sell writing-courses at exotic places like New York and London and Sevilla.

But I´m not the one who wears a grudge, and I would love a writing-coach if I could afford one. Now I have to so with my own inner demons. But at least they are free...

Free was not the new book I bought from one of the writing-coaches through the internet. But it seems really interesting and I hope it will give me some tools to work with. Or at least remind me of the beforementioned tools.
I have now written 25 % of the book, and it´s getting harder. But noone said this would be easy.

New year and a new start!

I have been busy writing a blog on a Swedish site (part of a blog-competition) and since I don´t seem to find energy enough to write two blogs AND write a novel, this English version has been sadly neglected. Sorry for that! (to the four of you who actually keep following me:))

But! New year and new fresh ideas, so I´m re-launching this blog!!
No more photos of a fat middleaged woman in strange retro and vintageclothes (promises, promises) BUT a more serious writing-blog (promises again...) as I´m doing my damndest to get the novel finished before June 1st 2012. Not sure why I choose that date, but I definitely need a deadline!

I took 3 days off from work this week and wanted to write, but so far I have been sadly sabotaged in this effort by Teenager who keeps coming back from his Dad like a boomerang. This morning I actually told him he couldn´t come over to sleep after a night on the town (which translates as a night playing computergames with his nerdfriends, for some reason playing a whole night is very much more exciting than playing a full day!)....so I´m guiltridden for stopping him from entering his home. But I do know that if he doesn´t leave me alone at least one day, absolutely nothing will be written.

I´m such a lousy mum!!!

Writing is hard work

I´m fighting through National Novel Writing Month word by word... Right now it feels like there is an ocean between me and that 50 000 word mark - but I hope to get there nevertheless.

One thing I´m learning though, is that the more you write, the more you DO write.

Sounds funny, doesnt it?

But it´s simply this: When you sit down and start to write, you somehow cross an invisible border at some point and you keep going...
I´ve read that writing 100 words is a good way to stop yourself from procastinating on those days when you really want to just quit. Because if you do write 100 words, the chances are you will keep going.

Much like the advice I´ve also read on exercise - go for 20 mins, and chances are if you spent 20 mins exercising you will keep it up for another 20.

Well, I know the 100-words-advice works, as for the 20 mins on the exercisemachines I´m still hesitant...

NaNoWriMo!

I´m working hard on my novel during November. As you know I´m one of those who will keep stalling everything until the day I actually do die. Just like the Swedish writer Fritiof Nilsson Piraten who actually had that inscribed on his tombstone.
So it actually helps me to have a deadline, a must, a competition if only with myself...
So I´m doing NaNoWriMo.
I´m a noob (as my son would say) and I keep spending too much time on forums etc instead of actually writing.
But I have learned to bring my USB-stick to work, so every lunchhour I write for 30 mins, and so far it´s been the most productive writing-time ever!

Guilty Pleasures

What are your guilty pleasures?
I started thinking about this today when I got myself a new book Dawn French "A Tiny Bit Marvellous", and she quoted "Bridges over Madison County" as her guilty pleasure.

When it comes to books I have to admit I have one: Lilly Feisty.
She writes erotic romance, and she does it sooooo well I had to be her fan on Facebook. I wouldn´t recommend one of her books to my Mom however, if you get my point...

Food is always a guilty pleasure in my life. And ice-cream. And basically anything sweet and or licoricish....

Oooo...and long baths in a bathroom lit by candles.

Nah. I´m not even feeling guilty about that one.

Whats your guilty pleasure?

I can´t really think of anything to say

BUT...since I am getting more visitors recently I don´t want to disappoint you all (all 3 of you that is!).

Whatcha think? I don´t think I have shown you these before.

I always find it a bit hard to think of new vintage inspired hairdo´s. Usually I end up with an ordinary ponytail, or sometimes with a roll in front and the rest in a tail. It usually works for a day dress, but it would be more fun to be able to do REAL hairdo´s.

Next week is my appointment with my hairdresser, and I´m wondering what to do. I´m ready for a change. Here is some inspiration for all of us.

Maybe I should just let my hair grow a bit longer again:)

National Novel Writing Month

For those of you who have never heard of this concept, here is a link:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

I have to admit, I had never heard of it either until I joined the Chick Lit Writers RWA and was told about it. The concept is basically that you write a novel, or 50 000 words, in one month. And if you do that you are a WINNER!!

Since 50 000 words is about what I have left on my novel to finish it (give or take 10 000), its a very handy excuse to join. Because as you may have realised I´m a deadline-person, and what better deadline can I find?

The novel writing is arranged all over the world, and I found a group in Stockholm, which means that on Monday evening I will be joining a group of other (well...) 20-25 year olds and have a kick-off!

On the other hand they are all writing urban fantasy, so my deeply romantic chick-lit story will probably be frowned upon. BUT- I HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED:) So my self-confidence is not totally demolished.

For now I´m warming up - writing 100-500 words a night and trying to plan the story. That way I will just have to fill in the words come Nov 1st.

Joining me?