Hello, I’m still here…..

It’s been six months! SIX months since my last post. That’s terrible.

The writing has crawled to a halt over the last couple of months, for a variety of reasons. But over the weekend, I came to a decision. If I want to be a writer, I need to write all the time, not just when I feel like it.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

I been doing the reading thing. Check out my goodreads page for proof of that.

https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/7498843

And I’ve been trying to read from all areas, trying new authors and things I have never touched before. But the writing has suffered as a result – I’m just finding I am getting distracted by too many things. There’s always housework that needs doing, just five more minuets on the ipad (playing Zombie Castaway of all things) or just that feeling of I’m not going to achieve it so what’s the point.

But over the weekend I considered if I don’t actually do writing, put the time in and focus every day, then I will never achieve my goal and it’ll just be one more thing I let go over the years.

I started a new habit, which I was proud of.

Our mobile library visits every fortnight, about an hour before I have to go and collect the boys from school. So I joined up, chose some books for me and the lads, then go and order a hot chocolate, and sit in Tesco cafe for the rest of the hour and write on the pad. I have limited access to the wifi (I’m not hooking onto a public one that quickly) and can just sit, sip chocolate and write without distractions. If only there was a local library/community cafe where I could do that every afternoon! But I found I’m writing about 600 words a time, filling in gaps in the story, and getting some good stuff down.

But I need to do this more than once a fortnight.

Killiecrankie has gone through some changes since I started it, and I’ve learnt a lot about that time period. The end is almost here for it, if I can just tie it all together.

So here’s a promise to myself. I will write every day, even if it’s only to edit a few lines. I will finish this story, check it, write a synopsis, and send it to a publisher. I need to.

Oh, and I’ll try and blog about it more often, keep you in the loop.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Book Challenge… Update 3

So here we are, in the new year and the 2016 book challenge is over.

Here is the final collection of books that I read at the end of the year.

 

Doctor Who: The Legends of River Song

Fairest by Marissa Meyer (YA)

The Lion Rampant by Robert Low

The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones (YA)

Cogheart by Peter Bunzl (YA)

Storm Singing and Other Twisted Tales by Lari Don (YA)

Once Upon A Time: Red’s Untold Tale

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas (YA)

The Inexplicables by Cherie Priest

 

I don’t think I did too badly. I didn’t achieve 100 books at all, but I’ve read more this year than I usually do. I also didn’t read a book that answered every question on the challenge, but I have certainly read a bit wider than normal.

For 2017 I’ve decided to aim for 40 books, and will be keeping track on Goodreads. You can follow me as well if you wish.

Happy Reading!

 

Books I want to read in 2017

The title pretty much sums this up, so without further ado, here we go.

 First up is this beauty. My husband and I love this series so we’ll probably start reading it as soon as it’s released, early December.

 

 

 

 

 

 Here is a collection of short stories set in the Lunar Chronicles world. I’ve read the first three, plus the novella, Fairest, so it would be nice to get a taste of what else this world has.

 

There’s also this one, the fourth and final book in the series.

And then Marrisa Meyer has gone and written another book, this time a play on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, following the Queen of Hearts.

 

The first in the Farseer Trilogy. This has sat by the bed for several months, patiently waiting. I must read this! (And probably everything else written by Robin Hobb.)

 

 

 

 

 

This is a collection of seven short stories, set within the world of Outlander, four of which I have read (thank you library) It’s being released June next year. (I’m fairly certain that’s what Diana Gabaldon said.)

 

 

 

 

 

This chap I really need to read. I keep hearing good things about his books, and there’s only two and a half books out so far. I stand a chance of catching up.

 

 

 

 

 

I keep hearing about this one too, so would lie to give it ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this one. Apparently the lead lass is very kick-ass, so should enjoy it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is sat waiting for me to read it. I enjoyed City of Bones (Book 1) and would like to tackle more of the Shadowhunters world, I just need to pick this up and get on reading it.

 

 

 

 

 

And there we are. Ten books that I would like to actually get around to reading next year. Considering I’ve managed over double that this year, it is doable. I just really need to get on with it. Needless to say, they’ll be loads more, but I think these are the main ones.

If you have any suggestions for me of what I should really put on my list, do let me know in the comments.

Book Challenge… Update 2

It’s been a while since I filled you in on how the reading challenge is going, so I’ve decided to do a quick update before the year ends. (Where has this year gone?? Seriously, it’s flying past!)

So here it is.

Trail of Fire by Diana Gabaldon (short stories)

Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar (YA)

MacCavity; A lift the flap poem book. (I read this to my children)

Wolf Notes and Other Musical Mishaps by Lari Don (YA)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer – season 10 comics

Ganymede by Cherie Priest

Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl

Doctor Who; After Life (GN)

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Doctor Who; Terrorformer (GN) (yes the correct spelling)

The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey

So with one month left in the year, how many more books can I add to the list. With two books I’m already ploughing through, I’ll have to see.

 

Research, research, research.

The three r’s at the moment for me. 

Wanting to get the historical details right, I searched our local library for relevant books on early 18th century Scotland. Being way down south, you can imagine it wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. Finally finding the right shelving (why aren’t all the world war books kept separate?) I had to chose which large volumes I wanted.

The above two were brought home, with another thick volume ordered from the reserved stock at the council buildings. I’m already learning a hell of a lot about history that school and uni failed to. And I’ve discovered that history books don’t have to be boring.

I know these are by the same author, but I have other sources I’m using too, including documentary and websites. Something uni did teach me was never rely upon one source for info.

I can’t decide if it’s worth buying copies of the really good books so I can make notes. I’ll have to see if the writing actually goes anywhere before making such an investment. History texts aren’t cheap.

So wish me luck. I hope I don’t get too distracted or bogged down in the details. I am, after all, supposed to be writing fiction.

Little Snippets

For those of you who know me, I’m a bit of a fan of Diana Gabaldon. And I’ve decided to do something she does. Every so often she posts Daily Lines from her latest book, which she is still writing. So I thought, maybe people might like to taste a bit of my writing and a short excerpt would be a good way of doing so, like going to the chocolate shop and trying one of those pieces that’s in the tray on the counter. Sometimes you like it, other times, not so much.

I know it could be a bit risky sharing my work so freely, but I’m willing to give it a go.

So on either my facebook page (Sabrina Cox), or my twitter (@WyrmbergSabrina) you can sample some of my writing, almost as soon as I’ve written it.

Thanks.

#lists

As anyone who uses twitter knows, the # trends can cause great fun during a dull or very long day.

Recently we’ve had a long list of favourite7 hashtags, including films, TV shows, albums, Doctor Who episodes…. yep the list goes on depending on who you follow.

Now the thing about a lot of these type of list hashtags, is it takes me ages to actually come up with a list. I really think about it. (No I can’t do the ‘silly’ fun lists of Orphan Black) By the time I’ve actually decided upon the list, the hashtag has vanished and the moment has gone. It’s usually because of this I don’t bother in the first place. No that’s a lie, because I’ll sit and have a deep and meaningful conversation with hubby about said list, and end up creating it anyway.

Seven is a rather random number – sorry all those people who love it, were born on it, or have particular affection for the prime number (and I had to check that before writing it, even though I knew it. Ah the joys of feeling the backlash, mistakes forever grained into the net.) – and it causes a few issues.

A top ten we can all do, but a top seven? Well that means you have to loose three things that you love, but obviously not as much as the others. You could do this all the way down; top five, loose two more; top three, there goes another two. Oh look, you’ve suddenly reached the top spot, which ones will you get rid of now? And there you are, your favourite out of that top ten list. Well, if you’re anything like me, for that day only.

Any way. The first #Fav7 I came across was movies. Well, this should be easy, I thought. After all, I have films I watch all the time, films I have loved for years. Yeah, I can do this one.

Oh, I am such a fool.

After forty minutes, and chatting with hubby about it, I finally narrowed it down.

• Zootopia – Easy choice. Probably one of the best Disney films I have ever seen.
• The Little Mermaid – Childhood favourite. Can quote this one without thinking.
• Guardians of the Galaxy – It’s fun. First superhero film we showed the boys.
• Six Days, Seven Nights – Fun one that holds a lot of good memories.
• Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr version) – Finally Holmes that I knew.
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (extended version) – The songs!
• Genevieve – A classic that always makes me smile.

So there was my list.

Then there was #7FavTVshows.

Easy!

No.

And I cheated by adding ‘probably a few others’.

I hadn’t even looked at children shows, and forgot others that I really shouldn’t have. Hello, Person of Interest! So what made me pick this list?

• Buffy – The cult show that so many today owe much too. I grew up with it, but it was only at uni that I really got into it, thanks to a very good friend. I liked Willow.
• Once Upon A Time – A feel good fantasy with characters I like, costumes to die for, and lots of links to stories we think we know. I started showing it to my boys. They like it, but we are only four episodes in so far, so time will tell.
• Firefly – Yep, this one had to be on the list. 13 episodes, not a duff one, and they are all different. I’m Kaylee. Or River, depending on the day.
• Doctor Who – I think I put this one on because I expected it to be there. After-all, I would still call myself a fan, look forward to new episodes and still enjoy them. But when I realised Person of Interest was missing, this was the one that would loose it’s place. Why? asked hubby. Well, everyone knows I like Who, I said. It’s almost part of me now. I’m the fan in the family. It’s one of my defining features.
• Outlander – This is a recently new love and it’s not all an easy watch. I wouldn’t watch it to have a good time. (And those who have seen it know what I’m talking about. Those who don’t read up about season 1 episodes 15 and 16; you’ll get the idea very quickly) But it’s a beautiful version of a book to screen adaptation. It has a deep love running through it. And hubby watched it with me, even though it’s far from anything he’s ever watched before.
• The Expanse – Best. Sci-Fi. Show. Ever. Yeah, it’s that good.
• Chuck – Fun and witty. If we need to unwind for the night, it’s this show that goes on.

Two shows on this list are from books we/I have read – that should tell you something. I’ve read other books that have become shows, but few grasp the heart of the book. The Expanse and Outlander do. (Now go and read them)

So as you can see, these list hashtags take a lot of effort from me.

What were yours? Does it change? And what do you think they say about you? I hope mine say that I am a varied person, with an open mind. (Checks list and sees a lot of sci-fi/fantasy. Never mind.)

Book Challenge.. Further Updates

Two weeks on the beach usually means time to read. At most I get through one and a half books. This year I managed…. drum roll….

FOUR!

Was very impressed with myself.

So the book challenge list now stands at;

Constantine Vol3 (GN)

Hellblazer Vol5 (GN)

The Wilful Princess & The Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb (ST)

Under the Eagle by Simon Scarrow

Sherlock Holmes: The Thinking Engine by James Lovegrove

Star Wars: Adventures in Wild Space – The Escape (Kids)

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

Fairest Vol1 (GN)

The Choice (RL)

Ace of Skulls by Chris Wooding

Runaways: Live Fast (GN)

Doctor who: A Device of Death

Agents of SHIELD Vol1 (GN)

Wonder Woman Vol7 War Torn (GN)

Wool by Hugh Howey

Gathering Storm by Maggie Craig

First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts by Lari Don (YA)

Highland Master by Hannah Howell

The Accidental Time Traveller by Janis McKay (YA)

Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones

Shadows by Paula Weston

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon

Lord John and the Hell-fire Club by Diana Gabaldon (novella)

 

That’s not looking too shabby is it? And there’s books in there I wouldn’t normally read. But I have to say I’ve enjoyed almost everything on this list. I’ll need to start comparing the challenge list with the genres next. Got a few months to go yet, so hopefully anything could happen. And with 16 books currently at the side of the bed waiting to be read/finished, I’ve got plenty to get on with.

Happy Reading!

And the writing bug….

…Strikes again.

It’s happened. After failing NaNoWriCamp terribly – I mean less than 200 words in a month is terrible – I’ve finally picked up the keyboard and been thumping out another tale. And when you get 23 pages in and realise you MC is crying out to be heard, well what is a writer to do? I gave her a voice and have been frantically rewriting everything into 1st person (expect those bits that really need to be 3rd person).

I’ll be uploading an excerpt soon.

 

Too much to do…..

Too little time.

It’s something I keep hearing lately. Whether it’s on Fantasy Faction (Too many books, too little time) or on various sewing sites (Too many projects, too little time) I keep coming across this phrase. I’m finding myself struggling with this very problem, needing more hours in the day to actually do everything I want and need to do.

Obviously, I have to get my lads sorted, so that’s homework, lunches, washing, bedrooms and arguments. I’m supposed to listen to them read every night, but that never seems to happen because they always want to spend their hours playing, and who can blame them after a long day at school, their heads being stuff chock full of info.

Hubby needs his time, either watching our favourite programmes together, or chatting, making tea together, shopping, just being together, taking time out.

Then there’s the house stuff; hoovering, dusting, washing, tidying up, cats, rubbish, recycling…. it’s a never ending list. Never mind that the bathroom is waiting to be painted and the dining room is demanding its turn next.

As regular followers will know, I’m a sewer, knitter, crocheter and general projects person. I’m still trying to finish sewing my blanket together from Christmas. I also write and volunteer at the school library and everything that involves. I never seem to have the time to do anything.

I know I’m supposed to prioritise, which I do, but then all those things I want to do, those projects, reading, watching my programmes, always are the things that get left, and left. Everything gets done except what I want to do. Is this the price of being a mum, that you always put yourself last and feel guilty if you do something for you, just once??

Right back to it. At least when doing the stuff, I can listen to my music. Today it’s Carrie Underwood.

At least until the lads get home.