Awards and Mentions

I have been burrowing behind the scenes of this week, but had to pop up in order to highlight some excellent ‘new-to-me’ blogs, and to give out an award I have been storing in an airing cupboard.

Excellent ‘new-to-me’ Blogs

S J Watson
Those of you who follow book publishing news will know there is a huge buzz around author S J Watson’s debut novel, coming next year, called Before I Go to Sleep. He is fairly new to blogging, and his posts are all about what life has been like for him since he signed with an agent. His book already has a film deal – it is going to be huge. Make friends with him now before the rush!
S J Watson’s blog: Before I Go to Sleep

My Villa Life
Ann’s blog comes to us from Auckland, New Zealand, and she also loves chocolate, like me. She writes about discovering a new city and turning it into home for her family, and punctuates her posts with lovely photographs of life around her. I loved the post about her five-year old boy taking charge and writing his wish-list for the day – a water-slide and sushi! Pop over and say hello.
Ann’s blog: My Villa Life

Scribble and Edit
Madeleine blogs from South Devon in England, and has only been here in blog-land a month. Give her a warm welcome! Her ‘micro-fiction Monday’ posts are lovely, as are her thoughts on the writing process.
Madeleine’s blog: Scribble and Edit

An Award!

I’ve been lucky enough to receive this Award a few times, but life crept in the way of collecting and passing it on. However, the lovely Krista Lynne Jensen passed it over to me recently, so thank you, Krista! The rules are you have to reveal seven things about yourself, and nominate fifteen folk to receive the Award – then let them know in a comment that they have an award to collect. Fifteen! I shall be linking for hours.

Seven things about Me
1. If no-one else is in ear-shot then I reckon I can sing.
2. An ideal day for me involves rummaging in a musty second-hand bookshop.
3. My current favourite ice-lolly is called a Nobbly Bobbly. Trying ordering that in a newsagent and sounding sophisticated.
4. I’m a city girl with a country heart.
5. There will always be a forgotten conker in my pockets.
6. I once danced a lindy-hop with Roger Lloyd Pack (Trigger in Only Fools and Horses / Mr Crouch in Harry Potter).
7. I think the world is always full of potential, even when I feel sad.

I’d like to pass this one on to the following fabulous fifteen for the following reasons:

The Magpie's Fancy
Gigi takes gorgeous photographs, and nearly all of her posts start with this amazing imagery leading to her amazing writing.
Dyche Designs
Blogs like Kathryn's remind me of when I was an Art student, and how much fun it is to be creative and make pretty things.
Katie Anderson Writer
Katie posts about her writing; life in Glasgow; and she often has fantastic photos to go with her words, including her gorgeous dog Hugo.
Being Me
I love Fran's blog. I love her writing and how much fun she has with words. You must go now and read her brilliant post about 'What happens to fairy-tales when your typing is not up to scratch'.
Creepy Query Girl
As her profile made me laugh so much. I think there is an element of creepy query girl in everyone who starts the process of querying, be it for manuscripts or magazine articles.
Coffee Rings Everywhere
Rayna often posts in drabbles, a perfect 100-word story, and her posts have a way of making you think. Always thoughtful and interesting.
From the House of Edward
I love Pamela's blog - her posts often start with a lovely illustration, or picture of her gorgeous dog Edward, and each post weaves a delightful tale.
Inwardly Digesting
Christine's posts are a pleasure to read, often under-scored with a subtle sense of humour. She posts about her writing; life around around her; and often punctuates her posts with pictures.
Happy Frog and I
Happy Frog shares memories with us, and tickles my nostalgic funny-bone by every so often posting about children's television. Love her Sesame Street posts!
Paper Clippings of a Wandering Artist
Carla's blog is lovely - she posts about what inspires her creativity and it makes me inspired, too!
Wilf the PON discovers France
Wilf the dog has a fabulous sense of humour - daily pictures of Wilf, whose expressions are so heartfelt, as he takes to his owner's new life in France.
Maynard Greenhouse
Gorgeous photographs - Carole takes old things and turns them into wonderous new things, often incorporating plants into her designs.
Nuts in May
I am loving Maggie's blog - she posts about daily life, and often uploads photographs of where she lives and what she sees along the way.
Garden full of Lily
Jennie's blog is a lot of fun - she writes about her animals and writing, as well as sharing the occasional anecdote from her teaching classes.
Lake Mary Musings
Cheryl posts from Minnesota, and often shares photos from her part of the world with 'Photo Finish Friday'.

And there we have it! Link-o-rama! Have a lovely weekend, folks.

Seven Things and an Award or Two

A while ago I was given the Beautiful Blogger award by the lovely Wendy over at On ‘n’ On ‘n’ On, and part the fun with this award is sharing seven things about myself. Oo-er.

One. When I was little I wanted to be a cat. I truly and honestly thought that was possible and that one day I would morph from small girl to tabby just by wishing hard enough. To put this in context, I also thought I could fly if I only I could flap my arms for long enough, and would tap the back of my wardrobe looking for Narnia. I also believed me and my friends could call thunder from the sky by chanting ‘We want thunder!’ round and around the playground... we only ever tried this when the skies were already dark and a bit rumbly. So yes, I could call thunder. But I never became a cat, dagnabbit.

Two. I say words like dagnabbit. And gosh. And blimey. And, in times of severe stress, panty-ola’s. I’m really not proud of making that word up. Although I am rather fond of making up stories.

Three. My first story was written in a Brambly Hedge notebook. The story was called ‘Let’s Slink into Space!’ and was about four children who lived in a village with a mad professor (a pre-requisite of villages, I believe). He said he could turn anything into a time machine, so they gave him their toy slinky, and he made it a giant slinky time machine. And where did they want to go – but into space! So off they zoomed in the giant slinky. At the time of writing, I was about seven years old and had a slinky. Not quite aware of ever having a burning desire to go into space, though.

A slinky.

Four. I spoke to the author of Brambly Hedge, Jill Barklem, sixteen years after writing my first story in that notebook. She found that really sweet! We chatted by phone and it was interesting to hear how she came to write Brambly Hedge. You can read more about her here.

Five. I interviewed a few authors and illustrators for my Illustration degree course, but none so warm and friendly as Martin and Tanis Jordan. They are a husband and wife team – Martin is the artist, Tanis the author, and between them have created many marvellous books. They love wildlife, exploring strange uncharted lands, and have always been incredibly encouraging with my dreams. Click here to see some of their books.

Six: As well as being an avid reader of books, I am also an avid collector. My book collection probably wouldn’t make Sotheby’s as it is an eclectic mix of Stuff What I Like, but Agatha Christie books (1920s – 1960s), and children’s books feature highly. Currently the majority of my collection is in boxes from the last flat move, and I really miss them. My books are my friends.

Seven: I am also incredibly lucky and blessed to have some amazing friends of the human variety. I can’t say enough good things about them – they are funny, kind, thoughtful, supremely supportive, wonderful people. My chosen family. I hope you all have such folk in your lives!

So now to the award!



I’d like to give this to the newest followers who have commented on my blog, as I would like to find out more about you! (Only if you want to of course, the award is yours anyway!) So without further adieu (see how I milk speeches!), the Beautiful Blogger award goes to (drum roll)...

Julie at Being Ruby
Lola Sharp at Sharp Pen/Dull Sword
Elegant Snobbery at Elegant Bloggery
Creepy Query Girl
Ange at Signed By Ange

I also have an Awesome Sauce award (which kind of makes me want to check my chin for stray ketchup) from another lovely Wendy, who also goes by the name Quillfeather.



This is for the following folk, as their blogs are all sorts of Awesome!

ChristaCarol Jones, for passing her classes!
Musings of a Palindrome, for it almost being her birthday!
Justine Dell, for having a 100th follower (now at 111) contest!
Elana Johnson, as she is just awesome, let’s face it!

Happy Tuesday!

Five years

Jane, from the lovely blog Plain Jane, gave me this little tag that has been bouncing merrily around the blogosphere. Thank you, Jane! (Incidentally - the word ‘blogosphere’ does not get flagged up in Word as something strange. How quick language adapts!)

Where were you five years ago?

1. Interviewing bands like Level 42, and actors like Josh Hartnett
2. Just started writing a regular quirky history article for a London-based magazine
3. Directing an online team of fifty freelance writers, mainly beginners who loved writing, encouraging them with their dreams
4. Thinking seriously hard about giving up smoking
5. Scribbling story ideas when no one was looking

Where would you like to be five years from now?

1. A published author, whose stories leave people with the slightly warm fuzzy feeling a good yarn can bring
2. Helping with the casting for the film of the first book (heeheehee, rubs hands with glee)
3. Owning my own home, somewhere with hidden nooks and book-filled crannies and a garden for my two cats (who will still be with me as my elderly furry advisors)
4. Happy and confident in my abilities, slightly slimmer and healthier but fully at peace with myself
5. With a man who loves me

What is on your to-do list today?

1. Work stuff (day-time)
2. Redrafting stuff (evening - chapter 22)
3. Blog-skipping (a merry game to play whilst at work doing Other Things)
4. Puzzling over the ending of Daphne du Maurier’s ‘The Birds’, and wondering whether every story I read by this marvellous author will leave me scratching my head and desperate to know more
5. Finding the cat basket in order to take the Naughty Tortie for her Expensive Teeth check up tomorrow (we are both so looking forward to it)

What five snacks do you enjoy?

1. Chocolate (Cadbury’s Twirl)
2. Madeira cake
3. Chocolate (Cadbury’s Buttons)
4. Wasabi peas
5. Chocolate (Cadbury’s anything)

What would you do if you were a Billionaire?

1. Give half of it to various charities – no one seriously needs to be a billionaire
2. Buy property in London, Cornwall, France and New York (okay – will I need to be a billionaire to do that?!)
3. Give money to my friends/family so they can achieve their own dreams
4. Hire Sir Paul McCartney to play a gig on my birthday (and I choose the play-list)
5. Organise an all-expense-paid get-together party for all the people on my blog-list! It would be so great to meet you all.

Tag! You’re it... (as I would love to read your answers!)

Rose over at A Rose Beyond The Thames
Kit over at Kit Courteney Writes
Linda over at Wanna Be A Writer
Karen over at Get On With It
Fran at Being Me

And now for Awards!

And, as you have no doubt surmised by my sequins and best gown, I also have a One Lovely Blog award to give away, awarded to me by the lovely Alex at Friends and Crocodiles.




Without further ado, and with a sultry flick of my feather boa, I award it to:

Ev over at All This and Heaven Too
Christine over at Inwardly Digesting
Amy over at Bring Yourself
Pamela over at From the House of Edward
Joanne over at Whole Latte Life

I also have another Award to give away, given to me by the fabulous Carol, at Under the Tiki Hut, and the fantastic Julie at Silver Lining. I am an honoured soul (and a hoarder).


So, squinting in the spotlight, I would like to give the Sweet Blog award too:

Lydia at The Word is my Oyster
MissKris at A Shelter From The Storm
Old Kitty at Ten Lives and Second Chances
Milton over at KittyChat
Lilly over at Stuff I Make, Bake and Love

More awards coming up over the weekend! But don’t worry, I will change my frock.

Awards and Contests

The sun is shining through the window - it is Saturday tomorrow, and I have awards and blogs to share! So let’s start with the love...

Prolific Blogger

Thank you for this, T.J. Carson!

So who do I think is prolific at this blogging malarkey?

Wavy Lines: I am loving Laura’s blog – she always has fun and interesting topics. Really enjoyed the recent: 9 writers prove that age is just a number

Coming down the mountain: from reclusive writer to published author
If you are a writer, thinking about writing, or just like some friendly chat head over to Karen’s blog now! Favourite recent post was: The Wrong Demographic

Talli Roland
Brilliant fun posts, current favourite must be Writer’s Arse. Oh dear (checks mine in mirror)

Wool'N'nuts
Have been doing a fab New Zealand based A – Z for the last month – worth scrolling through her posts if you have missed any! A snippet post here: P is for...

Elana Johnson
I am quite new to Elana’s fantastic blog, but 1050 of you got there before me, so she is definitely worth reading! Favourite recent post was: Throwing up that first draft

A Cat of Impossible Colour
Andrea is a beautiful writer, with her debut book coming out in 2011. Her vintage style is exquisite, and her posts are friendly, fun and always fabulous! Favourite recent post: Three Exciting Things

Sunshine blogger

Thank you for this, Tuppenny Tales!

*Climbs on desk. Warbles.*
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy, when times are grey...

A Rose Beyond the Thames
Thoughtful observations, evocative posts on perfume, tales of London, and anything groovy that catches her eye – Rose’s blog is a treasure.

Milkmoon
If I could sum up Milkmoon’s blog in one word I would say Inspiring. But I am a writer, so will also go on to add her beautiful photography and magic with words pull me out of my messy time into hers, so that I may linger and feel refreshed for a while.

The Magpie’s Fancy
Gigi at The Magpie's Fancy has also been doing an A-Z, teamed with fantastic writing and photography that makes you want to get into her blog and roll around for a while.

Being Me
I delight in Fran’s blog at Being Me. She is a brilliantly witty writer – one of those folk you rush to read as you know she will make you smile (and snort with laughter, usually when I am at work and shouldn't be Having Fun)

Pretty Far West
Absolutely loving Mise’s blog. She is a very talented writer who knows how to simply play with words, as well as sharing some fab photography of things that catch her eye.

Stuff I Make, Bake and Love
How can anyone fail to be inspired? Go over and look at her lovely blog header; you will be impressed! Her blog is pretty fantastic as well.

Supportive Commentator Sunshine Award

Thank you for this, On ‘n On ‘n On!

Every blog needs these people - they must be cherished!

Wannabe a Writer
Linda never fails to be encouraging, and offers brilliant advice. Her blog posts are thoughtful and interesting as well – pop across and say hello!

KarenG
I’ve mentioned the lovely Karen before, but she is as generous with her comments as she is with her blog posts, and deserved another award!

Music Obsessive
My first blogging buddy! If you like music and great writing then please head over to Martin’s blog. Always supportive and encouraging.

Kit Courteney Writes
Kit is a lovely bloggy pal to have – her blog posts are humorous, thoughtful, and topical - and her comments are so fun, supportive and generous.

Christine
Fairly new to blogging, but her comments are always encouraging, and her posts make me smile. Do pop over and wave hello!

Wow - lots of folk there for you to discover! But really I wish I could give all the folk on my blog roll an award, you are all fantastic. Also - if you are following me but I haven't yet followed you back - can you pop a comment below to let me know? Much appreciated!

And now some contests (drum roll)

Writing in the Wilderness has a contest to celebrate hitting 150 followers, go Sarahjayne! If you pop over there do mention you came from my blog - thank you!

Susan Fields has a contest to also celebrate over 150 followers - yeay Susan!

And let me know in the comments if there are any contests I have missed that need a shout out, as after all this I am about to creep home to start my weekend with a lovely naughty takeaway. I fancy noodles... Wish you all a lovely weekend!

I Iz Honest

Karen G from the lovely blog Coming Down the Mountain has given me an Honesty award.




The original rules are to write ten honest things about myself, and then pass this along to ten other blogs that I feel deserve an award. I’m going to change that end bit, as I’d nominate all the blogs I read regularly. So what I shall say is that any blog I link to, please feel free to pick up this award and run with it!

Honest stuff

1. I am not good at being sociable, even though the opposite seems true
2. I wish my dad was alive, although I wonder what we’d have thought of each other
3. The smell of trees, mulchy earth, and fresh ink makes me calm and content
4. I am seriously addicted to chocolate
5. Unpredictable people make me nervous
6. I cry watching other people cry - either in real life, in books, or on screen
7. I write to justify my existence
8. I never truly believe I have done anything remarkable (even when experience tells me otherwise)
9. I occasionally jump in puddles when I think no one else is looking
10. If I could add a personality trait, I would choose self-confidence



What would your ten things be?

Divine Award!

I have been given this rather enigmatic looking award from Rose, owner of the inspirational blog A Rose Beyond The Thames. Thank you!

I would like to pass this award onto the following folk – Kit Courteney Writes (when her laptop works), Just Twaddle, Wannabe A Writer, A Letter from Abroad (when her laptop works!) and In the Playground of Imagination.

Now, to each of the award winners: Pick up your award (save the picture above) and pass it along to 5 blogs of your choosing- but you can skip that bit if you like. Then answer the following questions with one word & post on your blog:

1. Where is your phone? Desk
2. Your hair? Flat
3. Your Mother? Tricky
4. Your Father? Photograph
5. Your favourite food? Chocolate
6. Your dream last night? Weird
7. Your favourite drink? Disaronno
8. Your dream/goal? Author
9. What room are you in? Office
10. Your hobby? Writing
11. Your fear? Mediocrity
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Happy
13. Where were you last night? Counselling
14. Something that you’re not? Assertive
15. Muffins? Martha
16. Wishlist item? Books
17. Where did you grow up? London
18. Last thing you did? Email
19. What are you wearing? Trousers
20. Your TV? Storage
21. Your pets? Cats
22. Friends? Lovely
23. Your life? Complicated
24. Your mood? Complex
25. Missing someone? Always
26. Vehicle? Tube
27. Something you’re not wearing? Socks
28. Your favourite store? Secondhand
29. Your Favourite colour? Green
30. When was the last time you laughed? Days
31. The last time you cried? Days
32. Your best friend? Happy
33. One place that I go to over and over? Work
34. Facebook? No
35. Favourite place to eat? Picnic

It is surprisingly tricky with one word! More words would reveal number 15 to be Martha and the Muffins, of course, who sang the marvellous Echo Beach. Although I was tempted to leave it with no explanation... but then you might think that I know a girl called Martha who only eats muffins, or I like to insult a girl called Martha by equating her to a muffin, or... well, perhaps I will stop there!

Five Obsessions

Kit over at Kit Courteney Writes has passed me an award that apparently stands for integrity, commitment to excellence and stubborn optimism, and means I get to fill you in on five obsessions of mine. I then get to choose five victims, um, five nice blog folk to ask what makes them tick as well. An opportunity for writing and being curious! Bring it on.

NB: It has actually been harder than I thought to write down true obsessions. I like a lot of things, but I am not obsessed by any of them. So the things below are the closest I have to obsessions and rituals.

One: My novel

I think about it day and night, to be honest, which is a perfect example of an obsession! It will pop into my thoughts in the morning, while on the tube, at work, in meetings, on the tube again, in the evening, before bed. I think about it far more than I seem to do any work on it.

Two: Story ideas

If I am not thinking of the current novel, then I am thinking of other story ideas. I usually have a few going around the merry-go-round that is my mind, and sometimes I stop the ride and examine one idea, play with it awhile, add a few embellishments and then send it off again. After a while of doing this (it could be years) I will pull it off the ride completely and write it down. That is the best example of how I get ideas for stories.

Three: Second-hand book shops

I can’t pass one of these (or an antiques fair) without stepping inside. I simply can’t – what if one of these shops has a Graham Oakley Church Mouse book that isn’t £30? What if they have the 1965 Fontana editions of Agatha Christie books? What if they have the red Tiswas annual? What if, what if… no matter where I am, I will have to have a look. If the shop is closed I will stand mournfully outside, nose pressed against the window, in the manner of a Dickens urchin at a bakery window.

Four: Making a cup of tea as soon as get to a B&B room

I love staying in hotels and B&Bs, and one of the first things I always do is seek out the little kettle, awkwardly fill it with water from the sink, stare in bemusement at the walls until a plug socket reveals itself, and make myself a cup of tea. I then perch on the end of the bed with my cuppa, and eat the little free biscuit, and everything will feel all right with the world.

Five: My Remembrance Day poppy

I buy a red poppy as soon as I see a poppy seller. I carefully attach it to my coat and stride off for the day. When I look down again the poppy will be gone, and I will have been proudly wearing a pin. I will then buy another poppy. And so it will go on. So far I am on poppy number three, and I am not even sure it is still pinned to my jacket. I will have to go and check, and later no doubt I will have to buy another one. I don’t want to buy a poppy badge, as ultimately I think I give more money this way, so really everyone is a winner. Just don’t frown at me when you see me without a poppy, I will have no doubt already donated a tenner.

And so, I nominate A Letter From Abroad, Aspiring Writer, A Rose Beyond the Thames, Music Obsessive (should be easy for you!) and A Cat of Impossible Colour. Please don’t feel you have to by any means, but if you fancy sharing your obsessions please go ahead!