Monday 30 June 2014

Writing Journal: typos and misspellings!


I had another story nicely reject this week. It was to a good publication that sends back some of the feedback from their slush readers, which is always informative and helpful. (I think?)

There was feedback given from three readers and they were very similar in content. All had similar good things to say, basically that the story had a lot of potential that’s not quiet realised in some way, and all three liked the ending. The negative was also kind of the same, basically that it was not fleshed out enough.

However, one of the readers said that the story lacked polished and had typos and misspellings.


What!!!

Typos(!!!) and misspellings(!!!!!!!)

Inconceivable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This comment shocked me, to put it lightly. I don’t blame the reader; if he/she found typos and misspellings then that is what he/she found. It just that it was so deflating to read those words when I know how much I’d done to make sure that there was no typos and misspellings, but it seems that I didn’t try enough.

I actually thought that I had this story about right. Now I’m going to have to add having another look at this story on my to do list. See what I can do to give it more depth to the setting and characters. Find those typos and misspellings and kill them.

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Monday 23 June 2014

Writing Journal: I'm slow.


Hi,

I’m still writing, but not at a good pace.

Here is the, kind of, progress report.

1. I have complete a major edit on my short story, 'Bounty', but by next Monday, 23rd and not 16th of June.

2. I now hope to finish writing my short story, 'Ved' by the end of June.

3. I still hope to finish writing my short story, 'Jacq' by the end of July.

4. I also still hope to finish a complete second draft of my novel, 'Lonely Susan' by the end of September.

I’ll keep trying to do regular Monday Journals! I’m also hoping to do some other blog stuff.

That’s all for now.

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Sunday 15 June 2014

My Top Ten Obsession Songs



We’ve always been obsessed with best of type list, think Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. However, the advent of the internet, YouTube, Facebook, etc. It has been taken to incredible new heights (lows?). I know this because I’ve been court up in the obsession myself. Far too many hours watching top 10s on YouTube. In particular, top 10 song lists. As I watched all these lists (when I should have been writing) I thought of some that haven’t been covered, as far as I know.

So, here is my Top 10 Obsession Songs, specifically songs that reflect one person with an obsession over another person.

10 Something https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo1tCCKOiX4 I’ll most like have a Beatle’s song in all my top 10 song list, if I do any more, simply because I love the Beatles. However, Something fits well here. Its expresses the obsession of new love, how when you first fall for someone they take over your life, it’s all you can think about. True, but often short lived, obsession.

9 Jessie’s girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2T7wKdQsTo This song is grass is greener obsession. Showing an all-consuming desire for someone you cannot have. Rick Springfield looked like a typical pop singer, but he wasn’t. There was a real dark side to his music and Jessie’s Girl is a prime example. It almost tips over into stalker territory, but that goes to the next song.

8 Happy together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZEURntrQOg This is a genuine stalker song. I have visions of a wall covered with a girls face and lit candles everywhere when listening to this song by the Turtles.

7 All I want is you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et6epq5fslg The message of this U@ song is simple. You want all this other stuff, all I want is you. Pure obsession.

6 Don’t stand so close to me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zp3LPRzuXo The Police are obsession song specialist with any number of songs reflecting theme. There were two other of their songs I seriously considered for this list, but this one is really the only choice in the end. It embodies one of the most dark and tragic types for obsession. Forbidden fruit, earnestly desiring what you truly cannot/should not have.
  
5 Ain’t no sunshine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo Bill Withers really misses this she. When she’s not there it’s all he can think about in this song, genuine obsession.

4 Nothing compares to you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUiTQvT0W_0 This one perfectly shows the obsessive power of love lost. Sinead O’Conner expresses it perfectly.

3 Unchained melody http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK5u5W8afc Every single word in this song by Righteous Brothers oozes obsession. This is unconditional love taken to the extreme.  And it is beautiful.

2 Total control http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yirPs_X8uRM The main line of this Motels song says it all, ‘I’ll sell my sole for total control over you.’ It would be the ultimate obsession song but for the next one.

1 Pissing in the river http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhDJZm_HyXY Patty Smith writes poetry to music. A really special kind of poetry, poetry I actually like! The way she combines words and music is just incredible in its raw intensity. In Pissing in the River she gives the ultimate voice to obsession. While Martha is will to sell her soul for the object of her desires, Patty lets it everything has pure out leaving herself completely empty. I’d quote some lyrics, but what you need to do is follow the link and read them as you listen to the song.

There were a lot of songs that could have gone on this list, I just kept thinking of more all the time. So below is a list of some that I considered, but didn’t make the top 10.

Please let me know if there is any songs that you think I should have included.

Every little thing she does is magic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ
The first time ever I saw your face http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id_UYLPSn6U

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Monday 9 June 2014

Monday Writing Journal: Rebooting the Reboot


Hi,

My reboot hasn't really worked, so I'm starting again. I just didn't keep it up, I've only got myself to blame.

Anyway, I've got some goals. Here they are.

1. Complete a major edit on my short story, 'Bounty', by next Monday, 16th of June.

2. Finish writing my short story, 'Ved' by the 23rd of June.

3. Finish writing my short story, 'Jacq' by the end of July.

4. Finish a complete second draft of my novel, 'Lonely Susan' by the end of September.

I'm going to keep doing these Monday Journals and do a tweet whenever I've done something. Let's see how I go!

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