Goals for June 2012

28 05 2012

I wasn’t in a good space at the beginning of May, so I forgot to update my goals.  So I thought I would take the opportunity now to update the goals for June.

So here is the update for the month:

1.  Revise and edit Medusa as a romance novel(!?!)

2.Edit “Of Kings Queens and Noblemen” – 1/2 way through read through.

3. Finish my Ice Planet Story

4. Edit Ice Planet – 1/2 way through

5. Edit the Gothic novel (Tobias and Arabella – aka the bloody gothic novel)

6. Finish writing “Son of God”

7. Edit Medusa’s Garden.

SoCNoC month is nearly upon us, and I am not too sure how to approach this.  I am considering doing HalfNoc (25k words) instead as work on revising Medusa, because once I remove most of the inappropriate comments, it will only be about 1/4 of the size it is now.  I have to make it spicier, get it more interesting and have a stunning handsome hero who is able to save Medusa and the day.  I am rather nervous about writing again, because I know that I haven’t had much success with it of late.  It isn’t writers block, it is more a feeling that my work just isn’t up to its usual standard.  I have until 31st July to rewrite Medusa, revise it and send it.

The other stories have all been passed in at the moment, not that I don’t want to work on them, but I really need to focus totally on Medusa.  So HalfNoc it will probably be.


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Categories : Writing, Speculative Fiction

Medusa Rewrites

21 05 2012

A writer friend found me a submission place for Medusa’s Garden… except it is a romance site, and Medusa’s Garden has little romance, and the story is far from romantic.  So the girls organised a get together to discuss how I might be able to change the story.

Lets just say, I have written a story that I am happy with, but to make it a romance, it will require a lot of work – even though they say the backbone is there.  If I remove half of what they have suggested, then I will be doing some serious rewriting, something that I am finding rather daunting at the moment.

The rewrites involves Medusa and Perseus getting it on, and staying together in the end… and that is part of my problem, because we all know Medusa dies at the end and that Perseus marries Andromeda.  They have made some useful suggestions on how to make Medusa “die” and I can do that, but I can”t reconcile Perseus and Medusa marrying… unless I make Medusa into Andromeda – and how does that happen?  See my dilemma?

I have been working through this all weekend, and while I know that people like poetic license when it comes to retelling the tales, I originally wanted the story to reflect the human aspect of Medusa, her pain and betrayal.

Now, I have to turn Medusa into Andromeda – which will work, I think – and also make Athena, goddess of wisdom and womanly virtues into a jealous goddess.

Why am I struggling to take a simple story and rip it apart?  I guess because it took me a while to research and write the story, and then to have it basically turned on its head, at a time when I don’t feel very confident with my writing.

I have until 31st July to do this rewrite, so I have a bit of time.  But I have made a decision.  If it isn’t accepted as a romance, it is going back to the way it is, and I will eventually find a home for it, as I intended the story to be –  A story about betrayal of innocence.


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Categories : Writing, Life, Speculative Fiction, Fellow Authors

Medusa Poll

14 05 2012

I love polls, and here is an interesting question for you to ponder.

I have written Medusa’s Garden from a human point of view – there are the gods and goddesses, but Medusa is human.  But this doesn’t quite sit right with me.

After some discussion with a couple of friends, I have come up with the following options:

1.  Keep Medusa human (she can’t turn men to stone, only petrify them with her anger)

2. Make Medusa the magical mythical beast she has become (turn men to stone, snakes for hair)

3. Have Medusa have the ability to turn men’s hearts to stone (a combination of the two without the snakes for hair)

The poll will be up for three weeks, look forward to your thoughts.


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Categories : Speculative Fiction, Writing

The Demon returns…

11 05 2012

Winter Sunrise

I have recently had my antidepressant changed, and while the Doctor assured me that there wouldn’t be any of the hassles like when you first start taking them, I have really been feeling very flat – two dimensional and wondering why I really don’t care!

It took me a couple of days to recognise it, but the darkness was lurking in the background, but I have found that focusing on something else does help to ease it, and get  me back into the light.

I have recently signed up as a Leadership Representative in my Avon business and working at building a team underneath me.  Actually going out and interacting with the public is the LAST THING I feel like doing, but smiling and making small talk does help me to move back into the light.  It helps me to focus on something other than myself and my hopelessness, which is how I feel when I don’t have anything else on.

But I am not burying my head in the sand, because I am tired too, so I am not pushing myself.  I have every second day off and just focus on homelife, tidying up, watching funny programmes on the telly, and just giving myself some peace.

All of these things are working for me, and slowly, so p a i n f u l l y  s l o w l y I am getting better.

I only want to keep taking the antidepressant to get me through the winter, then I hope to come out into the spring with a bright new outlook and able to cope without the medication.  Fingers crossed this all comes together!


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Categories : Life

Actions Speak Louder than Words

7 05 2012

My beloved teaching our son how to ride a motorbike.

Sometimes words just don’t seem to say enough.  I can’t express enough to my husband how much I love him – I can only show him.  I can tell him “I love you” but the words seem hollow when they are said.  It doesn’t truly express the deep and profound affection that I feel for my beloved.

This week has been a tough one.  Words have failed me on a couple of occasions, especially on Thursday when we farewelled young Sarah.  My thoughts have drifted to what I could say to the mother, to console her, but in all honesty, nothing I say will suffice.  It would sound corny and contrite, and that isn’t what I want, so I have decided to let my actions speak.  I plan on doing some baking and making some casseroles and deliver them to her so that she has plenty of food to keep her and her family going for the next few days.  Hopefully this will express to her my deepest feelings, and let her know that she is surrounded by love and comfort.

After the service I had quite a big cry, I had to, I had to let it go, and this was the only chance I would get.  I cried hard for the little girl who didn’t get to live her life, for her parents who would have a gaping wound in their hearts, for her brothers, her friends and extended family, and the community at large.

And that is what has impressed me the most through this week.  The way the community has got beside and behind the family and shown them their support and encouragement, love and peace.  And I am privileged to live in such a community that isn’t afraid to come together in times of trials and support each other.

So this week, here is my challenge to you.  Don’t say something contrite or off hand.  Do it.  Carry out the action – make a batch of scones, go and have a coffee with someone, go and visit a friend you haven’t seen in a while, take a bunch of handpicked flowers to your mother, have a round of golf with your father.  Just do something instead of saying it.  Words can be empty, actions are not.


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Categories : Family, Life

Another Angel in Heaven

30 04 2012

There is a strange pall over the village.  Tragedy has struck and everyone is affected in one way or another.  I did not know the family personally, but I knew them to say hello to.

Yesterday, one of the school children was killed in a motorcycle accident.   And all I can think about is the pain that the mother must be suffering.  I can’t begin to understand that pain, which makes me hurt more for her.

The little girl was an angel, such a beautiful child.  I last saw her on Friday when I was walking my son to school.  Her older brother was frantically pushing his scooter along the footpath, his sister pedalling like a mad woman on a bike too small for her to try and catch up.  She always said hello and had a smile for everyone.  Now that smile is gone.  She is in heaven with the other angels, but that is no consolation for her mother, father or brothers.

It made me think about how precious my son is, and what I would feel if anything should happen to him, and it was beyond comprehension.  I think I would rather die than have to live with that pain.  I am trying not to dwell on it, because I know that it could very easily drag me back into depression.  I have to be thankful that it wasn’t my son, but then I feel guilty for thinking that when a mother has lost a child.

So, to the little angel, enjoy heaven.  To her earthbound family, my sincerest condolences and my thoughts and prayers are with you at this extremely painful time.


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Categories : Life

M mmmmm

26 04 2012

My friend Cassie had an awesome blog over on her site, where she was given a letter and had to list 10 things she loved that started with that letter.

How to Play: Comment to this entry and I’ll give you a letter. List ten things that you love that begin with that letter and then post that list on your journal.

My List: Ten Things I Love That Begin With The Letter M

  • Mum – I love my Mum very much – plus I am one!
  • Masculine – I love my husband and sons
  • Make-up – of course, I’m an Avon rep!
  • Mascara – OK, love this stuff very much!
  • Motivation – I like to encourage other people in their endeavours
  • Moods – CD’s and music that is
  • Movies – Anything funny or a decent thriller are the best
  • Macaroni and Cheese – my fav food when my husband is away.
  • Music – that was kind of obvious – took me 5 minutes to think of it!
  • Maia by Richard Adams, the most memorable book I have ever read!

Wow, that was fun, and surprisingly easy!  Thanks Cassie.

So now it is your turn, comment on my post and I will give you a letter.


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Categories : Life, Writing

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