It's funny how the idea for a blog post develops. Last time I mentioned how, if I were an agent, I might bin a submission because the writer had the same name as an ex-boyfriend. So that got me thinking about crappy ex-boyfriends, and that made me remember the time one of them informed me “you just haven't got the guts and determination to become a professional actress.”

This pronouncement could have been hideously wounding. In fact, it probably would have been, if I'd ever harboured the remotest desire to be a professional actress.


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Joined Twitter as a research exercise. Initially I wanted to see how Stephen Fry used it, then I started searching for other people - comedians, journalists and writers - to find out who was using it primarily for microblogging (the reason I’m interested in it) rather than as a (purely) promotional tool. Mr Fry’s Twitter is excellent, Alan Carr’s - good too. Am also following Six Sentences (with links to the latest fiction posts). I like the idea of being restricted to 140 characters per update. If you know any writers who use it, let me know. [more ...]

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(Listening to Bring it On by Gomez, perfect blogging soundtrack. Also: all links open new windows, as usual, so feel free to click away!)

I was absolutely delighted to discover last week that I've been awarded a "making lemonade out of life's lemons" blog award by the wonderful poet and writer Carolyn Jess-Cooke who blogs at the Risktaker's Guide to Endorphins. She says of the ten blogs she chose for the award that: "these blogs make me see life with new eyes. They make me laugh, cry, and want to sing/be a better photographer/bake more." Is this not another example of what I talked about in my blog below, the constantly-astonishing kindness of other people who are under no obligation to be this nice? It makes me very happy to know that my blog posts don't make anyone want to tear their hair out but rather might just inspire at least one person to bake more! Thank you Carolyn! I am looking forward to visiting the other nine blogs on her list, eight of which are new to me.

Talking of new blogs, Carolyn has commanded us to share the love by passing on the award to blogs which show a great attitude or gratitude. I want to do something a little different and welcome several new blogs to the blogsphere instead, with the potential to do something very interesting with lemons!

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As for poor Oscar's coffin, where I usually rest my bag to replace my freedom pass -no chance, because it had a large puddle on it.


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The psyche moves in mysterious ways; and also, it would appear, performs the most unexpected wonders.


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A copy editor once pointed out that I'd written 'look', 'looking' or 'looked' five times in one manuscript page - say, 250 words? Of course it's a copy-editor's job to flag up things which contravene the usual principles of good, fluent writing. And it's my job to decide if, this time, I meant it that way, so I had a long, hard look [sic]. One of them was easily dealt with: it was one of those all-purpose 'It looks like she meant to...' where it doesn't really need to be a verb about the physical act of seeing at all. But the others were all part of the scene and, as such, as much at the core of what was happening as the dialogue was. I think I found a replacement for one more of the 'looks', but stet-ed the others.

One of the nicest small compliments I've ever had about my writing from a pro was the writing teacher who said, 'I might have known you studied drama, Emma: I always know where all your characters are.'

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Was wondering what to do when someone tagged me with 25 Random Things, so I’ll post them here too:

1: I’m an idealist
2: A humanist too
3: I’d rather work for nothing doing something worthwhile than have a job
4: I can cook pretty pretty well (when I want to)
5: I have an honours degree in graphic design
6: I love writing
7: I have an individualistic view on life
8: I have a very musical ear
9: I travelled behind the Iron Curtain when there was one

[more]

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Several funny things have happened since I last blogged. I was headhunted for a job with 'foreign travel opportunities' (this is funny because I have to be put in an arm lock to be persuaded to leave the house most days, what with wanting to write and all).

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It’s not easy, though, to really plumb the Spanish psyche, when all the people you meet are waiters, couriers or shop assistants. I craved more in-depth conversation, even in English.


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