Tuesday 31 May 2011

Update about Lost Website Link!

Further to my "gripe" earlier. I did send an email to the British Institute for Learning and Development to ask where their website was. I received a very prompt reply (I'm so impressed I've awarded the BILD a Gold star ) a few moments ago. Apparently for some reason the website stopped working and they have informed their IT Department of the problem. They tell me it will be working again later today.

As I always believe things happen for a reason - some good has come out of my "gripe", it got me fired up to write. Yippee! Am now tapping away at my stories again and my assignments.

Have a great day.

Later...

Monday 30 May 2011

I'm Grumpy Today - How time flies!

Well here we are another Bank Holiday is about to end. I don't know about you, but I feel as if I have been on holiday for the last two months. I guess that could be one reason why I haven't felt in the mood to do any writing of note. I have however, been reading a great deal, mainly books on learning the craft of writing. So whilst I haven't put pen to paper, I have been carrying out intensive research.

I have also been reading a lot of winning stories in various competitions, in particular those submitted by other students to Writers Bureau.The standard of the writing is so high, I am wondering why those students have actually signed up for a writing course. In my opinion they don't need to, but then as a novice writer, what do I know?

I signed up for the WB comprehensive creative writing course to become a successful writer, to obtain individual guidance from expert tutors, to learn how to improve my writing skills, and be shown - in the words of the WB advertisement - "... exactly how to become a published writer." The other selling point of the course for me was "It's ideal for beginners. No previous experience or special background is required." And, finally WB states the course is accredited by the ODL Quality Control and they are a member of the British Institute of Learning and Development. Great I thought, sounds like a good place for me to start my learning.

But, having signed up in September 2010, sending in the first assignment in February 2011 and still dithering with assignment 2, I am beginning to feel out of my depth. More so, when some students  comment on the Students Forum (which is rather basic)  that are new students and are also struggling with assignments 1, 2, 3 and so on, then go on to say they have not only won prize in the WB competition, had articles published in various magazines etc., but they have also written and published their novel/s and short stories, before they have completed the assignments. All of which makes them successful writers in my book (please excuse the pun). This again raises the question, why do these successful writiers need to sign up for a writing course?

I was thinking about entering the WB short story competition, but having read previous entries, and not having got past Assignment 2 of the course, I don't feel my writing is of the high standard required. In addition, as the competition is open to non-students and advice on writing is being advertised regularly on the WB's Blog, I am now wondering why I paid nearly three hundred pounds for the course. Especially as the course materials don't contain anything different  than my extensive collection of books on the craft.

Friday 20 May 2011

What 'Jump Break'

Has anyone else  become frustrated with the editing tools on their dashboard?

Whenever I try to insert a 'jump break' for some reason it doesn't work immediately. It's not that I am stupid or not able to understand how computer programs work - I have after all being using computers for over 30 years - but there are times when I could cheerfully throw my laptop out of the nearest window. The only thing that stopped me from  carrying out this vandalism on this occasion (well a couple of things), is:

a)  my windows are double glazed and would cost an arm and a leg to replace - I know, I may be able to reclaim the cost from my insurance, but I doubt the insurance company would consider 'damage caused by a frustrated would be writer' as a valid reason.

b) having to replace my laptop would have caused my accountant to have a nervous breakdown (he is still trying to get his head around my change of career and has sleepless nights waiting for my next excuse for not bringing in any steady income) and

c) (yes I know this is three things), just as I was about to throw it out of the window, I realized all my work hadn't been back-up for a while and I couldn't digest the thought of having to re-write years of drivel.

So what did I do? I backed up my work of course - now I can throw my laptop out of the window!  End of frustration - all I want is to be able to inert a 'jump break' and for it to work. Is that asking too much?

Later...

Keep smiling, keep laughing and keep writing.


P.S. By the way if anyone out there is interested in psychics, mediums etc., this guy is very good:
http://www.tonystopford.co.uk

Thursday 5 May 2011

Monthly Update and Joke!

Well it's that time again - monthly joke time. Can't believe a month has past since I last posted anything on here! I have been busy though. Writing of course. Completed Assignment 2, just editing and then sending off to my tutor. I have also written a few short stories which I am entering in a  few competitions (fingers and everything else crossed that someone will like them).

I hope everyone enjoyed THE wedding - I certainly did, except for the fact that watching this wedding made me realise just how 'Senior' I am!

Anyway, here is this month's monthly joke:-
No Speak English
An Italian woman married a Canadian gentleman and they lived happily ever after in Toronto. The poor lady was not very proficient in English, but did manage to communicate with her husband. The real problem arose whenever she had to shop for groceries.  

One day, she went to the butcher and wanted to buy chicken legs. She didn't know how to put forward her request, so, in desperation, clucked like a chicken and lifted up her skirt to show her thighs. Her butcher got the message and gave her the chicken legs.  

Next day she needed to get chicken breasts. Again, she didn't know how to say it, so she clucked like a chicken and unbuttoned her blouse to show the butcher her breasts. The butcher understood again and gave her some chicken breasts.

On the 3rd day, the poor lady needed to buy sausages. Unable to find a way to communicate this, she brought her husband to the store and …
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