Secret Smile Writing

I’m trying to keep my mind focussed – can’t say I’m brilliant at it. I’ve been trying to decide which book to write next. I have notes and drafts on about five books, and as soon as I think “I’ll work on Check, I’m in the mood for fantasy” I change my mind and decide to go for the next collection of poems and stories. But I think I’ve got it now. Next on the book list is The Black Rose, one I started in high school 6 years ago. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that a lot of it needs to change, including the two most important characters. But I have lots of ideas, so will keep you posted.

Also there will be a sequel to Little Vampire one day. Because if you’ve read up to the end, you’ll know why. And maybe even hope for one, if cliffhangers get you that way.

Posted in: The Black Rose, Writing | 21 Comments »

Excuse the lack of updates, I’ve just had the week from hell. Work was busy because the other girl in my team was off so I had to keep things going. That wasn’t the problem though. The problem was I haven’t been able to sleep properly for about a week, not even when I’m exhausted. As soon as I lie down I’m wide awake again. And I had to work an extra five hours, which meant getting up a lot earlier and getting home a bit later. Ugh.

But the week’s over! And there are reasons to be happy… welcome to autumn! I know I’m a few days late, but still. I love it – even being cold in the morning. In fact, especially being cold in the morning. I’d rather wrap up against the cold than suffer through the heat, thank you. Plus I have a spiffy new red mac from New Look and it’s good to have the excuse to wear it. Yesterday morning I got into Glasgow at about 7.30am and the sky was absolutely beautiful. I meant to take a photo but I forgot my camera. Sigh.

And I’m currently listening to Friday Night is Music Night on Radio 2, hosted by Ken Bruce who is basically a legend. On the show are the Swing Cats, a jazz quartet from Glasgow who are absolutely amazing and exactly my kind of ladies. I’ve just discovered them tonight, so I’m a little excited. They just played two of my all-time favourite songs: “Oh Johnny” by the Andrews Sisters and “Everybody Wants to Be A Cat” from the Aristocats! No one can beat that in my view. Their website doesn’t seem to be working, which is annoying… I wanted to post a link. Boo. They have a page here on Freak Music anyway. Looking at the sample set list, I’d kill to go see them. That’s how good they are!

So, what’s been happening lately? I would like to tell you all to go and see Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. Michaela (my Cineworld Unlimited card buddy!) and I have now seen it twice. Okay, I haven’t read the book – I didn’t even know it was based on a book. But I laughed through the whole thing, and comedy in animation these days doesn’t make me laugh out loud that much. So that was the first reason to fall in love with it. Second was the animation – very well done, I thought. People keep saying the fact that 3D films are more popular means that they put less thought into the film and more into what they can make stick out of the screen and poke you in the eye. Not in this film. There were one or two moments of intense 3D (sit in the front row and get seasick when the water comes out of the giant sardine bowl) but it didn’t feel like the film was an excuse to showcase their 3D tricks. It was more like 3D was the cherry on top… Plus, have these people seen the trailer for Pixar’s Up? I saw the trailer in 3D and I couldn’t help but think, at the close up of the old man’s face, how much detail they’re putting into the humans now that would have been near impossible years ago. (Up is out here on 9th October and I can’t freaking wait! Come on Pete Dockter!!). But yes, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs is a must see. With the voice talent of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, MR T!, Neil Patrick Harris (Steve!) and the hilarious writing and directing of Phil Lord and Chris Miller you won’t be disappointed. “Come on – we’ve got some diem to carpe!” (and to Michaela – meet me in the forest!)

Oh and in more animation news – I almost died when the trailer for Toy Story 3D came on. Michaela had to tell me to actually breathe. That’s on next Friday at Cineworld, and should be interesting! I’ll be the geek in the front row salivating. See you there

Posted in: Animation, Movies, Music, Pixar, Radio | 22 Comments »

Well, I’m back. I didn’t actually go anywhere, but I couldn’t be bothered trying to update using wii internet. However today my beautiful new pink Dell inspiron laptop arrived and here I am! So excited I might pass out.

Anyway, the point is Little Vampire is now up for sale on Amazon. On the UK site here and the US site here.

It says temporarily out of stock, but only because it is made to order. You can buy it anyway

I’d very much appreciate it if anyone would give it a read. This is a very very big deal for me! Eleven years in the making, my book is finally out there for everyone to see…

Edit: unrelated, but I should mention I feel fantastic despite being far too tired for words. Update to come on new things!

Posted in: Little Vampire, Writing | 9 Comments »

This shampoo genuinely works. It actually does what it says it does. To some people this may not be a big deal, to me it’s a revelation!! I like my hair to be big and I style it that way, but as the day goes on it gets limper and limper. I tried this shampoo last night (I’ve been using other aussie shampoos for years, I’d just never tried this one) and today when I woke up, my hair still looked the way it had looked when I’d dried it. And now, after a long day of work, it still looks the same. I’m in love!

I’m just hoping it isn’t that old new-shampoo feeling that fades after about five washes… we shall see.

http://www.aussiehaircare.co.uk/products/3-minute-miracle-reconstructor.php

Posted in: Beauty | 12 Comments »

Just a very quick update (my copy of Rufus Wainwright’s “Milwaukee At Last!!!” CD/DVD finally arrived and I must go watch it immediately). I don’t have much news except that today I had a random burst of inspiration for one of the books I’ve been working on (and admittedly getting bored of and shoving aside for a while) for about five years now. It was a moment kind of like in Stranger Than Fiction where Emma Thompson’s character sees the apple rolling along the road and realises exactly how to kill Harold Crick. By the way, if you haven’t seen it, I recommend it. Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Will Ferrell – what more could you want?!

So I’ve written a few notes and I will make some attempt at being vaguely organised.

But I am still thinking about Little Vampire. I know lots of people will love it, I just need to get more people to read it. That’s the difficulty – promoting it. But I’ll figure it out. Mostly people are waiting for it to be sold on Amazon, since it’ll be cheaper delivery to the UK. But never mind.

So I’m off to enjoy Rufus and a milkybar. I’m still hopelessly addicted to white chocolate.

Oh, and apparently my laptop is on it’s way. Soon enough I will have full internet access, rather than limited crappy slow Opera Wii-internet.

Posted in: The Black Rose, Writing | 16 Comments »

So as usual, I got on the bus around 7.45 and listened to Radio 2 on my phone. Anyone who knows me well will know I listen to Radio 2 near enough all the time – I love it, and everyone on it! So imagine my shock at 8.05AM when Sir Terry Wogan announced he would be “turning into Chris Evans”. At the end of the year, he will be standing down from his show “Wake Up To Wogan”. This thought left me feeling blue for the day, as I know it did with his 8 million other listeners. I listen to Wogan every day, even if I’m on holiday, and he never fails to make me laugh. The chat with the underlings, the messages from Togs and of course the famous ‘Janet and John’ stories which make me have to cover my face on the bus so people don’t see my giggling and think I’m a lunatic. Sir Terry has been a radio broadcaster since 1972, with a gap when he left to do his TV talk show. No one could ever take his place, and he will be sorely missed.

Don’t get me wrong, though – I adore Chris Evans too! Chris and the drivetime team cheer me up after each day at work the same way Wogan and his lot cheer me up before work.

Plus, Wogan isn’t leaving Radio 2 for good! He still has Proms in the Park ‘09 to host and he will be doing a weekend show, in front of a live audience. Plus he’s currently recording songs for Bandaged 2 for Children in Need, inluding another Christmas song with Aled Jones. ‘Little Drummer Boy’ was brilliant, I’m betting this one will do just as well.

I may technically be young, but I’m a Tog at heart! I will keep up the tradition of yelling “EAT SOMETHING!” at Girls Aloud, correcting people who say “I was sat…” (you were SITTING!) and will have to go have a lie down in a darkened room when I hear Ella Fitzgerald. Oh – and I will tell people I can eat whatever I want first thing in the morning! (A tradition I’m sure Chris and the gang will keep up – or at least, Chris and Johnny will! Will they still get Nige in to cook on a Thursday, I wonder?)

So, as much as I wish he’d stay, I think he’s doing the right thing. Quit while you’re ahead. He’s leaving on his own terms, at the height of his popularity. A wise move, really. And congratulations and good luck to Chris Evans – I know he’ll be great, even if the Togmeister is a tough act to follow!

Posted in: Radio | 8 Comments »

So, you’re out drinking. You’re having fun, everything is fine – and then, unwillingly, you start to think of this one thing. A thing that’s in your mind every day, but lurking near the back. And now, fuelled by alcohol maybe, it rears its ugly head and you can’t ignore it any longer. But who do you talk to? Everyone is sick to death of you talking about it, and no one can really help. There is no one left to talk to. So what do you do? You keep on drinking.

In good news: I ordered a laptop the other night. It’s a Dell Inspiron – and of course, it’s pink. And with a matching pink cordless mouse. I can’t wait for it to come!

Posted in: Musings | 13 Comments »

First, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula… I’ve never tried it before so thought I’d give it a whirl. Someone should have warned me just how good it smells, because I put some on at lunch and when I came back to my desk all I could smell all afternoon was white chocolate, and it made me hungry, and I had to go buy a Milky Bar. There ought to be a warning on the bottle. But seriously, it smells delicious and I’m going to keep using it and see if it does what it says it does.

Next, I’ve been looking a the Soap & Glory range in Boots for a while now and I adore the designs on all their products, but wasn’t sure if that was a good enough reason to buy anything! Then I saw the anti-perspirant recommended in Cosmopolitan, and I’ve actually been looking for a good anti-perspirant for a while so it was my excuse to buy it. So will be trying that out. Plus while I was there I noticed the ‘Arch De Triumph’ eyebrow pencil. Anyone who knows me knows how much time I spend/waste on my eyebrowss – must be because they looked so terrible for years before I learned to pluck them. Anyway I needed a new eyebrow pencil because my No7 one was well and truly done (I was trying to sharpen it this morning at an unreasonable length… I am so smart, I am so smart, s-m-r-t…) so anyway this one was actually cheaper, £7.50, and comes with a highlighter and shaping stencils, so it had to be worth a try by my logic!

Also today my mum got me a new coat, but will need to try it on before I decide whether or not to keep it. She also got me a genius Beauty and the Beast mug. The handle has a castle turret on it! You don’t get much more awesome than that. I seem to have turned into a collector of mugs in a short period of time… strange. 

Is it me or am I rambling a lot lately? Hmm.

Also, just to let you know you can download my book, Little Vampire, for less than half the sell price now. Just go to this page and click on ‘Add Download to Cart’ underneath the book. Only £3.55 to download, and I’d love the feedback!

Posted in: Beauty | 1 Comment »

Okay, so I’m actually thinking of selling my PC (for the small amount of money I’ll get for it) to get a laptop. Maybe.

This morning I got a text from a friend I haven’t spoke to much lately, Rick, saying “Happy unbirthday! have an awesome day” which actually did brighten up my day a bit. That’s the kind of thing that makes me smile, and I think I should do little things like that more. There’s so many people I haven’t spoken to in ages.

Strangely, it actually is my brother’s birthday today. He’s 18 (I can’t believe he’s 18 already, seriously!) so happy birthday Paul

And I’ve just reminded myself to change the calender…

Anyway I wanted to update with pictures for this entry, but since I’m stuck updating on the wii and can’t be bothered going all the way downstairs to steal my dad’s laptop (it’s cold, okay?!) so here’s the list of songs I’ve been listening to lately and am therefore recommending to everyone who’s reading this.

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
It took a while, but it’s finally grown on me. Now every time it comes on the radio I turn up the volume and refuse to be disturbed.

The Black Eyed Peas – I Got A Feeling
When I told Caragh just how much I loved this song she thought I was being sarcastic. I’ve never been a fan, but the first time I heard this song I fell in love with it for whatever reason. I guess it reminds me of those fun nights out where you really do just know it’s going to be awesome. Could do with one of those soon!

Hockey – Song Away
This kind of annoyed me at first, but it’s one of those songs that’s catchy and you can’t help but like it, even if it is a little annoying.

Mika – We Are Golden
I literally have nothing bad to say about Mika. The man just rules.
Paloma Faith – New York
I actually hated this the first time I heard it, it’s the way she says “and I – I – I” for some reason it really bothered me. Loving it now, though I still think ‘Stone Cold Sober’ might be a wee bit better. Hmm.

Noisettes – Wild Young Hearts
I’ve been singing this in my head for about a week now. It’s nothing too special, but it’s a nice catchy song.

Boys and Girls – Pixie Lott
I wasn’t sure about this at first, but Iit does make me feel upbeat and cheers me up when I hear it in the morning. Nowhere near as good as ‘Mama Do’ though!

The Yeah You’s – Getting Up With You
“I didn’t wanna get out of bed this morning” I sing this every day. It’s too true. If you haven’t heard the story of how they came up with their name, it’s kinda hard to explain. I heard them on radio 2 one night (think it was on the Radcliffe and Maconie show but I could be wrong) but basically when asked how they got their name they acted out a conversation: “You alright?” “Yeah, you?” or something to that effect. Interesting choice anyway.

U2 – I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Okay, so it’s obvious U2 aren’t as good as they used to be but this song grew on me very fast. Also fun to listen to at work when I feel like I really am about to go crazy.

Ruby Turner – This Train
I’ve only heard this a couple of times actually, but it’s a fantastic song. It has the sound of a classic about it, which is what I like being an oldies fan.

The Duckworth Lewis Method – Meeting Mr Miandad
If you haven’t heard this, you must. The band was formed by Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy (I have to add how much I adore ‘My Lovely Horse’, ‘National Express’ and ‘Pop Singer’s Fear of the Pollen Count’ – if you haven’t heard them, you really should. Though if you haven’t heard ‘My Lovely Horse’ then you clearly haven’t watched enough Father Ted, and you should go do that before you do anything else. Ever.) and Thomas Walsh of Pugwash. The entire album is compiled of cricket songs.

Newton Faulkner – If This Is It
Not a majorly special song, but it did give me a kind of happy nostalgic feeling.

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – Lucky
Makes me smile every time. Does anyone else remember ‘Bubbly’ by Colbie Caillat? I adored that song!

The Ex Lovers – You Forget So Easily
May have gotten the title wrong on this one, I’ve literally just this minute heard it. It’s the record of the week on the Radcliffe and Maconie show, and worth a listen. As is this show. Can you tell I’m Radio 2 obsessed?

And that’s all my rambling for tonight. I’m off to watch Hello Dolly… if I have time. Early night tonight, I think. Couldn’t sleep last night – must have been the thought of coming back to work after a long weekend. And I was bloody right to dread it, I might add. Sigh.

Posted in: Music | 12 Comments »

The internet on my PC doesn’t work, but somehow it works on the Wii. So yes, I’m updating on the Wii. I got a keyboard for it, but it’s still a nightmare. No copy and paste function, the extreme slowness and awkwardness… it’s just not great. I mean, it’s fine if you just want to quickly look something up or check your emails, but it takes all the fun out of pretty much anything else. But anyway…

I only got paid on Friday and already I’m thinking of clothes shopping. But it’s practical, really! I need a new coat for winter, so if I go buy one now I’ll be prepared for once. But also today I got the October issue of Elle delivered… I haven’t had a chance to read much of it but after just flicking through it I feel like I have no decent clothes and have to buy some more. Maybe now would be a good time to start angling for a payrise… though I have a bad feeling about that. Maybe I should sell a bunch of stuff.

On a sidenote, I stared at the cover of Elle for ages before I realised it was Lily Allen. The blonde hair threw me. I’m not sure it’s a good look for her but whatever floats your boat.

Oh, and to make things worse I’ve just found out about House of Fraser’s Disney Couture jewellery range! Necklaces with little treasure chests on them… come on! It’s completely genius. But that’s why I don’t let myself on the Disney website. I also try and stop myself going into the Disney store when I’m at the Buchanan Galleries / St Enoch’s Centre, but I just tend to automatically veer towards it. Though actually, I haven’t been in there in a while. That could be because I haven’t been able to just wander around lately, with all the toe hassle. Damn feet. But in about a week’s time I’ll be healed and I’ll be back researching in Borders at night and going out on Friday nights again (it’s been FAR too long, seriously). I can’t wait. Though it might be a while before I’m actually dancing again, hah.

Ooh, got tickets to advance preview of ‘An Education’ on 12 October. I don’t know much about it except for the fact it has Emma Thompson in it, therefore must be good I reckon. Also it’s set in 1960s London, so it should be fun.

Posted in: Disney, Movies | 9 Comments »