Tiah Beautement's Blog, page 136
February 18, 2011
Stop - don't write
So after inspiring you with Finuala Dowling's diary, I shall now crush your little writing hearts by providing you with the link I stole from Helen Moffett: No, Seriously, I'm Not Fucking Around, You Really Don't Want To Be A Writer by Chuck Wendig.
February 17, 2011
Dowling Diaries cont...
My obviously never to be published novel is Finuala Dowling's next piece on her journey of writing her latest novel. I smirk at this title. I think I have that feeling at least once with everything I write. In the meantime, click on the link above and enjoy.
February 16, 2011
Trying to scrub 'sucker' off my forehead
It was a last glance at my email before picking Thing 2 from school, whisking her to swim which leads to a mad sprint to fetch Thing 1 from cricket. My inbox revealed one message from the newly appointed conveyer (sp?) (attorney appointed for transfer of property between seller and buyer). Afternoon Mrs Beautement I confirm receipt of your bond from... ? Who said we accepted an offer? *hastily replies and inquires as to what on earth is going on* It is true that we have received bond offers from a few banks. It is true that the named bond...
February 15, 2011
Sadly, I don't think emailing in Afrikaans would help
(Or, more rental drama) We have three people. Let us call them Ann, Tara and Erin for the ease of reading. But no, these names are not their true names. Ann has been overseeing our property on behalf of the landlord for just under two years. Ann has never remembered to send us copies of our lease or addendum after the landlord signed. We needed those documents. In the meantime, while we tried to solve current rental crises, Ann passed our account over to Tara who then passed it over to Erin. After bringing Erin up to date she assured...
February 13, 2011
My New Year drama
We may be homeowners. But like everything else in our life, it isn't that straight forward. Why do things the normal way when you can live your life like a bad soap opera, yes? The house hunting became rather overwhelming far quicker than I believed possible. In a few days I saw a very modest house with a large garden for less than I'd anticipated spending - and a cash buyer swooped in. I don't have the money to play those reindeer games. I kept looking. One estate agent I got along with well. Others, in an admirable display of...
February 12, 2011
Dowling Diaries part 5 & 6 (I think)
Finuala Dowling's diary on writing a novel continues. Here is the link to Dowling's I'm outside your house: Do I need a ladder? and "Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns" he said
February 9, 2011
Freezing your underwear
(Or, how to get ready for mixed martial arts class) Start dinner Hear screaming and find Thing 1 clutching head. Feel head, note that there is already a lump forming. Am informed that Thing 1 was jumping from coffee table to sofa. (No, this is not okay in our house.) Get child an ice pack. Check dinner. Husband arrives home. Inform husband about head, dinner, and the one remaining item of homework which needs to be completed. Husband and wife then discuss all essential items which if they do not discuss now, will be too tired to do later in...
February 8, 2011
Finding friends
Thing 1 is gregarious, yet did not make friends quickly since we moved to this country. All the reports from the teachers said that he was social and friendly to his peers. But true friends? They remained next to none. His school separated him from his only real friend in Grade RR so that he would branch out more in Grade R. The start of Grade R was rather ugly: a boy taught my son a racial slur and another held him back from playing with another child because 'we don't play with the brown boys.' After the two hideous...
More on Diaries and Libraries
Today's Guardian features a piece by Nicky Wire, 'If you tolerate this...' An important read, even if you are not part of the UK library saga. Aaaaaaaand Finuala Dowling's blog is back (the powers that be claim a glitch). Let us all be thankful. Her third entry was Like Making Chicken Pie And today's is Too Dirty for Fingerprints Again, if you are interested in writing a novel (or struggling mid process) Finuala's diary should be high on your 'to-read' list.
February 7, 2011
More Diary Entries
Well, I thought there was more of Finuala's diary, but now can't get the link. However, Fiona Snyckers has joined the writer's diary game. Apparently she aims for 2,000 words a day - Stephen King would approve.
