Tiah Beautement's Blog, page 162

Surfing needs title 9

I think I have reached the point where I actually (kind of) like running. If you hear a crash in the next few days, that is the sound of my sister finally reading this blog entry and falling off her chair. (She's not on the internet much.) I'm not a runner. But I'm chugging along. In fact, last week, due to the cosmos lining up in some weird arrangement, I actually did my loop at a respectable clip - ie, faster than my husband can walk (there are giraffes out there who envy his long legs). I ...

It's the little things...

It is amazing what throws children off. My daughter will be thrilled she is going swimming, slips - and that's it - no dice. She wasn't hurt. Only startled, but that's that - no way. Yesterday she was singing, "Hip! Hip! Hooray!" on her way to school. But a gust of wind in her face and..."No!!!!!" Suddenly did not want to go in. This phenomena seems to carry over to slightly older children. The "newness" of me is wearing off. Consequently, ball-skills is becoming a bit more challenging. Last ...

An oldie but a goodie

Fiela's Child, by Dalene Matthee USA, UK, RSA South African's may shudder at the sight of this book, as people do when they see a book they had to read at school. I'm sure I am slowly growing my own list of disgruntle students who curse my name, too. My husband bought me this book for Christmas. Took me a few weeks to actually read it, because my father pounced on it. He liked it very much. So much, he went out and bought another of her books. It is my understanding that these are translation...

So now that I'm back...

The family seems very happy to see me. They were running out of clothes, you see. Husband is an able-bodied human being with his mind intact, so he could have run the washing machine, but "was busy watching the kids." Of course. And they had a lovely time, too. Apparently they were also running out of dishes. We've just pulled a Frisbee out of the dishwasher. It had to go into the dishwasher, I was solemnly informed, because it spent yesterday being used as a plate... Thankfully they do have ...

Holiday high

Hello - I've been gone. I went on holiday - alone. This may just have to become an annual event. I have taken steps towards making this become a reality by telling people, "I do this every year." Which is not entirely true yet...but it will be! And I did do it last year - so there. Bliss. I am so glad I booked a new place. Because the new place is probably the nicest B & B I have ever stayed in. Affordable. Clean. The proprietors were friendly. Happy to chat if you wanted, happy to leave you ...

The Rules, again

Remember the article on writing rules I posted on Sunday? Well, now somebody is analysing it, which has inspired comments. Regardless if you wish to write or not, the rules (and the response they've garnered) is interesting. Take a peek! No, Not Those Rules

Uncertainty

Tuesday - expecting a book to be highlighted? Hmm...maybe tomorrow. I don't want to write one today. Although I have lots of lovely books in the queue. How well do you deal with uncertainty? I like a plan. Which is a total joke if you look at my life. I have two kids, ages 5 and 2. I am 32. We were going to "start a family" when I was around 30. Clearly we're bad at our math(s). When I came to South Africa I was going to buy a house. I knew this. Finally, after years of watching the...

Back to writing: The Rules

Ten Rules for Writing Fiction from today's Observer.

Comment Box

I have had a few people tell me they are trying to comment but getting data errors. Given my blog is pretty low on the internet radar, I'd left the comment "security" next to nil. I get some spam, but all but one has been put in the "hold" box for me to go over later. Yet, people I know and love are being outright rejected. Ye gads. So I am trying something for a week or two. I have upped the security so that readers can verify themselves. So commenting is two steps. You put in your details +...

e-published = not published?

I was going to try to post a poll, but I can't seem to figure it out. Maybe another time. But I wanted to gauge people's perceptions of the internet. Primarily, what do you consider "published"? I think I have made my preferences clear when it comes to books. I like mine in print, not digital. That said, I do see the advantages of ebook devices such as kindle. I simply don't want one right now. But the day I have to go on the road and live out of one suitcase, I may change my mind. Yet, I rea...