M.S. Watson's Blog, page 13
December 10, 2013
Release of Glass Bones Official Trailer!
Today the creation of my first official book trailer was a great success. In less than five minutes I had put together a full book trailer for Glass Bones, my debut novel. It is available now from Smashwords, Barnes and Noble and iBookstore for USD $3.99. Make sure to check it out below!
December 9, 2013
November Wrap Up & December Forecast
Hey guys! I'm back and I have a couple of really awesome things to announce this week, including the introduction of a monthly wrap up. I was considering beginning it in January seeing as I truly enjoy the freshness of a new beginning coinciding with the new year.
On the agenda this November Wrap Up:1: The launch of the new Monthly Wrap Up.2: My new eBook Glass Bones (And its release on December 1!)3: The possible introduction of Glass Bones in paperback!4: Christmas eBook free release!5: My selection into a Tasmanian writer's scholarship!6: Completing NaNoWriMo for the first time - and winning!7: Revamping my blog!
Agenda 1: Launch of the new Monthly Wrap Up!Okay, so I really only decided to begin this new addition a couple of days ago and only just got the motivation to get it up and running. I'm truly slack, I am. But anyway, the idea is in order to make me a little bit more proactive toward social media. I'm never really into much more than Facebook so it's proving difficult for me to keep up with anything else. But at least I still have everything up and running!
Anyway, less chat, more getting to the point!
The monthly wrap up I'm considering of doing is set out the way in which this is: with a list at the beginning and addressing each point individually. It'll make it more organised and I know exactly what I'm up to. Any improvements or additions to be suggested are welcomed.
Agenda 2: Launch of Glass Bones on December 1!My debut novel Glass Bones has officially been released on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble and the iBookstore for $3.99 USD. I'm quite happy with it but I continually edit it as much as I can in order to provide my readers with the best I have to offer. I have had a few purchases and downloads so I'm pretty happy with that. If you haven't already, you can purchase it here.
Agenda 3: The possible introduction of Glass Bones in paperback!I haven't really explored this option much as of yet but considering I have about ten people already wanting to put in their order for a paperback copy I really do have to get on track! Due to the confusion and paperwork behind printing with CreateSpace I find that it's a lot easier to publish through lulu.com. I've done a practice print and while it took two-three weeks to print and arrive, I was relatively happy with it. It's currently sitting on my book shelf along with the two books that have my short stories published inside.
I'm not so happy with the delicacy of the binding. I accidentally opened it too far and two pages simply fell out. I am not happy with that but nonetheless, a bit of D.I.Y repairs and some cursing later and I had them back in, even if it isn't as nice as before. Despite that, with some gentle handling when reading, the book is perfectly printed.
Agenda 4: Christmas eBook free release!My debut novel Glass Bones was released on December 1 and I am considering a free release of it for a couple of days over Christmas. I'm considering to begin it on December 24 and allow its expiration after New Year's. So keep an eye out at my book's page here.
Agenda 5: My selection into a Tasmanian writer's scholarship!On December 5th, I received an email from Novel Writing Retreats Australia discovering that I was selected as one of six people for a writing scholarship throughout thousands of applicants in Australia - both published and unpublished! I am so excited! It's nine days long and I've never been to Tasmania! It's also worth approximately $2,300 and I cannot wait! Being mentored by a best-selling author and site facilitator is going to be a dream come true!
Agenda 6: Completing NaNoWriMo for the first time - and winning!This year I decided in order to participate in NaNoWriMo for the first time. It was a fantastic experience that I recommend to anyone - whether you write books or not! I couldn't have done it without my boyfriend Liam though. Without him I wouldn't have even made it to 10,000 words, let alone 50,000+. It's a perfect experience in order to challenge one's self and the fact that there are little goodies at the end - that's just so much fun! I think I will begin doing this annually and will hopefully do a daily write-in next year on my blog. Keep an eye out next November for it, and even join in and send me a message to say hi!
Agenda 7: Revamping my blog!Lastly, I think it's about time that I revamped my blog! I haven't done much of anything with it since I was 16 - almost three years ago! If anyone has any ideas of how I should do so, feel free to suggest away! I'm planning in order to lighten the mood - perhaps even going all-white and pastels? I don't know obviously at this point and so I'll just see where it takes me.
In Conclusion!In conclusion, I think it's about time I did more, more, more for my readers! Spread the word about my books and I will reward you all with more writing goodies! Perhaps even a free eBook of my NaNoWriMo novel, Illusion?
If I don't get another opportunity to say it before Christmas, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store - and it's just around the corner!
On the agenda this November Wrap Up:1: The launch of the new Monthly Wrap Up.2: My new eBook Glass Bones (And its release on December 1!)3: The possible introduction of Glass Bones in paperback!4: Christmas eBook free release!5: My selection into a Tasmanian writer's scholarship!6: Completing NaNoWriMo for the first time - and winning!7: Revamping my blog!
Agenda 1: Launch of the new Monthly Wrap Up!Okay, so I really only decided to begin this new addition a couple of days ago and only just got the motivation to get it up and running. I'm truly slack, I am. But anyway, the idea is in order to make me a little bit more proactive toward social media. I'm never really into much more than Facebook so it's proving difficult for me to keep up with anything else. But at least I still have everything up and running!
Anyway, less chat, more getting to the point!
The monthly wrap up I'm considering of doing is set out the way in which this is: with a list at the beginning and addressing each point individually. It'll make it more organised and I know exactly what I'm up to. Any improvements or additions to be suggested are welcomed.
Agenda 2: Launch of Glass Bones on December 1!My debut novel Glass Bones has officially been released on Smashwords, Barnes and Noble and the iBookstore for $3.99 USD. I'm quite happy with it but I continually edit it as much as I can in order to provide my readers with the best I have to offer. I have had a few purchases and downloads so I'm pretty happy with that. If you haven't already, you can purchase it here.
Agenda 3: The possible introduction of Glass Bones in paperback!I haven't really explored this option much as of yet but considering I have about ten people already wanting to put in their order for a paperback copy I really do have to get on track! Due to the confusion and paperwork behind printing with CreateSpace I find that it's a lot easier to publish through lulu.com. I've done a practice print and while it took two-three weeks to print and arrive, I was relatively happy with it. It's currently sitting on my book shelf along with the two books that have my short stories published inside.
I'm not so happy with the delicacy of the binding. I accidentally opened it too far and two pages simply fell out. I am not happy with that but nonetheless, a bit of D.I.Y repairs and some cursing later and I had them back in, even if it isn't as nice as before. Despite that, with some gentle handling when reading, the book is perfectly printed.
Agenda 4: Christmas eBook free release!My debut novel Glass Bones was released on December 1 and I am considering a free release of it for a couple of days over Christmas. I'm considering to begin it on December 24 and allow its expiration after New Year's. So keep an eye out at my book's page here.
Agenda 5: My selection into a Tasmanian writer's scholarship!On December 5th, I received an email from Novel Writing Retreats Australia discovering that I was selected as one of six people for a writing scholarship throughout thousands of applicants in Australia - both published and unpublished! I am so excited! It's nine days long and I've never been to Tasmania! It's also worth approximately $2,300 and I cannot wait! Being mentored by a best-selling author and site facilitator is going to be a dream come true!
Agenda 6: Completing NaNoWriMo for the first time - and winning!This year I decided in order to participate in NaNoWriMo for the first time. It was a fantastic experience that I recommend to anyone - whether you write books or not! I couldn't have done it without my boyfriend Liam though. Without him I wouldn't have even made it to 10,000 words, let alone 50,000+. It's a perfect experience in order to challenge one's self and the fact that there are little goodies at the end - that's just so much fun! I think I will begin doing this annually and will hopefully do a daily write-in next year on my blog. Keep an eye out next November for it, and even join in and send me a message to say hi!
Agenda 7: Revamping my blog!Lastly, I think it's about time that I revamped my blog! I haven't done much of anything with it since I was 16 - almost three years ago! If anyone has any ideas of how I should do so, feel free to suggest away! I'm planning in order to lighten the mood - perhaps even going all-white and pastels? I don't know obviously at this point and so I'll just see where it takes me.
In Conclusion!In conclusion, I think it's about time I did more, more, more for my readers! Spread the word about my books and I will reward you all with more writing goodies! Perhaps even a free eBook of my NaNoWriMo novel, Illusion?
If I don't get another opportunity to say it before Christmas, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store - and it's just around the corner!
Sincerely,
M.S. Watson
November 12, 2013
FREE EBOOK CONTEST! :D
IT'S CONTEST TIME AT www.facebook.com/officialmswatson!
Starts: November 13.
Ends: November 30.
Three entrants will win a FREE copy of the eBook 'Glass Bones' by M.S. Watson.
To celebrate the impending release of 'Glass Bones' on December 1, a photo contest is being run. Starting November 13, contestants must print the cover of 'Glass Bones' and take a selfie of themselves holding the book cover wherever their favourite place to read or write is.
Then, whoever receives the most likes and shares on Facebook will win the contest.
The contest will be drawn on November 30, the eve of the impending book release. Winners will receive their prize by December 1.
Starts: November 13.
Ends: November 30.
Three entrants will win a FREE copy of the eBook 'Glass Bones' by M.S. Watson.
To celebrate the impending release of 'Glass Bones' on December 1, a photo contest is being run. Starting November 13, contestants must print the cover of 'Glass Bones' and take a selfie of themselves holding the book cover wherever their favourite place to read or write is.
Then, whoever receives the most likes and shares on Facebook will win the contest.
The contest will be drawn on November 30, the eve of the impending book release. Winners will receive their prize by December 1.
November 11, 2013
Let's talk NaNoWriMo! :D
Hey guys. I'm back again after being lazy and neglectful once again. Gah, I'm horrible! :'(
Basically what I'd like to talk to you all about this year is NaNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org).
For those of you who do not know what NaNoWriMo is, it's basically every writer's dream. The idea is that each participant aims in order to complete a 50,000+ word novel within the 30 days of November every year. It's free to sign up and has all sorts of gizmos, including sponsored gifts and discounts for winners of NaNoWriMo (anyone who writes the goal within 30 days) and includes a whole cool little author board including badges earned by such acts as updating your word count, creating a public profile, etc.
This year is my first year of actually participating in NaNoWriMo and I'm very glad that I decided to get off my lazy butt and start on November 1! TOTALLY WORTH IT! You can look into forums and YouTube videos, plus there are pep talks delivered directly to your inbox. A handy little statistics tab tells you how many words you've written, how many are remaining, your average per day, rate at which you'll complete it, etc.
Why am I doing this? Well not only does it seem like a pretty cool and challenging idea, but it is a method of breaking through the creative blahs of the previous two and a half years in order to return to what I love: writing novels. As I am aiming to become a full-time novelist eventually, I find that this is the perfect training. I used to have the ability in order to write so many words in such a short period of time - 69,000 in 18 days flat, day and night - but it's been too difficult these past couple of years. Senior years of high school, my HSC exams, trying to get a job and now having to juggle three...
Back to NaNoWriMo! :D
For anyone that's willing to give it a go, it's probably best to start earlier but you can catch up in time if you have the correct amount of discipline to do so. And for those who have decided to undertake the challenge and have already signed up, find me here. Add me as a buddy, shoot me a message and tell me how you're going! :D
My Top Tips From Last Week!
Set a schedule. Make time to write. Don't complain. No excuses. Commit to it.Get a notebook. Put in everything. Write on scrap paper and paste it in. I like to put a chapter per page, just a basic outline and a few point characters. Underneath the description I keep a table with two sections: Changes and Important Details. Comes in handy later when I need to know things for a later scene.Keep a diary of daily word counts and aims. This comes in handy so much. I have a page in my notebook where I've written 1-30 and put together how many words I should be up to at the end of every day. For anyone who would like to have a copy of the table, I'll type it below and later will create a PDF file I hope to be able to make available for download. My List of Dates (All numbers below are the word count due by the end of each day in November.)
1,666 words.3,333 words.4,998 words.6,664 words.8,330 words.9,996 words.11,662 words.13,328 words.14,994 words.16,666 words.18,326 words.19,992 words.21,658 words.23,324 words.24,990 words.26,656 words.28,322 words.29,988 words.31,654 words.33,333 words.34,986 words.36,652 words.38,318 words.39,984 words.41,650 words.43,316 words.44,982 words.46,648 words.48,314 words.50,000 words.I am considering the possibility of creating a NaNoWriMo Guide for anyone who would like it. I'd take a couple of months across the Australian summer to create it, but if anyone would like it to happen or even has some pointers for other authors to include in it, feel free to comment below!
Goodnight lovelies! :)- M.S. Watson
Basically what I'd like to talk to you all about this year is NaNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org).
WHAT THE HELL IS NANOWRIMO?
For those of you who do not know what NaNoWriMo is, it's basically every writer's dream. The idea is that each participant aims in order to complete a 50,000+ word novel within the 30 days of November every year. It's free to sign up and has all sorts of gizmos, including sponsored gifts and discounts for winners of NaNoWriMo (anyone who writes the goal within 30 days) and includes a whole cool little author board including badges earned by such acts as updating your word count, creating a public profile, etc.
This year is my first year of actually participating in NaNoWriMo and I'm very glad that I decided to get off my lazy butt and start on November 1! TOTALLY WORTH IT! You can look into forums and YouTube videos, plus there are pep talks delivered directly to your inbox. A handy little statistics tab tells you how many words you've written, how many are remaining, your average per day, rate at which you'll complete it, etc.
Why am I doing this? Well not only does it seem like a pretty cool and challenging idea, but it is a method of breaking through the creative blahs of the previous two and a half years in order to return to what I love: writing novels. As I am aiming to become a full-time novelist eventually, I find that this is the perfect training. I used to have the ability in order to write so many words in such a short period of time - 69,000 in 18 days flat, day and night - but it's been too difficult these past couple of years. Senior years of high school, my HSC exams, trying to get a job and now having to juggle three...
Back to NaNoWriMo! :D
For anyone that's willing to give it a go, it's probably best to start earlier but you can catch up in time if you have the correct amount of discipline to do so. And for those who have decided to undertake the challenge and have already signed up, find me here. Add me as a buddy, shoot me a message and tell me how you're going! :D
My Top Tips From Last Week!
Set a schedule. Make time to write. Don't complain. No excuses. Commit to it.Get a notebook. Put in everything. Write on scrap paper and paste it in. I like to put a chapter per page, just a basic outline and a few point characters. Underneath the description I keep a table with two sections: Changes and Important Details. Comes in handy later when I need to know things for a later scene.Keep a diary of daily word counts and aims. This comes in handy so much. I have a page in my notebook where I've written 1-30 and put together how many words I should be up to at the end of every day. For anyone who would like to have a copy of the table, I'll type it below and later will create a PDF file I hope to be able to make available for download. My List of Dates (All numbers below are the word count due by the end of each day in November.)
1,666 words.3,333 words.4,998 words.6,664 words.8,330 words.9,996 words.11,662 words.13,328 words.14,994 words.16,666 words.18,326 words.19,992 words.21,658 words.23,324 words.24,990 words.26,656 words.28,322 words.29,988 words.31,654 words.33,333 words.34,986 words.36,652 words.38,318 words.39,984 words.41,650 words.43,316 words.44,982 words.46,648 words.48,314 words.50,000 words.I am considering the possibility of creating a NaNoWriMo Guide for anyone who would like it. I'd take a couple of months across the Australian summer to create it, but if anyone would like it to happen or even has some pointers for other authors to include in it, feel free to comment below!
Goodnight lovelies! :)- M.S. Watson
October 17, 2013
I'm so lazy! :(
So, Rissa is back for another instalment of oh-my-God-I'm-so-sorry-for-neglecting-my-blog! Life's been pretty hectic this year and so it's proved near impossible not only to keep blogging, but also to write novels and draw. As I speak there are nearly 100 fires in my state, four of which are burning uncontrollably near the place in which I inhabit. Not only that, my HSC is currently on and I am really freaking out! I hope I pass my exams but I'm seriously doubting it.
On a positive note, I am finally making time to draw and write novels more with the hopes of applying for a scholarship to go to Tasmania for a writing retreat. I really hope I get accepted! I've also won myself an unedited copy of a novel called Barracuda by a Melbourne-based author, although I cannot remember how to spell his name. It's set for release next month and actually sounds like a pretty awesome book. I've started reading the first page today when I first got it in the mail and am both excited and honoured to be given the opportunity in order to review it. I will certainly be writing a review or few online before its release!
In addition, on a totally unrelated note, I passed my green-P's test last Friday with flying colours! I was more excited by the fact that I got them than the fact I can travel 10km faster!
With a three-hour exam tomorrow from 1:55-5pm I am going to be absolutely exhausted, but on and off I will sometimes be composing book reviews, both for those on wattpad and also those I download from iBooks and freebies from Goodreads.
For now, farewell all. In future, I cannot wait to become more involved in the writing community.
- Rissa :)
On a positive note, I am finally making time to draw and write novels more with the hopes of applying for a scholarship to go to Tasmania for a writing retreat. I really hope I get accepted! I've also won myself an unedited copy of a novel called Barracuda by a Melbourne-based author, although I cannot remember how to spell his name. It's set for release next month and actually sounds like a pretty awesome book. I've started reading the first page today when I first got it in the mail and am both excited and honoured to be given the opportunity in order to review it. I will certainly be writing a review or few online before its release!
In addition, on a totally unrelated note, I passed my green-P's test last Friday with flying colours! I was more excited by the fact that I got them than the fact I can travel 10km faster!
With a three-hour exam tomorrow from 1:55-5pm I am going to be absolutely exhausted, but on and off I will sometimes be composing book reviews, both for those on wattpad and also those I download from iBooks and freebies from Goodreads.
For now, farewell all. In future, I cannot wait to become more involved in the writing community.
- Rissa :)
January 4, 2013
EXCITING NEWS! :D
Okay, so, I got totally excited about this particular author's writing that I decided I should post a book review about her work on both my own individual book blog and my review blog. So here it is: 'December' by Starlightt!
'They met in December.'
Reviewer's Note: I am so very excited to write a review of this for such a talented Wattpad writer! She captivated a truly beautiful story that was so simple that it instantly captivated me and maintained my interest throughout the entire novel. I definitely recommend it! Oh, and say hi to Starlightt, too. She's a total sweetheart!
Woven into the world of Samuel Windermere, Ellery Eshelman blows in through the door and into his life like a beautiful hurricane. Set in Portland, Starlightt captures a beautiful and simple romance that is as captivating as it is flawless. A dancer of ballet, Ellery is a girl of awkward imperfections and a writer captivated by her own literary worlds. Following their story, day-by-day, chapter-by-chapter, readers are invited into the world of Samuel as he discovers this beauty and her many facets. A must-read for every reader searching for a flawless novel centred over an awkwardly perfectly imperfect couple and their blossoming romance, all in a Portland tea shop. The definition of a perfect love story.
The Cover: So I know it's wrong to judge a book by its cover, but the cover was really a deciding factor of me opening this out of the hundreds of thousands of others on the Wattpad website. With its soft myriad of images associated with winter, it is easy to see how they fit with Samuel's Polaroid camera as mentioned in the novel. I like to think that the images featured on the cover are the images Samuel captures of Ellery and their forming relationship together. A cover that I wish had sitting physically on my bookshelf so I could sit and stare at it for hours on end.
Stars: 5/5
The Characters: Each character was flawlessly formed by Starlightt's magnificent creation. Featuring everyday difficulties and flaws within each character, we see people within the novel that we could easily identify with. The aunt who couldn't cook to save herself; the beautiful girl struggling with her self-worth and always in a chaotic mess. The awkward boy with a fascination over this mysterious beauty and the worlds she buries herself within; an older sister with no interest in her family, indifferent to those who love and care for her.
Stars: 5/5
The Plot: Two words: simple beauty. I highly recommend this to anyone who is sick of reading big, flash Hollywood romances and want a simple, beautiful love story. It's brilliant how Starlightt manages to capture the simplest and most mundane of love stories and create it into something beautiful and unable to stop reading. Countless times I found myself reading until the early hours of morning, I just couldn't put it down! I honestly don't know how she put it together, with such flowing grace, but she did it!
Stars: 5/5
Overall Comment: If you enjoy simple, beautiful romance novels then this is definitely a read for you! A deeply beautiful love story, I recommend this to anyone, especially those on Wattpad whom may leave many comments and votes on the novel! This is literary perfection!
Stars: 5/5
Coming Up Soon: Next book review, I shall be reviewing Starlightt's novel 'Superior', nominated in the Watty Awards, 2013. Keep an eye out and don't forget to drop by and vote! :)
'They met in December.'
Reviewer's Note: I am so very excited to write a review of this for such a talented Wattpad writer! She captivated a truly beautiful story that was so simple that it instantly captivated me and maintained my interest throughout the entire novel. I definitely recommend it! Oh, and say hi to Starlightt, too. She's a total sweetheart!
Woven into the world of Samuel Windermere, Ellery Eshelman blows in through the door and into his life like a beautiful hurricane. Set in Portland, Starlightt captures a beautiful and simple romance that is as captivating as it is flawless. A dancer of ballet, Ellery is a girl of awkward imperfections and a writer captivated by her own literary worlds. Following their story, day-by-day, chapter-by-chapter, readers are invited into the world of Samuel as he discovers this beauty and her many facets. A must-read for every reader searching for a flawless novel centred over an awkwardly perfectly imperfect couple and their blossoming romance, all in a Portland tea shop. The definition of a perfect love story.The Cover: So I know it's wrong to judge a book by its cover, but the cover was really a deciding factor of me opening this out of the hundreds of thousands of others on the Wattpad website. With its soft myriad of images associated with winter, it is easy to see how they fit with Samuel's Polaroid camera as mentioned in the novel. I like to think that the images featured on the cover are the images Samuel captures of Ellery and their forming relationship together. A cover that I wish had sitting physically on my bookshelf so I could sit and stare at it for hours on end.
Stars: 5/5
The Characters: Each character was flawlessly formed by Starlightt's magnificent creation. Featuring everyday difficulties and flaws within each character, we see people within the novel that we could easily identify with. The aunt who couldn't cook to save herself; the beautiful girl struggling with her self-worth and always in a chaotic mess. The awkward boy with a fascination over this mysterious beauty and the worlds she buries herself within; an older sister with no interest in her family, indifferent to those who love and care for her.
Stars: 5/5
The Plot: Two words: simple beauty. I highly recommend this to anyone who is sick of reading big, flash Hollywood romances and want a simple, beautiful love story. It's brilliant how Starlightt manages to capture the simplest and most mundane of love stories and create it into something beautiful and unable to stop reading. Countless times I found myself reading until the early hours of morning, I just couldn't put it down! I honestly don't know how she put it together, with such flowing grace, but she did it!Stars: 5/5
Overall Comment: If you enjoy simple, beautiful romance novels then this is definitely a read for you! A deeply beautiful love story, I recommend this to anyone, especially those on Wattpad whom may leave many comments and votes on the novel! This is literary perfection!
Stars: 5/5
Coming Up Soon: Next book review, I shall be reviewing Starlightt's novel 'Superior', nominated in the Watty Awards, 2013. Keep an eye out and don't forget to drop by and vote! :)
December 27, 2012
How To Appreciate Your Grandparents ♥
In my last post, I said I was going to create a list of ways in which you can appreciate your grandparents and the time in which you have left. The idea is to create some fun, interesting ideas as to how to spend this time, and to avoid being the people saying "I wish I had..." instead of "I'm glad I did..." These ideas are not limited to any particular time, therefore you can pull these out of the blue whenever you wish. Starting with the simple, everyday, almost mundane ways of appreciation to those with a little bit more thought, and some specific to particular days, I'm sure there's a little bit of everything for everyone. No matter what time or age limitations apply to you.
Dedicate a day to doing whatever your grandparents would like. This can be as simple as baking a cake, talking or playing a game of backyard cricket.Buy them gifts and their favourite chocolate. If you don't know what they like, then ask them! Take them on a shopping trip and spoil them rotten, and pay for everything yourself.Take them for a picnic or out to a fancy dinner. Make it even more special and do it on a special day. For example, if your grandma is widowed, take her out for dinner and a movie or cook it home-style on the day of her anniversary to her deceased partner. Instead of moping at home, she'll enjoy the time with you and appreciate that you thought of her on the loneliest day of her year.Simply sit and listen to the stories they have to tell. In order to make this even more memorable, grab a notepad and pen, or laptop, and write down each story they tell. Grab a scrapbook and create it into a scrapbook-style storybook for you and your family to share. Trust me, they'll all appreciate it.Create a little spa gift pack for them. Include a bar of their favourite chocolate, home-made biscuits, a fluffy new towel, bathrobe, bath crystals, candles and lovely shampoo, conditioner and perfume/deodorant. To make it even more memorable? Have dinner cooking while they're spoiling themselves and present it to them like a waiter in a five-star hotel when they emerge.Make a personalized cup for them. Grab a permanent marker, a plain cup and design whatever you wish. 'I love you Grandma/Grandpa' is enough or look to songs for inspiration. Place the cup in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius for approximately 5-10 minutes for the ink to set.Frame a photo of them.Hug them. Sounds too simple to be appreciative but it's probably the best. Give them a tight squeeze to show them they are truly loved.Call them. Don't have the time? Email them. They don't have the internet? Post a letter. Don't have the time or the words? Grab a post card, write 'I love you Grandma/Grandpa', stick on a stamp and get your assistant to post it. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY!Create a CD of all the old songs they used to listen to, and listen to it with them.Have a water fight.Play board games.Take them overseas.Save your money, grab a map and tell them to point to any place. Wherever they point, you must take them there just for an ice cream of their choosing. Could get very interesting depending on how large an amount of land your map covers, whether it be just the state, country or even the whole world!
So on a final note, R.I.P. Grandpop and Grandnan Hend, and Grandpop and Grandnan Watson. You are dearly missed every single day and the stories you have left behind are both inspirational and a lot of the time, hilarious. Love you all! ♥
Dedicate a day to doing whatever your grandparents would like. This can be as simple as baking a cake, talking or playing a game of backyard cricket.Buy them gifts and their favourite chocolate. If you don't know what they like, then ask them! Take them on a shopping trip and spoil them rotten, and pay for everything yourself.Take them for a picnic or out to a fancy dinner. Make it even more special and do it on a special day. For example, if your grandma is widowed, take her out for dinner and a movie or cook it home-style on the day of her anniversary to her deceased partner. Instead of moping at home, she'll enjoy the time with you and appreciate that you thought of her on the loneliest day of her year.Simply sit and listen to the stories they have to tell. In order to make this even more memorable, grab a notepad and pen, or laptop, and write down each story they tell. Grab a scrapbook and create it into a scrapbook-style storybook for you and your family to share. Trust me, they'll all appreciate it.Create a little spa gift pack for them. Include a bar of their favourite chocolate, home-made biscuits, a fluffy new towel, bathrobe, bath crystals, candles and lovely shampoo, conditioner and perfume/deodorant. To make it even more memorable? Have dinner cooking while they're spoiling themselves and present it to them like a waiter in a five-star hotel when they emerge.Make a personalized cup for them. Grab a permanent marker, a plain cup and design whatever you wish. 'I love you Grandma/Grandpa' is enough or look to songs for inspiration. Place the cup in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius for approximately 5-10 minutes for the ink to set.Frame a photo of them.Hug them. Sounds too simple to be appreciative but it's probably the best. Give them a tight squeeze to show them they are truly loved.Call them. Don't have the time? Email them. They don't have the internet? Post a letter. Don't have the time or the words? Grab a post card, write 'I love you Grandma/Grandpa', stick on a stamp and get your assistant to post it. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY!Create a CD of all the old songs they used to listen to, and listen to it with them.Have a water fight.Play board games.Take them overseas.Save your money, grab a map and tell them to point to any place. Wherever they point, you must take them there just for an ice cream of their choosing. Could get very interesting depending on how large an amount of land your map covers, whether it be just the state, country or even the whole world!
So on a final note, R.I.P. Grandpop and Grandnan Hend, and Grandpop and Grandnan Watson. You are dearly missed every single day and the stories you have left behind are both inspirational and a lot of the time, hilarious. Love you all! ♥
December 23, 2012
Smashwords, Self-Publishing & Christmas! :D
Wow, Christmas is just around the corner! It's truly amazing to see how different things are for me here in such a little old town, tucked in the middle of nowhere. I have excellent news too: almost up to 500 views! For those of you that utilize the internet daily, you may not think that this is such a great achievement and that I could have so many more, or you may think that what I have to say is a load of rubbish, but for me at just 500 that's massive! That's like a high school full of people all reading what I have to say!
Speaking of high school, it's scary to admit that I'm going into my final year. The only thing I am truly happy for is the freedom once it's complete. But I prefer high school, with its fabulous teachers, and high school romance - something I never thought I'd have the pleasure of experiencing. It is now, as I am growing older, that I no longer focus the creation of my novels on high school experiences and characters averaging the age of sixteen. In under three months I will be turning eighteen, and with that comes a level of maturity that my earlier novels and high school experience - or lack thereof - was unable to express.
On one of my favourite notes of recent times, I have been introduced by chance to the eBook publisher, Smashwords. I have officially signed up, however, I am waiting until the completion of my latest novel, Veins, before I am to publish through Smashwords. I think it's a truly brilliant tool that should be utilized for any aspiring authors looking for an opportunity in the market without paying hundreds of dollars, the use of an agent - although it sounds very James Bond-like - or toiling through the junk pile of the big shots. Look out for the novel Veins by M.S. Watson at some time during January-March, 2013.
Next: 21st of December, 2012. Otherwise known to me as World Fools Day, for those who just couldn't wait until April 1st. To think that people still believe that the world will end every time there is a 'philosophical event' is laughable. Even if the world was to end, why bother freaking out over it? Nonetheless, I survived the onslaught of the undead!
So, what to talk about next... Grandparents! It has recently come to my attention a high volume of people posting statuses about grandparents they clearly ignored during their time on earth and regretted not spending any quality time with them. Therefore, today I have dedicated my own time to devising a list of ways in which to spend this time with those who still are breathing on this earth. In my next post, I will be placing these gift and quality time ideas in order for you, yourself, to spend time with your grandparents this holiday season and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned for them!
And finally, Christmas. So we survived the apocalypse - and watched 2012 on Youtube in French - but what is next? Next, we celebrate the day in which we all come together to spend time with our loved ones. I may not be religious in that I don't celebrate Jesus' birthday, but I do believe that it is a time for appreciation. Spending time with your loved ones this season is key. Especially after the Newtown massacre. Rest in peace, dearest innocents, young and old. ♥ The moral of this point is that you never know how much time you have left with your loved ones, whether it is you to leave, them or not at all. The world doesn't discriminate with those chosen as victims for freak accidents, killings and death. So celebrate with your family, don't worry about work or when you'll get the next pay rise. Appreciate the time and love of your family and friends. Make someone smile. It may just save their life.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year One & All.
♥ And a very special shout out. ♥
Speaking of high school, it's scary to admit that I'm going into my final year. The only thing I am truly happy for is the freedom once it's complete. But I prefer high school, with its fabulous teachers, and high school romance - something I never thought I'd have the pleasure of experiencing. It is now, as I am growing older, that I no longer focus the creation of my novels on high school experiences and characters averaging the age of sixteen. In under three months I will be turning eighteen, and with that comes a level of maturity that my earlier novels and high school experience - or lack thereof - was unable to express.
On one of my favourite notes of recent times, I have been introduced by chance to the eBook publisher, Smashwords. I have officially signed up, however, I am waiting until the completion of my latest novel, Veins, before I am to publish through Smashwords. I think it's a truly brilliant tool that should be utilized for any aspiring authors looking for an opportunity in the market without paying hundreds of dollars, the use of an agent - although it sounds very James Bond-like - or toiling through the junk pile of the big shots. Look out for the novel Veins by M.S. Watson at some time during January-March, 2013.
Next: 21st of December, 2012. Otherwise known to me as World Fools Day, for those who just couldn't wait until April 1st. To think that people still believe that the world will end every time there is a 'philosophical event' is laughable. Even if the world was to end, why bother freaking out over it? Nonetheless, I survived the onslaught of the undead!
So, what to talk about next... Grandparents! It has recently come to my attention a high volume of people posting statuses about grandparents they clearly ignored during their time on earth and regretted not spending any quality time with them. Therefore, today I have dedicated my own time to devising a list of ways in which to spend this time with those who still are breathing on this earth. In my next post, I will be placing these gift and quality time ideas in order for you, yourself, to spend time with your grandparents this holiday season and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned for them!
And finally, Christmas. So we survived the apocalypse - and watched 2012 on Youtube in French - but what is next? Next, we celebrate the day in which we all come together to spend time with our loved ones. I may not be religious in that I don't celebrate Jesus' birthday, but I do believe that it is a time for appreciation. Spending time with your loved ones this season is key. Especially after the Newtown massacre. Rest in peace, dearest innocents, young and old. ♥ The moral of this point is that you never know how much time you have left with your loved ones, whether it is you to leave, them or not at all. The world doesn't discriminate with those chosen as victims for freak accidents, killings and death. So celebrate with your family, don't worry about work or when you'll get the next pay rise. Appreciate the time and love of your family and friends. Make someone smile. It may just save their life.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year One & All.
♥ And a very special shout out. ♥
October 30, 2012
About Writing Post-Apocalyptic Novels
So I'm being curious and spotted this website about writing post-apocalyptic novels. It includes six resources for various apocalyptic events, including the good ole favourite, zombie invasion. It includes asteroids, bombs and atomic explosions, along with maps and scientific answers in reference to the devastation. It's pretty cool - I found out what a WWI bomb would do to my town - and is just fun to play around with, even if it's just as inspiration.
http://writingishardwork.com/2012/05/09/6-resources-for-post-apocalyptic-novelists/
Happy apocalyptic writing! :D
http://writingishardwork.com/2012/05/09/6-resources-for-post-apocalyptic-novelists/
Happy apocalyptic writing! :D
Long Time No See :)
Hello dearest followers, readers and writers :)
It has been a while since I last posted, and so I'd like to present to you a handy little video by an author named Stef Penney. Though I have not read her works as of yet, I find this interview about her novel "The Tenderness of Wolves" fairly interesting as it highlights her use of Northern Ontario as her place of setting despite having never been there before. Readers who have been there have merely picked a single flaw in her writings, describing the amount of time used to travel between destinations as much too fast. Despite this, Penney is an inspiration to any author wishing to base a novel on a place they've never visited.
On news of my own, I have officially hit chapter thirty of my latest novel 'Veins'. I am so pleased with its progress and am considering either allowing it to remain as a single novel, or separate it into two.
It has been a while since I last posted, and so I'd like to present to you a handy little video by an author named Stef Penney. Though I have not read her works as of yet, I find this interview about her novel "The Tenderness of Wolves" fairly interesting as it highlights her use of Northern Ontario as her place of setting despite having never been there before. Readers who have been there have merely picked a single flaw in her writings, describing the amount of time used to travel between destinations as much too fast. Despite this, Penney is an inspiration to any author wishing to base a novel on a place they've never visited.
On news of my own, I have officially hit chapter thirty of my latest novel 'Veins'. I am so pleased with its progress and am considering either allowing it to remain as a single novel, or separate it into two.
