...is paved with Good Intentions.
That about sums up my efforts with Good Intentions. I don't think I have ever had writer's block. Technically, I can't even say I believe in it. I know when I have failed to write it's often because I'm too tired, too lazy or too out of sorts to write. With Good Intentions, it's possible that it's a combination of all three, or just one out of three, or maybe I'm just blocked.
The thing is the more I think about the story I want to write, the less I want to write it. It's just not enough 'story' to justify the work required. Or maybe I'm being lazy.
I tend to internalize a lot of things, and my characters are doing that as well, and stories are about externalizations of conflict not gut burning emotions. The obvious solution would be to have them act out because of their emotions but anything I think up feels so contrived. Sigh.
I'm such a basket case.
Papa Goo thinks I should dump them and do the short story thing. Believe me, I am sorely tempted. Not writing is making me feel guilty which makes me feel out of sorts which impinges (Word of The Day) on my ability to write.
A vicious cycle.
...Sigh. That's my Good Intentions update.
How's your day going?
Showing posts with label good intentions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label good intentions. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Good Intentions and a Dash of Something Old
Hello, all you wonderful people!
It's been a while. How have you been? Good? Great!
I have been tweaking things with Good Intentions and Major Changes are underway but I won't be telling you what said changes are 'cos I don't wanna jinx anything. You understand, right? Sweet!
Anyway, since my heroine is a make up artist, I took it upon myself to trouble my make up artist friends and grill them about the whys and hows of their business. Expect interviews soon. Till then how about something from Gypsy Black's archive. This was my first Cover Story (in 2008, I think); an interview with the very kind, very wonderful Banke Meshida Lawal. Enjoy!
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
I met Mrs. Banke Meshida Lawal on the day before St. Valentine’s Day at her BM Pro Studio in Ikoyi. I was a little late and very nervous, but she just smiled sweetly and said, “I’m Banke”.
Banke Meshida Lawal is the soft-spoken, very endearing owner and founder of BM Pro Studio and cosmetics range. After she had consulted with a client for a few minutes, we settled into her office for the interview.
BM: I’m Banke Meshida Lawal. My maiden name is Meshida, and my married name is Lawal. I’m married to Lanre Lawal (she adds with a smile); we got married one year ago on February 10th.
GYPSY: Do you have any kids?
BM: No. (GYPSY: Why?) It’s not yet time for kids.
GYPSY: What’s your romantic life like?
BM: Because I’m married to my best friend, every day is a fantastic day in our marriage and it’s been fun, you know, being with someone and being married to them.
GYPSY: Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Any plans?
BM: Valentine just crept up on me. In fact, I just realized today that it is valentine’s tomorrow, but I really don’t have any plans for tomorrow.
GYPSY: Maybe your husband does?
BM: I hope so (she laughs softly), I hope so.
GYPSY: You are THE make-up artist. How did you get here?
BM: I suppose I am where I am today because it’s God’s plan for my life, but apart from that, a lot of hard work, a lot of dreaming and going to live my dreams and being focused on what I’m doing.
GYPSY: You have a first degree?
BM: In English, from the University of Lagos.
GYPSY: So how did you move from English to this?
BM: I think because English afforded me a lot of time to do what I wanted (to do) with myself while at the University. It was a good course; I enjoyed it. I didn’t see it as a problem. I was doing a degree I enjoyed, and I also had time for extra-curricular activities. Also, I’ve always loved to draw and paint and what I do now is an extension of art, and I started doing makeovers while at the University and it just followed. I just fell into this profession.
GYPSY: When did you start branding yourself as Banke Meshida – Make-up Artist?
BM: I think even while at school…when I was in UNILAG, I used to do a lot of henna tattoos on myself, I’d do my hair in funky, outrageous styles, so I think that helped in branding me because then a lot of people knew that there was this girl who used to do her hair funny and dress funny and have tattoos all over her body. I think the branding started then. And I had a lot of acquaintances, so…I wouldn’t say I was a social person, I just, you know, had a lot of people that I knew and…acquaintances so to speak and you know, for a brand to kick off, you need to be out there and I guess subconsciously, without making an effort, I was always out there.
And like I said, English…I wouldn’t say it was a simple course (she giggles a little, almost apologetically), but it gave me a lot of time to do other things.
GYPSY: Did you meet your husband in school?
BM: Yes I did.
GYPSY: How did you meet him?
BM: I met him one really hot, sunny day in the car park, and he was with a friend. We have a mutual friend who introduced him to me and eh, I thought, ‘Wow, this guy looks fit!’ (GYPSY: Okay!) You know (laughing bashfully), and I’ve always been the sort of person that if I like someone there’s no need beating about the bush and being…not coy but, it was I liked him and that was that. Of course, the feminine side of me had to find out who he was and if he wasn’t attached and all of that. So it was fun while we were courting, and basically I met him through a friend.
GYPSY: Your husband is a Muslim (and you are a Christian). Is that a problem now that you’re married?
BM: No, it’s not. I suppose because in our relationship it’s always been about the two of us. I don’t know when our kids come if it will still be about the two of us, but we’ve just been able to balance our lives. In a relationship, it’s about respect and trying to understand the other person; what makes them tick, what they are all about. It’s a learning process really, and once you know you don’t want to hurt the other person, it will work itself out.
GYPSY: When did you open this studio?
BM: This particular studio, I opened in 2006. Yeah, but previously I was at Rumens Road, Ikoyi. I opened that studio in 2003.
GYSPY: What's your clientele like?
BM: People from all walks of life, both on the Nigerian and the international scene. Anyone really that has a knack for great make-up.
GYPSY: You have a make-up range now?
BM: Yes, I have my own make-up line; it’s called BM Pro. It’s a colour cosmetics line, in that we cater for Black skin, Asian skin, but most importantly, the Nigerian weather. It dictates what we have manufactured. Over the years, I’ve found out that most known brands didn’t cater for the Nigerian weather because it’s a humid and dry weather that we have here. Most products cater for dry and cold (weather) while a lot of them don’t even understand the extent of the humidity we have here. That’s why there are some things I wouldn’t do as a make-up artist, other people might do it but I don’t and I know why.
GYPSY: Things like what?
BM: Using oil-based foundation. If you’re abroad where it’s dry and cold that’s fantastic but if you’re here, I don’t think that you do because you put it on in a few minutes you need to touch it up.
GYPSY: Is your product range just cosmetics?
BM: There’s a lot of skin care in there. There’s the serum; the anti-shine serum, the cleansers, foundation primers.
GYPSY: Do you want to expand it?
BM: If the course of my work dictates that we should do more skin care then we most likely will. I don’t rule anything out. It’s what will give our customers the utmost satisfaction that dictates what we do.
GYPSY: When you started did you expect it to be this big?
BM: Em, no, I didn’t. I was just doing what I enjoyed doing. Over the years, I would look up some products, crush it, mix it, if it works…if it works for me, then it was fine. But, technology and the fashion world keep changing, and because I really am interested in those things, you know, I go along with them. I go along with the changes and try to bring them back home. Bring it to Nigeria and let people know what’s in and what’s out. I just try to help people achieve great results with their make-up.
GYPSY: Do you think what you do is important?
BM: It is so important. I can’t emphasize the importance of a well made-up face, because it does a lot for your confidence and confidence is key. One of my mantras is ‘Beauty is in-built but an attractive face is worked on.’ You can make your face look really attractive and you can use it to achieve perfection with your face.
In every day experiences, confidence plays such an important role in everything you do and if you’re not confident you’re not going to be able to achieve. It’s so important I can’t overemphasize it.
GYPSY: When you hear the word ‘competition’, what comes to mind?
BM: What comes to mind is, ‘Okay, so this is new’.
I see now that there are a lot of make-up artists which is great, because I...we can’t cater to…what’s the population of Nigeria now? And there’s just 6 or 7 of us in my team. We can’t do everybody. We will do the people that we can.
Each time I see make-up artists, it impresses me because I can see that there are a lot of people out there who realize it’s not only white collar jobs that can earn you an income. It can be anything, it’s possible for you to do anything as long as you’re focused and what you’re offering is very good, you will eke out a living and a very good one at that.
For me, competition is out there. It doesn’t dictate what I do. What I do I do because I’ve thought about it, and I want to do it. Then also, maybe it makes me raise my stakes. It helps me to go one step further. In this town, you have people, everywhere really, once you do something, everyone rushes in to do the same. I want to be one step ahead of everything.
GYPSY: At the end of the day, what do you want to be remembered for?
BM: Changing the face of make-up. BM Pro is the first Nigerian make-up brand. I’m proud of that. A lot of make-up artists use BM Pro. I’m so happy with that. When I go for an occasion and I see the make-up is BM Pro colours, that makes me very proud.
I would want to be remembered as someone who changed the face of make-up products in Nigeria, and helped Nigeria grow in that field.
It's been a while. How have you been? Good? Great!
I have been tweaking things with Good Intentions and Major Changes are underway but I won't be telling you what said changes are 'cos I don't wanna jinx anything. You understand, right? Sweet!
Anyway, since my heroine is a make up artist, I took it upon myself to trouble my make up artist friends and grill them about the whys and hows of their business. Expect interviews soon. Till then how about something from Gypsy Black's archive. This was my first Cover Story (in 2008, I think); an interview with the very kind, very wonderful Banke Meshida Lawal. Enjoy!
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
I met Mrs. Banke Meshida Lawal on the day before St. Valentine’s Day at her BM Pro Studio in Ikoyi. I was a little late and very nervous, but she just smiled sweetly and said, “I’m Banke”.
Banke Meshida Lawal is the soft-spoken, very endearing owner and founder of BM Pro Studio and cosmetics range. After she had consulted with a client for a few minutes, we settled into her office for the interview.
BM: I’m Banke Meshida Lawal. My maiden name is Meshida, and my married name is Lawal. I’m married to Lanre Lawal (she adds with a smile); we got married one year ago on February 10th.
GYPSY: Do you have any kids?
BM: No. (GYPSY: Why?) It’s not yet time for kids.
GYPSY: What’s your romantic life like?
BM: Because I’m married to my best friend, every day is a fantastic day in our marriage and it’s been fun, you know, being with someone and being married to them.
GYPSY: Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Any plans?
BM: Valentine just crept up on me. In fact, I just realized today that it is valentine’s tomorrow, but I really don’t have any plans for tomorrow.
GYPSY: Maybe your husband does?
BM: I hope so (she laughs softly), I hope so.
GYPSY: You are THE make-up artist. How did you get here?
BM: I suppose I am where I am today because it’s God’s plan for my life, but apart from that, a lot of hard work, a lot of dreaming and going to live my dreams and being focused on what I’m doing.
GYPSY: You have a first degree?
BM: In English, from the University of Lagos.
GYPSY: So how did you move from English to this?
BM: I think because English afforded me a lot of time to do what I wanted (to do) with myself while at the University. It was a good course; I enjoyed it. I didn’t see it as a problem. I was doing a degree I enjoyed, and I also had time for extra-curricular activities. Also, I’ve always loved to draw and paint and what I do now is an extension of art, and I started doing makeovers while at the University and it just followed. I just fell into this profession.
GYPSY: When did you start branding yourself as Banke Meshida – Make-up Artist?
BM: I think even while at school…when I was in UNILAG, I used to do a lot of henna tattoos on myself, I’d do my hair in funky, outrageous styles, so I think that helped in branding me because then a lot of people knew that there was this girl who used to do her hair funny and dress funny and have tattoos all over her body. I think the branding started then. And I had a lot of acquaintances, so…I wouldn’t say I was a social person, I just, you know, had a lot of people that I knew and…acquaintances so to speak and you know, for a brand to kick off, you need to be out there and I guess subconsciously, without making an effort, I was always out there.
And like I said, English…I wouldn’t say it was a simple course (she giggles a little, almost apologetically), but it gave me a lot of time to do other things.
GYPSY: Did you meet your husband in school?
BM: Yes I did.
GYPSY: How did you meet him?
BM: I met him one really hot, sunny day in the car park, and he was with a friend. We have a mutual friend who introduced him to me and eh, I thought, ‘Wow, this guy looks fit!’ (GYPSY: Okay!) You know (laughing bashfully), and I’ve always been the sort of person that if I like someone there’s no need beating about the bush and being…not coy but, it was I liked him and that was that. Of course, the feminine side of me had to find out who he was and if he wasn’t attached and all of that. So it was fun while we were courting, and basically I met him through a friend.
GYPSY: Your husband is a Muslim (and you are a Christian). Is that a problem now that you’re married?
BM: No, it’s not. I suppose because in our relationship it’s always been about the two of us. I don’t know when our kids come if it will still be about the two of us, but we’ve just been able to balance our lives. In a relationship, it’s about respect and trying to understand the other person; what makes them tick, what they are all about. It’s a learning process really, and once you know you don’t want to hurt the other person, it will work itself out.
GYPSY: When did you open this studio?
BM: This particular studio, I opened in 2006. Yeah, but previously I was at Rumens Road, Ikoyi. I opened that studio in 2003.
GYSPY: What's your clientele like?
BM: People from all walks of life, both on the Nigerian and the international scene. Anyone really that has a knack for great make-up.
GYPSY: You have a make-up range now?
BM: Yes, I have my own make-up line; it’s called BM Pro. It’s a colour cosmetics line, in that we cater for Black skin, Asian skin, but most importantly, the Nigerian weather. It dictates what we have manufactured. Over the years, I’ve found out that most known brands didn’t cater for the Nigerian weather because it’s a humid and dry weather that we have here. Most products cater for dry and cold (weather) while a lot of them don’t even understand the extent of the humidity we have here. That’s why there are some things I wouldn’t do as a make-up artist, other people might do it but I don’t and I know why.
GYPSY: Things like what?
BM: Using oil-based foundation. If you’re abroad where it’s dry and cold that’s fantastic but if you’re here, I don’t think that you do because you put it on in a few minutes you need to touch it up.
GYPSY: Is your product range just cosmetics?
BM: There’s a lot of skin care in there. There’s the serum; the anti-shine serum, the cleansers, foundation primers.
GYPSY: Do you want to expand it?
BM: If the course of my work dictates that we should do more skin care then we most likely will. I don’t rule anything out. It’s what will give our customers the utmost satisfaction that dictates what we do.
GYPSY: When you started did you expect it to be this big?
BM: Em, no, I didn’t. I was just doing what I enjoyed doing. Over the years, I would look up some products, crush it, mix it, if it works…if it works for me, then it was fine. But, technology and the fashion world keep changing, and because I really am interested in those things, you know, I go along with them. I go along with the changes and try to bring them back home. Bring it to Nigeria and let people know what’s in and what’s out. I just try to help people achieve great results with their make-up.
GYPSY: Do you think what you do is important?
BM: It is so important. I can’t emphasize the importance of a well made-up face, because it does a lot for your confidence and confidence is key. One of my mantras is ‘Beauty is in-built but an attractive face is worked on.’ You can make your face look really attractive and you can use it to achieve perfection with your face.
In every day experiences, confidence plays such an important role in everything you do and if you’re not confident you’re not going to be able to achieve. It’s so important I can’t overemphasize it.
GYPSY: When you hear the word ‘competition’, what comes to mind?
BM: What comes to mind is, ‘Okay, so this is new’.
I see now that there are a lot of make-up artists which is great, because I...we can’t cater to…what’s the population of Nigeria now? And there’s just 6 or 7 of us in my team. We can’t do everybody. We will do the people that we can.
Each time I see make-up artists, it impresses me because I can see that there are a lot of people out there who realize it’s not only white collar jobs that can earn you an income. It can be anything, it’s possible for you to do anything as long as you’re focused and what you’re offering is very good, you will eke out a living and a very good one at that.
For me, competition is out there. It doesn’t dictate what I do. What I do I do because I’ve thought about it, and I want to do it. Then also, maybe it makes me raise my stakes. It helps me to go one step further. In this town, you have people, everywhere really, once you do something, everyone rushes in to do the same. I want to be one step ahead of everything.
GYPSY: At the end of the day, what do you want to be remembered for?
BM: Changing the face of make-up. BM Pro is the first Nigerian make-up brand. I’m proud of that. A lot of make-up artists use BM Pro. I’m so happy with that. When I go for an occasion and I see the make-up is BM Pro colours, that makes me very proud.
I would want to be remembered as someone who changed the face of make-up products in Nigeria, and helped Nigeria grow in that field.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
...where were we?
Hey everyone!
Sick leave over. Ended it with The Hobbit and Cho and a lot of chocolate. Life is good. God is faithful.
Apparently, YED has not been published since they went on their Christmas break, so I am not behind. Yay! I am right on top of it. Yay! So back to work.
I've written only 800 words of Good Intentions. Out of 100,000. My procrastination is powered by fear, but I'm gonna have to do it afraid, so I'm going to log in some words today. I'll keep you posted. Here's my Good Intentions playlist, made up of songs that remind me of my plot and characters. I don't know if I can actually write with it, but we'll see.
Take you back - Jeremy Camp
Superhuman - Chris Brown and Keri Hilson
Nothing without You - Bebo Norman
Fighting Temptation - Dietrick Haddon
Hope for Every Fallen Man - Relient K
You Decide - Brandon Heath
Grey - BarlowGirl
Talk to me - Jill Scott
In Better Hands - Natalie Grant
Hands up - 2PM
Walk by Faith - Jeremy Camp
Body and Soul - Billie Holiday
The Fight Song - Sanctus Real
Does the playlist give you an idea of what Good Intentions is about?
Sick leave over. Ended it with The Hobbit and Cho and a lot of chocolate. Life is good. God is faithful.
Apparently, YED has not been published since they went on their Christmas break, so I am not behind. Yay! I am right on top of it. Yay! So back to work.
I've written only 800 words of Good Intentions. Out of 100,000. My procrastination is powered by fear, but I'm gonna have to do it afraid, so I'm going to log in some words today. I'll keep you posted. Here's my Good Intentions playlist, made up of songs that remind me of my plot and characters. I don't know if I can actually write with it, but we'll see.
Take you back - Jeremy Camp
Superhuman - Chris Brown and Keri Hilson
Nothing without You - Bebo Norman
Fighting Temptation - Dietrick Haddon
Hope for Every Fallen Man - Relient K
You Decide - Brandon Heath
Grey - BarlowGirl
Talk to me - Jill Scott
In Better Hands - Natalie Grant
Hands up - 2PM
Walk by Faith - Jeremy Camp
Body and Soul - Billie Holiday
The Fight Song - Sanctus Real
Does the playlist give you an idea of what Good Intentions is about?
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The 200 Book Reading Challenge
Yes, I changed my goal again. Let's face it, if I'm going to be reading all those romance novels (and I will), then the tally is going to go up rather quickly. Romance novels are definitely smack dab in the middle of my comfort zone, and since I'm trying not to over indulge with chocolate, cake, or chocolate cake, then well...hello Nora!
Also, this past week I was kinda sorta under the weather - nauseous, poor appetite, insomnia, headaches - bring on the comforting. That's not to say, I won't try to expand my horizon and read things I would normally not read. However, I won't lie...I really like my comfort zone.
In other news, work has resumed. I've started on the wrong foot and am behind schedule, but that should be sorted out by tomorrow. I've decided to put my personal feelings aside, and be a disciplined professional. Yup. A Disciplined Professional.
I'm not entirely happy with my prep work for Good Intentions, but I have to start. Writing is rewriting, I've been told, so I suppose I should just jump to it.
Wish me luck. I'm actually a little nervous.
PS. I write the weekly column Rita's Road for Poise Finishing School's insert in Business Day newspaper (every Tuesday). If you could check it out, and let me know what you think, I would really appreciate it. Muchos Gracias, and have a great week.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Whistle You Work
Hey y'all
Did you have a good weekend?
Anyway, I'm just swinging by to let you know that I'm changing Mary's height and occupation. Yes, she's going to be shorter, and she's going to be a make up artist.
In other news, one freelance contract is signed so now I have deadlines.
Another contract will be signed soon. Most likely next week, which will mean more deadlines.
...let the juggling act begin.
Did you have a good weekend?
Anyway, I'm just swinging by to let you know that I'm changing Mary's height and occupation. Yes, she's going to be shorter, and she's going to be a make up artist.
In other news, one freelance contract is signed so now I have deadlines.
Another contract will be signed soon. Most likely next week, which will mean more deadlines.
...let the juggling act begin.
Friday, January 18, 2013
So whatchu been up to?
Holla!
I'm pleased to announce that I know what direction I'm going with Good intentions. I have a very rough outline. I have a beginning, a middle and an end. I have a theme and some character sketches, so YAY!
I'll start writing next week. The plan is a chapter a day. It's not going to be a lengthy book. 1,000 words per chapter is the plan. I'll keep you posted, and if there's anything I can share with you about the process I will.
In other news, I've decided to be realistic about my reading challenge. It was originally to read 300 books this year, and thanks to Goodreads' handy tally thingy, I was informed anytime I breezed by how far behind I was. The pressure got to me, and I abandoned my to read list of Neil Gaiman, Nelson Demille, Suzzanne Collins, Jodi Picoult and so forth for the easy to consume pleasure of Nora Roberts.
One fine evening, I clicked on the view books link to check out my reading exploits for the year, and discovered to my dismay that I had read 8 Nora Roberts and 3 other books. Well, that wasn't the plan. The plan was to read more, yes, but also to read outside my comfort zone. To discover new favourites, and learn new things. 8 Nora Roberts was not the way to go about it. So now, the plan has changed to something more realistic, and less stressful - The 100 Book Reading Challenge. It has nice ring to it, no?
Anyway, I made the changes and now I'm 9 books ahead of schedule. Oh yeah! I am awesome.
What am I reading now?
Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer.
J.R. Ward's The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide
Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot
Lola Shoneyin's The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Nicole William's Earn What You're Worth
And my easy, breezy #fridayreads is (drumroll, please) - Nora Robert's Born in Ice.
...don't judge me.
I'm pleased to announce that I know what direction I'm going with Good intentions. I have a very rough outline. I have a beginning, a middle and an end. I have a theme and some character sketches, so YAY!
I'll start writing next week. The plan is a chapter a day. It's not going to be a lengthy book. 1,000 words per chapter is the plan. I'll keep you posted, and if there's anything I can share with you about the process I will.
In other news, I've decided to be realistic about my reading challenge. It was originally to read 300 books this year, and thanks to Goodreads' handy tally thingy, I was informed anytime I breezed by how far behind I was. The pressure got to me, and I abandoned my to read list of Neil Gaiman, Nelson Demille, Suzzanne Collins, Jodi Picoult and so forth for the easy to consume pleasure of Nora Roberts.
One fine evening, I clicked on the view books link to check out my reading exploits for the year, and discovered to my dismay that I had read 8 Nora Roberts and 3 other books. Well, that wasn't the plan. The plan was to read more, yes, but also to read outside my comfort zone. To discover new favourites, and learn new things. 8 Nora Roberts was not the way to go about it. So now, the plan has changed to something more realistic, and less stressful - The 100 Book Reading Challenge. It has nice ring to it, no?
Anyway, I made the changes and now I'm 9 books ahead of schedule. Oh yeah! I am awesome.
What am I reading now?
Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer.
J.R. Ward's The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide
Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot
Lola Shoneyin's The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Nicole William's Earn What You're Worth
And my easy, breezy #fridayreads is (drumroll, please) - Nora Robert's Born in Ice.
...don't judge me.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Happy New Year!
Hey! Hey! Hey! It's 2013.
Welcome to the New Year.
I didn't put up a post earlier because I was not so compelled, and also because I was recovering from crossing over. Normally, it takes me a day of sleeping it off, but with a toddler who we shall call SuperGoo, well, let's just say I'm still sleepy.
Anyway, it's the New Year. And as a good citizen of Earth, I should have plans and goals. Well, gosh darn it, I do!
This is the year of my 300 Book Reading Challenge. Ridiculous, I know, but if it were feasible like a 52 Book Reading Challenge, then I wouldn't be interested. I'm one of those 'dream the impossible dream' people. A recipe for heartache, I tell you, but ooh what a rush. So far, I have finished one book - Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I enjoyed it. It was a delightful romp with angels, demons, switched babies, and what I consider, a very cheeky premise.
I'm in the middle of Francine Prose's How to Read Like A Writer, and have just read the first seven chapters of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin for The (Unnamed) Book Club. Expect an update on that soon.
Writing goals? Well, The Plan was to improve my craft while writing six short stories from January to June, and then write Good Intentions from July to December. But, then, I read Good Omens which made me dream up a totally unrelated idea that haunts me. So, the six short stories have been given the bump for Good Intentions, then I will write The Other Story from July to December. I hear you! Foolhardy. Sigh. I'm an all or nothing sort of girl.
Oh Lord, let it not be nothing.
On the Writing for Hire front, things are still kinda up in the air, but I would very much like to work only for the first six months of the year, then use the remaining months to focus on Writing for Myself. At least, that was the plan when I was doing the Six Short Stories and A Novel thing. Now...errr...
On the Weight Loss Goal, I would like to lose 10kg but 5kg would not be bad. I would like to go down two dress sizes, but one would be satisfactory. What's the plan? Well, I thought I would Zumba, Skip, Swim and do some Yoga. You know, slow and steady type of thing. However, Papa Goo got me the Insanity Workout DVD. Yay!
No. Not really.
Sigh. So we'll see.
Ah, well, Happy New Year!
Welcome to the New Year.
I didn't put up a post earlier because I was not so compelled, and also because I was recovering from crossing over. Normally, it takes me a day of sleeping it off, but with a toddler who we shall call SuperGoo, well, let's just say I'm still sleepy.
Anyway, it's the New Year. And as a good citizen of Earth, I should have plans and goals. Well, gosh darn it, I do!
This is the year of my 300 Book Reading Challenge. Ridiculous, I know, but if it were feasible like a 52 Book Reading Challenge, then I wouldn't be interested. I'm one of those 'dream the impossible dream' people. A recipe for heartache, I tell you, but ooh what a rush. So far, I have finished one book - Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I enjoyed it. It was a delightful romp with angels, demons, switched babies, and what I consider, a very cheeky premise.
I'm in the middle of Francine Prose's How to Read Like A Writer, and have just read the first seven chapters of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin for The (Unnamed) Book Club. Expect an update on that soon.
Writing goals? Well, The Plan was to improve my craft while writing six short stories from January to June, and then write Good Intentions from July to December. But, then, I read Good Omens which made me dream up a totally unrelated idea that haunts me. So, the six short stories have been given the bump for Good Intentions, then I will write The Other Story from July to December. I hear you! Foolhardy. Sigh. I'm an all or nothing sort of girl.
Oh Lord, let it not be nothing.
On the Writing for Hire front, things are still kinda up in the air, but I would very much like to work only for the first six months of the year, then use the remaining months to focus on Writing for Myself. At least, that was the plan when I was doing the Six Short Stories and A Novel thing. Now...errr...
On the Weight Loss Goal, I would like to lose 10kg but 5kg would not be bad. I would like to go down two dress sizes, but one would be satisfactory. What's the plan? Well, I thought I would Zumba, Skip, Swim and do some Yoga. You know, slow and steady type of thing. However, Papa Goo got me the Insanity Workout DVD. Yay!
No. Not really.
Sigh. So we'll see.
Ah, well, Happy New Year!
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