The Proof Is In The Eating

This post is linked to my last one.  Which means it is more to do with my recent writing experience than other references, tales, analogies, what have you, I may or may not have previously posted.  In even more words, this is being directly typed from my heart, to my head, along my arms, to my fingers...okay, you probably get the picture and I'm procrastinating again. :)

A few days ago, I completed my collection of short stories.  I was happy with them.  Had gone through searching for repetitive words (I hate seeing the same ones in the same sentence or paragraph - sometimes it is unavoidable but it is rare).  The plot too was defined, enough clues to allow the reader to see what was coming and yet (hopefully) an alternative there too, to mislead.  After that I went through changing some of the names of the characters.  Somehow, from conception to finalising, many

How Many Times Do You Edit/Proof Read?

I've realised the reason why I don't blog all that often (yes, procrastination is one of them), is because there are a thousand and one things to do, and who knows, but that might not be an exaggeration!

Okay, this mini write up is to justify why even the most conscientious writers, of which I am definitely one, end up with mistakes in the 'final' versions of their work.  Recently I took almost a day out from normal routine stuff and that includes editing, to catch up with reviews of items that I have purchased over a very long period of time and not reviewed.  Reviewing anything takes time.  Reviews of books, even longer.  Are reviews important?  I think so.  I use them; to me they're as useful as verbal recommendations.  During those hours that I slogged away, I came to understand that every book I've recently read, bar one, had typos.  And it was the plots, the characters, the dialogue, the writing style, and the good grammar,

GIVING IN AND COOKING A CURRY....

Waste Not and Want Not

Many love curries, but do not necessarily want to wake up to the smell of one.  However, they are missing out, because lots of curries taste fantastic the following day.  They are also easy to heat up when coming home after a hard day at work.

With the house up for sale, I have been avoiding cooking a curry, just in case the estate agent rang and had somebody wanting to come for a viewing.  But nothing keeps forever and as we know, even the refrigerator can only keep food fresh for so long.  My carrots were leaving me no choice, either I boiled, roasted or threw them out.  None of those appealed so I decided to use them in the easiest and most

It's been a while!

It has been many, many months since I last blogged.  I logged in and low and behold there was a message from Google about some things they wanted me to update.  I hate trying to keep up with changes in technology.  I followed a couple of steps then gave up.  Apparently I need Google Chrome.  Okay, so I'm a bit behind the times!

My intentions are always excellent, but it is not just the spirit that is weak, so is the will power.  Then there are the distractions that have kept me from blogging.  We all have them.  Some have genuine, out of their hands type, and others where they had to choose.  Mine well...I blame Twitter.  It is so easy to use.  You can watch T.V. have the laptop close to hand, the crochet that increases nicely, and it makes you feel you're multi-tasking.

Of course television watching, tweeting and crocheting isn't all I've been doing, but it

A quick few words and a picture before I go to bed.

Have caught up with a wonderful friend.  (They are the ones that are truly worth having - we all have them but sometimes don't know it until we lose them. True friends allow you to ramble and splurge out your words without engaging brain.  Cherish them.)

I talked to you tonight - you know who you are.

Book completely edited again.  Another print run done.  Printer wasn't too happy with me for using previously used paper, but then you have to recycle - it doesn't grow on trees you know...  Unless the printer was trying to give me feedback on my novel?

Will spend the weekend busy, occupied with doing something, missing out on the fabulous weather.  That is what most women of my ilk do and then wonder what happened.  Some things can really wait.  The world as they/we know it will not stop.  I know it but, who else is going to paint that room, or move the furniture, or replace the toilet roll?

Bought some wonderful aubergines.  Couldn't freeze them because the freezer is playing up (hey, it is a bit hot, so what do you expect?)  A friend had given me loads of jars.  So I made pickle.  A tad too much chilli but still delicious.

Just need a few friends who like fiendishly hot aubergine stuff in jars.

One door closes, another opens :)

The sun shines and the lawn gets cut,

The smiles widen and the heart gladdens;
What can be better - than that...?

(I don't do poetry).

Shame there wasn't any washing that needed to be done. Oh, well.

Two chapters remain to be edited.  Then another print.  And a read through.  Correct/edit.  Another print and pass on for friends to be honest, but sort of kind - no pressure.  Love them.

I have been working on the novel - honest!

  

Working on chapter 10 of Goods By Hand (may keep this title, who knows, not me, sometimes I change my mind just because I can), and when I have finished, half way house will have been reached. 

Yay....yippee....or whatever the modern term is.  They do keep changing don't they... 
(I love ellipsis).

Took a little time out last night to entertain friends.  The good news is that we are all still standing (or sitting at the moment to type this if I'm being honest) and nobody has been in touch to say they are moving abroad or changing their contact details.  So all is still well.  And the bonus is; the sun is out.  There is a song isn't there, The sun is out, the sky is blue, there's not a cloud....actually forget it, who in their right mind would invite the remainder?  However, it is a beautiful song and already I know I am going to remember it for the rest of the day.

Oh, well, back to food.

Starting with the nearest and dearest (have you checked out the price of rice recently?):
Boiled rice - every grain light, fluffy and separate.
Aubergine and potato curry.
Carrot, pea, potato and sweetcorn curry.
Chicken and green pepper curry.
Salad (barely touched - I wonder why?)
Spinach, onion, potato, aubergine pakora (none leftover - I wonder why?)

A good all round evening, with lots of intelligent conversation ranging from the personal to the political.  What better way to see in the weekend?