How to Get Organised for Christmas...

I'm going through a phase of being very organised. I've got myself accepted into college for an access to university to course, so I'll be going to university, if I pass, next September! Hopefully Edinburgh uni, but I don't quite know yet. I'll be doing an English degree, or hopefully English with Creative Writing (except Edinburgh don't offer that.)

Anyway... Christmas!

Yes, I know it's only September but unless you'd like to be one of those stressed out people with crazy hair and bags full of last-minute presents nobody wants, here's how to get properly organised for Christmas:

Apologies!

I've been so busy recently I've barely written a word, whether it be for my ongoing story or Burrst or Blogger and I hate it.

But I'm back now with a lot to tell you.

I came back from Leeds Festival, the greatest music festival in the world (and coincidentally the only one I've ever been to) on Monday.

I've never had such an amazing five days.

Review: Dogma

Yes, this is probably the newest and least relevant review to exist of Dogma, which was released in 1999. (Scarily, that's thirteen years ago!)

However I'm currently watching it for the second time and I can't find a thing to fault.

Review: Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives

Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Planning Stories Vs Winging It

What kind of writer are you?

Do you plan everything about your story to the last detail? Character bios that cover every detail of their lives? Plans that include all minor details of the plot like every subplot, conflict, argument, downfalls, outfits worn, weather, strangers they pass in the street, what pants they wear?

Or do you wing it, and have the major scenes in mind and you set on your merry way and bash at your laptop until you have 50,000 words, hoping everything fits together nicely and letting your characters decide what happens next..?

Review: Under Control by Mark McNay

"Under Control" took a while to get in to. At first it seems like a disjointed series of mini-stories about people who all have very plain, forgettable names and are living plain, forgettable lives. I considered giving up. Then...

Can You Self-Publish With Smashwords AND Amazon?

I've been reading a lot recently about how great Amazon is. Currently, I self-publish all my ebooks using Smashwords and I find they're okay. I get enough regular downloads to keep me happy. I hadn't considered the possibility of self-publishing with Smashwords and Amazon until yesterday. With more readers, more downloads and sales, more profits, why wouldn't you?

Here are some things you need to really think about before doing this...

Naming Your Fictional Characters

Naming your characters is an absolutely vital part of every story you write, no matter how short or long. Like naming a child you must think long and hard about it. Here are some things to consider when undertaking the task of naming your precious child-characters....

Feedback from Readers

One of my favourite things about writing (apart from the obvious - actually writing...) is getting feedback! Knowing that someone has read through your work, and liked it enough to say something nice is really wonderful. Every ebook I read I try to remember to comment about it, as I think everyone deserves a confidence boost at regular intervals....

Ray Pettibon

I just watched Red Hot Chili Pepper's music video for Monarchy of Roses, an amazingly creative video and the best I've seen in a long while, and it mentioned it was inspired by the art of Ray Pettibon.

Aurora

I think everyone knows about the tragic shooting in Aurora by now, during the screening of Batman. So, so sad.

Hans Zimmer has released a song, titled "Aurora", which is truly haunting and beautifully sad. If you want to listen, the link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIseL1_lIGg