Tuesday, February 26, 2008

To read or to knit...

After dinner last night, we decided to enjoy the fire in the living room, before watching Rome. I was going to get the book I'm reading for review, but suddenly I knew I just had to knit instead. For those of you who both knit and read, do you find this? That the urge to do one over the other can sometimes be compelling? Do you understand it?

I'm working currently on a cool slouch sock for myself, knitted on two regular kneedles rather than circulars/dps (those of you on Facebook can see the sock in my Stitchbook box) and I was working on turning the heel. Having never done it before, I was a tad nervous. Maybe that compelled me to pick up needles/yarn instead of my book? The urge to finish that part?

Feedback definitely appreciated :)

Teresa

Currently Reading: Book for review

Monday, February 25, 2008

Movie trailer - Katyn (WWII) by Andrzej Wajda

This is a movie I HAVE to see when it comes out on DVD. Didn't know it existed till the Oscars last night. An extended family member died in the event depicted in the movie.

Teresa

Friday, February 22, 2008

I finally figured it out...

Henri and Madeleine's story wasn't working because I had some of the details wrong. That's why every time I tried to write it, something just didn't ring true. And while I did indeed try to listen to my instincts that something wasn't right, I couldn't figure it out. Until recently. Then, as I think I mentioned last week, it came to me in a dream. Well, not specific to them, but a situation in a dream I had sparked something for my characters and now I have a much better idea of what's going on and hope to actually write the opening scene - AGAIN, and watch it flow.

All I have to do is find the time. Unlike Kelly, I can't haul my a** out of bed at 4:45am to write. No way, no how. My best creative time is from about noon till 8 at night, and right now I have to use that time on my contract writing. Which means I have to carve out time elsewhere and hope that my excitement over rediscovering this story carries me through.

How do you motivate yourself to write against your natural schedule? Or am I just being a wimp?

Teresa

Currently Reading: Book for review
Link of the Day: Jeannie Ruesch's Regency England Resources

Thursday, February 21, 2008

What I've been up to...

Working, mostly - either business related stuff (it's tax time) or on the contract I've taken on. Lots to keep me busy. BUT while on the elliptical last week I did do some brainstorming about WTHB and ways to resurrect the story.

Did anyone see the eclipse last night? I managed to glimpse it through the trees during its height and saw the moon coming out of the earth's shadow, when it was high enough to clear the trees and be seen from the library window. Very impressive. And even when I couldn't see the moon itself, the stars were gorgeous as I gazed up at them from the deck. I had all the lights in the house off, so it was pitch black out. Makes me really look forward to summer :)

I'm visiting blogs as I have a chance.

Oh, and here are a couple of cute pics of Chloe from last night:



Teresa

Currently Reading: Book for review

Monday, February 11, 2008

Catching up....

Sorry for the long absence. My mum came for a visit and we spent lots of time out and about, especially as the weather was good most of the time :) After she left, I had lots to do, including work on a contract for non-fiction work. It's a trial piece and if it works out, there may be more for me from this source.

As regular readers here know, I love playing with my camera, especially with so much spectacular scenery hereabouts. A few weeks ago, my mum sent me a copy of a photo taken by my sister:



It inspired me to try some black and white photography of my own, so I was thrilled to discover my camera actually has a b/w setting :) Who knew?

What I love is the play of light and shadow and figuring out how to take the photo to bring them out. Below are some of my efforts:

The woods near our house


Old quarry in the snow


Llamas near sunset


Mouth of Wilson Creek


Beach at Davis Bay


Gibsons waterfront


Mouth of Roberts Creek


Roberts Creek from Lower Road


Woodland garden


Other than that, I have been doing more research for my story and have come up with a couple of new plot twists. Plus, I've also come up with an idea that may just bring When the Heart Believes (sequel to What the Heart Remembers) back to life!! It came out of a dream I had. We'll see if it works or not.

Re: Fly Fusion Notebooks - My delivery from B&N came in good time and the bonus was they use a distribution centre in Ontario, so I didn't have to pay Customs/Duty and it was shipped via Canada Post :) Yay! I've found my pen to be invaluable so far. Poor Alphie is a little jealous - I may have to use him just so he won't feel bad. *g*

Ok, on with my work now. Hope you like the pics :)

Teresa

Currently Reading: Not that Kind of Girl by Catherine Alliot