So my parents have a holiday cottage down in Cornwall, in the quaint village of Mousehole. It's been 2 years since we were there but returned last week.
What a week. We were blesses with fantastic weather, no April showers in sight - though I am now thinking this is our quota for sunshine out of the way for 2011. The only blip weather wise was on Friday when we were caught in St Ives around Nate's feeding time. It was not a happy afternoon from that point on.
Anyway we enjoyed the sun, visited Penzance, which is slowly turning into 'Yeovil - the coastal version', wandered round two National Trust places and found a food and craft market that turned out to be quite good.
What I enjoyed most though was spending some quality time with my wife and son, something we don't have nearly enough of. I mean it was Thursday before I even turned the TV on and I had my phone off for the duration except to send a birthday message. Bliss!!
I refuse to do a blow by blow account of the holiday so I just want to say we had a great time, great food and Nate got to not only see the sea but paddle in it too, though judging by the photos he hasn't made up his mind whether he liked it or not.
Thanks Mum and Dad for the use of your cottage
Sunday 24 April 2011
Sunday 17 April 2011
Stu vs Chracter Profiles 1
Here is a short biography for my first character for my assignment. He'll get fleshed out soon.
Character Idea - Nathan (Stationary Cupboard Adventures)
Name: Nathan Thames
Nick-Name: Nate (Nate the Cake or just "The Cake")
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Nationality: British
Appearance: He has a freckly round face and is slightly rotund, though he is tall for his age. Not very fit.
Hair Colour: Black
Eyes: Greeny-brown
Voice: Quiet in large group situations like school. Much louder within his friendship group or when enthusiastic about something.
Features: Has one leg shorter than the other so walks with a very slight limp.
Favourite Colour: Orange
Favourite Food: Mum's cupcakes followed closely by a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings.
Least Favourite Food: Cabbage (especially his school's version)
Best Character Trait: Helpfulness - he is always willing to help out at home or at school (he is considered to be a bit of an goody-goody among some his classmates at school)
Character Flaw: Self-confidence. He is fine when with his friends but otherwise comes across as quiet shy and introvert. He also doesn't stick up for himself when being bullied.
Personality: He is a very creative individual but finds it hard to apply this creativity over sustained periods. He tries very hard in school but never seems to be as successful as his friends. He often dreams about living in worlds that aren't his own. He can be quite mischievous though which lands him in more trouble than it should. Some-what short tempered.
Likes: Lego, reading fantasy novels. He is currently reading Mariel of Redwall by Brian Jacques (his favourite author). His SNES handed down to him by his dad. Pokemon, Ben 10, Dr Who, action figures (plays with his dads). He also enjoys playing rugby and football in the winter and cricket in the summer.
Dislikes: Being bullied, being dragged around National Trust places by his parents, having to include his brother in things, Mr Grange his teacher (nicknamed Egghead because of his bald, oval-shaped head).
Habits: Picking his nose, cries a lot. Snorts when he laughs.
Pets: 2 cats (Sandy and Frosty) though he is allergic to them.
Best Friend: Fred Davies (Snotty Fred)
Worst Enemy: Blaize Henderson (school bully)
Secret Desire: Gain super powers, french-kiss Maggie Salter
Character Idea - Nathan (Stationary Cupboard Adventures)
Name: Nathan Thames
Nick-Name: Nate (Nate the Cake or just "The Cake")
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Nationality: British
Appearance: He has a freckly round face and is slightly rotund, though he is tall for his age. Not very fit.
Hair Colour: Black
Eyes: Greeny-brown
Voice: Quiet in large group situations like school. Much louder within his friendship group or when enthusiastic about something.
Features: Has one leg shorter than the other so walks with a very slight limp.
Favourite Colour: Orange
Favourite Food: Mum's cupcakes followed closely by a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings.
Least Favourite Food: Cabbage (especially his school's version)
Best Character Trait: Helpfulness - he is always willing to help out at home or at school (he is considered to be a bit of an goody-goody among some his classmates at school)
Character Flaw: Self-confidence. He is fine when with his friends but otherwise comes across as quiet shy and introvert. He also doesn't stick up for himself when being bullied.
Personality: He is a very creative individual but finds it hard to apply this creativity over sustained periods. He tries very hard in school but never seems to be as successful as his friends. He often dreams about living in worlds that aren't his own. He can be quite mischievous though which lands him in more trouble than it should. Some-what short tempered.
Likes: Lego, reading fantasy novels. He is currently reading Mariel of Redwall by Brian Jacques (his favourite author). His SNES handed down to him by his dad. Pokemon, Ben 10, Dr Who, action figures (plays with his dads). He also enjoys playing rugby and football in the winter and cricket in the summer.
Dislikes: Being bullied, being dragged around National Trust places by his parents, having to include his brother in things, Mr Grange his teacher (nicknamed Egghead because of his bald, oval-shaped head).
Habits: Picking his nose, cries a lot. Snorts when he laughs.
Pets: 2 cats (Sandy and Frosty) though he is allergic to them.
Best Friend: Fred Davies (Snotty Fred)
Worst Enemy: Blaize Henderson (school bully)
Secret Desire: Gain super powers, french-kiss Maggie Salter
Friday 15 April 2011
Stu vs. The IPad
So I've been after an IPad since it's unveiling last year but a lack of camera and word processing tools left me somewhat unconvinced. So fast forward 12 months and Apple released it's IPad 2. To cut a long story short I succumbed and am actually writing this blog using it. What can I tell you about Apple's thin box of tricks that you don't already know? Well my only disappointment is that it doesn't have a USB slot. The apps are great, a mobile version of Apple's IWorks is great too.
I'm still playing with other bits but suffice to say I'm happy and can't wait to take it on holiday next week and do some writing.
On a completely different note I have received my course materials from the Writer's Bureau and am already getting stuck in. Prepare to see some character profiles up soon
I'm still playing with other bits but suffice to say I'm happy and can't wait to take it on holiday next week and do some writing.
On a completely different note I have received my course materials from the Writer's Bureau and am already getting stuck in. Prepare to see some character profiles up soon
Sunday 10 April 2011
Stu vs. 25 Books for 2011
If I want to be a children's writer I need to read more modern children's literature. So I decided to do a reading list for this year. I'm setting a target of 25 books for this year. Now I may read more but I do read quite slowly and not as often as I would like. Here's the list in its full glory, though not in any partcular order.
NB: Current book - Swallows and Amazons (a book I've wanted to read since I was a kid and never got around to it)
1. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
2. Beast Quest: Book 1 - Ferno the Fire Dragon
3. Dance with Dragons (released July - can't wait!)
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
5. Inheritence (released September)
6. The Subtle Knife
7. The Complete Spiderwick Chronicles
8. The Edge Chronicles - Beyond the Deepwood
9. The Bromliad
10. Assassins Apprentice
11. Royal Assassin
12. Assassin's Quest
13. How to Train Your Dragon
14. The Amulet of Samarkind
15. Tom Trineheart and the Land of Dark Stories
16. Inkdeath
17. Brisingr
18. The BFG
19. The Wyrmling Horde - Sum of All Men
20. The Warcraft Anthology
21. Tales From Earthsea (this book is really four stories in one and I have read the first)
22. Warlock of Firetop Mountain (technically an adventure book, but I want to return to the books of my childhood).
23. The Subtle Knife
24. Scott Pilgrim: Book 4
25. Scott Pilgrim: Book 5 (yes these last two are graphic novels but I still need to read them)
Well there you have it readers; my mammoth reading list for 2011. These will hopefully open my mind up so I can write some more.
P.S. I am currently working on my top 50 films of all time. This list will be up shortly and I'm sure I'll have some controversal titles.
NB: Current book - Swallows and Amazons (a book I've wanted to read since I was a kid and never got around to it)
1. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
2. Beast Quest: Book 1 - Ferno the Fire Dragon
3. Dance with Dragons (released July - can't wait!)
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
5. Inheritence (released September)
6. The Subtle Knife
7. The Complete Spiderwick Chronicles
8. The Edge Chronicles - Beyond the Deepwood
9. The Bromliad
10. Assassins Apprentice
11. Royal Assassin
12. Assassin's Quest
13. How to Train Your Dragon
14. The Amulet of Samarkind
15. Tom Trineheart and the Land of Dark Stories
16. Inkdeath
17. Brisingr
18. The BFG
19. The Wyrmling Horde - Sum of All Men
20. The Warcraft Anthology
21. Tales From Earthsea (this book is really four stories in one and I have read the first)
22. Warlock of Firetop Mountain (technically an adventure book, but I want to return to the books of my childhood).
23. The Subtle Knife
24. Scott Pilgrim: Book 4
25. Scott Pilgrim: Book 5 (yes these last two are graphic novels but I still need to read them)
Well there you have it readers; my mammoth reading list for 2011. These will hopefully open my mind up so I can write some more.
P.S. I am currently working on my top 50 films of all time. This list will be up shortly and I'm sure I'll have some controversal titles.
Friday 8 April 2011
Stu vs The Writer's Bureau 1
I have bitten the bullet and enrolled on the Children's Writer's Course with the Writer's Bureau. I have 15 days to decide whether to continue with the course or get my money back. From what I've read so far it seems pretty good, though I'm waiting for a hard coppy to come through the post to really sink my teeth into.
I already have my first assignment: creating characters for four different age groups. Suffice to say I'm looking forward to it. Stay tuned for more postings on my assignments including these character portfolios.
I already have my first assignment: creating characters for four different age groups. Suffice to say I'm looking forward to it. Stay tuned for more postings on my assignments including these character portfolios.
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Stu vs. First Post
I am a cheater. I've been faithful for two months but no longer. I have cheated on my other blog with this one. The main reason: this one looks better and more people seem to use it, good old Google. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not normally into the aestetics of things, though I do have my DVD's in alphabetical order and books arranged on shelves in height order but that's just my crazy personality and nothing to do with aethestics...right?
Well suffice to say the tools surrounding the designs of blogspot are much better than those over at blog.co.uk so I switched, just like someone who switches credit cards for the interest free periods or brands of baked beans for the taste.
So why did I decide to write a blog in the first place. Well I'll tell you... I started as a way of making sure wrote something everyday, no matter how small (and Twitter isn't my cup of tea just yet). However this quickly changed to writing every few days. I want to get published as a children's author: not for money or fame but because I have a wild imagination and there's too much in my head not to share it around. I thought a blog would help my channel my thoughts, posting snippets of my adventures here for all to read and get opinons from you the outside world.
I intend to do this write here with the help of the Writer's Bureau Children's Course, something I have just enrolled in. I will post my mini assignments here to get your views.
Now it won't all be about my ability/inability (delete as appropriate) to write. I will also use this blog to air any thoughts I have on other things. For example I am in the process of succumbing to the purchase of an IPad 2 and will surely, once I receive it, make some comments here. I fully intend to use it for writing purposes and not for games. I have a PS3 for that.
Throughout this blog you may find out things about me... you may not. I hope you enjoy my subsequent posts and feel free to leave any comments you wish.
Well suffice to say the tools surrounding the designs of blogspot are much better than those over at blog.co.uk so I switched, just like someone who switches credit cards for the interest free periods or brands of baked beans for the taste.
So why did I decide to write a blog in the first place. Well I'll tell you... I started as a way of making sure wrote something everyday, no matter how small (and Twitter isn't my cup of tea just yet). However this quickly changed to writing every few days. I want to get published as a children's author: not for money or fame but because I have a wild imagination and there's too much in my head not to share it around. I thought a blog would help my channel my thoughts, posting snippets of my adventures here for all to read and get opinons from you the outside world.
I intend to do this write here with the help of the Writer's Bureau Children's Course, something I have just enrolled in. I will post my mini assignments here to get your views.
Now it won't all be about my ability/inability (delete as appropriate) to write. I will also use this blog to air any thoughts I have on other things. For example I am in the process of succumbing to the purchase of an IPad 2 and will surely, once I receive it, make some comments here. I fully intend to use it for writing purposes and not for games. I have a PS3 for that.
Throughout this blog you may find out things about me... you may not. I hope you enjoy my subsequent posts and feel free to leave any comments you wish.
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