May's writing group

The writers group met today and although numbers were low it was an interesting meeting.  With my head filled with totalitarian regimes and fascist Italy there was no room left for creative writing so nothing to read out again.  But we did have time to do a short exercise which was interesting so managed to read that out instead.
This months homework: To think of nursery rhymes from your childhood.  Take the first line of whichever appeals the most, ignore the original context and use as inspiration for a poem or short story.

For instance: ‘Little Jack Horner sat in the corner…’ Was he hearing voices?  Was he being bullied?  What happened next?  (borrowed from Mslexia)

A new perspective

Last weekend, much to my surprise, I ran 4 whole miles.

I shouldn’t really be surprised; I did after all set out to run 4 miles.  But it had taken me a good six months to run a whole 3 miles (about 5km) and this was only my second attempt to run 4.  Not only did I manage to run all of it, including the steepest hill I’ve ever seen, but I also managed it in just under 39 mins.  As you can imagine I’m very pleased with myself, even if my knees are starting to question my sanity.

I think a lot of this is to do with belief.  I never believe I would be able to run; never mind 4 miles.  So every time I tried to run the 3 miles my brain would tell me that I couldn’t run the whole thing, I’d have to walk some of it, even though my breathing and my legs were fine.

With the 4 miles I was doing fine, but coming to my second smaller hill and thinking how I’d never make it, I should walk now, when I came across a little boy ‘running’ with his dad.  I ran past them and then thought ‘I can’t stop’ at least not while they could see me.  By the time I was out of sight I was back on the flat and suddenly realised that there was no reason why I shouldn’t run the whole thing.  So I did.

Good luck to everyone running the London Marathon this weekend.  For the first time in my life I am starting to see why you do it.

April Writers Group

Today the Writers Group met.  No prize for guessing that once again I had nothing to read out.  But this week I really should have had something, even if it wasn't related to the homework.  
I've spent my Easter break doing all sorts of things and feeling really inspired but I never got past this feeling to an idea to write about.  I find this happens quite often and is really frustrating.  I find myself buzzing with 'inspiration' but can't find the outlet, whether it be a story or drawing or just making something.  It feels like there are hundreds of ideas in my head but every time I try to use one it escapes and leaves me with nothing but a glimmer of how amazing it would have been if I'd manage to grab it.   
Anyway this months homework is to write a short story, essay or poem using the form of an instructional article, employing a step-by-step method, such as ‘how to know if you’re enlightened’ or ‘ten steps to losing your mind’. (taken from Jack Heffron's The Writer's Idea Book)

Paper safe

Another Rob Ives project.  I find them very refreshing after all my essay writing and module reading.  This is his paper safe.  It took a couple of sessions to create it but I am very pleased with the outcome.  If it was just a little bigger it would be the perfect place to keep my Easter chocolate (you can seal the bottom compartment to people can't work out the combination).  Maybe one day I will try scaling it up.

Gift box with four compartments

With a little time off work for Easter and being up to date with my course work I decided to try another Rob Ives project.  This is his gift box with four compartments, which then folds up into a cover.  This is a pretty rough attempt but now I understand how it works I can have another go and smooth off the 'rough edges'.  I love boxes and think this is great. Any box that isn't quite what you expect gets my thumbs up.

Writers group March homework

The writers group met for our lunch time meeting today. It was a good meeting but once again I had nothing to read out, as I don't think they would be much interested in an essay about the origins of the first world war. As always I was amazed at what they came up with using the same prompts. This months home work is to take something you have already written and to try telling it in another way. For example as an animal story; as a myth; as sci-fi; as an adventure; as a legend; as a school story; as fantasy; as a ghost tale; as an urban legend; as a western... The point is to try something you wouldn't normally try.

Paper bird

I had a spare hour between reading text books, writing essays, working and running and thought I'd have a go at another of Rob Ives paper projects.  I love this dipping bird, although mine doesn't seem to be as up right as Rob's paper bird.  I wonder if I can change the design slightly to turn the bird into a chicken, then I can make myself a flock and 'im outdoors won't need to worry about his veg.

The mysterious disappearing prop shaft

Yesterday morning ‘im outdoors got into his truck, started it up and went to pull away.  But the truck didn’t go anywhere and he feared the gear box was having issues again.  He hopped out and had a quick look underneath to make sure everything looked ok and there he found a small pile of bolts and a space where his prop shaft should be.

Luckily he wasn’t on his way to work and so he had time to ring the police and then some garages to find a new one.  Seems prop shafts for his truck are hard to come by and it is going to cost £800+ for it to be replaced.  We can only assume that someone else didn’t have the £800+ to fix theirs and so has nicked one instead.  But what makes them think we can afford that cost our selves?  ‘im outdoors has not had any work for the last 6 weeks – part of being a landscaper that we are aware of and do plan for, but that doesn’t make it any easier.  And now he has some work he can’t get to it.

At least they did not steal all his tools, as happened to friends of ours a couple of years ago, but we are both still fuming.

I hate living in a society where nicking stuff happens and where more often than not they get away with it.  My boss’ bike was stolen from outside work just before Christmas.  Even with his details stamped on it, it is still very unlikely he will see it again.  (I’m not blaming the police, I’m sure they try their very best, and I know I wouldn’t know where to start if I had to find a stolen bike.)

It makes me want to shout – What is wrong with these people?