Tag Archives: reading

Jan 31 2015

Are you looking for serious beta readers?

Yes? so I’ll try and be brief.

I’ve been working with a friend and crit partner, on a website for serious writers. We all know there are a good few out there (used em all) but what they don’t have is a serious beta program in place.

The site is itself is in beta stages, so as it’s a trial we’re offering a free upgrade for participation. (as we are data gathering)

I am looking for 8-10 people whose novels are beta ready. This means has been though the mill by yourself, maybe even a couple of friends. SPAG does not need to be perfect, because we all know that’s the last stage of editing, and line editing isn’t what a beta is about.

The beta is tough going. You need to read the other novels and discuss in a set order. That is a big trust thing. But it’s a trust thing in hoping sending off to that person you know on the internet… so your choice. Depending on book length it could mean 1-2 weeks per book. For 4 members on a team, it would mean 6 weeks of reading and discussion. (with a break when your own is on) But to receive those solid sets of feedback on your work is very important. And especially from those who write in the same area.

Anyone interested or for in the future? Pop along to the site at www.wewritersworkshop.com and peek at it, or PM me for more details.

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On a personal note guys I’m so sorry I’ve been away, I’ve been very poorly for the last few weeks. I will catch you up soon, I have so much good news!

Especially regarding TSK 🙂

Jan 26 2014

Week and weekend over…

Wow,

I can’t really believe how quick it went. Not just the weekend, but my first week back in work.

There isn’t much that has changed, bar the facts that some of my customers got lost along the way side. So I spent last week getting them back. With a little luck I’ll be back on track to targets, jee wiz. I can tell you, I don’t want that again. You work so hard for it, then it’s gone and it’s like you have to start from scratch almost all over again. Not good, at all.

Pic of hubby and my lil monster 🙂 Image

I’ve had two pretty big projects going on this last few weeks. One I started before work, and one I managed to spend the full day on today. It’s been good to get work coming my way. Tough it might be, but if I really want to get out there more this year. Dedication to other projects as well as my own is a must.

My project well it kinda stalled a bit. Oh dear…

Monday – Friday- back in work, and then the gym, getting home was a bit  late, spending time with the birds and sorting out myself for the following few days. It’s been hectic to say the least and might take a fair few hours off what I can do with my time. I will soon get into the routine at work and with the home stuff. So although it’s hard at the moment, it won’t always be hard. TSK is still moving forward just a little bit slower for a while, with a few deadlines on the cards.

I’ve had some fab results though in the three weeks I’ve been aiming to get fitter and healthier. I won’t talk numbers, really as they’re hard for me to deal with, but needless to say, I’m well on my way to a fitter lifestyle. The drinking water is hard, specially now I am back in work, but I’m trying my very best to keep things moving.

My latest challenge, is to eat enough protein to help get my body working right, so that the weight can come off properly and help to build muscle so that I can work out and feel better.

It’s amazing the diff just a few weeks makes, my energy levels are higher, I want to do things. Although it’s been a tough week going back to work. I have found that it also wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

My energy levels were crap, before I even broke my elbow and I’m just putting that down to the crap diet and no real exercise.

So feeling positive and looking forward to another good week.

Hope you’re all doing great.

Dawn

Dec 8 2013

Sunday and stuff :)

Been a very down and busy week. Felt rough for most of it. Winter and nano blues. But, also had a few things to keep my mind occupied. 

Chat room on mibbit is still really active. If anyone suffering from nano blues want’s to join in. Send me a message and I’ll show you how. It’s been inspirational there, and the people are fab. From all over. 

We also had a couple of new arrivals last weekend, two Amazon parrots, who needed an urgent safe house. It’s nice to have them here and they’re settling in well. One is very friendly to me, the other isn’t, but like hubby. So it’s a good match. 

 

Bobby got his first telling off from our old cat. He bit her, so she touched the top of his head with the back of her paw. Not so good. He’s not been near her like that again though, so job done for now. 

 

Regarding physio and other things. I went on Monday and she knew I wasn’t right from the way I was walking, so we talked. She looked over my elbow etc and seemed to think it was ‘golfers elbow’ similar to Tennis elbow, but with the inside and not outside tendons, etc. 

She told me to rest, take a step back on the exercise told her I’d not been able to do much anyway, and she’ll see me in 3 weeks. Sucks, but I knew something was going on with it. Will be seeing my doc again on monday to go over it all and see what they can suggest. No good if one thing has a knock on effect to others. nice. 

Fish are all cold, settled in well for winter, blanket weed growing, so had to treat yesterday. But will be alright, just need to get them over the worst of the next few months, mild here at the moment. 

 

Well, hope to get on with book one more so now. Edit, edit 🙂 

 

Speak soon. x 

Nov 22 2013

10 weeks since BE :(

It’s been 10 weeks today since I broke my elbow, and this week has been again one of the worst. I don’t know what I’ve done, maybe it really is the extra exercise, so I’m taking a little break from it today. It’s been hurting a lot the last couple of days. And picking up my coffee today, I almost dropped it. 😦 not good. 

So, seeing as I’ve done my nano, and achieved the goal I set out. I’m rewarding myself with a good days reading. I mean ‘not my own work’ which is kida really hard. So, I’m going to study someone else  🙂 hehehe

 

It’s cold out, mum isn’t home till tomorrow, and I’m lonely a lot this week. Been also trying to get Bobby to get used to me touching his head now instead of his beak. But like with the beak touching he growls at me at first. lol so I get scared and then keep trying. I will get there I know I will. 

And I’ll get there with the stupid elbow. I just need a rest day I think. 

 

🙂 Dawn x 

 

Apr 13 2013

mmmmm

Well what can I say. The sun is out and I can’t do anything.

Paul has gone off to Banks Car Booty. Which I would have enjoyed but the pain in my knee just isn’t going. Yesterday had to be the worst, although in the morning the swelling had gone down, by the afternoon it was right back out there. Took all evening soaking it in pain killers and a special ‘patch’ for it to ease. I just wish it would go away. The throbbing is kinda okay. But the not sleeping and wobbliness isn’t nice. Every time I stand it feels like my leg is gonna give out and I’ll be in a heap on the floor. It’s scary. 

Writing wise…. well haven’t been able to concentrate to do any editing. So, I’ve been reading instead. This has given me plenty of time for relaxing…. a couch potato I am. I hate being a couch potato… it’s  making me feel like a blimp. 😦 So, not only am I in pain, my heads battering me to death too. Depressed is not the word. 

I always try not to worry over money. We can cope, its not going to be a brilliant month end with me having time off but I guess it had to happen at some point. My body is only human and things happen. I’ll deal with that as it crops up. 

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My fish is doing much better in the QT, he’s lively, his swelling has gone down. (hahah maybe I should get in there with them) and I totally believe he’s going to be right as rain in a few weeks. 🙂 Fingers crossed I’m going to be okay ‘this’ week. 

So more rest and recoup for me. In face I think I’ll head back to bed now. My eyes can’t focus. 

Have a great weekend all.  x x x

 

Speak soon.