New writing software; too much to do?

I had a lovely week at Dolphin Bay over Songkran.

On this trip, we actually saw dolphins in the bay.They were pink.
We fed the monkeys on monkey island, relaxed, and missed the worst of the protests.

I did no writing whatsoever.

The children go back to school on monday and this term I am looking forward to:

- organising a routine around my writing

- playing around with new writing software.
I have just downloaded the demo version of from here: http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/ after seeing it mentioned here http://bookworm-megs.blogspot.com/search?q=writer%27s+cafe

-fixing some bits of chapter 3

- getting further along with my course and my first draft

- working out some holes in the plot

- buying a netbook

- planning our next holiday (London, Paris and Ireland!!)Yay!

- getting fitter (did 50 laps on thursday!)

- starting a new term of French lessons

- having a massive throw out

- reading my favourite blogs

- cooking

- reading and book club

- last but not least, our first proper writer's group meeting!

Here is one of the cheeky monkeys on Monkey Island:

New writing group and feed back

I have joined a writer's group, and I like it :-) One of the best things about it is that it is a new group. I really like the idea of being part of something from the beginning. There are also a good mixture of people with similar tastes and goals and those with differing ones. (Hi fellow group members!)

My tutor got back to me about my latest assignment amazingly quickly. I emailed it to her on Friday and she emailed me back on Sunday. There's a time difference too, as she is in England. Her feed back was great. She pointed out some flaws and gave me some advice that should save me a few headaches in the long term. She also told me the bits that work well. I really look forward to her replies whenever I send off my work.

In case you are interested, I'm doing the Novel Writing module through the following website: www.lsj.org

Finished chapter 3!

Yippee! Current word count is 5732.
Not a lot, I realise, but it is getting easier. Chapter 1 took me ages. Months. Chapter 2 was still nearly 2 months. Chapter 3 was less than a month and I feel like I could write chapter 4 next week.

Too much time in Starbucks?

Last night I attended a writers group which meets in a Starbucks near me. It was really interesting. Quite hard core, there wasn't much mincing of words, and apparently this was them on a good night! Still the constructive criticism was pretty intelligent so plenty of potential to learn from the people there.

Next week, I am going to the first meeting of a new writer's group which is also in a Starbucks! I quite like the ambience of the Starbucks here. They are on every street corner and understand about air conditioning and comfortable chairs. They also sell Perrier and Earl Grey which is great as I am not a big fan of their coffee.

I've made a new writing friend too this week. Quite pleased about that!

I blew my budget on books too:
-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
-Balthazar Jones and the Tower of London Zoo by Julia Stuart
-Arthur and George by Julian Barnes
-The lifted veil by George Elliot

I had lunch with friends from my French class too at my favourite French cafe "Cafe Tartine".
First time I've had a really good chat with all of them. We enjoyed it so much we are meeting for lunch next week too.

I got all self conscious about this blog and deleted it for a few days and then undeleted it today!!

Today I have nothing on so am going to work on chapter 3.

My friend told me about an interesting website www.pw.org which I am checking out at the moment.

First post ever!

Well after mulling it over for simply ages, I have decided to bite the bullet and start my own blog. After all if I don't like it, I can always stop. I think I will be more of a once a monther rather than daily blogger.
We shall see.
Bonjour tout le monde!