Back to blogging with fab four

Well I’m back to writing my blog. But seriously where did 2012 go?

Today has been one of those frustrating days. No matter where I turned there was something that went wrong or an action that would make me more frustrated. But on my walk to the train station I got an awesome call that totally changed my whole perspective of the day. I’d love to share details with you but I can’t just yet. As soon as I can you’ll know.

But I have just treated myself to a brand new iPad 3, or ‘the iPad’. It’s to replace my original iPad (so retro of me) that seems to be slowing down and freezing. It’s my treat to myself for a hard working year. I know we all know but it’s just so easy to purchase things from apple.com. Especially when they own your soul through iTunes.

So the equation for today for all those math geeks out there is:

Frustration + more frustration + (awesome phone call * online shopping) = AWESOME DAY!

I have decided to add to the end of my blog posts what I’m calling my Fab four. They’ll be a question or list of what I’ve been finding and/or surfing recently. The fab four will consist of:

1. The Internet Awesomeness link – A great link I’ve found online, whether it’s a video, comic, image or something else
2. Book I’m reading  – What I’m reading at the moment?
3. The song on repeat on my playlist – I usually get engrossed in a song that I have to play it over and over. I’ll chuck up one of the song’s I’m repeating at the moment.
4. TV and/or movie – A TV and/or movie I’m obsessing over at the moment.

So for today’s Fab four here we go:

1. Internet Awesomeness Link: If you haven’t already you should check out the Oatmeal’s, My dog: the paradox comic. It’s hilarious and very true. You can check it out here – http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox

2. Book I’m reading: Flashbyte by Cat Connor. She is an amazing crime thriller writer who lives in Wellington! How awesome is that? Cat is also on Twitter so you can talk to her here.

3. The song on repeat on my playlist: Ellie Goulding – Lights

4. TV and/or movie: I’m obsessing over Resident Evil 5 right now. I love Resident Evil and the fact that many of the old characters have been incorporated back into the story line is great! I can’t wait to see it. Now if only I could convince someone to come with me!

Well that is me for the night.

Signing off – Ams.

Advertisement

An introduction to my Character

Kyra Stratley

I’d like you to meet Kyra Stratley. Kyra is the main character from my work in progress novel. The final title has yet to be determined. Yes I have finished the first draft only this year but I’ve had this idea (with a friend of mine) for over 11 years.

This is a drawing I did back in 2005 that I thought I would share with you.

Let’s take a quick sneak peak into Kyra and who she is.

Kyra Stratley

Kyra was orphaned as a young girl. She is withdrawn and finds it hard to trust others. Being very much a lone wolf she doesn’t like others to be dependent on her. Although Kyra may come across as cold she does care. She is a thrill seeker though and likes to take risks.

That’s it. Hope you enjoyed stopping by and hopefully you enjoyed meeting Kyra.

Almost finished first draft #amwriting

So I have almost finished my first draft of my novel, it’s a major milestone in the development of my first novel.

I’m actually however very excited to move on. I can’t wait to go through the story again and re-write sections, modify the storyline and make it flow.

Still lots of work to do but I’m happy with my progress. My target was to finish my first draft by the end of the year and I have done that. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for quite a while (even if I didn’t know it) and it’s very exciting seeing it come together.

However one thing I want to touch on is that I have purchased Scrivener. I must say it is very awesome and cost effective. I love it! If you’re a writer thinking of  choosing a tool to write in I cannot express enough how much Scrivener has just taken away my worries of formatting.

A picture is worth a thousand words

I thought I would share one of the pictures that I’ve done for my story idea.

As you may or may not know I have had the idea of the story for quite a few years, almost 12. The idea was started by myself and my friend Aralyss. I have her permission to write this shared idea, in fact she can’t wait to read what I’ve done. But before I came up with the idea to write a novel we were originally going to create an animation with this idea.

Over the past 12 years I have collections of pictures that I’ve drawn. I wanted to share one of the images I drew of my main character from my novel Kyra. I won’t give too much away but I’ll share the image with you all. 🙂

Sketch of Kyra:

Coloured image of Kyra:

Scrivener – A tool for writers? #amwriting

So I’m currently doing a bit of research into a new writing tool a friend of mine pointed out to me. Scrivener seems to be a tool created by a writer so has lots of little features that helps to make writers lives easier. Which to me seems like an awesome thing. If you have any thoughts or opinions of Scrivener leave a comment and let me know.

The site for Scrivener is here: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/

An interview with Lisa Flaus

I recently sat down with my friend Lisa Flaus as she asked me questions about writing.

You can check the interview out at Author’s Block here.

Cheers,

Amber

Creating a Presence

So I had a DM from an author Shelley Workinger asking me if I had a work page.

A work page I thought. I don’t really have a work page. I have a personal blog and I help to write for Author’s Block but I don’t have a work page as a writer.

I always thought that I would create a website later on once I had published my novel. Never thought anyone would care to know what I said before hand.

But now I’m here, will try to post regularly. Letting people know my progress and maybe some inside peaks into the life of a part time writer!

Have lots of fun,

Amber