Woohoo New Laptop

I am so fricking excited to have a shiny new laptop! I had an Asus Chromebook for a while. It suited me really well, long battery life and light weight. Even after I spilt water on it causing the arrow and shift key to stop working I still had an affinity for my little Chrook (because who doesn’t love a portmanteau).

When it started turning off at random intervals I started looking for alternatives. Not long after that it point blank refused to turn on. It was at that moment I realized how much I relied on my Chrook every day. My mental health took a hit. I am eternally thankful for a loan from my mum, I would have been waiting a long time to save enough money.

After looking at a fair few Chromebooks I decided that I wanted windows based operating system. Scrivener is my writing tool of choice and Chromebooks are unable to support the programme. Browsing John Lewis I stumbled upon the Lenovo Yoga, Super lightweight, nicely spaced keys, decent sound and good quality video. It actually holds up to the claim of eight hours of battery life, really simple battery saving mode too. I’m enjoying using the Cortana voice recognition for dictation. I never thought I’d use the touchscreen or convertible mode, the screen can rotate 360 degrees. However, I’m finding it really useful. My husband and I like to watch shows in bed and folding the keyboard back gives us a bit more space. I’ve ended up using it as a tablet too.

For any writers out there interested in a lightweight laptop I can recommend both the Acer Chromebook and Lenovo Yoga, depending on your priorities. The Chromebook has 12 hours battery and a larger screen.

Todays Wordcount: 322

Productive Day

Today I stuck to my routine! In the morning I sat at my computer and revised the first scene of my novel. Each revision gets a little easier. I did my first reading last Tuesday at writing group. I received really positive feedback. But reading it aloud I found it a little complicated and perhaps convoluted. I threw in a few too many names right away without giving a proper introduction. Thus revision feels clearer and a bit more fun too.

So the first revision was 615ish and this one is 732. It’s actually gone back to the word count of a previous draft but with way more detail and character.

Today’s wordcount: let’s say 851

Easy does it

Today was a little calmer. I’m still without my laptop and it’s more than a little infuriating. My mum’s very kindly loaned me some money and I ordered a shiney new laptop a couple hours ago.

Today I wrote a little post about a quilt I made for my niece’s second birthday. Actual numbers are less than accurate as the mobile app does not display a wordcount.

Today’s approximate wordcount: 308

A Cautious Admittance

So I just noticed that the last few blogs I’ve written have been to do with my mental health. I think this means I need to do more than simply writing to do lists.

I can plan to my hearts content but the reality is i’ve got a hell of a lot of events coming up. I’m not sure I have a quiet period til christmas.

Oh Lordy, Christmas! That’s another mountain to climb.

I’m writing this on my phone as my Chromebook has decided to shut down at random intervals. It’s where I tend to do most of my writing. I don’t dare now for fear of losing passages mid-sentance.

Today’s wordcount: 436, mostly the newsletter for work

A Bit Of a Catch-Up

I have been somewhat overwhelmed of late. My calendar is full and my mind won’t stay still. I find posting relaxing. It gives me a chance to collect my thoughts and process the day. There are times when my anxiety does not want me to take account of my days. I’m afraid that if I stop and think for a moment all those worries will come crashing down and engulf me.

So I keep on going, full speed ahead until I crash head first into a brick wall. I am attempting to circumnavigate the eventual injury by ensuring I keep to my routine. Alarms are reset, to do lists re-written time will not run riot over my days.

Word count for the last few days: 1,168

The Wonder Of To Do Lists

Today is the first in a long time in which I have had nothing planned through the day. Last night I wrote a really strong to do list. the things I was avoiding don’t seem quite so daunting written down. After a bit of a lie in I checked the master list, then wrote a to do today list, picking out the most pressing tasks, ordering a cheque book, paying bills etc.

I also got the chance to sit down for a good couple of hours and revise the opening of my novel. It’s my piece to read aloud for the writing group tomorrow. Super nervous but also excited.

Today’s Wordcount: 830

…And Breathe

My week has been a whirlwind of activity. I cannot think of a single day in which I had time to rest, never mind write!

I can feel my mind becoming overloaded. Manic bursts of energy followed by pure exhaustion. Days rush past with unnatural speed. Tight cracking jaw, the frustrating insistence of a tension headache. Thoughts rush with anxious urgency then vanish with the next task. Pin pricks of guilt. Forgotten obligations.

I need space.

I need silence.

The Hook?

Back to writing group tonight. The homework this week was to write a ‘hook’. I am supposed to make the reader irresistibly hooked within the first couple of sentences. The tutor told said to make it as shocking as we wanted.

I am being ever so brave and bringing in the first paragraph of my novel. I fiddled with it a bit today and swapped scenes around to have the reader jump straight into the action.

Wish me luck

Today’s Word-count: 142