Barbara

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  Barbara

• Mar 20, 2020

Today I shall do a 'No News' Friday. The world won't go under, but I might. Time to take some time away from anything that spreads news. I shall first do some exercise, then sit down with a healthy supply of chocolate, and beta read a good book. 'No. News. Friday.'. Maybe you will join me. Virtually of course.

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  Barbara

• Mar 17, 2020

My day-job has just been suspended until further notice due to the virus. Mixed feelings doesn't begin to describe it. I'm fully behind the decision for sake of everyone around, but I now have no salary until ….?

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  Barbara

• Mar 6, 2020

Twitter novice looking for twitter friends. EEEK, I finally joined.
Took over half an hour to find a Twitter name that hadn't been taken. Finally, the most obvious was still free: @Barbara_author

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  Barbara

• Mar 5, 2020

Happy World Book Day … Is it World Book Day? … Well, whatever. It is now.

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  Barbara

• Feb 9, 2020

Rant on/
How is it that some people continuously manage to keep knocking the wind out of my sail? For goodness sake! When will I learn that I can't tell some folk about my passions and dreams, no matter how close they are?
/Rant off.

As you were. Thanks for listening. Back to writing.

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  Barbara

• Jan 6, 2020

I'm rewriting the synopsis, and this time I shall actually include (and make sense of) the most important plot points regards to the ending. Silly girl forgot to add them to the previous draft. *Slaps forehead.*

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  Barbara

• Jan 4, 2020

So, I'm going to change my antagonist's surname. Out comes a list of Russian names. I find 'Pestov'. You have no idea how tempted I am.

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  Barbara

• Jan 1, 2020

2 30 AM. Cat brought mouse in. Battle in progress. Mouse escapes under bed. I'll deal with it in morning.
7 30 AM. Cat and mouse are sitting together in bedroom doorway. Mouse sees me and runs into cat’s play box for easy transport, thank you. I pick up box, and as I walk down stairs, I think I hear cat shout: 'See you tomorrow, Jerry.' A black, fluffy paw waves in the corner of my eye.
Here's to world peace in 2020

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  Barbara

• Dec 18, 2019

Me, reading in bed: 'Wow, this book is actually quite good. I mean really good. Really didn't expect that.'
Himself: 'Why's that?'
Me: 'Well, it was written by *shall remain anonymous* and he's known for other things. Maybe he had a ghost writer.'
Himself: 'Wooohoooooo.'
Sigh.

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  Barbara

• Dec 1, 2019

So, the latest writing mag has this article I thought I really ought to read, only my cat had shredded it over night.

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  Barbara

• Nov 30, 2019

Book 3 done. Now it's decision time: fix book 2? Or start book 4?

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  Barbara

• Nov 15, 2019

So, I re-injured my foot, writing. Fine. Whatever.

• 

  RK Capps

• Nov 10, 2019

I'm up to Chapter 6 An enjoyable read! Off to bed now...

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  Barbara

• Nov 3, 2019

Argh!! Pass out. Faint. That moment when you're getting ready to send your novel and find a massive continuity error.
Okay, get up. Get cracking.

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  Barbara

• Oct 28, 2019

Me, sitting at the comp: UGH. I feel quite sick.
Himself: Why? I thought you're happily editing your book thingy.
Me: I am. But one of my scenes is so disturbing, it's made me feel quite sick.
Himself: Well, change it then.

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  Barbara

• Oct 26, 2019

Uh-oh, I just failed an online Swiss-German language quiz. I wonder if the Swiss Ambassador will turn up and strip me of my nationality. 'Giv me ze passport please, Frau Barbara.'
I best not open the door for the next few days.

• 

  Dean Baxter

• Oct 25, 2019

Hi Carol, sorry to bother you with this, but quick question: I just filled out a priority form for pop-up submissions, but didn't get any kind of notification. Is there any way I can check that it has been received? Thanks in advance x

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  Barbara

• Oct 19, 2019

Note to Self for the next Huddle: either lock Self into a closed room, or set Self up outdoors in the rain, or better: feed cat first. If not, cat will pester and try to jump up onto the keyboard at most inconvenient moments or worse, cat will try to chew comp cables while Self desperately attempts to figure out how to use a mic. Just as well mic didn't work. Miaou miaou miaou ...

• 

  Barbara

• Oct 16, 2019

Well, the universe is either telling me to clean up my writing act, or else it's hinting I should launder money. I took the washing from the machine and found a 50p coin with a book image minted onto it at the bottom the of the drum. The British Library 50p.

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  Barbara

• Oct 4, 2019

So, I have a title for a new novel but no idea whatsoever what the novel could be about.

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  Barbara

• Sep 27, 2019

Me: Very busy putting final touches to MS.
Himself: Where's the paint for the utility walls?
Me: No idea. Somewhere, God knows, among the mess of kitchen boxes.

Me: Very busy putting final touches to MS.
Himself: Where are the paint brushes and masking tape?
Me: Somewhere among the kitchen boxes.

Me: Very busy putting final touches to MS.
Himself: Where are the dust sheets? I need to protect the worktops.
Me: Sigh.

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  Barbara

• Aug 13, 2019

If any member had a warning from me, appologies. My tablet is doing something beyond my control. Will try sort it ASAP

• 

  Barbara

• Aug 10, 2019

Me: 'Well, there goes the summary.'
Himself, from somewhere in the next room: 'Yep, it's windy and rainy. We had no summer at all.'

The joys of living with a musician who has been battered by loud music.

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  Barbara

• Jul 23, 2019

Argh! The summary! Eek!

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  Barbara

• Jul 19, 2019

Yesterday eve in bed. Himself, reading some book or another. Me, nearly asleep. Himself huffs, and puts the book down.
'This story needs more catflap.'
Now I'm wide awake, thanks. 'Catflap?!?!'
'Yeah, more good stuff, coming and going in the story.'
'What?'
'You know, that agent and his friends always talk about books needing more catflap.'
'Oh, you mean more "cowbell".'

• 

  Barbara

• Jul 16, 2019

After the first wave of edits, I've been letting my MS rest for the past week. And what do you know, I actually miss my protagonist. Interesting. That's a new one.

• 

  Barbara

• Jul 12, 2019

I've just discovered the joys of a chalk board to make notes for my novel. Much more eco-friendly than paper, I hope.

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  Barbara

• Jul 9, 2019

My computer: 'No.'
Me: 'Please.'
My computer: 'No.'
Me: 'Please, please, please.'
My computer: 'No.'
Me: 'PLEEEEEEASE'
My computer: 'No.'

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  Barbara

• Jun 22, 2019

Me, at the computer, cursing: 'Now, where's that stupid draft?'
Himself: 'Calm down. Just go upstairs and close the window.'

• 

  Barbara

• Jun 15, 2019

Edit, sneeze, cough, edit, spatter, wipes keyboard, edit, edit, splatter, edit, hatchoo, wipes computer screen, edit, cough, edit.