Barbara

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

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.

Barbara · Oct 4, 2019

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

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.

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.

Barbara · Jul 23, 2019

Argh! The summary! Eek!

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.

Barbara · Jul 9, 2019

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

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.

Barbara · May 26, 2019

'The End', I just typed 'The End'.

Barbara · May 26, 2019

Two more paragraphs. Only two more paragraphs before I write 'The End'. ARGH!!

Barbara · May 10, 2019

Final scene, and: One paragraph a day for the last three days. I'm coughing up one paragraph a day. In an entire day! For three days! All I manage is one paragraph a day. Argh! *Manic laughter*

Barbara · May 5, 2019

On to the last chapter, and the fear of finishing a novel has kicked in.

Barbara · Mar 26, 2019

My keyboard is covered in dust. I'm either writing too slowly, or not enough.

Barbara · Mar 14, 2019

Monday: Brainstormed a plot plan for last quarter of WIP.
Found plot hole in showdown. Uh-oh
Yesterday: Spent afternoon weaving new thread into WIP to sort plot hole.
Finished said thread.
Sat back
Smiled
Totally forgot what the BLEEPING plot hole was in the BLEEPING first place.
*BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP*
Oh, well, the additions add nice touch.
Today: Woke up and remembered the plot hole.

Leonora · Mar 7, 2019

Ah! NOW I see!

Barbara · Mar 6, 2019

Shopping List (the Sequel):
Himself: 'Can you write ice cream on that shopping list of yours.'
Me: 'No. Do it yourself.'
Himself: 'Why? You're the author.'

Barbara · Mar 5, 2019

Me: 'Stupid day job. I haven't written a single word today.'
Himself: 'Write a shopping list. We need milk.'

Barbara · Mar 3, 2019

A certain four-legged, fluffy someone of the whiskered kind has just shredded half of my writing notes. Hmmm. Surely there are suptler ways to let me know what he thinks of my plot.

Barbara · Feb 1, 2019

Found myself with an unexpected day off, and it's snowing (kinda). Guess what I'll be doing ...

Barbara · Jan 8, 2019

To make a big plot change, or not to make a big plot change? That would be today's question.

Barbara · Nov 18, 2018

We're supposed to kill our darlings, right? I'm about to kill 30 thousand of them.

George Prime · Nov 8, 2018

My two cents may be late. I'm thinking what would GEORGE SMILEY do? Act totally conquered. Ask if the dog needs water/food. Offer tea. Send out for lunch. Get them to make a mistake. Maybe slip a message out via the delivery boy.

Barbara · Oct 19, 2018

And now the Russian Mafia is sitting in my protagonist’s living room, and he doesn’t know why, and to be frank nor do I, he doesn't know how to get rid of them, and nor do I, now it seems the Mafia is writing my story, and I’ve bitten off way more than I can chew with this puppy, and I’m about to throw the keyboard in the air, I'll be bold by the end of the month, Happy Friday everyone. Rant over. Back to writing.