Here We Go Round Again...

It's that time of the year again. A time when members, admin and judges of The Write Idea alike quake with fear. This weekend, The Whittaker Prize 2010 begins. Nine rounds, eighteen weeks, of utter mayhem, during which I might actually get something written. At least, that's the plan. How I'm going to manage to fit it in with all the other things going on right now, I'm not entirely clear, but if I have to scribble on the back of an envelope on the bus, I will!

Returning visitors will have noticed a few changes to the blog. I decided that lurid pink, whilst doing a grand job of making people think my blog was some kind of online sex shop, was a bit harsh on the eyes so I have striven for something a little more tasteful this time. I may shuffle a few other things around as the mood takes me, and I make no apologies for it: we artistes are an impulsive lot.

At the moment, life appears to be one big hurly-burly. Work is insanely busy due to a couple of big projects I'm working on and the difficulty of working with individuals whose world view does not extend beyond the end of their own nose. Sometimes I wonder how these people cross the road without being knocked down. Whilst I don't complain about being busy - it makes the days go faster - I do take a bit of exception at feeling I'm the one upon whom all the stressful work is being dumped in order that others may enjoy stress-free days. It's just a good job I actually AM superwoman, or nothing would be getting done!



I'm also equally busy at home. Himself's band are currently "touring" Hertfordshire. I use bunny ears for two reasons. First of all, it's such a small area I'm not sure it counts as a proper tour. Secondly, if you walk into a venue and can smell the toilets, I think it's pretty likely to be a write-off as a venue. The music and performances have been great when anyone has actually paid attention besides the usual six or seven people who tag along wherever they go, but when the talking between the songs is louder than the clapping, it makes you squirm with embarrassment. That said, if you happen to live in the area, you could alleviate some of the problem by coming along one night! Check out the Albany Down website for details.

My first production with FFBOS is coming up fast now, and we are about to get into intensive rehearsals 2-3 times a week. The show will be playing at the Intimate Theatre, Palmers Green, London from 20-24 April inclusive. You can pick up tickets by ringing the box office on 020 8482 6923, emailing tickets@ffbos.com or clicking on to www.ticketsource.co.uk/ffbos - tickets cost £10 Tues/Weds and £12 the rest of the run. Please do come along if you can - it promised to be loads of fun!



On the bright side, since my last blog I have had another story accepted, this time by Twisted Tongue. It's a flash that was turned down by Every Day Fiction for being too well written in terms of gore, so I thought TT would be a good fit! It will appear in issue 15, due out this month.

And I have just signed up to produce one 2.5k word story per fortnight. Preferably, one GOOD 2.5k word story. Oh heck, am I mental?

Yes, yes I am...