Trevor's Writing

The Adventures of Nancy – I am a lap dog

2 Comments »14th September, 2007; Category: Adventures of Nancy

Nancy as a lap dog

Hi there again.

This is Nancy back again. Grandpa Trevor has gone on a long holiday interstate and so I have to hold the fort here on his blog. He has gone with Grandma Corinne to visit Uncle Simon and Aunty Leanne in Sydney.

I wish they had taken me with them. I would have been really well behaved. I would sit quietly and watch all the sheep and cattle in the paddocks as we went along. I would sit quietly when I saw a kangaroo hopping over the road. I wouldn’t even bark if I saw an echidna or a wombat.

I would have a very responsible job while taking them on holidays. They have a habit of wandering off into the bush and leaving the car unattended. Grandma Corinne is always looking at the ground, seeking out a new wildflower to photograph. And Grandpa Trevor always had his head in the air looking at birds though his binoculars or his camera. I would stay and guard the car.

Perhaps they will take me with next time.

In the meantime I thought I’d show you a picture of me as a lap dog. It shows Grandpa too. He will be furious when he gets back to see that I used this photo of me on his lap.

Never mind; I’ll just cuddle up on his lap again and he will forget all about it.

Talk to you soon.

Nancy

Writing Hint #34: Schedule your writing day

No Comments »13th September, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life, Writing Hints

If you are like me, far too many things can get in the way of our writing. Sometimes there are seemingly far more interesting things to do. Sometimes the pressure to get things done around the house – like cleaning, and washing, and reading the mail or paper or whatever can hinder progress on that writing project.

The key to getting that writing done is to actually schedule the tasks to be done in the day. Sounds simple? It is – but putting it into practice can take discipline and practice. I have a standard list of things I try to do each day. Writing is one of those things. I make it a high priority that some writing is done every day. I set goals for each day, week and month and work hard at achieving those goals, but I don’t try to reach the week’s goals on the first day of the week. I stretch them out over the whole week. Sure and steady, small steps every day, little by little the writing gets done.

I plan each day carefully, but unplanned emergencies do happen and the schedule goes out the window. For example, a few weeks ago I wanted to attend a funeral. It was two hour’s drive away in another town. I took the day off from writing, attended the funeral, met many people I hadn’t seen in years, spent time with my widowed sister-in-law and then drove home in time for the evening meal. The time out actually refreshed me and gave me time to think while travelling that gave me plenty of writing inspiration.

The Adventures of Nancy – dangerous animals

2 Comments »12th September, 2007; Category: Adventures of Nancy

Nancy on watch for dangerous animals

Hi there.

This is Nancy again.

I am so pleased that you could come over here to read more about my adventures. This one is quite serious. A few days ago I wrote to you about helping Grandma Corinne in her native plant nursery. Well, something just happened that makes me a little worried and just a bit hopping mad.

There I was, minding Grandma’s business, when alone came this dangerous animal.

Western Grey Kangaroo

Well – I ask you. What right does that stranger have coming into my back yard. I think he just jumped to conclusions and invited himself. No excuse me, or may I come in. No – he just bounds straight up to where he does not belong.

Boy – did I send him off quickly. We can’t have dangerous animals like that around here. Next thing you know he’ll be hopping all over us. And the last thing Grandma wants is him eating all her precious plants. No sir, no way.

Well – that’s another good day’s work done. We won’t see him again in a hurry.

Talk to you soon.

Nancy.

Writing Hint #33: Write first drafts quickly

No Comments »11th September, 2007; Category: Writing Hints

A few days ago I read an article about writing suggesting that any first draft should be written quickly. The author encouraged a very rough first draft with no concerns for editing, spelling or punctuation.

The main idea was the get the ideas out of your head and on to the paper (or screen). Just write with no internal editors allowed. Writers were encouraged to avoid being perfect – just get the words written.

Now this technique may work for many writers. As far as I’m concerned I do not think I will try this idea too much, for several reasons:

My inbuilt editor has been finely tuned from 35 years of correcting the writing of students. It’s a habit that is hard to break.
I like to make my first draft as good as I can because that is the cutting edge of the way I write. Too much editing and fussing later on just breeds boredom which leads to procrastination.
When I write for my three blogs I rarely have the luxury of time to rewrite too much. I try hard to get it right the first time.

Anyway, despite my reservations about this method it probably would work for some writers.

Just find a method that you are comfortable with and develop it for all its worth.

Good writing.

The Adventures of Nancy – helping in Grandma’s plant nursery

2 Comments »10th September, 2007; Category: Adventures of Nancy

Hi.

Nancy here again.

How have you been? I like hearing from all of my readers. You can leave your comments in the comments section.

Today’s photo shows me busy at work.

Nancy working in the plant nursery

Grandma Corinne runs an Australian native plant nursery and she often needs help and supervision. That’s where I am so useful. I make sure that she keeps on task all the time. Every so often I wander over to where she is working and lean against her leg. That reminds her to give me a rub. This is very important; it as it is very encouraging for her to have this attention.

Sometimes I position myself on the mound of dirt in the middle of the nursery. The sun is lovely and warm there so sometimes I might appear to nod off to sleep, but don’t be fooled. I am watching carefully for those bossy Red Wattlebirds. They can be very domineering and chase away all the smaller honeyeaters, so I watch out for them and chase them away if they get too rough. They need to learn to share the lovely honey in the flowers.

If you would like to read more about Grandma’s nursery you must click here. BUT DON’T FORGET to come back here to read more about me.

Talk to you soon.

Nancy