Now a writer?

As I got my first cheque for writing, it is for a massive $20.

Does this now make me a writer?

No longer writing for another web site

I am no longer writing for the other web site. I had issues writing content about general IT news stories.

Another usage for my laptop

I originally bought my laptop do more creative writing and for my GPS device while I am at races out of the local area. However at the weekend I found another usage for it.

While ironing 15 shirts (no typo there) I was listening to Fresh 40 using my wireless internet.

Writing for another web site

I have just started to blog IT news stories on an IT web site that is for IT professionals.

It is interesting as they have their submission guidelines, so you don't have total control on the article as I would normally have on here.

At least it should get me writing more frequently which was one of my 10 determinations for the year.

Completed One of my 10 Determinations

I have completed one of my 10 determinations for this year, as I am now an Ironman. Although I did not enjoy much of the last 13 miles of the run.

During the preceding week I did also improve my time management by changing my sleeping pattern to be closer to being up for the race on 3am on a Sunday.

One of my 10 Determinations this year

As one of my 10 Determinations this year I have de-cluttered my house a bit more and during the process have filled both my waste bins. I also took a bag full of books to the local hospital which has a charity book stall.
This is a big improvement although there are still some more stuff to get rid off this will have to wait until the after the next bin collections.
I also have some more training equipment to organise, which has not been helped by more stuff being bought.

Book Chapter Headings

I have actually done some creative writing, I have written down some initial ideas for the chapter/subject headings. There are currently over 20 of these.

I suppose the next step is to start writing a chapter or two.

No creative writing

I have not done any creative writing for a while, hopefully in between doing a triathlon this weekend I could do some writing.

However from 10 determinations for the year I have de-cluttered a bit and got rid of a couple of boxes of stuff to a car boot sale, still more to do on this front but a bit at time.

First Author Rejection Notice

I got my first author rejection about a being a UK Technical blogger for an IT website.
"we have already got a person for this position but we will keep your contact details for future considerations...."

Does this mean I am a writer now?

Actually done some Creative Writing!!!

I have actually done some creative writing tonight. I have even edited it and published on to my LuLu storefront. The new story is called Adam and the Race, it is under 1,000 words and you will never guess which race this is about.

I created it using Microsoft Word 2007, it uses a different toolbar system which will take a while to get used to it. From the what I used it did seem ok and fairly easy to use and had a seperate area for proofing a document, this was extremely useful.

I was in my creative zone while creating the work, with my MP3's playing on my laptop with my Sky+ on in the background with the football game on. Then I was able to upload it to LuLu using my Wi-Fi connection.

I only had to get up to make myself another drink!!

Nearly Writing Again

I am getting closer to do some creative writing.

I have done some more tasks from my 10 determinations for the year, which I have de-cluttered some more and got ride of over a wheelie bin full. As part of the de-clutter I got rid of over 200 floppy disks, this is only 1/4 of the storage capacity of one of my MP3 players!!

Writing again soon

I should be back writing again soon, as my office software has now arrived. :-)
However I have yet to install it on my new laptop. After that I hopefully will be writing more once I have learnt the major changes in the applications.

Writing over Easter

I actually did some writing over the Easter. However it was only about 30 words due to training and family commitments.

Very little writing done

I have done very little writing in the last few weeks but that is hopefully about to change in the coming weeks.

As I have now nearly finished moving house and I now have a new laptop with wireless internet, which I may have to disable when writing. I am just waiting for the new version of Word Processing software I ordered from the supplier to be delivered.

Update on Creative Work

I have create one new childrens short story on my LuLu storefront with another one already started.

In terms of my writing about the last few years I have not written anything but I have been in to a national bookstore to see where it would sit on the bookshelves.
I have also decided that the cover would be yellow with black text. As this will match colours of the Tri suit which will be the front cover photo of me completing the Ironman. This photo may have some copyright issues which may need to be resolved.

Writing Update

I have not done any creative writing in the last few weeks. However this is due to having the Flu and then moving house. In the next few weeks I should time available again be able to start writing.

I have now identified in my training I have 1 or 2 rest days a week, these will be used for writing.
Possibly writing for longer than 1 hour!!!!

Update on 10 determinations for the year

This week I have done some of the 10 determinations for the year.

I have decluttered some of my home and had two bags of items to be recycled. I also recycled some running magazines by giving them to a colleague at work who is interested in starting to run.
I have improved my time management and some running training for Ironman UK by going to the running club venue straight from work. This allowed me to do twice the distance (11 miles) by doing under half the distance (5 miles) before the club meets and then doing a session (6 miles) with other people when it meets.

Now I just need to do some more writing!!

Actually done some creative writing

I am still in shock.

As tonight I set down and created a short story (Adam and the Train) of about 750 words, edited it and published it on my lulu storefront.

I disabled the automatically spelling in my word processor and just wrote it down. After a short interlude after writing it I reviewed it a few times and then enabled the automatic spelling and corrected any that I had previously missed.

I was quite impressed with myself of actually doing some work and completing the whole process within a few hours.

I may leave it a few more days before doing some more writing, as I don’t want to over do it.

10 Determinations for this year

Below are my 10 determinations for this year, some of which are not writing related.

1) Ironman UK – Training for the event including physically, mentally and nutritionally. Then “enjoying” the event on the day.
2) Declutter – Home and computer, I think eBay will be used to sell some things or charity shops.
3) Time Management – Improve my time management.
4) Write more frequently – This can be any creative work.
5) Increase Creative Writing Skills – this could be from courses, exercises, peer review or other learning methods.
6) Create more short stories – Publish some more stories on my LuLu.com storefront.
7) Write a book about last few years – A health and fitness book about the changes I made and experiences in the last few years.
8) Relaxation – include some time for relaxation with all the above items and other life events.
9) Save some money – Instead of spending it on the latest gadget or whatever.
10) Lose weight – I now have about a stone (7.5kg) to lose and keep off after Christmas. I think this is an obligatory one to include.

Best laid plans…

I made the plans of what creative writing I was planning to do over the New Year holidays, which I thought was quite organised of me.

However when I travelled to see my family over the holidays, when I went to do some writing I found I had left the notebook with the details of the work at home but had packed the pen!!