Marks Writing Blog

Wrote the second race report

2010-08-19T22:26:00.000+01:00

The second race report I started out in a word document with a few headlines for some structure.

Then I just wrote the report without too much stopping to correct any of the spellings or grammer (red or green wiggly line). It ended up as 5,000 words done in about 3 or 4 hours!!

I then went back the next day and edited it and added some details about my performance which made it to 5,400 words. Then I separated the sections/chapters out as individual blog posts and added some photos and videos plus relevant web site links.

It did not feel too bad doing it this way and I even lost track of the time when writing apart from when getting up for a drink.

Writing Some Race Reports

2010-08-16T21:04:00.001+01:00

I have even got in to the writing frame of mind when writing some long distance race reports recently. For the first one I separated the sections (aka Chapters) of the race as separate blog entries. They were quite big with some photos and videos.

For the next one I have wrote down the sections (chapter headings) and put in some draft items to include in that chapter. I must get round to complete it.

Entered a writing competition !!

2010-05-13T00:13:00.000+01:00

I have entered a writing competition !!

It is only 200 characters for describing the taste of PG Tips. However at least I am writing again and entering some competitions.

Photojogging

2010-01-11T21:22:00.000Z

Not quite writing again but been creative and done a couple of photojogging runs recently in addition to the Santa Run race in Aberdeen. I had seen this in the film Yes Man and though it is a good fun way to go out running with being concerned over your pace but more the surroundings.

The recent snow has gave me a few good opportunities while running to and from work. The first set of photos and second set of photos.

Although I have not been writing these could be good inspiration for future scenes to write about. I was even thinking up a name for character on the second set of photos which Lars seemed to fit.

Running Report sent to Magazines

2009-12-16T00:34:00.000Z

I have finally got round to doing a race report on my running blog from a race 2 weeks ago when everybody was in Santa suits, it's a strange sight to see.

As this is time of year it is only suitable for I have sent an email to the running magazine I subscribe to, to see if they want to use any of it in print or online. Also I have sent it to an editor of another running magazine who I meet at a marathon last year and therefore could send directly to them.

Both of which I said I would re-write to meet any of their magazine guidelines/requirements.

Interesting Characters

2009-12-13T22:33:00.002Z

If you struggling thinking up character details for what you are writing I would suggest go to a big coach or train station.

On a recent trip I went to a few coach stations and there was some interesting characters and characteristics which could be easily used to form parts of a character.

Yet Another Rest

2009-11-01T19:43:00.003Z

I had another rest from writing but I am back writing again. I had also left my running/triathlon blog for a while as well but I am back writing some recent race reports on there as I think it also helped my training as I had do some to write about it. This could be useful for next year.

I was tempted to the NaNoWriMo this year but I decided that I have not done any writing in the build up and that would like doing no training before a marathon. Therefore I will be doing shorter pieces and hopefully will be doing it next year.

back writing again

2009-08-21T17:00:00.001+01:00

I am back writing again!

It must be the sea air, as I am in the middle of the Irish Sea writing this!

back writing again

2009-08-21T16:58:00.001+01:00

I am back writing again!

It must be the sea air, as I am in the middle of the Irish Sea writing this!

A DIY Book Tour

2009-05-18T20:44:00.001+01:00

I came across this article about DIY book tours which also includes some information about online promotion and local book stores. This seems to give some good ideas for promotion but I am miles away from this yet.

I need to get back writing

2009-05-08T23:24:00.001+01:00

I need to get back writing on here and doing other creative writing.

Although on my training and weight loss blog I have now over 400 posts that I have done, so I just need to channel some of the writing in this direction.

Book Now in Google Books

2009-02-21T21:35:00.000Z

One of the short story books (Adam and the..) is now listed on the google books search. It links through to the Lulu page for the book so people can buy it.

I submitted it about 3 months ago and finally has been processed and is now live. It seems that they automate the keywords and tags with no why of chaning these. It will be interesting to see if there is any impact of being included in the google book search.

Writing using a mobile

2009-01-31T11:16:00.005Z

It is technology gone mad. That I can write a small piece on my mobile and also post on my blog while travelling along a motorway on a coach.

I will transfer the work to my pc before posting it on here or send it to the writing group that I am a member of.

Sports Blogger

2008-12-24T17:42:00.000Z

I have also seen advertised a sports blogger required, so I applied for that with a couple of blog posts from my training blog.

I have not heard anything back since then so I assume I did not get it but at least I am applying for writing stuff.I will do a follow up later to see if they have any comments about the work or why I did not get it.

My Race Report on Running Web Site

2008-12-24T17:35:00.000Z

Parts of my race report have been included on the web site running magazine's editorial for the event. Also included is one of the photos I took which happens to be me at the end with the commemorative horse brass.

Out of the 1,300 word race report they included under 100 words but also included some details of the place names which did make it read better.

They are doing a 2 page article in the next issue of the magazine so I may be included in that.

Marathon Scribbles

2008-12-18T23:19:00.002Z

Late the other night I wrote my race report and emailed it directly to the online editor of the running magazine that I am a subscriber to along with some photos I took during the event. Before the event they asked for some people to write a race report for the online section of the magazine, so I replied back to this request.

I got a reply back from the person which seems encouraging as it was not a rejection message, I should know in the next few days if they have used any of the stuff I sent them.

I think the amount of fresh sea air that day must still be affecting me as the race report was 1,365 words, that's 52 words per mile. Also the 40 photos I took averages out as one every 2/3 mile (1 km), some of which are the more arty type which they often use in the magazine.

Also while on my sight seeing tour of Hastings I was chatting to a few runners as I went around. One of them I recognised the club as part of the cross country league that my running club is in, so I started talking to her. It turns out she is the editor of a new free running magazine launching this month. So I have since emailed her asking if she would want a report and photos of the race for that magazine.

Oh yeah I completed it in just under 5 hours.

No longer doing NaNoWriMo

2008-11-10T23:17:00.001Z

Due to the lack of preparation before the event including writing skills plus also due to other training and time management issuea I have decided to not continue with NaNoWriMo this year.

Next year I will plan better and will have longer to improve my writing skills.

Although I have continued to write entries for my writing and my training blog including race reports.

This experience was good as I can see the comparisn between writing and running. As you would not run a marathon with only training to 5km, although technically it is possible it would be painful and not advisible.

Finally Started NaNoWriMo 08

2008-11-02T22:43:00.004Z

Nearly 2 days into NaNoWriMo 2008 I have finally started and done a massive 40 words. Now I know I should have done some preparation before the event started.

Typically I now also have a more stuff planned for in November, so I will have to increase my word count per day when I am able to write.

Plus I have still yet to write on my other blog about the Marathon I did last Monday.

I can see how time management and reducing distractions will be important this month.

Blogging improving your writing

2008-10-23T21:33:00.000+01:00

I have come across this article about blogging improving your writing.

It has 5 good points which all mike sense to me plus the comments add extra details as well.

It is worth a read prehaps it will help with your writing.

Taking part in NaNoWriMo 08

2008-10-18T21:31:00.001+01:00

This year I have decided to take part in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

The basic aim is to write a novel of 50,000 words during November. That's about 1,300 words per day which is more than I have written in a single piece of work.

I will try and blog my progress and thoughts about the process during the month but I may be all out of words.

I have added a counter image to the side which will show my progress throughout the month.

Google Books

2008-09-16T21:04:00.003+01:00

Google Books is now accepting submissions from non ISBN books. So I have uploaded a book that I have done on LuLu.com.

After getting over the initial screen which they have yet to update for the non ISBN books it takes a few weeks for either to get included. Then you had settings such as link to buying the book elsewhere.

So hopefully in a few weeks I may see it on google books.

Meet Colin

2008-07-15T21:41:00.003+01:00

After a heavy night on the town Colin felt rough and looked even worse. When he woke up in the morning he wondered how on earth he ended up sleeping in a bush!!

That was from a home work about a cone from the writing club. Below was the inspiration for this when I was on a lunchtime walk.

Result of Txt Lit March

2008-04-29T21:43:00.001+01:00

Included is a link to the results of the March competition about flood.

Entered Txt Lit Competition

2008-03-27T20:14:00.003Z

This morning I entered this months Txt Lit writing competition.

Which you have 154 characters (including spaces and punctuation) to write something on the topic of flood on a mobile.

I created mine at about 11:30pm last night while lying in bed dozing of to sleep. My mobile was next to my bed so I put my writing in last night making only a few changes this morning before sending it of.

Txt Lit Entry

2008-03-27T20:13:00.002Z

With the pitter patter of the rain drops on the window pane. You could see the river flood its banks all over the fields again. Oh I wish I was in Spain!

Airwolf Competition

2008-03-24T19:18:00.002Z

I watched part of the Airwolf day on DMAX channel today. I did not win for the episode I picked to write about.

However I did learn I should do my research before writing. As instead of just going on the episode title I should have viewed it first as there were some key moments during the episode.

Crime Writing Show on UK TV

2008-03-04T20:52:00.002Z

On the BBC this week they are a showing a program called "Murder Most Famous" which is about 6 "celebrities" writing for a place to writing a crime novel.

I have not thought of writing a crime novel but the tips given so far make sense I can see how it would fit together, may even give it go.

Write an Intro for Airwolf

2008-02-21T21:14:00.003Z

In the UK the DMAX channel (a Discovery Channel) had a competition to write an intro for an episode of Airwolf for their Airwolf Day, with a maximum of 30 words.

Which I have entered.

Not to give too much away, my entry also included related reference to another 80's classic tv show.

It Worked

2008-01-21T22:21:00.001Z

It worked blogging from Word.

It only added extra formatting at the start of the post and not every paragraph as in previous versions.

In addition to the issue with the images the categories cannot be added to the post from within Word.

Blogging Just Got Even Easier

2008-01-21T22:12:00.001Z

I found out in a magazine that you can blog from within Word 2007.

So it is even easy now to blog my posts, plus I get the benefits of the spelling and grammar checking. This is subject to your opinion on how well the spelling and grammar functionality is within the latest Microsoft Word.

The only issue I can currently see is that my photo provider is not currently listed, so I would just have to add it after posting the blog item.

Hopefully this will work without adding all the extra non essential formatting characters that previous Word versions did when saving as a web page.

Review of my 10 Determinations for 2007

2008-01-03T22:19:00.000Z

Reviewing my 10 Determinations for 2007 before setting this years later this month.

1) Ironman UK - I Completed it and I am now an Ironman.
2) Decluttered some but still room for improvement.
3) Time Management still has a lot of room for improvement.
4) Not writing as frequently as should be.
5) I have increased my writing skills but still have a lot more to learn.
6) Created some more short stories and other items on LuLu.
7) Only wrote some chapter headings.
8) Did some relaxation time including some yoga and pilates sessions.
9) Saved some money.
10) I actually gained wait this year despite doing a number of endurance running and triathlon events.

Now a writer?

2007-12-23T22:20:00.001Z

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

2007-11-22T20:49:00.000Z

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

2007-11-14T23:34:00.000Z

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

2007-10-22T22:18:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-22T22:24:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-14T18:58:00.000+01:00

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

2007-08-10T12:37:00.000+01:00

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

2007-05-31T22:12:00.001+01:00

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

2007-05-22T20:26:00.000+01:00

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!!!

2007-05-09T21:03:00.000+01:00

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

2007-05-08T21:42:00.000+01:00

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

2007-04-18T13:36:00.000+01:00

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

2007-04-13T12:20:00.000+01:00

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

2007-03-22T22:07:00.000Z

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

2007-03-09T12:15:00.000Z

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

2007-02-25T15:41:00.000Z

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

2007-02-07T23:40:00.000Z

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

2007-01-18T23:37:00.000Z

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

2007-01-08T00:00:00.000Z

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…

2007-01-07T21:36:00.000Z

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!!

Back to Old Technology

2006-12-29T12:35:00.000Z

As my pc will be unavailable for a few days I will be going back to some old technology, pen and paper to do some creative writing. It will be the first time I have done any creative writing (over 100 words) using pen and paper since I was at school doing GCSE English.

It could have some benefits as you are not districted by the squiggly underlines of spelling and grammar. I know these can be turn off but you are still tempted to check them when writing.

Also editing is more difficult as you have to cross the section out and either squeeze the edited version in the gaps between the lines or reference a section further down on the page.

Character Exercise While Waiting

2006-11-07T23:37:00.000Z

While waiting at a regional airport instead of writing I decide to do some character building exercise. As there was only a few flights within an hour of mine I decided if I could deduce which flight they where going on. I excluded any speech by listening to some music. It was interesting as you had to pay attention to more detail about the characters and I also thought about how to describe them.

Free Time to Write

2006-10-28T18:24:00.000+01:00

Over the next few days I may have some free time to write.
This may be while waiting at an airport or thinking of ideas while running for a couple for a few hours. Studies have shown that exercise helps people cognition, subject to not dehydrating

Potentially Writing a Magazine Article

2006-10-24T23:21:00.000+01:00

I have emailed the editor of the magazine that I have been reading for the last few years of what their article submission guidelines are. Depending on what they are I may write an article to submit to them.

Book about Writing

2006-10-24T22:05:00.000+01:00

As a relative beginner in creative writing I have been reading the Teach Yourself – Creative Writing Book. It is aimed at beginners which covers virtually the complete rage of creative writing but not in much detail. It however does give you an overview and some exercises/ideas to get you started in that particular area of creative writing.

It may even start to get me writing more!!!

First Blog Entry

2006-10-10T23:17:00.000+01:00

As I have set my blog up for writing, I hope it will encourage me to write more and keep it up to date.