WriMo Ireland

Merry Christmas

Did Santa bring you all nice presents? 

A friend of mine bought me a book journal, in which to log what I’ve read and what I’d like to read – it’s all soft lilac suede on the outside and so nice to look at and hold (almost too nice to use)!  The perfect gift though…

DailyLit.com sends you installments of books by email or RSS, and is a great way to read something that you might not have considered before (if a bit slowly, sometimes).

They used to only have free books, as far as I can remember, but they’ve extended their catalogue quite a lot recently to have more recent titles though at a price (usually 4 or 5 dollars). The majority are still free though.

They’ve also just added the ability to sign someone else up to receive a DailyLit book – and to add a personalised message to it. (A nice cheap Christmas present if you pick one of the free ones!)

I’ve finished reading about three books with them so far, and I’m on the installment plan for Great Expectations at the moment – although I’ve never really liked Dickens, I’m finding him much more palatable in tiny doses!

The Mail on Sunday run an annual competition for first-time novellists.  It’s open to anyone eligible in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and the publishing deal could be worth £30,000.

See here for details. 

(And I nearly put 2007 in the title. D’oh.)

 Anyway, there was a post the other day on the Emerging Writer blog about the following reading challenge:

Pick six books – one from each of the following categories…

A book with a colour in its title.
A book with an animal in its title.
A book with a first name in its title.
A book with a place in its title.
A book with a weather event in its title.
A book with a plant in its title.

I really like the idea of doing this, but can anyway think of any books to fit these categories? I have a few that would work, but obviously I’ve read them before.

Well, the favourite logo was the one with the swans:

However, to be fair, I didn’t answer Cavantucky’s comment asking for more information about what our logo should be.  So. Erm. I hate taking design decisions (which is why I’m a writer not an artist, dammit).

But here goes anyway… (more…)

Shameless self-promotion here (well, sort of): I’m getting rid of some books and will post anywhere in the UK or RoI. See my Sharp Words blog for a list.

…I mean that writer-wise and personally.

 I haven’t even looked at my NaNoWriMo project since that fateful moment on 30 November when I collapsed at the finish line. So, once the rush of Christmas is over, that will probably be the first thing I pick up…I’ll need a good laugh by then, and reading my November speed-writing should provide that.

 Then, there’s the Brian Moore competition to work on. On one hand, I don’t really feel like it (there’s another project tugging at me) but on the other hand, I hate to miss the GOOD competitions, like Bridport, RTE awards, and others: ones that offer a good challenge without asking for a week’s salary in reading fees.

 The FIRST writing thing I have to do however, starting tonight, is CHRISTMAS CARDS and solstice cards too. How did I forget that??

 What’s everyone else working on in these dark days? Or are you taking time off? Any good writer-related holiday events to share news about?