Lemons

I think inspiration has left and laziness has taken its place. I have been thinking of big ideas and I think that is my problem. I need to think smaller before I can think big. I haven't done much writing but I have painted the hall and made a lemon cake this week (see above). It may not be very impressive to you but cakes don't like me so I was very pleased with myself.

I have just read the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini which I enjoyed. The fact that it was a first novel surprised me, (I need to read a Thousand Splendid Suns now). It made me wonder how much of it was based on truth. I thought I'd find the subject matter hard going, but it is the kind of book that hooks you straight away. There are moments in the novel when the repetition and devices used remind you that you are reading fiction but mostly you are just taken along by the narration. The narrators flaws made his journey all the more believable and the writer conveys his guilt and pain in a subtle and honest way. The images of childhood were skillfully done too. A good mix of sweet and sour, like my lemon drizzle cake, which I have to say was pretty good too.

Making up words

Finished reading London Fields by Martin Amis. The book has proved to be a costly read. As my vocabulary is so brilliant I had to use a dictionary alongside it. Much to my horror I would have to stop reading, look up the word and then find that some of the words weren't even in it. I first thought that this was because he was either using very obscure words that even my dictionary didn't know, or even worse, making words up! Then I realised that my dictionary was printed in the early eighties and this could account for its lack of knowledge. I've ordered a new one.

Haiku

Being trapped indoors this week hasn't been entirely unproductive. I have had a couple of haiku that are inspired by being trapped inside with sick children. They have been published on 'Ink Sweat and Tears' which is a nice poetry and prose website that Charles Christian is responsible for. You can see at ink, sweat and tears (the link is on the sidebar).

Finished reading Jasper Fford, The Eyre Affair and Ian Banks The steep approach to garbandale. The Eyre affair was a good idea, the Banks book didn't do much for me though. I watched a programme about Nick Hornby the other day. Interesting to see how he felt his work wasn't really recognised although it is hugely popular. Is this because the comedy genre is less well regarded than that of other fiction? I haven't read any of his books though.

Have been trying to get a piece of work together to send off to apply for the MA. Finding it hard to write something that I know is going to be judged though.

Leaves

I think I'll just go and take photo's of all the leaves in the neighbourhood. They are changing so quickly and the colours are amazing. These look almost reptilian.

I got my first rejection letter yesterday. I'm very proud of it. It symbolises action. Even if it is rejected action.

Happy Bunny

Finished reading 'The Death of Bunny Munro' by Nick Cave. It didn't get a very good review on newsnight review. They thought it was too misogynistic. I think they missed the point a bit. The way that his son adored him when he was so awful made it more tragic. I thought it was a good story and quite sad.

I did wonder what Avril Lavine might think about it though. He does make some pretty lewd comments about her. He exonerates himself in the acknowledgements at the end though which amused me.

I had a go at some flash ficition and sent it off to Myslexia. It is quite hard to write a whole story in 150 words. It was an interesting thing to do though.

I have also got a short story on the bbc short story competition website at www.bbc.co.uk/mystory/stories/humour/149290. It is called 'the eggstraordinary find'. I'm glad they put mine on, one person likes it too so that makes me a happy bunny.

Finished Irving Welsh 'If you liked work then you'll love school'. He's got his own distinctive style. Not for the fainthearted. He writes a good story though.