IMAGINARY FRIEND BLOGHOP

The wonderful and awesome Annalisa Crawford over at http://annalisacrawford.blogspot.com/ and Kyra Lennon, over at http://kyralennon.blogspot.com/ are hosting the Imaginary Friend Bloghop on the 1st of February 2013. 

So, all you have to do is write a post or a story about your imaginary friend on that day and if you didn't have one, like me, write about how you rather wished you had one, especially when you did something really bad and you wanted to blame someone else. 

There are also great prizes up for grabs and all you have to do to win one of them is to follow both Annalisa and Kyra's blog and of course, post your entry on 1 February. It is really that easy and if you want to sign up or find out a bit more about the Bloghop and the prizes up for grabs, then don't hesitate to stop by Annalisa or Kyra's blog, as mentioned and linked above. 

SHUT UP ALREADY!

Today was just one of those days that make me feel like hell must be on earth. I don't know what it is about me, but I truly draw the strangest and most unpleasant people to me. Today my one co-worker, who is also a young female, kept popping into my office asking me what I was doing and how far I was with my work,  checking up on me. Now just so that you know, we are both temporary workers, meaning we are on the same level and get paid the same, but for some reason she feels she needs to check on me. She did it yesterday too, but not nearly as much as today. I know you guys are probably biting your lip, hoping that I behaved and yes I did. But honestly, I don't think the professional attitude and talk will help with this one. She seems to only understand the crude communication method, which I will probably use if she doesn't stop stalking me.

I don't know why I can't be left to just do my work for the day and leave. I am polite, I talk to people when the occasion calls for it, but when I work, I work. I think being a writer makes me more aware of the little things like what people say to me, the manner in which they say it and how people treat me. I don't know if she maybe thinks I am a threat and now she needs to assert herself or something. Granted, last year she had to do the job I am doing now, but this year my new boss begged me to come back and do the job, which I did for two years before she came along.

Did I mention that I share my office with another co-worker who only comes in twice a week? Now that lady is nice and professional. When she comes in she also only does her job. I can't wait for the annoying girl to drive her crazy too.

I apologize if I come across as whiny. I just wanted to share my experience with you, just in case some of you need new ideas for your characters too.

So, what is going on in your life?

JUST SMILE AND WAVE

I wrote about three pages last night which was just wonderful for me. I need to keep writing even though I am getting used to being back in a paying job and working with co-workers. Freelancing definitely spoiled me. But even though some of my co-workers acted out today, I couldn't help but laugh at them. I guess it was probably due to the advice a fellow blogger, Tonja over at http://tonjasmusings.blogspot.com/, gave me, about how I could use my work experiences for my writing. So that was probably why I was laughing because I was thinking that there were going to be characters with their behaviour in some of my books and I could do to those characters just what I want. My co-workers of course started laughing too, because they thought they said something funny, but little did they know they were the joke, hahahahaha!

I know I sound a little psycho, but I need to get through this somehow, so humour me a little? I also finished reading the book The Help, by Kathryn Stockett and I loved it. I know the book came out ages ago, but I only recently got my own copy. Also, I read Cat and the Dreamer by Annalisa Crawford and I also loved it. The main character was easy for me to relate to and of course I love any story where the underdog gets the guy.

MORE OF AN INTROVERT THAN USUAL

Work was okay. It was stressful, but that is expected. According to my work contract my job title is casual labourer which I am not too excited about. But other than that, I have been hiding out at home and avoiding society and people on purpose. I don't really know why, but having to be out and about or talking and having conversations just seem such a tiring thing for me at the moment. Physically being around strangers and too many people just make me feel overwhelmed. I haven't really talked to a lot of people lately aside for a few co-workers, (because I had to) and my family and I rather love being isolated. I know it sounds crazy.

I think that is why blogging is so good for me. I could still be cut off from society and still be part of it somehow (through blogging.)

I haven't had the urge to write anything for a week, but when I did this job before, the same thing happened. I am going to try and write at least a few sentences each day, even if I do not feel like it.

What is news with you? I would love to know.

CAT AND THE DREAMER

I am so excited to mention that one of my great blogger friends Annalisa Crawford has a book out called Cat and The Dreamer.

What is it about?

As a teenager, Julia survived a suicide pact, while her best friend Rachel died. Julia’s only escape from her guilt, and her mother’s over-protection, is her imagination. When Adam arrives in the office, Julia’s world takes a startling turn as she realises reality can be much more fun than fantasy. Finally she has someone who can help her make the most of her life. But can she allow herself to be truly happy?

Does that not sound exciting? I am getting goose pimples by just reading this book blurb. It is definitely a great read and I can’t wait to buy my copy, honestly.

You can purchase your copy of Cat and the Dreamer from the following sources:

Vagabondage Press (inc. PDF version)

Kindle UK

Kindle US

Nook

Smashwords

WH Smith/Kobo

More about Annalisa Crawford

Annalisa Crawford lives and writes in Cornwall, with a good supply of beaches and moorland to keep her inspired. After winning several competitions with her short stories, she’s made a move into longer length work. She finds endless possibilities in the relationships between people.

Ways that you can get in touch with Annalisa Crawford:

Her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. 

If you haven’t already, please stop by Annalisa’s blog or check out Cat and the Dreamer.

GOOD START AND THE TASTE OF FEAR

The year is starting full swing and there is already an improvement in the employment front, as I have been asked to go back to work at my old job, at the cellar, as a data capturer/harvest help. It is just for a few months, while the harvest takes place, but at least I will be getting an income again. Yay! I will be starting on Monday.

For now I am working on a new story that is something completely different. It is an end of the world type of  book, but I am not sure how everything is going to work out yet, as I am still working out the kinks.

Author and blogger Jeremy Bates has a new book out called The Taste of Fear, which is just awesome. If you guys want to check it out. You can also visit him here or purchase his book here.

Book Blurb
American movie star Scarlett Cox and her husband, hotel tycoon Salvador Brazza, head to Africa to get away and resuscitate their ailing marriage. When robbed of their money and passports, they seek help from the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam—on the very day Al Qaeda chooses to bomb it. In an eyeblink they’re taken hostage and whisked across the border deep into the Congo,one of the last truly wild places left on earth.

Battling terrorists, deadly wildlife and cannibalistic rebels, Scarlett and Sal must find a way to survive in a violent, primeval world. And the only person who may be able to save them is the assassin sent to kill them.

If any of you would like me to feature your book or blogfest on my blog,  you can contact me at mureesdup(at)yahoo(dot)com. I would love to help.

IWSG IN THE NEW YEAR

It is a new year with all new challenges. I am definitely taking advantage of that and leaving 2012 in the dust where it belongs. It had been a bad year career wise as well as writing and blogging wise for me. But, I feel more positive and excited for this year and I hope that good things will happen. Though, 2012 was not all bad, I got to make a lot more blogging friends and I signed with an agent.

This year I am going to try very hard to let my writing insecurities fly and just write, whether at that moment I think it is utter garbage or not, because I am sure there will be at least a few lines that I can salvage for another project if need be.

So, to all my fellow bloggers, writer and readers, lets make 2013 a great year that is worth remembering. No holding back.

If you would like to join the rest of us at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, you are welcome to do so by signing up below, or you can stop by Alex’s blog. Hope to see you there.

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the wonderful and talented author and blogger, Alex J. Cavanaugh. You guys can visit Alex over at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com.