@athelstone
Active 1 day, 19 hours ago-
Athelstone replied to the topic 'The Five': A Dissenting Voice in the forum Blogs 7 years, 4 months ago
Before I forget to say it “Great blog, Richard”.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
Yes, but apart from the fact that I’m a bit fussy about keeping the kitchen clean, the only time I’m struck by the impulse to do housework is when I’m sat in front of the keyboard trying to write.
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That’s alright then. Just Say No.
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Yes, Sandra! I think many of us have had a narrow escape from the clutches of cleaning and can look back and think ‘There, but for the Grace of God …’
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It’s a dangerous road, indeed – I have never been seriously tempted down The Cleaning Way, except perhaps like @athelstone as a procrastinatory device. Much better to maintain low standards. It’s hard work, but worth it (all that TIME!). Also, kids. Train them up. They get quite useful as they get older.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
Sincere apologies for not welcoming you back sooner, Raine. I’m afraid I was engrossed in the ironing. Welcome back! Those English, eh? Thank goodness I’m Italian.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
stepped away long enough to do a few hundred words. Who would have thought laundry would have such a fascination.
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Dirty clothes are great. People will stop visiting or inviting you around because you smell so bad, which means there will be no distraction from writing. You can always wear a gas mask if your own smell becomes too much for you! Leave that laundry and housework alone. 🙂
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
Let’s see if I can do 1000 words today. Although, having said that, there’s a pile of laundry to sort out…
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Step away from the dirty clothes. You know you can…
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Step away, Ath, step away. Acknowledge the temptation, then remind yourself you do not *need* housework. Deep breaths. I believe in you (and your soon-to-be-dusty house).
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stepped away long enough to do a few hundred words. Who would have thought laundry would have such a fascination.
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Dirty clothes are great. People will stop visiting or inviting you around because you smell so bad, which means there will be no distraction from writing. You can always wear a gas mask if your own smell becomes too much for you! Leave that laundry and housework alone. 🙂
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Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 4 months ago
Installed a CPU fan in a mini-PC, cooked a chowder and a loaf of bread, watched a film, cleaned the kitchen and washed the floor (put the vacuum cleaner round the house while I was at it), measured up for a new side gate and some fencing, lounged about quite a bit. Actually supposed to be writing. Managed < 500 words 🙁
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You need to give up cleaning, Ath. It’s an addiction. Once started people find themselves having to do some or all of it every day and it ruins their health, their lives and their relatonships with their loved ones. I got help a few years ago and have managed to kick the habit. But it was hard, very hard.
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Let’s see if I can do 1000 words today. Although, having said that, there’s a pile of laundry to sort out…
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Step away from the dirty clothes. You know you can…
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Step away, Ath, step away. Acknowledge the temptation, then remind yourself you do not *need* housework. Deep breaths. I believe in you (and your soon-to-be-dusty house).
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stepped away long enough to do a few hundred words. Who would have thought laundry would have such a fascination.
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Dirty clothes are great. People will stop visiting or inviting you around because you smell so bad, which means there will be no distraction from writing. You can always wear a gas mask if your own smell becomes too much for you! Leave that laundry and housework alone. 🙂
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Only time I got the cleaning habit was when no.2 child started school, 3 months before no.3 child arrived. Never tried it since (& no.3 child now 41)
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Yes, but apart from the fact that I’m a bit fussy about keeping the kitchen clean, the only time I’m struck by the impulse to do housework is when I’m sat in front of the keyboard trying to write.
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That’s alright then. Just Say No.
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Yes, Sandra! I think many of us have had a narrow escape from the clutches of cleaning and can look back and think ‘There, but for the Grace of God …’
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It’s a dangerous road, indeed – I have never been seriously tempted down The Cleaning Way, except perhaps like @athelstone as a procrastinatory device. Much better to maintain low standards. It’s hard work, but worth it (all that TIME!). Also, kids. Train them up. They get quite useful as they get older.
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@janeshuff is that actually a true story, or tongue in cheek? I am intrigued…
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Sadly not @kazg. Not even sitting in front of the computer preparing to write makes me want to go and clean.
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🙂 you and me both, @janeshuff
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Athelstone replied to the topic Help/brainstorming needed please – using antagonist narrator in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 4 months ago
Thanks Bella 🙂
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Athelstone replied to the topic Help/brainstorming needed please – using antagonist narrator in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 4 months ago
Is that video on JW, @philippaeast? I just can’t spot it.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
Colour me jealous! I’m sure it was brilliant.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 4 months ago
Wish I was but still can’t manage long journies 🙁 I’ll be there in spirit.
Hope everybody has a brilliant day!-
Can report – it was a great night. Books AND cake, and fellow writers.
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Colour me jealous! I’m sure it was brilliant.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Opening of new WIP- 1289 words in the forum Critiques 7 years, 5 months ago
Once I’d read through a couple of times, my overall impression was curiosity, which is generally a good thing, and I felt comfortable with the way the story is moving. When I read through the first time though, I was a bit confused as to what was going on. I don’t mean the bare facts, I mean things like whether Bethany wanted the phone call,…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Opening of new WIP- 1289 words in the forum Critiques 7 years, 5 months ago
Once I’d read through a couple of times, my overall impression was curiosity, which is generally a good thing, and I felt comfortable with the way the story is moving. When I read through the first time though, I was a bit confused as to what was going on. I don’t mean the bare facts, I mean things like whether Bethany wanted the phone call,…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Writers & Artists short story comp in the forum Podium 7 years, 5 months ago
Oh, Raine, that’s just fantastic. You deserve recognition.
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Athelstone posted an update 7 years, 5 months ago
Goodbye, Ranking Roger. You made me feel cool, which took some doing, when I listened to you.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 5 months ago
Probably a really packed schedule but it would be sad not to fit in a tea/coffee and a doughnut perhaps!
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 5 months ago
@raine Mslexicon looks absolutely brilliant and I wish you luck with the bursary!
In other news, I spotted an agent I’d really like to snag and I have now (impulsively) booked a place at York. Later in September my nephew is getting married in Edinburgh and I have to book flights for family. I WILL BE BROKE BIG TIME.
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Oooh, but if you have time whilst in edinburgh, we might be able to have a wee writer meet-up!! I’m sure @seagreen will come in (if she is in the UK, obv).
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Probably a really packed schedule but it would be sad not to fit in a tea/coffee and a doughnut perhaps!
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Include me too in any Edinburgh meet, please! Bursary sounds fantastic, Raine, best of luck with that, and, Ath, that you’ve a novel ready to go is brilliant. Seems ages since I had contact with writers in person 🙁
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No York for me, but Edinburgh is definitely do-able.
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Do let me know if you do plan that. I am a flight away
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 5 months ago
I’ll be deciding before the ‘early bird’ offer expires because the cost of the full weekend without the Friday mini-course is actually £40 LESS than I paid 5 years ago.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 5 months ago
Also, I’m going stir crazy as I haven’t been out more than ten times since mid January
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The jury’s out for me as yet, Athers. It depends on whether I get a reply from DHH re Doris. If he doesn’t want it, I might be tempted to take it to York. I’m also mulling over going only Saturday and meeting old friends, though it depends on how many are going.
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I would love to see everybody and if enough people were going and I could combine it with seeing family in the UK, I might think about it…
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I’ll be deciding before the ‘early bird’ offer expires because the cost of the full weekend without the Friday mini-course is actually £40 LESS than I paid 5 years ago.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years, 5 months ago
It’s my biggest disincentive. Last year it ruled things out plain and simple. I’ll be honest, I’m thinking about it this year because I may have a viable book to take. That hasn’t been a reason for any of my previous visits,
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Also, I’m going stir crazy as I haven’t been out more than ten times since mid January
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The jury’s out for me as yet, Athers. It depends on whether I get a reply from DHH re Doris. If he doesn’t want it, I might be tempted to take it to York. I’m also mulling over going only Saturday and meeting old friends, though it depends on how many are going.
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I would love to see everybody and if enough people were going and I could combine it with seeing family in the UK, I might think about it…
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I’ll be deciding before the ‘early bird’ offer expires because the cost of the full weekend without the Friday mini-course is actually £40 LESS than I paid 5 years ago.
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Not for me. I would love to see everyone but that price tag is not a great inducement.
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It’s my biggest disincentive. Last year it ruled things out plain and simple. I’ll be honest, I’m thinking about it this year because I may have a viable book to take. That hasn’t been a reason for any of my previous visits,
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Also, I’m going stir crazy as I haven’t been out more than ten times since mid January
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The jury’s out for me as yet, Athers. It depends on whether I get a reply from DHH re Doris. If he doesn’t want it, I might be tempted to take it to York. I’m also mulling over going only Saturday and meeting old friends, though it depends on how many are going.
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I would love to see everybody and if enough people were going and I could combine it with seeing family in the UK, I might think about it…
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I’ll be deciding before the ‘early bird’ offer expires because the cost of the full weekend without the Friday mini-course is actually £40 LESS than I paid 5 years ago.
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Not for me, this year @Athelstone. I’ve actually applied for a bursary for Mslexicon, which is Mslexia’s new writing conference. It’s just as expensive as YOrk but there seems to be a bit more on offer, and the bursaries are open for people like me (chronic illness). We’ll see, would be fun to try a new event, but not at full price.
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@raine Mslexicon looks absolutely brilliant and I wish you luck with the bursary!
In other news, I spotted an agent I’d really like to snag and I have now (impulsively) booked a place at York. Later in September my nephew is getting married in Edinburgh and I have to book flights for family. I WILL BE BROKE BIG TIME.
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Oooh, but if you have time whilst in edinburgh, we might be able to have a wee writer meet-up!! I’m sure @seagreen will come in (if she is in the UK, obv).
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Probably a really packed schedule but it would be sad not to fit in a tea/coffee and a doughnut perhaps!
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Include me too in any Edinburgh meet, please! Bursary sounds fantastic, Raine, best of luck with that, and, Ath, that you’ve a novel ready to go is brilliant. Seems ages since I had contact with writers in person 🙁
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No York for me, but Edinburgh is definitely do-able.
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Do let me know if you do plan that. I am a flight away
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Not this year, I’m afraid.
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