2016-01-05T08:07:35+00:00

Just Jot It January 5th – 2016

January 5, 2016/Judy E Martin/36 Comments

We have an interesting prompt for Linda’s Just Jot it January today, ‘2016.’ I don’t tend to think too far ahead ass regards to planning out my year, being more the type of person who sees where life takes me.However, there are a few things that I would like to this year. I

However, there are a few things that I would like to this year. I already have the idea for a follow-on novel to the one I wrote for NaNoWriMo, and it would be wonderful if I could manage to write that, bearing in mind, there is still a lot of work left to do on the original one.

I have my 50th birthday coming up next month and still have no clue of how I am going to celebrate that. I aam not one of those dare-devil types that wants to bungee jump or skydive or something. In fact, being terrified of heights, I can think of nothing worse. I would actually like to survive whatever experience I undertake!

I know I need to take more care of my health this year, both physical and mental. I have to face up to the fact that I need to stay on my meds for depression, and not to cut it right down when I think I am feeling better! I also need to keep my blood sugars under control. It still actually hasn’t sunk in properly that I am diabetic, and I really do have to watch what I eat!

I always enjoy new challenges so will continue to join in with whatever bloggy ones take my fancy. I also love taking the little mini courses run by ‘Open University’ to broaden my knowledge. I have an unquenchable thirst for learning new things, and I want to learn a bit about photography so that I can use mostly my own pictures on my blog.

Whatever this year brings, one thing is for sure, you will probably end up reading about it on my blog!

I Won!!!

November 20, 2015/Judy E Martin/97 Comments

I can’t believe I did it, but I won the NaNoWriMo Challenge! Last night I completed just over 50 000 words of the Novelette that I had wanted to write.

I decided to set myself the challenge after being inspired by so many of my blogging friends. I have never written anything other than poems really, but there was a story that I wanted to tell, and have done for some time. I have been quietly picking up hints and tips from the established authors we have among us here on WordPress.

The one piece of advice that I had from a few different people was just to write, get it all down and the editing process can come later, so that is what I did. Every night I set aside two hours after work where I would write, and at weekends, I would do as much as I could at any opportunity I got. It paid off because I have got there a little earlier than expected!

So I have got the bare bones of my story, a little jumbled up perhaps; character names have changed over the course of it, but that is down to me getting carried away and not checking my notebook properly I have got a hell of a lot of work to do if I do want to try and make something of it, but that is for later on.

I thought this challenge was particularly relevant to me now as it is coming up to my 50th birthday (Sssh, yes I know I don’t look a day over 65), and it is something that I can be proud of achieving before reaching that terrifying (to me) milestone!

Anyway, I did it and I beyond thrilled! Now that is enough of the trumpet blowing, I shall be back in the land of blog soon. It is funny how much I missed you all despite managing to get a couple of posts in. Thanks again, for all of your encouragement and support. it really helped to spur me on!

November Might be Quiet Around Here!

October 28, 2015/Judy E Martin/39 Comments

As I mentioned a while ago, I have signed up to take part in this year’s NaNoWriMo Challenge. I don’t do things by halves so have gone running full tilt into something I know very little about, which is typical of me really!

As many of you know, I have never written a book or even half a one before, so panic is now setting in at the enormity of what I am about to do. However I am nothing if not determined, and I do have a story that I really want to tell, and it has been swirling around in my mind pestering me to write it, so I am going to have a bloody good go at it!

This means that I probably won’t be blogging too much during November, as I will be trying to articulate my jumbled thoughts into a coherent story (I know, it doesn’t exactly bode well), and won’t have any energy left for anything else I shouldn’t think!

I will be around though checking in (how could I not), and anyone else that is taking part in the challenge is free to add me as a buddy if they feel like it! I do hope to write the odd post (nothing new there) now and again, but other than that, will be back in December to bore you all senseless with my trials (and hopefully not too many) tribulations!

http://nanowrimo.org/dashboard

You Won’t Believe What I Have Signed Up For.

September 25, 2015/Judy E Martin/62 Comments

You might remember that I mentioned a while ago something about a huge project that I wanted to do. Well I have decided that now is a good time to tell you what it is.

Last year I took part in the NaBloPoMo challenge (National Blog Post Month Challenge) which was to write a post every day throughout the month of November, which I managed to achieve. This year I wanted to participate in something bigger…..

I have decided to take part in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which is due to take place in November. I know that it is going to be a monumental task to say the least but I would love to achieve it.

As many of you know, I do not really write fiction, but I have an idea for a story that is part memoir, from a very dark period in my life, that I think I might be able to make into a mini novel of 50 000 words. I am going to give it a bloody good try anyway!

Is anyone else going to have a go?

https://jenniferann1970.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/oscar-wilde-be-yourself-quote-poster.jpg

Episode 498: Be Yourself!

September 15, 2015/Judy E Martin/33 Comments

Today the requirement from the Writing 101 Team is to start our post with a block quote; something that speaks to us. Although I have used quotes in my post before I have never tried out this block quote button so that will be a first, neither have I written a post around a quote. Well, here I go, I am sure you will love this quote as much as I do.

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

-Oscar Wilde

Good old Oscar, he has that knack of stating the obvious but in a witty way. It is surprising really, that for some people, being themselves is not enough and they aspire to change into someone completely different.

Now, there are quite a few things I would love to change about myself, but I have kind of got used to being me after nearly fifty years, and I realise that I am not that bad really! Even if I was, I wouldn’t want to be a clone of someone else; identity is very important to me, it is what makes me unique.

As far as writing is concerned, I suppose I am a bit of a one-trick pony! Yes, I write poems, and Haiku as well as other little anecdotes, but I always use the same style of writing, which is the only one I know!

I am not a professional, so when I write, I just get it all down as I think it, or as I would tell it to someone else.This may result in a bit of rambling, or perhaps the odd random thought thrown into the mix which may have gone off topic, or something that I have suddenly found really funny that I might try to weave into the story.

In a nutshell, my writing is me recounting a story or an event that happened and telling you as I remember it. That means it might not be in a logical sequence as I might have forgotten something at the beginning, so have slotted it when it comes to me.

This is me though, as clichéd as it may be, what you see (or read) is what you get! Luckily, it seems to serve me well in blogging, as I think bloggers appreciate each other’s personalities, and it helps us to get to know the person behind the blog.

So, as wonderful as it would be to have the wit and intelligence of dear Oscar, or Stephen Fry; the beauty of Marilyn Monroe, and the riches of the Sultan of Brunei, I am stuck with being Judy, and I can live with that!

Episode 495: My Writing Space.

September 14, 2015/Judy E Martin/35 Comments

We have been given a couple of tasks today by the Writing 101 team. The first is which is to describe our writing place, what equipment we might need to have nearby, and what kind of surroundings we like to be in. If we do not currently have our ideal writing space then what would it be like.

My writing space is my dining table which is in the living room. I have quite a small house so there is nowhere for me to have a dedicated writing area. Although we do have a family PC, I prefer to use my laptop. Funnily enough though, I always like to use it at the table, I am no good with typing on it, balanced on my knees on my bed, or sitting on the settee.

I have got a permanent hot drink just to the side of my laptop, which is absolutely vital in order for me to produce anything that makes some sort of sense! I also have my headphones plugged in so that if Mt Grump is watching a loud film or something I can try and block it out! I also have a notebook and pen handy, just in case I need to make any notes to remind myself about something (my memory is a bit erratic and not to be trusted)!

In the corner of the photo, you might just be able to see the back door. My chair is right next to it so I can benefit from some fresh air, and see a bit of sunshine (or rain as the case may be)!

I prefer to write in silence, which works out well for an hour or so, as I get up very early normally, long before anyone else is up. The rest of the time, I just try and filter out the noise (especially when my neighbour is singing at the top of his voice), shut the door, put my headphones on and get on with it! Ideally, I would love to have my own little writing ‘room’ which I can keep nice and quiet!

The second task for today was to insert a poll (ooh sounds painful), in order to get some ideas of what blog posts you, the lovely reader, would like me to write about (I have a feeling they will be used pretty soonish). That is tricky as I am not sure what to offer for you to choose from, as I usually just write about whatever comes to mind! If I have not covered something you would like me to cover, then please write it in the comments and I will include it.

https://pixabay.com/get/d503b4f6bab8e3197f00/1441643800/mail-440877_1280.jpg?direct

Episode 486: I Write Because….

September 7, 2015/Judy E Martin/36 Comments

As I may have mentioned, I am looking to expand my mind, and I thought I would sign up for the Writing 101 Course. We have been given the task of writing for between 15-30 minutes freestyle on why we have decided to write. I have decided to set the timer for 15 minutes.

The reason I originally started to write this blog was at my sister’s suggestion. She thought that I came out with some funny things at times and thought that I might be good at blogging. I had never even really heard of blogging at that time and wasn’t sure about what I would write either, but thought I would give it a go as I had nothing to lose (I certainly had no audience at that point)!

I had heard, that writing things down could sometimes be good for people who suffer from depression, so this also spurred me on to have a go, and Edwina’s Episodes was born. Well, it kind of evolved really. I was shy and not very certain of the reaction I would get so decided on going anonymously. At first I posted no pictures and used my middle name.

People slowly started appearing, and reading my blog after a while. Eventually, some of them even commented on it! I was beyond thrilled, as I never really thought I would have any interest other from my family, and that even they would get sick of it after a while!

Then I had more and more people visiting, and I had a go at NaBloPoMo during November which gave me a whole new set of challenges as well as a new set of friends.

Actually, this is now the reason I carry on writing! I love this community and the great people who are around me. Where else would I be able to have so many talented writers, bloggers, artists, poets, designers, crafters, and everything else in between all in one place? I have learned more than I ever thought I would, just by talking to many of you, I have seen so much generosity in so many forms by so many people on here, which is both humbling and heartwarming.

Although I have written many little poems and ditties and had them published. as well as a journal article I wrote whilst at university which was also published, I am not a writer per se, as I have never written a book, and rarely even a story, as I have a distinct lack of imagination unfortunately!

However, I am determined to have a go at some sort of writing (probably in the humour line, as don’t want to go too far out of my comfort zone) and that is why I have taken up the Writing 101 course. If I can’t do it, at least I have my blog and that I will not give up!

Episode 480: Getting Organised for Autumn: 5 Goals for September

September 3, 2015/Judy E Martin/44 Comments

Reading Simply Marquessa’s blog about September being a month for renewal, It has inspired me to set myself a few goals for this month. It is certainly a time of change for me, and I believe that having clear and manageable targets set out, will help me to achieve them.

To continue with this new ‘lifestyle’ change. I am actually doing pretty well, having lost a further 2lbs bringing the total to 5lb. One more pound and I will be ‘overweight’ rather than ‘obese!’ (How funny that for once in my life, I am looking forward to being overweight)! The exercise is going well too, as I seem to have found a bit of motivation and energy so am making the most of it!
I also quite fancy having a go at Writing 101: Finding Everyday Inspiration. As you know, I am not a writer, but I might try to learn a few skills, and stretch myself more.
I am going to have a bit of a clean out of my blog, trying to use mostly the Reader. Being confronted with loads of emails makes me stressed that I have so much catching up to do, and I put off writing posts due to spending hours catching up (the long way), flicking between email and Reader!
Take more photos for my blog. I always admire those bloggers that take loads of beautiful photos that they use in their posts. I need to take more notice of my surroundings – and take photos of it!
Prepare myself for my new job. I have not given in my notice yet as apparently some of the paperwork and checks take ages to go through. I already spent a good hour yesterday printing and scanning, and completing assessments and questionnaires. I have to work out how to use a SatNav as well, and that will not be easy given that I am a dunce with technology!

I am hoping that this month, ‘I will be able to expand my mind and shrink my body!’

Episode 404: New Experiences.

July 5, 2015/Judy E Martin/45 Comments

I haven’t told any of you this yet (well apart from Hugh in an e-mail), but for the last couple of months I have been writing some articles for a relatively new online magazine called Writing Times.

Ever since I started this blog back in November, I have become more and more obsessed with writing. and I especially love doing those wacky news articles such as this one (which I actually did for the magazine) and this as well. I have written them under my real name Judy Martin as I wanted to do something as ‘me’ so to speak!

Anyway, this magazine has all sorts from an agony aunt, to reviews, recipes, Flash Fiction competitions and loads of other great stuff. I wanted to gain some experience in writing, so contacted them to see if I could do anything for them, and am now part of a great team.

They are always looking for new writers in all sorts of topics, so if you too are looking to get some experience (I am really enjoying myself digging around for new stuff to write about) then perhaps you would like to contact them here.

Episode 330: Freestyle Writing Challenge.

May 14, 2015/Judy E Martin/21 Comments

I was nominated by Hugh from Hugh’s Views and News to take part in a freestyle writing challenge. Now this certainly was a huge challenge for me, as I am not a writer! Still I do like to try and push myself to at least have a go at new things so I accepted.It was a damn sight harder than I had anticipated as well!

First I would like to outline the rules before I get to my attempt:

1. Open a blank Document

2. Set a stop watch or your mobile phone timer to 5 or 10 minutes, whichever challenge you prefer.
3. Your topic is at the foot of this post BUT DO NOT SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT UNTIL YOU ARE READY WITH YOUR TIMER!!!
4. Once you start writing do not stop until the alarm sounds!
5. Do not cheat by going back and correcting spelling and grammar using spell check (it is only meant for you to reflect on your own control of sensible thought flow and for you to reflect on your ability to write with correct spelling and grammar.)
6. You may or may not pay attention to punctuation or capitals.
7. At the end of your post write down ‘No. of words = ____” to give an idea of how much you can write within the time frame.
8. Do not forget to copy paste the entire passage on your blog post with a new topic for your nominees and copy paste these rules with your nomination (at least five (5) bloggers)

I chose the 10 minute challenge as I needed all the time I could get, not being that into science fiction, or for that matter, using my imagination!

If I had to write a script for Dr Who or a Science fction film and had to introduce a monster, I think it would have to be something that incorporated a few of the things that turn my stomach. It would wcertainly slither along the ground leaving a trail of green mucous behind it. The creature would be around waist height. Purple in colour with yellow and red boils over its entire surface.

Some of the boils would have burst leaving trails of pus and a gaping, raw crater. The sulphurous stench of the ‘Snotbot’ would announce its arrive long before it slimed into view. This would help in stunning the victim, rendering them disoriented. The Snotbot would then slide up shooting pus and snot out of every boil at the unsuspecting victim before finally smothering them to death with their jelly-like bodies.

Their prey would be mainly the unwashed! Anyone whose personal hygiene was questionalble would be a target for the Snotbot. Kids that forgot to wash behind their ears, men that scratch their arses and then sniff their fingers would also be fair game!

187 words.

Well there you have it typos and all!

I would like to nominate the following 5 blogs to participate, should they feel like it (you are under no obligation):

But I Smile Anyway.

Fourth Generation Farm Girl

Nutsrock

A Prompt Reply

My Spanglish Familia

When you have the document and the timer ready to go, scroll down to see your subject…

You are meeting up with a fellow blogger who wants you to show them around your home town. Where do you take them and what do you do?

Rhyme and No Reason!

Blogger, author and rhymester who likes to find the humour in life.

Tag: writing

Just Jot It January 5th – 2016

I Won!!!

November Might be Quiet Around Here!

You Won’t Believe What I Have Signed Up For.

Episode 498: Be Yourself!

Episode 495: My Writing Space.

Episode 486: I Write Because….

Episode 480: Getting Organised for Autumn: 5 Goals for September

Episode 404: New Experiences.

Episode 330: Freestyle Writing Challenge.

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