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June 27th, 2007

02:54 pm - New Online Writing Resource for Writers Hi there. It's ages and ages since I posted - life has been very busy! As you may know, I'm a lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Bedfordshire, and I would like to invite any writers on my flist to participate in our new project, the trAcewiki. This is an open forum web community for creative writers, a wiki, which means you can add material directly to the site and edit most of the pages that exist. How you take part is entirely up to you. You may want to post work, or links to work, blogs or your own websites. You may want to set up collaborative writing projects, discussion groups, online workshops, etc. With the use of wiki web 2.0, your experience can be totally interactive. Our base is the University of Bedfordshire in the Research Institute of Media, Art and Design. One of the aims of the trAce wiki is to provide an outward facing platform to showcase some of the work that people involved in the creative arts are producing. Please feel free to browse both site, and discover what we're all about. Some time in the next year (hopefully sooner) we will be producing a sister site, which will be a peer-reviewed journal of hypertext text-art/art-text. Please see the Announcements Page for updates. To be able to edit the pages on the site, you will need the password. I will send you the password in the event of your joining the community. Who I'd like to join the community: Creative Writers of all kinds, espeically those with an innovative edge. If you would like to join the community, please either email trace@beds.ac.uk or leave a request on the Comments page here. Current Mood: hopeful

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November 4th, 2005

09:12 pm As ever, it's been ages since I've updated. Life is so busy, I hardly have time to breathe, let alone write here. But anyway... Work is hectic, as always. More so than ever it seems. We have a large first year this year (well, for creative writing anyway) and it's quite exhausting getting to know lots of new people and learning how they think and write and their personalities etc. Fun though. They're a good group. In contrast, our second year is tiny, and in some ways, it's even more exhausting giving lectures to so few people because you don't get the feedback you do from a large group. Currently I'm teaching all levels again, and am going to be tutoring an MA student very soon. This is really cool, and I'm looking forward to it very much. It's a new level of trust, I guess, to be given supervision over someone's Master's degree, and of course, my having mine qualifies me to do that now. I'm also teaching part of the Writing and Sexuality module, which is huge fun, and of course, an area of writing that I'm especially interested in, erotic writing being kind of my specialty. My other level three module is called Writing the Self, which is about autobiographical writing, which I was dreading doing because, basically, I know very little about it (the module was given to me because the original lecturer had a promotion and didn't have time to do it anymore). But it's really interesting, and I'm enjoying it lots. More importantly, the students are enjoying it too, which is a relief cos I thought they might be bored. Writing-wise, I'm tackling a ghost story. Well, a haunted house story, more specifically. Trying to access my horror roots, but I'm trying to do something a little different with narrative in an attempt to give a new angle to an old theme. I'm writing it from several different viewpoints and in several different formats i.e. in newspaper clippings, text boxes, as interview transcripts, scenes through camera lenses and via Dictaphone dictations, as well as 'ordinary' viewpoints. I'm also writing from the ghosts' POVs and trying to create their characters as fully as the humans'. It's really hard work though, and I'm hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. But it's time I experimented more with form, I feel, and this seems as good a way as any to do it. In other news... well, other than work, having a social life and writing, there isn't much other news!!! I'm not liking the weather here now. Good old England has reverted to type, and I've been totally soaked to the skin twice this week. So not amused. And it's horrible now it's so dark in the evenings. I've been really miserable, what with the clocks going back and PMT. This time of year sucks. And it's Christmas in two months. I would love to escape the country for Christmas, just to get away from the sheer monotony of it. Every year it's the same thing, and I don't like it much. Yeah, I'm an old Scrooge but I can't help it. For me, Christmas just hasn't been the same since the kids were young - Christmas is for kids, really, I think. Their excitement and happiness makes it sparkle. Mind you, I've been invited to a wedding on the 27th of December. One of my students is getting married and has invited me and several others of us to it. It'll be odd going to a wedding - haven't been to one in years - and even odder not to be going as part of a married couple. But it should be fun, and it's something different. Well, that's my bi-monthly update. I'm going to listen to the fireworks going on outside the house in honour of Guy Fawkes (tomorrow's fireworks night, but they start early round here) Cheers all :-))) Current Mood: moody

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September 26th, 2005

07:22 pm Ugh. I have sooooo hurt my neck! Muscle strain I think from carrying around a heavy bag on my shoulder all day yesterday. It wasn't too bad until lunchtime today, when suddenly it just seemed to spasm and freeze in place. I couldn't move my neck properly and it was very painful. Is that a judgement, do you think, on eating McDonald's for lunch when I supposedly am not meant to be eating rubbish anymore?! That resolution didn't last long. I went through this afternoon's introductory lecture looking very much like someone at finishing school, all upright and very deliberate in how I turned. I bet the students thought I was a right tight arse and maybe a bit strict. Which perhaps I am, but that's not the point! Anyway, I am now dosed up on ibuprofen and smelling very very sexy after applying Deep Heat cream. Am currently watching the second season of Sex and the City (always a comfort in times of need) and I'm going to go to bed early and snuggle up with The Story of O and Scarlet magazine (I'm teaching Writing and Sexuality this semester - that's my excuse). Current Mood: uncomfortable

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September 15th, 2005

07:12 pm Looks like good news on the job front. Originally I was hired as a visiting lecturer, which means I just got paid for the work I did, nothing else. Now, the pay was extremely good, but it did mean that I didn't get any money for holidays like Christmas, Easter, and this long, long summer, during which I haven't been able to secure any temp work and have had to rely on my final wage pack (which was good, fortunately) and the pathetically small amounts this government hands out to people who are unemployed. God knows how people live on £56 per week long term. The government reckons that this is enough to survive on, but really, it's not. Anyway, I went into work yesterday to sign my new temp contract (which would've been more hours and more money) and was told that they're probably going to fast track a new permanent position for me. Yay! It'll take away the financial pressure because it means I'll be paid all year round instead of just for the hours I've worked. True, it's more responsibility, which is scary, but it's so much more stable for me. Anyway, back to my reading journal. I've written an Introduction to Horror Literature, which basically goes into what horror is, etc, and talks about a Clive Barker story, 'Rawhead Rex' as an example. Hope anyone who reads it finads it interesting :-) ( Horror Literature - an Introduction ) Current Mood: tired

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September 2nd, 2005

10:00 pm - woo hoo! Have got my shiny new computer and it's so, so pretty. My old one was just about dying, and really, I had no choice but to replace it. It was after all ten years old. RIP. I was using kat99999's laptop before, and while I got used it, I much prefer something with a mouse, rather than that thingy in the keyboard you have to finger (as it were). Never could get the hang of cut-n-paste with that. Have been writing loads over summer and have almost finished my novella. Reckon it's going to be about 30,000 words. Not sure what kind of market there is for that kind of length, but I'm going to try and put it out there. I'm pretty pleased with the way it's evolved; it's different from how I imagined it would be, but then, a writer should always be prepared for changes, and in this case, the changes have been beneficial to the piece. Have been a bit lax in my reading journal. I have been reading stuff that I shouldn't have been reading, in a way, and also pretending to myself that I'm prepping for lectures. Which I really must do, because I go back to work in three weeks and have done nothing about it. So it's nose to the grindstone from now on. That's what I tell myself anyway. I am addicted to CSI. I prefer the Las Vegas one, but CSI:New York comes a close second. Miami's ok, but the characters in the other two have so much more charisma in my opinion. I really didn't need another tv progamme to watch. Oh yeah, and have been watching Black Books on DVD. Is great fun and I recommend it. Current Mood: mellow

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August 19th, 2005

08:15 pm - More reading journal material More from my reading journal, this is a longish essay-type entry that continues and expands my thoughts on vampirism (see August 14th entry). ( Vampires and vampirism: the transendence of time and sexuality, and the threat to Christianity ) Current Mood: accomplished

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August 16th, 2005

08:26 pm Ugh, had a bit of a crap day today. Went for counselling cos of my 'issues'. Given the nature of the NHS and my financial situation, i.e. I can't afford private therapy, I've had to wait since May for an appointment. Anyway, this is how it went (behind cut for those who don't want to read about my emotional fuckuppery. ( just when you think it's safe to think you're getting better... ) Anyway, this afternoon I went to sign on. I can't wait to get back to work so I can actually earn some money and get my life back. What the state gives you to live on is just rubbish. Why does life have to suck? Current Mood: morose

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August 14th, 2005

04:35 pm OK, final entry for today, then what I've written so far is up to date. ( Kim Newman plus new thoughts ) Current Mood: geeky

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02:25 pm - Freda Warrington's Dracula the Undead Okay, had my lunch break and am continuing with review of Dracula the Undead by Freda Warrington. Apologies for spamming with multiple posts! ( Dracula the Undead - published fan fiction? ) Current Mood: nerdy

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12:39 pm Ugh am bloody ill. Have caught a lousy cold from my kids. They are super generous :-) Plus am suffering somewhat from menopausal symptoms. Girls, it sure does suck to be a woman of a certain age sometimes. Relish your youth while you've got it. OK, bitter old hag moan over. What I really wanted to do here is log my reading activities. When I go back to work in September - and believe me I cannot wait! - I have to teach a module entitled Writers Reading. This is basically a class that encourages creative writing students to read. Now this sounds simple, but you would not believe the amount of people who come in wanting to be writers but do not read stuff. I find this pretty amazing. I mean, how are you supposed to learn about style, form, narrative, characterisation etc if you don't read? Surprisingly, all too many budding writers seem to think they can do just that, and when you read their work, it's very clear that they have very little idea of what they're doing. So the basic premise of the class is to encourage them to read as much as possible, and, if you like, to create their own reading canon. This, I feel, is especially important in genre work. How are you meant to create, say, a classic fantasy, if you haven't read widely in that field? Part of the course will involve them keeping a reading journal, talking about what they've read, and presenting to the class on a regular basis. That last bit's a bit mean, perhaps, but presenting work to your peers is an important part of a writer's journey. Anyway, I thought: if I'm expecting my students to keep a reading journal, then I ought to too. So I'm going to log stuff on here as a permanent record. People who know me know that I'm a horror afficianado, so I expect much of this will talk about horror works and writers. So, here goes. I began this a few weeks ago, so some of the dates don't match today's, and I'll probably break it into several posts to prevent mega boredom! ( reading journal... ) Current Mood: geeky

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August 11th, 2005

09:10 pm - The bitch is back-again! I suppose it's time I updated, since I haven't done so in waaaay too long. God, since January!!! Truth is, I've been so busy, I haven't really given much thought to LJ. So, what've I been up to in the last... er.... 7 months? ( What I've been up to! ) Current Mood: cheerful

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January 6th, 2005

08:38 pm - YAY! Hurrah! The year's hard work is over. Today, I was awarded my Masters' degree in Creative Writing! I feel very strange, actually. Can't sit still and am really excited. Went out and got rather drunk, which I shall no doubt pay for with a hangover because I am usually teetotal - or good as. Still, if a girl can't celebrate at a time like this, then when can she? Now maybe I can start doing some writing again! I may have to do my PhD next - I fancy being Dr McKenna! Current Mood: accomplished

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December 21st, 2004

04:44 pm - The bitch is back! Yeah, yeah, it's ages since I update. My life has been so busy that I haven't had time, and just forget anyway. Basically, I'm still teaching and loving it. I have another contract for next semester and the possibility of a proper permanent contract for next year. Yay! My dad had a heart attack two weeks ago, which has also kept me out of circulation. It was an awful time. My mother is so frail she can't look after herself, so I had to spend the week with her, caring for her. Which wasn't fun, since she's extremely forgetful and asks the same question about twenty times in a thirty minute period. It's made me re-evaluate my life somewhat in many ways, mainly in that, much as I might like to, I just can't do it all on my own. The week with my mum made me realise that - I am not Superwoman - and it was just the most exhausting time. It wouldn't have been so bad if I'd had a partner and siblings, but of course I don't, it's just me. So I've helped my parents to enlist the help they deserve from agencies that can do stuff like their shopping, their housework etc etc, until my dad recovers more fully. I have to live my own life for myself, not for other people, no matter how much I might love them, because no one's going to support me financially or in any other kind of way that can really help. If that sounds selfish, well, maybe it is. But sometimes we have to be a bit selfish to survive. Haven't written much of anything in ages. Lecturing 10 hrs per week is actually a full time job, what with prepping and marking etc - I work at least 3 times that in reality :-) Despite this, I feel pretty good about myself at the moment. Which makes a change. Now, I can't resist these quizzes - am a little addicted to them, if the truth be known. These are nicked from _starcrossed_. Thanks, babe, for feeding my addiction! ( how much of a flirt am I? ) ( my name means... ) ( what movie character am I? ) ( what deadly sin am I? ) ( how pisces am I? ) ( what soul do i retain? ) ( what kiss am I? ) Current Mood: busy

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November 15th, 2004

05:23 pm Blimey, it's hard work marking assignments! Hard work trying not to be too critical, even if someone can't write or spell properly, and doesn't seem to know the first rules of grammar. I mean, come on! How are people taught these days? Badly, judging by some of the stuff I've read today. It's really depressing, reading stuff from people you thought had promise, only to find that their work is littered with elementary mistakes that should have been eradicated during the early years of high school. I'm not asking too much, I think, to expect some quality. Especially from people who want to be writers. Oh well. I had the most fun weekend visiting my lovely daughter kat99999 at uni in Southampton, and enjoyed meeting her friends, especially the lovely Russell, Tess and Alex. We went for a Chinese meal on Friday night - yum yum, probably the nicest Chinese meal I've ever had, and on Saturday night we went to 'Flare's' - a 70's, 80's, and 90's club and I danced for the first time in ages. I loved it and want to be young again!!! The journey back was a bit of a pain - took over four hours, including travelling across London on the Underground - a pastime I don't recommend. It was crowded, smelly and a little confusing changing lines. However, I got back in one piece, and would love to go down to see her again sometime. I was a bit naughty in that I didn't see my in-laws while I was there, but I went shopping in the afternoon and spent too much money instead! I bought a scarf, two pairs of trousers, some perfume, a couple of eye crayons (I already have far too much make up, but still....) and some underwear. I couldn't help myself. That is my excuse. Current Mood: frustrated

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November 7th, 2004

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November 5th, 2004

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October 23rd, 2004

05:02 pm - Fun! I am loving my work. This is a weird thing for me to feel, really, because I never imagined that I could do a job that would be so stimulating and interesting. It's hard work, prepping for lectures, but I like researching, and I'm learning loads - almost more than I did when I was still a student! I've been given four more hours per week too, which will up my money considerably. Which, of course, is great! I got my first pay cheque yesterday - the first official pay I've had in twenty years. It was a fantastic feeling, earning my own money. I feel that I'm on my way to being a properly independent person at last. Today was fun, though I didn't think it would be. We had a 'Family Day' at uni, whereby the Media Arts dept (of which Creative Writing is a part) opened up to family members and other staff so they could see what we do. We were in the television studio - yes, a real television studio! - recording readings of our work for a promotional video which we will use to advertise the course. Everyone read a piece, including me, to the camera. I was naturally quite nervous, never having been in front of a tv camera before (I don't even like having my photo taken usually) but it was great. A real rush, and I wanna do it again! I didn't fluff my words at all, which was a relief. In other news, I was supposed to be giving a presentation of my work for my Masters' degree next Wednesday, followed by my viva (oral exam). However, the Research Office cocked it up and forgot to book it, so I will now have to wait until January. Which actually suits me fine, because next week was waaaaay too soon for my liking. Haven't been writing any fanfic - don't have time, really - although I have been writing original stuff that I'm very pleased with. Currently I'm writing a sequence involving four characters and it's kind of erotic horror/dark fantasy kind of thing. All in all, life is good :-) Current Mood: accomplished

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October 1st, 2004

05:06 pm I have just finished my first week at work and I have to say, so far I love it! I am teaching first and second year students, the first years alone and the second years in conjunction with my former tutor. The first day I was in (Tuesday) I was absolutely terrified. I mean, sick with fear. Although I was very well prepped, I didn't think I knew enough or that I could fill the three hours. But - I did! I gave a proper lecture, set exercises for the students to do, and gave them homework too! Second lecture that day was just as satisfying. Wednesday and Thursday are my second year lectures - Keith (my former lecturer) generally will give the lectures, while I will take over in the workshop session. However, I may be giving lectures on certain genre subjects such as Horror and Fantasy, which he has little experience of. I may also be invited to help a third year student with her romantic fiction project. So it's all taking off really well. Keith sat in my first lesson and pronounced that I did 'extremely well', which was great and a huge confidence boost. Now, I haven't been out socially for ages. This week, I've been out twice! Keith took me out for a meal Tuesday night - it was his birthday and my first day, so it was kind of celebratory, and on Wednesday night he took me to a leaving do because he thought I should make myself known within the department. That was a little scary but everyone was very friendly and helped me to feel accepted. Today, I've been printing out yet another copy of my now completed novel and thesis because I have to three - yes, three! - examiners. Plus I have to have a viva at the end of the month, and I have to give a thirty minute presentation of both to an audience. Scary! But my teaching practice will help that. Anyway, the end of an eventful week. I've even managed to write an original story. I do believe I'm getting back in the groove. Current Mood: accomplished

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September 26th, 2004

10:16 am Well, my baby's gone and I'm here alone. Sounds like a line from a song, right? Except, of course, that my baby is literally my baby, Kat. Heh - she won't like being referred to as my baby, but what the Hell, she is! Yesterday wasn't actually as traumatic as I thought it might be. I thought I'd cry all the way to Southampton (100 miles) and all the way back. In fact, I didn't cry much on the way there, and hardly at all on the way back, and the tears I did shed weren't those of desolation, just normal sadness. Still, leaving her was horrible, all alone in her new room, which was beginning to resemble her old room at home by the time we'd finished sorting stuff out. Then - well, it was like I was abandoning her. Spent last night on my own of course. It's odd - but not terrifying. Waking up knowing she wasn't there wasn't so great, but I have to keep myself busy. I just hope we'll both be ok. Current Mood: weird

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September 15th, 2004

09:03 pm I have been horribly remiss in pretty much anything LJ wise at the moment, and I do kind of miss it. I'm not reading any fics, writing any fics or even reading my flist. All this because of my stupid mood swings and the return to anti depressant drugs, which means I have trouble concentrating on anything much for too long. However, I think things are getting better for me. I now have seven hours' teaching per week, complete responsibility for two modules, which I am also expected to devise myself (scary fairy!), plus I will have to do the marking! Red pen, what do you reckon? Heh heh. The power! I am kind of worried that I won't be good enough. I mean, sometimes I think: yeah, I can really do this. I mean, I know my stuff really well as a writing practitioner, but I do not consider myself to be a critical theorist in any way, shape or form. In fact, I loathe critical theory! I have pointed out this to my tutor, who hired me, but he just says, "I know and that's ok, I want you there as a practioner not a theorist." I suppose I should just take his word for it and do what I do best - talk about writing - but there's still this little bit of me that lacks self confidence. I'm going to have to find it bloody quick! I am annoyed with myself too that I'm not writing (except for devising evil plans for my future students), and I miss it, but the muse seems have gone on holiday for a little while. I shall be glad when she returns, because I have loads of ideas, but not the inclination. However, like the Terminator, I will be back (I hope) in full running order soon. Current Mood: contemplative

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