Camp NaNo - Nearly Time!

First of all, where did June go?! I'm sure it was only recently I was celebrating my birthday, doesn't feel like 2 months have gone by!

Tomorrow is the beginning of Camp NaNoWriMo, and I'm already falling behind. Tomorrow I'll be driving my sister and her boyfriend to the Lake District for a holiday, which (along with other errands I need to run) writes off my whole day. No pun intended.

Then on Thursday I fly to Indianapolis for 5 weeks. I'll be up with the sun, toiling all day in sweltering, humid temperatures, running around after squealing children until late at night. That's right, I'm headed back to camp! I'm volunteering for 4 weeks, then have a week's leeway for possible travel. I've been invited to go to Kentucky to visit one of the friends I made at camp last year so I may do that. I go wherever the wind takes me, basically! If I get to tick off another state (I aim to visit all 50 - I'm approximately a 3rd of the way through) then all the better.

Basically, all this means that if I get ANY writing done (never mind hitting my target), it'll be a Camp Magic Miracle.

Wish me luck!

Camp NaNoWriMo - Preparation

I've been trying to get myself ready for Camp NaNoWriMo.  Unlike the last camp I went on, this isn't an actual, physical camp, so prep is a little different.  This year, I'm not packing a suitcase full of flip-flops and shorts.  Instead, I'm organising my proposed novel.

I've decided (for now??) that I'll be working on a fantasy novel.  This idea for this story came out of an activity in A215 (creative writing course), and I've been toying with it ever since.  I looked back on my notes (all in one Word document) and found it quite confusing scrolling back and forth through the pages.  Some of my novel writing friends recommended downloading novel writing software.  Two names came out of their recommendations - ywriter, and Scrivener.

Scrivener has a 30 day trial, but if you want to continue with it afterwards, you have to buy it.  It's not hugely expensive, but I'm a little unwilling to part with cash.  Especially if I don't know if I'll find it useful.

ywriter is free. Now that's my favourite word!  So, I've decided to start with ywriter, and see if the concept is something I can use.  If it doesn't do everything I need, I can always 'upgrade' to Scrivener.

Findings so far -

I've only really been using ywriter for a day.  I started with it last night, and have been busily loading my characters into the programme, along with my plot-outline.  This is quite a long, cumbersome process, but I imagine that will be the case no matter what programme I'm using.  Once I've got started, I imagine it will speed up considerably.

Now, I like to also find photos that inspire me.  This is one place where ywriter falls down for me.  It gives you the option to load a photo onto your character profile, which is great, but there's isn't one photo that represents my character.  I'm doing research, I want her hair, her jewellery, her clothes, her pets, her tattoos...I need a whole host of photos per character.  Pinterest is my "go to" for photos, but they all get jumbled together.  That's great for a quick overview, I can scroll through and get a feel for the whole setting, but I'd like to have it organised into subfolders.  I'm a little obsessive that way.  I've created individual character folders onto My Documents, but that seems a bit long-winded.  If I could have all those photos within the novel writing software, that would be fantastic.  I don't know if Scrivener has that option, but if it does, that might be the point that sways me.  We shall see.

Other than that, I'm enjoying ywriter.  I've not started writing yet, as I'm trying not to be a Camp NaNo "rebel", and don't want to start writing until July 1st.  I'll get all my planning done, possibly right down to individual scenes, but won't start writing the main content of the novel.

I'll keep you posted on how I'm getting along with ywriter, and might try out the Scrivener trial as well for comparisons sake.

Camp NaNoWriMo - July 2013

For reasons even I don't fully understand, today I signed myself up for Camp NaNoWriMo (July 2013)!  I've been taking a break from writing since I finished my Open University course, A363 (Advanced Creative Writing - level 3 course), but figured this would be a good way to get back into it again.  What can I say, I guess I'm a sucker for deadlines!

Plus, I'm used to working very long hours, and studying on top of all of that, so with a 10 week summer holiday stretching ahead, I felt the need to fill the time somehow.  So far I'll be doing Camp NaNo, and probably an online TEFL course.  And working, if someone will give me a job for the summer.  And spending time with my family, of course.  Yes, I suppose that will keep me just nicely busy!

I'm now in a flat spin about Camp NaNo though, what on earth do I write?!  I've been toying with the idea of a fantasy novel since A215 (Creative Writing - the level 2 course), but whenever I try and write it, it's just a bit...well...rubbish.  I could write about some of my wacky adventures from the last few years, so many people tell me I should, but I wouldn't know where to start.  Plus, it's all well and  good saying "write what you know", but that's actually really quite difficult!  Or it is for me, anyway.  If I don't do either of those things, then what?!

All I can say is - it's a good job I have a month to figure it out...

Almost there!

Today I submitted my final assignment for my Advanced Creative Writing course, through the Open University.  That means that my next course (Children's Literature, starting in October) will be my final course.

This time next year, I'll be submitting my last ever assignment as an undergraduate, and will graduate at last - after starting my degree when I was 18.  I just turned 24.

Over the last six years (seven, by the time I graduate) I have -

- Studied two years of Psychology at Bangor University
- Spent two years on a 'gap year', turning my life upside down
- Studied two years of Creative Writing through the Open University
- Eloped to Canada, got married, and been separated
- Gained a sister, and a lot of cousins
- Made new friends, and had to question old ones
- Worked as a waitress, a cleaner, a shop assistant, a bar-tender, a complaints handler, a camp counsellor, a photography gallery manager, and an assistant house parent
- Been on Job Seekers Allowance twice
- Moved out (and in again) six times - including once to the USA
- Visited twelve states in the USA

It's been one heck of a ride over the past few years, and I'll be glad when it's finally over.  I'm sad to no longer be a Creative Writing student, though.  I've made a lot of great friends over the last two courses, and wish you all the best with your future (and best-selling, I'm sure) writing.  Hope to see someone you on the Children's Literature course!

As I'm now so close to the end of a (very) long chapter, I feel this is a moment that can only truly be described through song.  Ahem.

I know exactly where I'm going
Getting closer and closer every day
And I'm almost there, I'm almost therePeople down here think I'm crazy, but I don't careTrials and tribulations, I’ve had my share
There ain't nothing gonna stop me now ‘cause I'm almost there
- Tiana, Disney's Princess and the Frog


Best wishes!
Charli

Dear Supermarkets...

Dear Supermarkets,

Please allow me to introduce my little sister, Princess Lollipop.

She is 4 years old, and full of attitude.  Her favourite foods are cheese sandwiches, ice cream, and milkshakes.

Two weeks ago, she was diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

This has meant a major upheaval in our house as we adjust.  In case you didn't notice, all of her favourite foods involve milk.  She'd watch us eating these things, and in a forlorn little voice ask "Can I just smell it...?".  Luckily, several of our vegan friends have stepped forward with advice and recommendations.

Mum and I trekked out to one of the supermarkets, armed with a list.  Our first trip wasn't very successful.  We found some of the items they suggested, such as Swedish Glace ice cream (she's now obsessed with it!), vitalite margarine, and oat milk.

We spent ages searching for the chocolate oat drink suggested, and could only find it in small cartons.  Big disappointment.  She had wanted it on her rice crispies to make it "chocolatey", and it was a nightmare trying to squirt it out of the plastic straw!

A few days later, Dad and I were in Tesco.  We were overwhelmed by their lactose-free foods, and their "Free From" range. There were shelves upon shelves of yoghurts, milks, cheeses, and more!  She was over the moon to be allowed cheese sandwiches again, and loves her chocolate milk (which Tesco have in proper sized cartons).

I had never realised just how many foods have milk in.  Thankfully, on the whole, her diet has gone on with relatively simple substitutes.

Then today I rang my mum from the supermarket, with what I thought was a straight-forward question - "What cake would you like for your birthday?".  We chatted about the different cakes for a minute, when mum suddenly realised...Princess Lollipop couldn't eat any of them.  Even Tesco's "Free From" range didn't include cakes.  Mum's birthday is tomorrow, and our days are generally very hectic.  Not much time for baking (and we're not very good at it anyway).  She decided to pass on the birthday cake entirely, rather than tell her 4 year old that she wasn't allowed any.

So, supermarkets, I have a request on behalf of our little princess - please could you provide a lactose-free cake?  We're not asking for a wide range, or for intricate designs, just for one cake option.

There are many bakeries out there who specialise in lactose-free cakes, such as Peace of Cake London, which is fantastic, but in this economic climate, they're not always very affordable.  Plus there's the convenience factor of being able to stop by your local supermarket and just grab a cake off the shelf.

Thank you,

Charli & Princess Lollipop

PS.  I tweeted Tesco's Customer Support this same request, and they replied saying "Now that would be a great thing to have.  I'll pass on a suggestion".  I explained it was for Princess Lollipop, and they said "Awwww, I really hope we're able to sort something out for her".  Here's hoping the other supermarkets can be as helpful!

***

Edit (01/05/2013): Today is my birthday, and we went to the store to buy me a cake.  I'd already spoken to Princess Lollipop, and she was perfectly happy that we'd all have cake, and she'd have a bowl of her beloved, lactose-free ice cream. She's planning on having a candle and everything (which she will blow out - obviously). She picked my cake for me, and was generally very happy about the entire situation. Then she decided to choose a cake for her birthday (next February). I had to break it to her that she would still be lactose intolerant at her next birthday, and so she couldn't have one of those cakes from the shop. She burst into tears in the middle of the aisle, sobbing that she wanted a 'pretty, Disney Princess cake, or an awesome Star Wars cake'. She sulked around the rest of the shop, and was in a foul mood after that. We did go and speak to Customer Services, to ask why they didn't offer a 'free from' cake, and we were told to speak to the bakery. I won't name and shame, but they were definitely NOT as helpful as Tesco.

40km Charity Walk

Update: I am sadly no longer able to do this walk (can't get the time off work after all), but Jen and her friend are still taking part.  Please sponsor them for my sake! Thank you :)

***

Once upon a time, there were two little girls who loved Disney.  One was called Charlotte (me!), the other was Jen.  When they grew up, they had a crazy idea, worthy of the Mad Hatter - they wanted to work at Walt Disney World, Florida.

They jumped through all the hoops, and finally found themselves being asked to go to Cardiff for a face-to-face interview.  They went online and talked to other crazy people.  That's where they started talking to each other.  Jen suggested they share a hotel, to split the cost.  I agreed.  Sharing a hotel room with a complete stranger, in a strange city - what's the worst that could happen...?

Five years have gone by since that day.  Both girls went to Disney.  Jen worked in retail at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I was a custodian in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Both girls stayed friends on Facebook, checking in on each other every now and again.  Jen was kind enough to invite me to her Alice in Wonderland themed hen party last year.  

That was the first time we'd seen each other since our interview in Cardiff.

I've been following Jen's progress as she has been running Tumaini Kenya, a charity in Kenya for street children, and those in juvenile prison.  They started in 2011, and have made a huge difference in the children's lives since then.  Jen runs the charity from the UK.  Her project worker in Kenya provides educational transitional support to rehabilitated street children, as well as providing support and awareness to children in prison to help them make good choices in their future. You can follow their blog here - Tumaini Kenya Blog, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  

I don't know what it is, perhaps because their little faces remind me of my Ethiopian sister, but her work has struck a chord in me.

Now, all these years later, I have my answer to that immortal question - 'what's the worst that could happen?'.  Despite being hopelessly unfit, I've agreed to go on a 40km walk to raise money for a group of funny little children I've never met. 

I'll be joining Jen on 'Just Walk', which is a 40km trek across the South Downs, organised by 'Across the Divide'.  This is likely to utterly destroy me, but it's all for a good cause!

To sponsor me (please make it worthwhile!), visit the Tumaini Kenya 'Money Giving' page.  This is the main page for Tumaini Kenya donations, and is doubling as our team page.  Please state that you're sponsoring me (Charlotte) for 'Just Walk', so we can keep track of who's raised what.

I'll keep you up to date on my training, which so far consists of occasional walks around the school grounds where I work, and taking our boisterous puppy for a wander around the village.  The walk itself is on May 11th this year, so watch out for updates on how it goes!  That is if I survive... :)

All the best,

Charlotte

Update

There are new incentives to sponsor Jen Hanson, Nivraj Jassar, and myself!  Everyone who makes a donation of £5 or more, will be entered into a prize draw. The prizes are: Signed JLS perfume; signed Avril Lavigne perfume; a bottle of wine; a box a chocolates; and a fabulous £50 voucher for the cake shop, Dear Delicious in Gateshead.  Sponsor us at www.virginmoneygiving.com/TumainiKenya for a chance to win one of these great prizes.  Good luck!  Charlotte

Ethiopian Research

As some of you know, I'm an advanced creative writing student through the Open University.  As part of my course I have to write a 4,000 word complete story, or beginning of a novel.  This is a big task, which I work on over 3 assignments.  The first assignment, which is the plot proposal, is due on Valentine's Day.  That is also going to be my youngest sister's 4th birthday.

I thought long and hard about what to write for this story.  I needed it to be something I was interested in, something I could be enthusiastic about, but also something that other people might want to read.  I eventually decided to write about adoption from Ethiopia - in honour of my youngest sister.  It seemed fitting somehow.

Now, here's the thing.  I've not been to Ethiopia.  I was travelling elsewhere when my family adopted my sister.  This means I have a lot of research to do.  To be honest, it might just be easier to try and squeeze in a trip to Addis Ababa before my final assignment is due in mid-May.  A lot of the blogs out there about Ethiopia focus on the famine and poverty.  All of this has a place, absolutely, but I want to celebrate the good about Ethiopia.  Other blogs focus on the adoption process itself, which is important, but that's not what I'm writing about.

I'm hoping that you could help me.  I want to know the details about Ethiopia.  After all, it's the little details that make a story come alive, but that no-one thinks to write about in a blog.  What is the heat like?  Is it dry, or humid?  What are the smells?  What do the market stalls sell?  What did you do during the day?  What was the driving like?  What was church like?  What did the food taste of?  How did you feel during the coffee ceremony?  What did the guest house look like?  The orphanage?  What is there for young people to do?  What do Ethiopian people wear?  And any other details or anecdotes you can think of!

I'm planning on listening to a lot of Ethiopian music, and finding as many photos as I can (lucky I have a photographer for a father).  All this can only tell me so much, though.  It doesn't tell me the sounds, the smells, or the emotions.

Anything you can send me - photos, stories, testimonials, blog posts - would be greatly appreciated.  None of it is going any further than me.  If you could either comment on this blog-post, email me (please let me know that you have via a blog comment though, so I'll be sure to check my email!), or Facebook me, I'd be eternally in your debt.  I need to do this story justice, for my sister and for her culture.

Thank you!
Charli