The Blurb

Creative Writing courses

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:07:34 GMT

Not sure if any of you out there have done any creative writing courses. Anyway, for those who are interested the Open University run some short courses which I have found really good. I have done Start Writing Fiction and Start Writing Poetry, they are online courses so great for those with children and busy lives. They are 12 weeks long and cost about �130. Well worth it IMHO.

A - Z of Authors

Max — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:50:30 GMT

Very simple game, starting with a working through to z, for authors name, either first name or surname!

A - Jean M Auel

When did you start writing?

Max — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:18:46 GMT

What age were you when you began to take a serious interest in creative writing? What appealed to you most about it?

Writers Block?

Max — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:18:56 GMT

It happens to some a lot more than others...has it happened to you? What do you do to get passed it? What might you do to get new inspiration?

Book to film adaptations

fanella — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:12:23 GMT

Has anybody got any favourites, or any they don't particularly rate?

I

whaddya do if you've finished your book but can't get to the library till tomorrow?

squonk — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:53:38 GMT

Would you start another one anyway and let the library books wait, or would you not read anything else today and read the library books straight away?

What is your favorite book?

Max — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:06:33 GMT

I know it can be hard to just choose one, but what is your all time favorite book and why?

varying what you read.

Max — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:13:07 GMT

Are you quite set in your ways, sticking to the same genre of books, rather than being open to all types? I am not really a great crime reader, so i do tend to ignore the crime section when i go to book shops, but i am determined to widen my horizons this up coming month!

When you were a child...

Max — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:07:49 GMT

what books made a real impression on you? If you had children would you want them to read it? Did you read books that were age appropriate?

Hi Blurbers!

$**T — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:56:29 GMT

Hi everyone! I know my username may look offensive to

some, but it really has nothing to do with coarse

language, I just think it looks adorable.

I love reading and writing, I always have. Right now

I'm working on a novel but since this place has no

sub-forum for longer works, I won't put it up here.

My favourite book is Dinner at the Homesick

Restaurant by Anne Tyler. My second fave is The Kite

Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

It's all gone a bit quiet

fanella — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:47:17 GMT

Are you all busy finishing the book of the month?

How is everyone?

Have you all started reading it yet? (no spoilers, don't worry)

fanella — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:30:08 GMT

I'm really into it - I've got quite a long way through already. Where's everybody else up to?

Fanella's book blog

fanella — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:30:38 GMT

At the moment I'm reading The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocolypse by Robert Rankin. It's got potential but it is taking me a while to get into.

It's very silly - I've read a lot of Tom Holt recently which is also very silly. Maybe I should be attempting something a little more serious for a change?

I AM DOG (if you dont know what this means dont read!)

Max — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:14:28 GMT

I am a lot further in the book just now, and feel this dog is going to become quite an important character, because the author keeps bringing him into it. What do you think of the dog references? Adds to the appeal of the novel? a bit daft?

jo's book blog

jo — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:43:42 GMT

i am currebtly reading from here to paternity, started it a while ago so am pushing to get it finished at the mo, i am really enjoying it, the central character Will is very amusing, i just hope he finds a girlfriend and i have a feeling that he is going to end up with the lady from the coffee shop

Kathy Lette - set of four books. Mad Cows, Girls' Night Out, Altar Ego and Foetal Attraction

fanella — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:34:38 GMT

Set of four, or I'll send out individually.

Rude and funny chick lit!

I've joined over here.

papillionkat_writing — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:09:10 GMT

So I thought I'd better join over here too.

I write a lot. I've posted my writing various places on the internet and have been giving hosting and such on writing sites before now. Currently I have over 50 complete poems and 16 complete stories to my name (close to 20). I also have about half a dozen stories in various stages of progess.

I write on a range of subjects; from my disability and illness, to abuse, fairy tales, rejection, the bullying and attacks I have been party to, phsycological ...

Ben Elton - This Other Eden and Stark

fanella — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:06:50 GMT

This Other Eden is set in Hollywood - deals humourously with fame and ecological matters.

Stark is set in Australia - again with an eco slant and quite funny.

Chart Throb by Ben Elton

jo — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:13:57 GMT

Went trawling around the charity shops this morning and as well as getting several pairs of jeans got this book. I love Ben Elton, have read all his books apart from this one so thought i would give it a go, a bit of light hearted reading.

Hi Blurb members

nikkijay — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:05:27 GMT

Hi

My name is Nikki and I'm 32 years old. I used to read quite a lot but since having my little boy who is 12 weeks old, I don't seem to have as much time.

Am looking forward to reading some books which I perhaps wouldn't normally read. I tend to read books which are very similar.

Favourite authors include Lesley Pearce, Jill Mansell, Maeve Binchy, Penny Vincenzi and Val McDermid

Be Careful What You Wish For (Alexandra Potter)

Max — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:44:02 GMT

Chick lit about a woman whom is given some luky heather and all her wishes start to come true...but is it what she really wants in the end. A romance as well. Light reading, no postage wanted

Iris and Ruby - Rosie Thomas

nikkijay — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:33:25 GMT

Paperback in good condition.

Tells the story of young girl who falls out with her family in England and goes to Egypt to find grandmother who she hasn't seen in years.

This book keeps flitting from the present day to the memories of the grandmother from WW2 when she was stationed in Egypt

No postage needed - just PM me if interested.

Where have all the boys gone - Jenny Colgan

nikkijay — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:30:25 GMT

Paperback in good condition. This is about 2 girls who end up in the countryside on a work assignment. It is a girly romantic novel about finding that perfect man.

No postage needed - just PM me if interested.

Whitethorn Woods - Maeve Binchy

nikkijay — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:27:41 GMT

Paperback and in good condition - only read once.

It tells the story of a small village in Ireland which is home to the Whitethorn Woods. Each chapter is written from the perspective of various people who have been affected by a well in the woods which is believed to have some spiritual properties. A road is planned through the wood which will go right through the well and you can probably guess the rest.

Don't want anything for postage. PM me if you're interested and I'll post it out ...

"Ugly" by Constance Briscoe

Max — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:11:04 GMT

This book is in good condition and i dont want anything for postage. I read it last night and it was a very sad by inspirational story of the authors unloved childhood. Her mother was very cruel and had many children, only treating constance like dirt.

I felt so many emotions reading this book, deep sadness for what that must have been like for constance, anger at the mother, and at the end of the book, inspired by how such a child could become one of the first black women to sit as judge ...

How often do you buy new books?

Max — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:14:45 GMT

As the title suggests, how often do you buy new books, is it as and when you need one? Do you like to buy them new or look for them at carboot sales or charity shops?

I buy new books every wednesday normally, from the charity shop in my local town, because if i went to borders i could easily spend �50 at least!

Overheard in dream by Tory Hayden

Ali — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:20:08 GMT

I recently finished this book and was quite impressed. I felt a few things were left unfinished but there was quite a nice little twist at the end.

Magazine of the week: Bella

Max — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:12:15 GMT

how do you all feel about giving bella a go? Buying mine tomorrow

Currently reading field added to profile!

Max — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:39:36 GMT

as ali suggested you can now add what you are currently reading in your profile, it will show beside the posts you make.

MN and other boards - etiquette question

squonk — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:05:44 GMT

So... if I see you on MN, do I say hello?

Do we need a secret handshake or something?

Would everyone feel more comfortable if we pretended that we didn't "know" each other when we're over there?

Not that this is aimed at anyone in particular <<>> [wink]

Can we opt in and out??

Ali — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:40:29 GMT

Can we just join in as and when the book of the month appeals to us or we are at a loose end? I have just bought loads of books from ebay so I really want to get throught them before I buy anymore.

Happy Birthday Squonk!

fanella — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:12:58 GMT

Hope you have a good day....

Just An idea

Ali — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:41:39 GMT

Hi Max just wondered if it might be an idea to have a place in the side profile where we could put what book we are currently reading??

Two Caravans: First Impressions?

Max — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:44:42 GMT

For those whom have started reading the book, what has your first impressions been?

I started it last night and found it very descriptive, definately written by a romantic with all the honeystuckle and hazel

I am only a few pages in, but hopeing she will give more background to some of the characters, the only one she has really touched on so far is Irina. Enjoying it so far though

Comfort is

Max — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:38:35 GMT

Comfort Is

Comfort is....

A roaring, rousing fire,

on a cold and callous night.

A calming cup of cocoa,

before bed beckons at night.

Comfort is....

A pair of arms to hold you close,

and warm your weary heart.

A welcome word of wisdom,

when you feel you've fallen apart.

Comfort is...

A hearty, wholesome meal,

after a long and labourous day.

A steaming, scented, silent, soak,

to tease the tension away.

wont be around this weekend

jo — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:27:55 GMT

as we are off early in the morning to visit family, really looking forward to it. So will chat to you all on monday, have a good weekend everyone

The House of Lost Souls... anyone read it?

squonk — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:54:24 GMT

Have just finished it.

Twas very good.

Anyone read it and want to discuss?

The Silent Telephone

Max — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:38:52 GMT

a little story i wrote for another site.

The Silent Telephone

The rosy red phone stood silent. Maria glared at it. Her old telephone had given up the ghost and her old mum had kindly bought her the rosy red telephone as a replacement. Maria hated red. She tried to tell her mum, but her mums eyes just glazed over as they always did when Maria spoke to her. It was really starting to dawn on Maria that her mum just didn't listen to her, or know her at all!

Anyway, the rosy red telephone ...

Another introduction

FivegomadinDorset — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:32:28 GMT

I am Sophie aka FivegomadinDorset, that is where we live and as of 13 days ago there are now 5 of us, I have 2 children a 2 year old girl and a new boy and a husband and a dog. We run a B&B just outside Lulworth Cove and when I have time I am an avid reader of anything, although Ulysses has been sitting on my shelf for sometime now. Always on the look out for new ideas. And I also recognise some of you from MN but I have a new name from there.

had a training day today

jo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:47:02 GMT

for my new job that i start a week Saturday as a bank nurse at a local nursing home, i will be doing one night a week. It was very strange not having the boys though, i really missed them. Andrew had a good day though, he really enjoyed looking after them without me intefering. I gave them all a big hug when i got home

have started reading 2 caravans

jo — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:58:42 GMT

and i am loving it, it is such a good read and only after one pagfe i was completely hooked

Reading by sections?

Max — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:15:15 GMT

Okay book club members, two days to the beginning of the month, and the start of reading the book of the month...so how would you prefer to do this? Would it be best to allow people to read at their own rate, or split the book into a certain amount of chapters each week?

Incidentally, my book still hasnt arrived this is highly typical for me!

Have you all had a good weekend?

Max — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:54:30 GMT

Up to anything much? We went for a drive to shin falls today, some waterfalls that salmon jump up...it was very pretty and rather boring really! The kids wanted to jump in and have a swim (talking white water rapids here) and the highlight of their day seemed to be eating shamrock, on the way back up

anyone else experiencing problems reading posts?

Max — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:33:52 GMT

because the avatar section jumps into the posts? It's been happening for me and i thought i was the only one, but i received an email saying another member was having this problem.

I have given our tech team 24 hours to fix it, if not it may mean that we change forum version, back to phpbb. The look will be similar but not exactly the same. I know this fault does not happen with that version, but it seems to be a bug with this one.

Hello from Amey

Amey — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:36:41 GMT

Hello,

My name is Amanda and I am mother of two (8 and 6)living in SW London. I read a fair number of crime novels (Kate Atkinson, CJ Sansome, PD James, Sue Grafton). I also read stuff my son reads (e.g Harry Potter, and The His Dark Materials series). And, I like to read a bit of non fiction too!

But, my favourite all time book is Pride and Prejudice, and I'll try any book as long as its reasonably well written!

Amanda

UntidyLittleHedgehog's Book Blog

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:58:57 GMT

I am reading Northern Lights by Philip Pullman at the moment, part of the Dark Materials trilogy. So far it is absolutely fabulous, an effortless read and a fascinating and imaginative story. I think it is a book for younger readers but it works on many levels so it's a great read so far. Only 150 pages in so far though!

Hello All!!

mummymusings — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:05:26 GMT

Just thought i'd say hello to all, another MN'er here!

Love reading, love reading to my dd, have always enjoyed writing or making up stories in my head but since children have ceased to write and would like to get back into it! Maybe this will give me the kick up the bum i need. I dont actually know anyone else that likes to write etc so i kind of just dawdle in my own mind, maybe being surrounded by like minded individuals will help get my juices flowing!

i guess i'll chat to you ...

Hi there everyone

Ali — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:18:08 GMT

Im Ali, Im 40 this year I have 4 kids between the ages of 4 and 20. I work in a school kitchen 2 hours a day in term time. Im married to Lee.

I love reading and am reading 'overheard in a dream' bt Tory Hayden at the moment. I will have a good look around the forum tomorrow when Im completely sober.

how do you get time to read with small children?

jo — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:44:36 GMT

I love reading but i find it a real effort sometimes to find the time to sit and read with 2 little ones, 18 months and 11 weeks old, luckily i am breastfeeding so that is a good excuse to sit and read. How do you other ladies make time to sit and enjoy having a read?

good housekeeping magazine

jo — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:24:50 GMT

i really like this magazine, i know that makes me sad, picked up July's copy this morning so will have a read later