Friday, 18 May 2012

Back!

Yes, I'm back. The holiday was amazing, which I'll talk more of very soon. I've spent the last few days catching up with the responses to the last few A-Z posts as well as dealing with three holdalls' worth of laundry. (Four people get through a lot of clothes in two weeks.) It's been really great seeing what you're all up to and it seems the post-Challenge lull is well and truly over.
To ease myself gently back into the blogosphere, I thought I'd do a round-up of the tags and award I've received recently, which is also a great opportunity to give a shout-out to some of the amazing people I either met, or got to know better during the course of April. So here goes...


I was tagged twice with the Lucky 7 meme, by Tobi Summers and Cortney Pearson. Thank you ladies! Although it's my third time of doing the meme, it's my first time doing so legitimately, as I now have an actual page 77. Woo! Here's a quick recap of the rules:


  1. Go to page 77 of your current MS
  2. Go to line 7
  3. Copy down the next 7 lines as they're written-- no cheating!
  4. Tag 7 other writers
  5. Let them know!


Once she had got in, and put on her seatbelt, another thought occurred to her. What if anyone recognised her car? She hadn’t changed the numberplate, after all. After some deliberation she decided that it wouldn’t matter. She would rather not be recognised, but she had every right to be herself, driving around during her time off. Just as long as no one knew about the man currently fast asleep on the couch in her undercover flat.


Kevin or one of the others would definitely know her car and numberplate. The only icky point was if she ran into them while filling up the car with her stuff. But why would they be there?


And I will tag...

1. Kyra Lennon
2. Madeline Mora-Summonte
3. Mina Burrows
4. Nicole
5. J.L. Campbell
6. Elise Fallson
7. C.B. Wentworth




Then the other day Alyssa over at Life Is Good nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award. Thank you! You should check out her blog if only for the cute pandas.


  1. Thank and link back to the person who presented you with the award
  2. Answer the ten questions below
  3. Share ten random facts/thoughts about yourself
  4. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreativ Blogger Award


What is your favorite song?


It's incredibly tough to pick one out. But you can't go wrong with Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.


What is your favorite dessert?


Rhubarb crumble and custard.


What ticks you off?


People who love to moan.


When you're upset what do you do?


Think about what's good in my life.


Which is/was your favorite pet?


Our cat when I was growing up, Poppy, who lived from when I was five up to 19.


Which do you prefer to wear, black or white?


Black.


What is your biggest fear?

Losing the people I love.


What is your attitude mostly?

Optimistic.


What is perfection?


Being with my family somewhere away from normal stresses and chores (luckily I just got to do that), other than that, being really happy with something I've written!


What is your guilty pleasure?

Spongebob Squarepants.




So here's ten random things... I'll try to think of ones I haven't said before!


1. My great-great-grandfather was an unknown Greek sailor (I think...) There's a good story there!
2. My college newspaper won Best College Publication at the 2005 Herald Scottish Student Press Awards. I was Features Editor.
3. I trained as a cocktail barman in one of my jobs but now I can't remember any of them.
4. I tried to become a songwriter for about a year despite having no discernible musical talent.
5. As a kid I had a passion for Enid Blyton, even the Malory Towers books which were supposed to be for girls.
6. My brother and I kept stick insects when we were kids. One time we got one which we didn't realise was a pregnant female. We ended up with 200 babies which we had to distribute among friends and pet shops.
7. I went on a health kick when I was about 14. I used to get up at 6am, go for a run around Preston Park in Brighton, then do my paper round before going to school. It didn't last.
8. I've never watched "The Sound of Music" and make every effort to avoid it when it's on TV.
9. I got off a bus in the wrong city while travelling. I took a 42 hour ride from Buenos Aires to Rio. After 36 hours the bus stopped at Sao Paulo and everyone got off. I followed suit, thinking in my delirium the journey had ended. It took 24 hours to realise my mistake.
10. I briefly took fencing classes.


I will pass the award on to:


1. Liwi
2. Susan Oloier
3. The Beans
4. Mel
5. Hilary Melton-Butcher
6. Chuck
7. Tobi Summers


Enjoy everyone. Stay tuned for a review of my cruise as well as details of my 200 follower giveaway! :o)

34 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Welcome back! Most people get lost in Rio, but you got lost before even getting there.

Kyra Lennon said...

Welcome back! Thanks for the tag, I'm gonna need to do an enormous post on Monday to catch up with everything! :D

I was just curious if you found a CP yet? If not, feel free to get in touch with me at kyralennon (at) gmail (dot) com

I love the sound of your WIP!

Matthew MacNish said...

Welcome back, Nick! Now I want some rhubarb pie.

Martin Willoughby said...

Welcome back and enjoy the laundry.

I got on the wrong train once. I wanted to go to Nuneaton in Warwickshire and ended up on a train to Scotland.

Elise Fallson said...

Love your random facts and thanks for tagging me! I've been tagged with the 7 meme before but that was before some edits. I'll take a look and see if my page 77 has changed since. (:

Unknown said...

Welcome back, Nick! I laughed at your 'Sound of Music' one. Was the same way before my wife cajoled me into it a couple of years ago. Thing is, I love anything with historical elements, and I'm a growing fan of musicals. She was right, I enjoyed it.

Think I hated the idea of it because my sister-in-law would force control of the TV anytime it came on when I was a kid. Needless to say, I fled to my room. :)

I can almost guarantee you've heard most of the music before in some fashion or other.

Mina Burrows said...

Can't wait to hear about your vacation! Welcome back!

Great 7 too! Thanks for passing it on! :)

Nicole said...

Thanks for the tag and welcome back! I enjoyed the snippet and your fun facts.

McKenzie McCann said...

I like the excerpt. It's amazing how much people worry over their excerpts, while a random seven lines seem just as good as any.

McKenzie McCann said...

I like the excerpt. It's amazing how much people worry over their excerpts, while a random seven lines seem just as good as any.

Mel said...

Welcome back and thanks for the award!!! Here's my post for it:
http://melinmidlothian.blogspot.com/2012/05/awards-and-random-creativity.html

Nick Wilford said...

Alex - Haha. I think I was OK when I got there. The gay club is the thing I remember in Rio...

Kyra - You're welcome. Thank you very much for the offer. I will be in touch! Hey, I already know your characters after April. :)

Matthew - It comes from my mum cooking it. She grows it herself, too.

Martin - Lol, that's quite a wrong turning. When did you find out?

Elise - Look forward to seeing the post if you do it!

E.J. - Oh yeah, I'm familiar with most of the songs. They're pretty ubiquitous!

I do think the story sounds good, but I'm put off by the whole musical thing (I'm not a fan of them in general). And it reminds me of Boxing Day at my grandma's house or something... ie boredom, haha. Nevertheless, I will do as you suggest and give it a go next time!

Mina - No problem!

Nicole - Thanks!

McKenzie - Oh, I do worry. I never know how something will go down!

Mel - Quick off the draw! I'll check it out. :)

Kelley Lynn said...

WElcome back!!! Congrats on the awards!

Susan Oloier said...

Welcome back, Nick. I had been checking your blog and wondering what had become of you. Glad you were on holiday.
I like your snippet from your current ms. Makes me want to read on. Also, I think it's fantastic you tried once to be a musician. I have one of those stories (replace musician with actor), too.
Thanks for the tagging me :-) What fun!

Liwi said...

Thanks so much! Definitely doing a post later!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - thanks so much for nominating me .. that's great.

Glad you had such a fun time - families need those times together and shared experiences ..

Love Queen, Rhubarb and custard is quite delicious ..

Cheers Hilary

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Thanks for the "tag" - I haven't gotten that one yet. I will have to wait a little bit on it though since I don't have a page 77 yet, but I've made a note of it. :)

Nick Wilford said...

Kelley - Thanks!

Susan - Actually I tried to be an actor as well, lol. Just call me the jack of all trades! I only hope I've found my niche now... Thanks for saying you enjoyed the excerpt!

Liwi - You're welcome. Look forward to reading it!

Hilary - No worries. I love the history aspects to your blog.

Madeline - You can interpret it more loosely - I've done page 27 and 47 before, so don't worry too much!

C.B. Wentworth said...

You've lead a very interesting life . . . no wonder you have a knack for writing. :-)

Thanks for the tag. I'll be posting my response a little later this week. :-)

Teresa Cypher said...

I am eating rhubarb crisp with lemon ice cream! And I swear, i put it on the plate before I even read this! Rhubarb season here :-) Your random mention of Sound of Music cracked me up. I never miss it, lol...the differences in people, huh?

I do like the Kreativ Blogger Award--was my fave to be awarded. The facts that people give up about themselves is usually entertaining. :-)

Chuck said...

Thanks for the award Nick...now I must go get creative in some way to respond. Glad you're back!

J.L. Campbell said...

Thanks, Nick. Gonna post tomorrow! Thanks for that spot on your side bar. You rock!

Trisha said...

WOW. that is a lot of baby stick insects! haha. And I thought a cat having kittens was bad!

Tobi Summers said...

Yay, thanks for tagging me! I'll post it... as soon as I get my butt in gear. :-)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Welcome back!!!
Great mini excerpt.

And I've never tried rhubarb crumble. I should give it a go some time.

Ciara said...

You'd fit right in at my house. My boys and hubby LOVE Sponge Bob. LOL

nutschell said...

Welcome back and congrats on the awards!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Nick Wilford said...

C.B. - It hasn't felt that interesting!

Teresa - Sounds nice. I think everyone tries to think of the most random facts.

Chuck - You're creative enough - hence the award!

J.L. - No problem - I have finished it now though so I'll take it down, however a link will remain in my Books Read list!

Trisha - I know. I don't really remember the getting rid of them, I just remember a tray full of the little critters moving around.

Tobi - Look forward to it!

Lynda - Thanks. I like most crumbles!

Ciara - Haha. We've met him too, at Nickolodeon Land in Blackpool. Amazing!

Nutschell - Thanks!

kjmckendry said...

I took some fencing classes too! There might be a story in your getting lost in Brazil too! :)

Jessica L. Celaya said...

It was cool getting to know you. Your book sounds exciting.

Elana Johnson said...

Oh, moaning. Yes, sometimes it gets old, doesn't it?

Shelley Sly said...

Welcome back, and congrats on your awards! It was neat getting to know you better. Fencing classes sound fun!

momto8 said...

so fun to read your facts..interesting!! what have you got against The Sound Of Music?!

Nick Wilford said...

Kathy - Lol, I don't think I cut the mustard at fencing. I only went because my friend did!

Jessica - Thanks! :)

Elana - I mentioned it due to the attitude of some of my fellow (English) cruise passengers! More on that to follow!

Shelley - Thanks! Well, the costume was cool.

Annmarie - I could never stomach the whole "raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens" thing, haha.