Pages

Friday 30 March 2012

The Sad Songs Blogfest! (a.k.a Shed Tears Now)

Brace yourselves for some serious boo-hooing. What better way to celebrate the end of the week, right? Today is the Sad Songs Blogfest, hosted by Spunk on a Stick, so pop over to the link to see her song choices and the list of fellow boo-hooers!

(Sorry if it takes me a while to visit everyone on the list. I'll do my best!)

What the blogfest is about: list the songs that move your spirit, cut deep into your soul, and threaten to break your heart.

I love this theme! Some of the greatest songs in the world are sad songs. I sing to my baby (whether he likes it or not is another question, but that's neither here nor there), I yowl in the shower, I listen to the radio in the car, and, most importantly, I write with music. All of my books/stories/projects have a playlist (in fact, you can see THE LOST GIRL's playlist here.)

Which means picking just a few songs was almost impossible, but here we go. They're in no particular order. 

What these songs are about doesn't really matter. The only thing they have in common is all of these have made me cry. Yes, I am a sap.

1. Someone Like You, Adele
Ah, Adele. I'm sure this song is supposed to be as hopeful as it is sad, but I bawl. Bawl like a baby.

2. White Blank Page, Mumford & Songs
If you haven't heard this one, go do it. It's amazing.

3. Now We Are Free, Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Okay, so I don't even know what Lisa's singing about, but if this song didn't make you weep copious tears at the end of Gladiator, you're not human. I'm just sayin'.

and finally
4. My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion
I know. Cheesiest choice ever, right? But I can't help it. There's that bit at the end, where everything crests, and I shed embarrassing tears every time. (Seriously cannot believe I'm admitting this...)

What are your favourite sad songs?

Friday 23 March 2012

Fun on a Friday

Happy Hunger Games, everyone! I went to see the movie last night and, let me just say, it's awesome. Really, really awesome.

I won't say much more, because most of you probably haven't seen it yet, so I'll leave it at: they've done some very clever things with it, including letting us see the Gamemakers at work (am I weird for kind of liking Seneca Crane?), and the characters were all spot on. Effie is hilarious. So, yeah. It's so worth going to see, even if you haven't read the books.

As for other amazing movies/films, I discovered this gorgeous short animation on Youtube the other day, and I had to share it. Seriously, I have so much admiration - and a fair bit of envy - for people who can create things like this.




Have a lovely weekend!

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Catching Up

I've been somewhat absent the last couple of weeks. There's just been so much going on, so this will be a quick stop to catch up!

1. Last week I was interviewed by Ashelynn Hetland over at her blog; we talk about THE LOST GIRL's cover and she asked me some really fun questions, so be sure to check it out.

2. Jeremy learned to roll, which now means I now have to keep both eyes on him all the time, or he's off who knows where...

3. Steve, Jeremy and I went on a little holiday up north, to the gorgeous Lake District and thereabouts. It was even more special for me, because up north is where Steve and I went to university, and a lot of my book is set in those places. I have plenty of photos so I'm going to do a 'Key Moments from THE LOST GIRL' teaser post soon.

4. I've been doing a fair bit of writing, which is very exciting. There's nothing quite like the feel of a shiny new project, is there?

5. I've just realized my last 'Day in the Life' post is sadly out of date. With a baby in the way, and planning for when we move house next month, and so much work that doesn't involve actual writing, that portrait of my day is, alas, no longer entirely accurate. So keep an eye out for a new one soon!

Hope everyone's having a good Tuesday! What's going on with you this week?

Friday 2 March 2012

My First Fan!

...and if anyone asks, he's not yawning. His mouth is open because... erm... because he's astonished! Yes, that's right. He's astonished because he loved reading it so much.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Happy Friday! Anyone have any big plans for the weekend?