Cured of obsession? NOOOO!!!!!

I have an obsession with new pens. My obsession with pens is as desperate as a woman's obsession with shoes. I love the feeling of a new pen gliding smoothly over the paper, staining the bold vibrant ink into the page; making it's permantent mark; bleeding into the fibres with red hot determination. Ok, that's going a little over board *ahem*, but I think you get the point now ...

I don't think I have ever used a pen until the ink ran out in my entire life. And I use a lot of pens, especially red ones for editing press proofs for work ... that was until today. My pen actually stopped working because it ran out of ink. DUN DUN DUN ... I can't believe it! I sat here, staring at it in disbelief. Scribbling on a scrap piece of paper, trying to make it work again, thinking, this can't be happening. And you know what's worse? I don't have another red pen to replace it.

What does that say about me? Do I ever leave my desk? Or house for that matter? Have I neglected my life long love of browsing through a stationary store, inspecting the pen nibs to see if they are too thick or too thin? Crikey! What's happened to me?

So today, I'm going to go shopping for pens. Oh gosh, I'm so excited! Yes, call me nuts, but I ain't ashamed. I gotta get me that obsession back - it's one obsession I think I should be proud of. This obsession was the spark of a greater obsession - writing - so I don't think I should let it disappear.

How about you? Do you have an obsession, other than writing, that you are proud of?

Writing English teaching materials

My job is like being liquid paper that keeps cracking and crumbling off. The more you recoat it, the more rough it becomes and you feel like just getting a clean piece of paper and writing the whole thing again from scratch. As many of you know, I write English teaching materials for a living. I haven't spoken much about it here because it's what consumes my day; it's what I want to escape.

Yes, my job sounds wonderful. *cringe* Even I think I'm lucky most of the time. *cringe again* I get to work the hours I want (well not really because when I'm working for the company in the UK, I need to be at my computer 9-5 so that we can communicate in real time), I can take holidays whenever I want because I'm my own boss and I dictate when I work and what jobs I want to take (well not really because remember that dry month? The month where I didn't get commissioned any work and I spent all my savings on the bills? Yes, that means I can't afford a holiday. It also means I can't be choosey about jobs. I take what I can get.), I get to make a living writing, it's what I love (well not really, writing vocabulary and grammar exercises is not what I love. There are only so many different ways one can teach them, and the Teacher's Books are the worst, monotonous as hell: "Tell the students to open their books at page 10. Ask them what they can see in the pictures (a bear and an elaphant). Ask them if they can remember what they are called in English ..." You get the drift?) Yes, English language teachers are lazy in this country. They have to have everything spelled out. I sometimes wonder why we don't include something like this: "Before students finish the exercise, take the time to go to the toilet to relieve yourself of all the coffee you drank before class."

When I tell people in Australia that I’m a writer/editor, they automatically think magazine, newspaper, fiction. Whoah! I wish. Then, I have to explain that there is no possibility whatsoever of landing a writing/editing position as such in Greece, unless I can fluently read and write Greek. They then ask me how I’m doing my job now if I can’t fluently read and write Greek. And without trying to sound condescending I emphasize the words Ennnglish Lannnguage Teeeaching, and wonder if I should offer them a free tutorial.

Anyhoo, back to the drawing board for me today (well writing board). Today I'm writing a ... drum roll ... Teacher's Book (Ugh), for a blah blah book. I won't say for what book or for what company because I actually have to sign a confidentiality agreement. Isn't that weird? I guess they don't want other companies stealing ideas. Hahahaha ... as I said earlier, there are only so many ways one can teach English ...

So, the things that I LIKE about my job (time to get positive here) is that I don't have anyone looking over my shoulder when I'm working. I can nip over to your blogs every 30 minutes or so (Ok, so I lied, more like every 5), and relieve my boredom. AND I also have my name on SOMETHING (see photo). I used to get a little kick outta seeing my name on a cover of an ELT book. Now I don't even bat an eyelid. I want my name on MY OWN book. I want my novels to be published. I want to never write another teacher's book again ... Ah, dreams ... please come true ...

So what do YOU do? What do you LIKE and DISLIKE about your job?

If my novel were a movie ...

I've seen this around the blogosphere so have decided to follow suit as it's a pretty entertaining excuse to escape from the monotony of my work.

Below are my movie main characters for my complete novel DEAD IN THE CORNER OF MY BEDROOM. What's my book about? Pfft, you'll figure it out ...

 

Name: Jane Hill-Konstantinou

Age: 30

Character: Protagonist

Occupation: Editor / Musician

Motive: Wants to resurrect her passion to play music; to become a rock star; to better her relationship with her husband; to be a better and less neglectful mother; to reconcile her relationship with her own bipolar mother; to be stronger-willed; to not be seen as a housewife / career-oriented stereotype any longer and to finally pursue something she loves instead of giving up when confronted with pressure to conform to society.

Name: Max Konstantinou

Age: 40

Character: Jane's husband

Occupation: Music events manager / coordinator

Motive: To help get Jane's passion back on track; to be a better husband, (and to conceal his affair).

 

Name: Tessa

Age: 4

Character: Jane and Max's daughter

Occupation: doll beautician ;)

Motive: to beautify dolls; to grow up quick; to lick Doggy's nose just like Doggy licks hers; to stress Jane out and make her doubt her ability to be a good mother.

 

 

Name: Betty

 

Age: 55

 

Character: Jane's mother

 

Occupation: Ex-musician

Motive: To reconcile her relationship with Jane. Jane's history with Betty makes Jane wonder whether it would just be better to remain a stereotype, so as not to turn out like Betty, and therefore not neglect Tessa.

Name: James

Age: 56

Character: Jane's father

Occupation: Ex-musician

Motive: Passive man who is wrapped around Betty's little finger. But eventually makes Jane understand that he is still his own person and chose to be a dominated by Betty for the sake of keeping peace between them. Not a very stable father character, but it makes Jane realise that she should NOT follow in his footsteps. He is also her confidant during her dilemma about whether to take the promotion in London or whether to pursue her dream to be a rock star and accept the offer to tour.

Name: Serena

Age: 30

Character: Jane's best friend

Occupation: Social-worker and volunteer for United Nations

Motive: To help Jane survive through tragedy, to help Jane get back on her feet after tragedy. Before the tragedy she is Jane's msn chat outlet when conflicted.

Name: Heather

Age: 40

Character: Jane's closest work colleague

Occupation: Editor

Motive: Comic relief, Jane's escape from reality and from the monotony of the everyday. She and Jane mutually hate their workplace and the people in it and think the grass must be greener elsewhere.

Name: Charlie
 
Age: 35
 
Character: Jane's ex-metal head boyfriend
 
Occupation: Tour manager
 
Motive: To convince Jane to tour America with a band on his client list, due to a member quitting. This happens after Jane finds out about Max's affair and no longer wants his help.


 

Name: Richard Viadro

 

Age: 38

 

Character: Jane's (brief) love interest, and potential new boss in London

 

Occupation: Academic Director of Publishing Company

 

Motive: To get Jane to go on a date with him. To get Jane to accept promotion in London.  

Well! There you have it. My actors. Have you ever thought about doing this? I'd love to see some other fellow bloggers do this. So. You know what? I'm going to tag some of you! I hope I don't get a slap on the wrist for inventing a tag. But hey, what came first, the chicken or the egg?

You can always decline if you wish, but please DON'T, it's so fun!

I am tagging:

Mary MacDonald

Tracy Buscemi

Jen Daiker

Candace Ganger

Slushpile Slut (aka Angela)

Hart Johnson

Creepy Query Girl (aka Katie)

Last Video Battle: TWILIGHT (Edward vs. Jacob)

Thanks to all who popped over to Zoe's yesterday to read the interview with her. If you haven't been over yet, just click this link. If not to read the interview, to meet an amazing talented fellow blogger of ours who is definitely worth a visit. Don't forget to follow her either! You won't be disappointed!

Ok. Video battle. You all know the drill, right? Today is about a topic I know nothing about so, hmm ... 

This is going to be my last, and probably the last for all of us because Xrtranormal.com have decided to make us pay to use the service all of the sudden. Also, I have just provided the dialogue today because the sucky program decided to take over 7 hours to render, and then never rendered anyway. BOOOOOO!
Don't forget to check out the others! It's your last chance!

Jen - Unedited
Candace - The Misadventures in Candyland

Sarah - T.J. Carson's Writing Endeavors

Katie - Creepy Query Girl

Shannon - Shannon McMahon

Rachel - Open a Window

Susan - Susan Fields

Clara - Pinches of Madness

Angela - Slushpile Slut

Jennie - Garden Full of Lily

Albert: Queen Jennifer the 8th said today's battle is about...
Leonardo: Battle? But I don't have my gun ...

Albert: I'm not finished, Leonardo. Today's verbal battle is about twilight.

Leonardo: Twilight? No, I prefer the morning.

Albert: I prefer the evening myself. But I think it's referring to some sort of theatrical art production with two characters called Edward and Jacob.

Leonardo: King Edward the 6th? Smashing idea!

Albert: Ah, yes. Jolly good, Leonardo. Yes, that's probably who she was referring to. You are a smart fellow, Leonardo. But, who is Jacob?


Leonardo: That's a Hebrew name, is it not?

Albert: Ah, yes. Jolly good, Leonardo. But who is it?


Leonardo: The shepherd forebear of the 12 tribes of Israel, is it not?


Albert: Ah, yes, jolly good, Leonardo. From the bible. But why should we have to choose between a bible character and King Edward? And why on earth would they want to perform in a piece of theatre?

Leonardo: Ah, yes, you have a point there Albert. Did she say anything else? Did she give you any clues?

Albert: Well, as far as I can recall, she said something along the lines of one being a sexy werewolve and the other being a pasty white boy who calls himself a vampire. but I chose to ignore such a ridiculous notion.

Leonardo: Sorry? I didn't quite catch that, Albert. Did you say that Edward used to be a wolf, and that he would revamp our empire?

Albert: Oh, golly gosh Leonardo, do clean the wax out of your ears once in a while. It does get awfully tiring having a conversation with a man who can't hear sufficiently.

Leonardo: Jolly good then, Albert. Pass the chisel?

X-rated interview question answered ...

Hi everyone! Remember that contest that Zoe was holding over at No Letters On My Keyboard? Well, I won! I'm receiving a really cool looking gold flash drive and am being interviewed today over at her blog. And not your average questions either!

To go check it out, click HERE!

Hmm ... inter-resting ...

I wish to strangle you with wire ...

I know domestic violence is a tough subject to talk about, especially for those who have experienced it. I'm thankful and lucky not to have ever experienced this. Below is a poem I wrote putting myself in the imaginary shoes of a domestic violence victim. Have a read, and then tell me your opinion of my thoughts below it.

Remember the time I woke you, and you were already awake?

Remember I had my suitcase ready? I could have run for goodness sake.

In just one moment there, I would have loved to pull your hair.

Or hold a knife to your neck; a game of truth or dare.

I wish to burn your books; all your photos in a fire.

I wish to smash glass on your head or strangle you with wire.

But I only have one last thing I to say, and you must know,

How I’ve spent our 'happy' lifetime, becoming a kung fu pro.

So don't even attempt to hit me, with that base ball bat.

I'll drop you to the ground, then clean your brains off the bathroom mat.

I'll put you in the bathtub, slit your wrists, and write a note.

It'll confess how much you beat me; I'll leave it in your coat.

So think before you strike me now; before I walk out this door.

Think about the countless days you left me bleeding on the floor.

Think about your daughter; how you will never see her again.

And think how much you'll miss me; you'll miss inflicting pain.

This time you can't stop me; this time I won't come back.

This time is the last, you'll see my face blue and black.

So goodbye and good luck. I wish you all the best.

Well, no, actually I don't; I hope you never lay to rest.

Now, I know many who haven't experienced domestic violence think that they would just leave, no doubt about it, right? But I think the reality of it is that most women are too scared to leave, and their hopes for things to get better grow bigger and bigger. They convince themselves that they must have deserved it and that they are to blame.

To us, who look in from the outside, we see it as ridiculous, but we never truly know how we would react unless it actually happened. So, my point is, instead of judging these women for staying in a relationship that is harmful, support them and just be there for them if they need you.

What is your opinion about this?

Have you ever tried to write like someone else?

While studying Romanticism at University, one of my assignments was to write an ode in the same vein as one of the amazing Romantic poets of the 17th Century. I chose John Keats, and used 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' as my guide. The amazing coincidence here is that Keats produced most of his odes during April and May of 1819, and I too wrote this poem in April, while getting myself settled on a Greek island called Ithaca (the home of Ulysses, aka Odysseus). What a perfect time and place to be assigned such a task, hey?

I still have this 'ode' of mine, called, The Pebbled Shores of Ellada ('Ellada' means 'Greece' in Greek, by the way). It doesn't quite conform to all the rules, but I do think it has, although slightly more modern, a similar Romantic feel about it. If you've never read John Keats' Ode on a Grecian Urn, you can here.

Anyhoo, here's my ode:

Along the pebbled shores of Ellada

I let the sun engrave my skin

As though a Greek God has now possessed me

I tread its land like I'm cursed with its sin

Floating somewhere amidst the sea mist

Is a veiled beggar from the past

Haunting every solitary step I take

Waiting for me to rebuild his mast

One foot on this beloved soil

I become a willing prisoner

Amongst the blues of the sky and the depths of the sea

My body and soul will never be set free

The olive groves and the grape vines

Entice me to intrude their sacred grounds

But I will eat their oils and drink their wines

Until a place to dwell has been found

I have now become embodied

In a certain type of cell

Instinctively invented by my heart

Or concocted by an infinite spell

Yes my love, I must look quite sad

You say that all I do is weep

But sometimes alone in my own abyss

I pray for bliss in my sleep

The tears don't pour just from my eyes sweetheart

If I perhaps try to escape

And it's not only my heart that tears apart

When I must leave this bewitching place

There is a mysterious power hidden here

That keeps me safe from harm

I am invincible from the eerie fear

Yet my revelations remain so calm

When I sleep at night under the secretive stars

Sometimes my dreams come alive

Will these words I write all day and night

Through the centuries survive?

Will the place I love through thick skin and bone

Live as letters on a page?

Or will they dissolve beneath this holy earth

Like mind and body after old age?

When the summer smell wafts through my window

It stirs a fated movement

Not of birds and bees and flowers and grass

But of passions, desire and sentiment

This smell sparks a fire inside the heart of my soul

A burning plea for creation

For music, for dance, for love

But most of all, just for this sensation

The streets are so quiet this time of year

Yet nature is in full bloom

And the roaring waves of the vicious sea

No longer entice temper and doom

Sometimes I find this sound of silence

Encompasses me like a child

To spare me the pain of an evil man

An unknown force; an invader of land

But non-existence on the other hand

Could enable an abundance of delight

As I sit alone gathered in my thoughts

My heart – out it pours, without a fight

Like a mountain of rich lava

Its force so red and strong

Or a steam train on a tainted journey

Where its coals last forever long

I know deep inside my heart that I must trust

I will do good, I will say no wrong

At the end of this day I have sung the most beautiful song

Oh! - I have waited for this moment so long

In this life I live for only this:

If passion can reach your heart

Just like it did mine

We will live in eternal bliss

Have you ever tried to mimic someone else's writing style, even if not in poetry, in prose? How successful were you at 'being' someone else? Did you find that you couldn't help putting a little of yourself in there? I sure couldn't.