Viking Fever...

It's the first Monday back at work after a week off and I spent most of today feeling like this internally:

 

I had a great time at home last week - I feel like I didn't end up having much of a holiday because I ended up doing something every day/night, which is a first for me! I'm actually kinda glad to be back, because it means I can slow down and catch up on my sleep! But I managed to catch up with old friends, book a lot of wedding stuff and hang out with my sister and parents, so I'm not complaining. I have a bundle of news from last week, but I'm going to have to condense it down or else this blog post will go on forever: basically, I ended up going for an unexpected job interview on Wednesday and my fiancé has a job interview at the same company today - so fingers crossed for him! I also received some not so good news, but I'm not ready to talk about that yet.

As well as reassuring you all that I'm alive, I also just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who visited during Sarah Foster's (Anti) Valentine Muse Party Blogfest - I had so much fun writing my post and visiting all the other blogs that were taking part.

I'm so relieved that everyone seemed to like Jari. Truth be told, I was so so nervous about writing about him, because I was convinced no one would like him. He means such a lot to me as a character - I owe him so much because he's the character that's got me super enthusiastic about writing again - and I just couldn't bear it if people hated him. But I'm so glad I took a chance and introduced him to you all. I had so much fun with him - honestly, in the book that I'm writing he can be awful, but it was nice to show off his more playful side during the party.

I hope you did all enjoy reading about him - fingers crossed that means that if I ever publish his book you'll like that too ;)! I could honestly gush about him and his world all day, but I guess it would probably be more beneficial to us all if I just got the damn book written instead ;).

Jari when I told him to go back to his own world after the party

Except procrastination....#writersblock

Hope you're all having a good Monday!

What have you been up to lately? Did you have a half term? What's been going on in your writing? Do you like Vikings?

Muse Party Blogfest!

I know I'm a little late to the party (I'm just going to tell myself I'm fashionably late instead of actually late), but today is the lovely Sarah Foster's fourth blog anniversary, and in celebration, she's hosting a Muse Party blogfest! So pop open the champagne, grab your muse, and come join us!

Let's get this partttayyyy started!

Who is your muse (or character)? Tell us a little bit about him/her and why you brought them. 

I decided to bring along Anais, my main character from my book Synthetica. I ummed and ahhed over who to bring, but to be honest, Anais is the whole reason I actually managed to finish writing a book, so I reckon she counts as my muse too. She's feisty, unafraid to say what she's really thinking, super cool (like, who doesn't want candy floss pink hair??) and basically the polar opposite of me. I think that's why I like her so much - I love making friends with quiet people like myself, but you can't deny that loud people have a certain energy that draws you to them, especially when they're genuinely nice people as well - Anais definitely has that spark.

What are you guys wearing? Dressing up or keeping it casual?

Oh man, me and Anais agree on one thing and that's the comfier, the better. I'm in leggings and a casual day dress, while Anais is wearing skinny jeans, t-shirt and her favourite red leather jacket (which she happened to steal from my real life wardrobe).

It's a potluck! Did you bring something yummy?

I love baking so I brought some cupcakes and some traditional English scones with jam and clotted cream! Anais brought her favourite ice-cream (salted caramel) and a big bag of crisps. I hope that's enough? Is it enough? I don't know! I always freak out over these things...

Open bar! What are you both drinking (booze or otherwise)? 

A strawberry daiquiri for me, please! And anything with a kick for Anais - a rum and coke for now, but I have a feeling she'll try and sneak in a cocktail or two later. Her and Dalla (her OTHER best friend - and also, alas, imaginary) do love their fruity cocktails.

Wallflowers or social butterflies? 

I'm definitely the awkward wallflower - Anais is somewhere between the two. She's happy to make conversation if she's in the right mood (i.e. drunk or with Dalla), but despite appearances, she can be rather shy at times. Also, if she's hungry, steer well clear - she's not friendly when she's hungry (she inherited that from me too - whoops). But as this is an awesome party with lots of food, she's pretty content and happy to chatter away :).

What song(s) will you and your muse sing for karaoke?

There is no way on this earth you will ever get me to do karaoke. Sorry! But Anais should be up for it, after a couple of rum and cokes. I tell you what - bring out the cheesy tunes, and I MAY consider participating ;). Anais (*cough* me *cough*) loves anything from the eighties and nineties, so if you've got the Spice Girls, Bryan Adams, Five, Backstreet Boys, Billy Idol etc...we're in!

What's your favorite party game?

Monopoly. I'm pretty old-school. Anais likes it too - YES YOU DO, ANAIS, DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT - ahem, as I was saying, WE like any type of board game ;)

Which one of you is more likely to end up dancing on a table top?

I did that once in Zante, on my one and only girl's holiday, and I'd like to keep it that way. Anais, however, would probably be all over this, especially after a cocktail or three.

Has your muse been a good date and would you ever hang out with them again? 

Anais has been a great date! I always love hanging out with Anais - makes me feel a bit sad for all the crap I'm about to put her through in books 2 and 3, but hey, at least she'll have this one last good night to remember...what's that? No, Anais, I didn't say anything....mwahahaha.....


Thanks so much to Sarah for hosting this awesome event! I've had such a blast at this party, and I hope you have too :)!