Have you ever joined a webinar? 

That's a seminar or a lecture online to you and me. It's a form of web conferencing in real time. Webinars can be multi- or single user (plus host), sometimes they're interactive where you can speak to the host live or submit questions before hand, and they can be useful tools for writers like us. 

I experienced my first webinar in October 2012. It was a technology themed presentation for my 'day job' in recycling, looking at mobile solutions for customer service. The host invited us to put our two cents in via phone with any questions at the end of the webinar, which was a nice touch. I found the session very useful, and have since been browsing for writing themed webinars to learn from and to share with you (see bottom of this post). 



My thoughts during my first webinar were as follows:

I'm in my first ever webinar UK-Canada! Modern technology is amazing! *Someone's going to say it's not that modern, I know!* 

Ok, first technical hitch... That awkward moment when someone doesn't mute when they're in a webinar. One tip if you are joining a webinar which allows for voice interaction - make sure your phone or microphone is on mute so you don't disrupt the session with background noise, coughing and the like. 

Mental note for next time: I could have done this in my pyjamas and a flashy bow tie and no one would know. Unprofessional moment. It's passed now. 

The host is pretty good. Succinct, lively, interesting, engaging... Makes it easier to listen to. 

It's basically a PowerPoint presentation on a web program with a dial in phone audio option. Considering this is #my1stwebinar it's interesting to see how it works... Very interactive, I like it! 

So what's the verdict?

After a full 30 mins of #my1stwebinar I'll definitely be checking out a few more webinars in the future. I might even definitely host one myself in the future if the need arose. Something to blog about, that's for sure!




Where can I find useful writing related webinars?

As a great place to start, I'd recommend taking a look at Writer's Digest's free webinars archive. There's loads to choose from. 

This coming Tuesday 5th mach 2013, podcaster, author and entrepreneur Mignon Fogarty (or "Grammar Girl") is hosting a webinar - learn more and sign up here. This one requires a fee.

Here's another free one explaining how writers can use Facebook to engage your readers from Jason Li at Facebook itself. It has a lot of emphasis on dollar based marketing (i.e. paying for Facebook ads), but they reach a lot of people with their ads, and it's an interesting presentation anyway. 

Also, take a look at Writers' Store's calendar for upcoming seminars, webinars and events. At time of press, there are a couple of interesting and useful looking events highlighted for screenwriters.

Have a look around to see if you can find others. There are thousands out there - why not post your favourite webinars in the comments box below? I'd love to see what you recommend.  

Until next week, 

Lou x

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Born To Be A Tourist

Images courtesy of A P Counselling Services and Wikipedia

I'm now 30... Check out how I did with my challenge below! I also did a summary post which you can read here. 


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"30 Before 30". What's that when it's at home? 

It's a list of 30 cool and interesting things I want to do before I turn 30. It's like a Bucket List, but I'm hoping not to die at the end of it!

How long do I have to complete the challenge?

I started this on the 28th January of this year, just over a week before my 28th birthday. That's just over two years to complete the challenge, for the astute among you! On average, I need to complete 1.25 activities per month. 

Why bother?

I love the sense of achieving something, I love trying new things, I love a challenge, and... I love lists! 

Have you set any rules?

I have not allowed any travelling to appear on this list, as I already do a lot of that. I also wanted it to be mainly activities I could fit into my world here in the UK, things I could do on my own quite capably, so no one would feel obligated to join me on my quest. No doubt I'll have people helping me along the way, though.  

Are you worried about hitting the big 3-0?! 

No, not really - but then, we're still 2 years from the big day! "Age is just a number," is my current attitude. Plus, this week someone told me I didn't look older than 21. Long may my youthful looks last!

So here goes...The big reveal! *drum roll*

The List

1. Climb up into a church spire INCOMPLETE 

2. Try 5 new foods DONE! 9/3/13

       1. Nut puffs - peanut butter sweets coated in sugar
       2. Samphire - deliciously salty veg
       3. Pearl Barley - in a soup cooked by my mum
       4. Quail - in a curry during a night away Birmingham
       5. Pig Cheek - as part of English tapas in Cambridge

3. Do a photography course DONE! 9/3/13
4. See the Milky Way vividly DONE! 21/08/14
5. Read Top 5 books of all time (using The Guardian newspaper's list) Why oh why did I choose this challenge?!?! Not enjoying this part in the slightest!

       Don Quixote ~ Miguel De Cervantes DONE - ish! I gave   
       gave up 18/06/14
      A story of a Spanish knight and his servant, two of the 
     most famous figures in western literature. 

       Pilgrim's Progress ~ John Bunyan DONE - ish! I gave it a good go but gave up 12/03/14 
      No idea what to expect here, I hadn't even heard of it! *shame*

       Robinson Crusoe ~ Daniel Defoe DONE! Hideous book... 20/03/13
      The first English novel. One my English teacher recommended over 10 years ago and I still 
      haven't read. 

       Gulliver's Travels ~ Jonathan Swift DONE! May 2013
      A satire that still works for all ages. And no Jack Black in the lead role - bonus!

       Tom Jones ~ Henry Fielding DONE! Well, not quite... September 2013 
      The adventures of a high-spirited orphan boy: an apparently unbeatable plot and a lot of     
      sex ending in a blissful marriage. 

6. Drive a tractor - with the help of farmer friends Ted and Anna DONE! 9/3/13

7. Give a stranger a compliment every day for a week INCOMPLETE 
8. Sponsor an elephant DONE! 07/02/13
9. Volunteer with WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) INCOMPLETE
10. Get a henna tattoo  DONE! 12/03/13
11. Go zip lining  DONE! Costa Rica 12/10/13
12.  Complete scrapbooks from Raleigh (argh, can't find it!!!!) and South Africa (DONE 21/4/13) journals  HALF INCOMPLETE
13. Have a font of my handwriting made DONE! 16/07/13

14. Make a cake on a fire DONE! 28/01/13

15. Complete my online Spanish course   DONE! 20/08/13
16. See ‘Les Miserables’ on stage  DONE! 21/09/13
17. Prepare a meal using only ingredients bought at a Farmers’ Market DONE! Pork and blue cheese baked with veg - mmm! 18/02/14 
18. White water raft (again) DONE! 17/06/13 ...and again 24/08/13
19. Have Costa Rican custard for breakfast DONE! (It's more like mayonnaise which you eat with tortilla breads) Costa Rica 13/10/13  
20. Party in London DONE! 23/03/13  
21. Borrow (and use!) Lauren’s pasta maker DONE! 29/07/14 - find out how it went here! 
22. Join a ‘flash mob’   INCOMPLETE
23. Scan old photos DONE! 17/03/13 
24. Make sorbet   DONE! 15/03/14 
25. Send flowers to my mum for no reason  DONE! May 2014
26. Try 10 new local (Northamptonshire) restaurants  DONE! April 2014

       1. The Goose, Northampton 01/03/13
       2. Red Hot World Buffet, Northampton 6/04/13 - not sure I'd go again...
       3. Papa John's Pizza, Northampton 13/05/13
       4. The Buttery, Castle Ashby Rural Yard, Northampton 15/08/13
       5. Bella Italia, Northampton 24/08/13 - pleasantly surprised!
       6. Dang's, Northampton (Vietnamese) 01/01/14 - great one for a special day <3
       7. Behind The Bus Stop, Northampton - 18/01/14
       8. The Vineyard, Northampton - November 2013
       9. Fayre & Square, Northampton - 18/02/14
       10. Cromwell's Cottage, Northampton - April 2014

27. Get a hot stone treatment DONE! 21/03/14  
28. Stay in a castle overnight  DONE! 7/2/15 - birthday treat!
29. Send birthday cake recipes to friends overseas on their birthday   DONE! 29/06/13 
30. Learn to snowboard (New Years Resolution 2013) DONE! 15/03/13

Follow my progress on Twitter at  #Lou30Before30. I'll be updating this post too, of course, so keep an eye out.

Have you got a 'bucket list' or an age-related 'To Do' checklist, like me? Tell me about it in the comments box below - I'd be interested to compare ideas. 

Lou x

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Born To Be A Tourist

In the wake of Valentines Day 2013, I wish to profess my love. For writing. What's not to love about it?!

Reading goes hand-in-hand with writing

I love to read. I always have my current #nowreading novel in my handbag. At the moment, it's "The Sisters Brothers", a funny yet sad gold rush story by Patrick DeWitt. 


Bookstores

It's FANTASTIC  seeing your work on a shelf (which isn't in your living room) for everyone to see.  It's a better feeling than getting flowers on Valentines Day. 

Social Media

You may have noticed, I'm a big fan. It's paying me dividends in blog traffic and some book sales, and I have learned to reap the benefits and tailor it to my needs. Check out my Twitter and my Facebook before you do anything else! I'm also on LinkedIn and Google+.

Magazines which come with the job

I hate magazines written for women. I've tried Glamour, Cosmo, Red... Hate them all. The content is tripe 90% of the time and the other 10% is likely to be adverts. Writing Magazine is so much better quality reading. It actually helps writers with their writing, boosts the confidence you have as a writer, and keeps you up to date with industry developments and competitions. I'll only ever take a break from it for travel magazines! #borntobeatourist 

I can get creative

I'm no artist, I'm not a poet, and I only dabble in photography - and mainly just getting lucky there. Writing allows me a creative side I wouldn't have shown otherwise. I love the feeling of being 'in the flow'!

Writing has opened me up to a world of new people and experiences

    - New friends I've made through writing
    - Additional transferable skills I've added to my CV (e.g. being Towcester 
      Writers' Chairperson)
    - Competitions I've entered - I've even won a runner's up prize in one!
    - I've been to many national events and workshops - a new perspective on 'having to go to 
      a work conference'!

So many people hate their job and I don't!

Sure, mine's only part-time, a kind of hobby job, but I still have to work hard for it. Keeping up with competitions, a monthly column in MK Pulse Magazine, reading writing-related magazines, balancing a social media presence, blogging (x2), oh, and actual novel writing too. Someone recently doubted I do actually do all I I say I'm involved in during my spare time. 

"Do you really do it all?! How?!" Fool - I just do. Loves it. 

I can do it anywhere

All I need is a notepad. I've written on a Greek ferry... In a coffee shop... In bed... On a train... On my lunch break at work... at home (now!)... On the M25 when it's at a standstill... In Tesco when I've overheard someone with some interesting conversation... On holiday... 

You can practice unnoticed

No one needs to hear or so the awfulness of your work... unlike when I was learning the piano as a teenager. It's a win-win for everyone. 

Lou x

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Born To Be A Tourist

Image courtesy of The Writers Advice

I'm bored, waiting for my dinner to cook. While the butternut squash and chicken dish roasts away, here are some quick poems to welcome in the not-so-loved day for being in love. Happy Valentines everyone, and don't forget to tell him or her you love them throughout the year, not just tomorrow!

                              -x-x-x-

Roses are red, violets are blue, there's just one thing I want, so come see Lulu!

Roses are red, violets are blue, say 'hasta luego' and not 'adieu'...

Roses are red, violets are blue, you know how I take it, so stick on a brew!

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'll stick by you, like Ultra Bond glue...


Lou x

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Born To Be A Tourist - Anti-Valentines Special this week!

Image courtesy of Cellep

This week I am inviting Lawrence Fisher to talk to us. We "met" on one social media outlet or another and I thought I'd grab him and his wise words for my blog. He's a dating-themed novelist and there's a convenient crossover between the two of us, as you could imagine! I hope the following is useful to you, fellow writers.

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Hi Lawrence, thanks for joining me this afternoon. 

Can you describe your book for us - what genre would you classify it into?

My book "Kill Me Now" is all about my exploits, escapades and narrow escapes I had while doing what others have done before me; meaning to find that one lady who I will allow to make my life a living hell. Despite the fact that some of the dates were true terror, I would definitely classify this as humour.

How did you come up with the idea for the book?

It was a nice spring evening when I met, Ms Motor Mouth. Young Lawrence (ok, young at heart...) shaved, showered and perfumed himself up to meet Ms Motor Mouth, who was a blind date, bestowed upon him by a match maker. Yes, yes, you heard it, a match maker. Read my book for sordid details of the awfulness of this period. 

So I met Motor for coffee and for the better part of two hours, she did not stop talking. The poor waiter was standing next to her waiting for her to order while she went on and on. The only thing I knew about her soliloquy was that she was complaining about her job. Not explaining, but complaining. Should I have charged her $200 for therapy? 

My mind wondered and wandered and I looked up to the heavens for release. Scotty was not available, but the title was born. Thanks Ms Motor Mouth.

When and why did you begin writing?

When I was three! I picked up a pencil and started writing. I was so far advanced in my language skills that to this day no one has broke the hidden code behind my prose. I am sure that is how the Da Vinci code started out. Maybe in a hundred years some genius named Suineg will say “Hey, there is a pattern in this. Let us decipher this.” 

Perhaps I should have been a secret agent. Maybe I replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond? Maybe I am just dreaming.

Who is you favourite character in the book? 

I would have to say that my favourite character is obviously the person I know best. I know this guy very very well. Well at least I think I do. Yes, I am sure I do. I have never met him before, but I do see him every day when I shave. It is yours truly!

The second best character would have to be my best friend, Ed. I have known him for three decades. He keeps telling me that I am nuts. Why go out on dates and come and tell him about them. He is married and has this doomed look in his eyes. He told me once that if I ever get married he would first kill himself and then kill me. I am not sure how he intends to do that because if he kills himself, he will be dead and therefore not be able to kill me. But what do I know?

What was the hardest part of writing the book?

The research was both the hardest and the most fun. By research I meant going on dates. But it makes it sound as if I went on dates only for research. That is not true. The date only made it into the book if it turned out that she was worthy of a mention, such as one woman who threatened to kill me.

I can sympathise with you there! I met some truly contemptible and amazingly ridiculous people on my dates! 

So did you design the covers of the book yourself? 

I had a graphic designer do it. We discussed it together. The book is supposed to show that I as a male know nothing about women. I do not understand them and I am not afraid to say so. There are signals and hints that are sent out that women think are understood but they are not. If I understood those signals I would either be a woman myself or effeminate. So the poor guy on the cover, offering flowers, has no idea why his woman's so angry.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned a lot. Writing is a lot of fun. I also learned that what you say can and will be used against you.

What are your current projects?  We all want to know when your next book coming out!

I am currently working on book two and three of the “Kill Me Now!” trilogy. I am not sure when the sequel will be out as I am still looking for stories. Any reader want to send me a story that I can adopt as my own? The book will be called “How I didn’t meet your mother”.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? 

"Prefer" has nothing to do with it as it has to be when I come up with an idea. Believe it or not that normally happens when I am on the toilet. That is why my trusty iPhone is with me.

I love that play on words - 'How I Met Your Mother' is one of my favourite TV shows! 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?

Yes. Take the line from the Jackie Chan remake of Karate Kid “When life knocks you down, you can chose whether to get up or not.”

Quick-fire questions:

ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? Paperbacks

Cats or dogs? Dogs, either golden cocker spaniels or golden retrievers

Coffee or tea? Coffee!!!!

Favourite food? Cheese cake!

Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?  Chocolate!!!!!

What are 4 things you never leave home without? My keys, my iPhone, my shoes and my wits.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you any why? Anne Hathaway because she has the best smile and…, and Superman so that he can fly Anne and I away. But why would anyone desert me on an Island?

Which is your all-time favourite song (only one song please)? 

My Way - Frank Sinatra!

Thanks for joining us on the blog this week - all the best for your book and future challenges on the page and over dinner 'n' drinks!

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You can find out more about Lawrence and his writing here:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbigfoot

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KMNow

Blog: http://killmenow.org/blog 

Take a look - he won't bite! Until next time...

Lou x

Find me on Facebook...
...And on Twitter
Born To Be A Tourist