Shopping Spree

So pay day is almost here again and, since I've lost a few pounds and summer is on the way, I'm thinking of doing a little bit of a shopping spree soon. I've got quite a bit of money left over from my last pay check and I'm thinking of just spending some money on me. So much of my money each month automatically enters my savings account so I'd really like to take some of my cash and just celebrate my slimmer, healthier body with a spot of retail therapy.

I've been looking at new clothes online and dreaming about what I'm buying in advance and I can tell you guys, I'm so excited. I don't really do shopping sprees so this is kind of a big deal for me...

A Call In The Night by Gabrielle Leimon

Since the publication of my book a few months ago, many have asked me where to find it and one of the best places to find copies is through InPress Books, via Grist Books directly OR through Amazon.

Below I have links for where you can get it on Amazon so please, please pick up copies of my books because it supports me and the wonderful publishers of my book. Indie publishers like mine need more support and it'd be really awesome if you could buy a copy of my book - you can often find cheap copies on Amazon.

Click here for the Amazon link to find copies of my book. 
Click here to get the book on Kindle.

Recommended Reads!

Hello sweetie pie darling...
Yes, that's what we're going with today.
So I'm sure you know what today is.
It's Wednesday.
Sure.
But its also RECOMMENDED READS!
Why did I put that in all caps?
*ahem*
It's a segment where I share with you some things from the internet so that you'll experience them too. Maybe you'll even enjoy them. It's all very exciting, isn't it?

OK, so here are my picks for this week:

• 5 Writing and Publishing Myths Debunked... Sort Of... 
• Ever wanted to travel whilst getting paid for it? Then perhaps the art of travel writing is for you so check out this article on how to become a travel writer.
• Do you make short films? Live in the UK? Then this competition is for you
• Here's an article on writing around your day job
• Also here are some terrifying things that kids have said to babysitters that will make you never want to babysit again.

Travel Writing Scholarship

On Friday I'll find out whether or not I was accepted for a travel writing scholarship that I applied to. If I won then I'd have the opportunity to spend almost three weeks in August travelling with all expenses paid and learning about the art of travel writing. It's that form of creative non fiction that I feel I could really get into. I cannot wait to hear who won though I'm sure I've not won. There were probably so many applicants from all over the world so the odds aren't really in my favour. All I can do is hope that they noticed and appreciated my application. I tried to put myself out there with a real sense of enthusiasm and interest in a less popular destination.

If I did get it then that would be an absolute dream. It would be an amazing opportunity.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, guys...

Writer Problem#8: Inspiration

One of the biggest problems that a writer will face is that crippling lack of inspiration. For me, I find it hard because when I am inspired, I'm not able to write. When I am able to write, I'm not inspired. I always think of great things to write when I'm at work or on a bus or away from any means of writing. I find that carrying a notepad or somewhere to document creative thoughts is hugely important. Some of us find ways to get inspired. Some say surrounding yourself with the colour blue or having breaks and going outside boost creativity.

How do you get inspired?

Job Interview

Eep!
Right now I should be just going in for a job interview and, if you ask me, that's a pretty scary prospect. I'm the sort of person who gets really anxious about job interviews. I hate having to talk about myself. I hate the uncertainty of the situation. Maybe it's a dreadful self sabotage thing. I get so anxious that it lessens my chances and I enter the next job interview with that same anxiety. The job I'm being interviewed for today had a pretty vague ad but I know it's probably much better in terms of pay than my current job, it has specific hours which means I'd have evenings with my family and I get free refreshments throughout the day. Sounds good to me! Wish me luck, guys.

Silver Linings Search: May

I've been doing this for a few months now so if you're a regular reader then you'll be familiar with this. Essentially I just note down good things that happened through the month to remind myself that good things do happen, even if they're little. It's always important to not let the good be overshadowed by the bad. It's so strange to think we're almost half way through the year. The month was quite stressful but I've tried to find silver linings amongst the stress.

So here goes, some good things from the month of May:

• I went to Thorpe Park with my colleagues from work. We earned this day out from our superb sales over Christmas so technically it was our work day out. The company paid for everything and it was a really fun day out. I think that my favourite rides were probably Colossus and Tidal Wave. We got absolutely soaked. 
• One morning I woke up, went downstairs and found a cat in my kitchen. It was not one of our cats. It was a cat belonging to a neighbour. Whenever I've seen this cat before it has run away. When the cat was in my house it was calm and affectionate so I got lots of cuddles and a nice surprise kitty friend. 
• I worked a lot of hours. In fact I worked until I was sore from being up on my feet. I worked until I was tired and void of any remaining energy. That said, I earned a lot of money and boosted the company sales numbers.
• I finally spoke to one of my managers about some of the shit that goes on at work. I don't think that the management team realised what was even going on. I was the only person to speak up and break the silence and soon, others began to follow. Everyone had been to anxious to speak up so hopefully this will bring about some positive change.
• I landed a job interview. It's the first interview since I got my current job so I'm a little rusty. I've only really just started looking for a new job. I'll miss the perks of my current job when I leave but I really need something with better pay and more sociable hours.
• Sorry to be crude but... I earned a lot of money this month, even after taxes. Sure, most of that money goes straight into a savings account for the future but still, I earned more than I'd estimated. That's mostly money that has been put away into my savings account for the future. That money could go towards something big one day like a mortgage down payment. I's rather exciting.
• I won another little competition at work. First, I won a prize, a pretty notebook. Then I got to choose a forfeit for my colleagues and made them speak in bad American accents for the rest of the day. Safe to say it was hilarious. 
• I got quite a bit of writing done on a new novel.
• I finally dyed my roots. I'd put it off for ages and ages and man did my hair look good all blonde again.
• My partner and I went on some nice dates. On one, we went back to this nice field/outdoor area where we used to hang out before we started dating. It's where we shared our first kiss. It was really nice and we had the opportunity to just relax in the sunshine, reading books and sunbathing. I feel like our relationship this month grew and became stronger than ever.
• I explained the plot of the novel I'm working on to my partner. I'm usually very, very secretive about what I am writing until it's completed but I opened up, explained the plot and my partner was honestly excited and full of praise which made me feel very comfortable and excited about my project.
• I met up with old friends to catch up and have fun in the sun.
• Just the sun... in general. The sun makes me happier. The sun is what makes a silver lining. 
• I got tan lines! I mean, I went to Greece last year and didn't get a tan because I was so scared of getting sun burn. One weekend in my back garden and I had strap lines on my back from my little tan glow. 
• The little pepper plants that I potted are growing strong. I can't wait to eat something I've grown from just a seed.
• I started writing poetry again. By 2015 I want to have a poetry book completed. I'm making good progress. 
• I thought of a new script writing project I'd like to do in the future and took the first step towards actually achieving it. 
• In recent competitions at work I won a whole bunch of vouchers and this month I had a lot of fun going out and spending those vouchers. I took £20 worth of vouchers this month and bought three awesome books. I liked taking home books that I didn't have to spend a penny for. I earned those books through hard work and hard sales.