In the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami that devistated Japan's eastern coast, many of us have been glued to our television sets in anticipation of Fukushima Nuclear reactor and the threat a possible of a melt down, and are in fear of what impact this will have on us on glabal scale. However, many more are living in fear of the simple basics of when their next meal will come, warmth, more importantly, where their loved ones are that have been missing since this tragic event STRUCK them, loss of their homes and very belongings that many of us take for granted. Thousands are with out the basic nessessities of life and are in need of our help now.
Please if anyone reads this post, please give to any agency that can help Japan even if its just a little bit. Many are giving on a huge scale, offering their own knowledge and experrise to help those in need personally and risking their lives!
Please help ìf you can!
Thank you
http://www.redcross.ca/
http://www.redcross.fi/en_GB/
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal
....Japan.... has publically sanctioned this link.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The battle begins
10 Mar 2011
And so it begins...
Every since I accepted the terms and agreement of my publishing contract I knew that there would be expected changes in my manuscript. I am okay with that, however as anyone who has written a book, music or play...knows that these writings are apart of you and in a way, like your family and taking the bite when someone criticizes or expresses distaste over your material is hard and quite the challenge. Having said that, I am in a dilemma of what to do about the resent changes my publisher and editor have requested. This story is slowly becoming someone else's story and I do not like it. As a first time author in the book writing business I do not want to seem difficult to work with and was warned by my agent not make waves because I am at threat of the losing my advance and having the contract terminated if I do. On the other hand, knowing published writers who have a very successful career in this business tell me it;s not about first timers or oldies, it's about dollars and cents and if you have good enough material they are not going to cut you off that easily.
The rewrite requests were the reason for my extension and I was given adequate time to work on them. The contract was amended by them after all and the advance pretty good. Warning to all first time writers, do not spend your money too soon. LOL You never know if you are going to have give it back. Terms can be stiff and you must be sure that you can adhere to these terms which makes it a bit stressful considering an advance is paid to keep you going while you write your story. At any rate, I had a wonderful time writing it during this past year and more so now that I am here in Canada with quite a bit of time to spare. It will soon be short lived as I have already made the decision to remain here and Andrew and our son will be returning mid April. His contract ends March 31 and my mum is watching my boy after school and during Andrew's hours at the hospital. But soon she and Hammy will be returning to Porto in June themselves. Our family are wanderers it seems and have confirmed that the time in our life to make the final decision for whats best for ourselves has come. I have rejected the offer today and pulled the sign down. And I feel great!
My copyright act is valid everywhere in the free world , so it doesn't matter where I am. Andrew seemed excited when I spoke to him this morning and did not give any hesitation in the decision making. "I knew it!", he shouted over the phone. LOL
Tomorrow, I go to storage and see what can be pulled to add to the house. I am not sure if I am going home to finalize the close up of our belongings there and be away from my immediate family for the month or return home. It is only an month and a cost saved if I can help it. Thank you, Mum for my flight wallet! It is very lonely here in this house and the nights long when you have no one to talk to. But there is lots to do and more time to waste and cannot wait for my boys to return home. Saying good bye to South Africa is hard because there was a peace to returning last year, but I have calmed my desire to find the balance I was looking for and it begins and ends right here.
Here we go again!
And so it begins...
Every since I accepted the terms and agreement of my publishing contract I knew that there would be expected changes in my manuscript. I am okay with that, however as anyone who has written a book, music or play...knows that these writings are apart of you and in a way, like your family and taking the bite when someone criticizes or expresses distaste over your material is hard and quite the challenge. Having said that, I am in a dilemma of what to do about the resent changes my publisher and editor have requested. This story is slowly becoming someone else's story and I do not like it. As a first time author in the book writing business I do not want to seem difficult to work with and was warned by my agent not make waves because I am at threat of the losing my advance and having the contract terminated if I do. On the other hand, knowing published writers who have a very successful career in this business tell me it;s not about first timers or oldies, it's about dollars and cents and if you have good enough material they are not going to cut you off that easily.
The rewrite requests were the reason for my extension and I was given adequate time to work on them. The contract was amended by them after all and the advance pretty good. Warning to all first time writers, do not spend your money too soon. LOL You never know if you are going to have give it back. Terms can be stiff and you must be sure that you can adhere to these terms which makes it a bit stressful considering an advance is paid to keep you going while you write your story. At any rate, I had a wonderful time writing it during this past year and more so now that I am here in Canada with quite a bit of time to spare. It will soon be short lived as I have already made the decision to remain here and Andrew and our son will be returning mid April. His contract ends March 31 and my mum is watching my boy after school and during Andrew's hours at the hospital. But soon she and Hammy will be returning to Porto in June themselves. Our family are wanderers it seems and have confirmed that the time in our life to make the final decision for whats best for ourselves has come. I have rejected the offer today and pulled the sign down. And I feel great!
My copyright act is valid everywhere in the free world , so it doesn't matter where I am. Andrew seemed excited when I spoke to him this morning and did not give any hesitation in the decision making. "I knew it!", he shouted over the phone. LOL
Tomorrow, I go to storage and see what can be pulled to add to the house. I am not sure if I am going home to finalize the close up of our belongings there and be away from my immediate family for the month or return home. It is only an month and a cost saved if I can help it. Thank you, Mum for my flight wallet! It is very lonely here in this house and the nights long when you have no one to talk to. But there is lots to do and more time to waste and cannot wait for my boys to return home. Saying good bye to South Africa is hard because there was a peace to returning last year, but I have calmed my desire to find the balance I was looking for and it begins and ends right here.
Here we go again!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Writing
It has been nearly a year since I last blogged and much has happened. I have much to reveal for whoever reads this crap, no one. But for myself it is a personal way to express an electric journal that as of now, have lots of time to fill.
We moved to South Africa after much debate to be close to my mum , Evie and yes, Hammy who is now married to Mum again. Tricky man, laying it on the table last year during our visit to Rabat, which was totally awesome and wonderful, refreshing, you name it. I always feel so renewed when I return for there. Perhaps the love I receive from Jadda and her hugs make me feel warm. I always receive a new scarf and bag full of goodies she has made in anticipation for our arrival. It's so beautiful there and will treasure the many memories there. Anyway, it is a good thing for now being back in SA. Joburg, no not really, but it was the only place Andrew could get a residency and obligated for 1 year. I am also close to Mita and my sisters who are no longer but can still hear them when I listen to the air. I understand now why people feel the need to be close to where a loved one has died. There is peace here, aside from violence and such. Andrew has mentioned yesterday that he hasn't seen this many stabbings, beating, shootings, etc since he was working for the Air ambulance in Liverpool. We had become complacent while in Canada. But the choice to move back to the UK fell through when his mother passed away and now put on hold. These decisions are difficult to make especially of where you are from, the roots of our mothers and where you like it best or the safest. I know Mum and everyone here will be safe, but my concern for my son is keeping me up at night. He does not understand the atmosphere of prejudice here and has already asked me why people hate each other and exposed to possible perils. Sad to think that after all these years I am now faced with it again but to a lesser degree. There is more tolerance, but more violence as well.
Happiness comes at a price, but we all prevail in the end somehow. Even in death. This was for a year and it is coming to a close soon, thankfully. UK is closer anyways and we know many people there. At least with writing, I can do that anywhere as long as I have an Internet connection and laptop.
The story is going good, but shelved until 2012 for rewrites and CREATIVE differences I am having a hard time adjusting to like the complete omission of an essential character! I was also asked to remove my posts regarding the content, ideas or segments whatever for...or as my editor put it, confidentiality. Issues with plagiarism there at the publisher. Not with me, but all represented authors were asked to keep contracted material and story plans quiet which disturbs me.
Soon. Soon, the dream will be real.
We moved to South Africa after much debate to be close to my mum , Evie and yes, Hammy who is now married to Mum again. Tricky man, laying it on the table last year during our visit to Rabat, which was totally awesome and wonderful, refreshing, you name it. I always feel so renewed when I return for there. Perhaps the love I receive from Jadda and her hugs make me feel warm. I always receive a new scarf and bag full of goodies she has made in anticipation for our arrival. It's so beautiful there and will treasure the many memories there. Anyway, it is a good thing for now being back in SA. Joburg, no not really, but it was the only place Andrew could get a residency and obligated for 1 year. I am also close to Mita and my sisters who are no longer but can still hear them when I listen to the air. I understand now why people feel the need to be close to where a loved one has died. There is peace here, aside from violence and such. Andrew has mentioned yesterday that he hasn't seen this many stabbings, beating, shootings, etc since he was working for the Air ambulance in Liverpool. We had become complacent while in Canada. But the choice to move back to the UK fell through when his mother passed away and now put on hold. These decisions are difficult to make especially of where you are from, the roots of our mothers and where you like it best or the safest. I know Mum and everyone here will be safe, but my concern for my son is keeping me up at night. He does not understand the atmosphere of prejudice here and has already asked me why people hate each other and exposed to possible perils. Sad to think that after all these years I am now faced with it again but to a lesser degree. There is more tolerance, but more violence as well.
Happiness comes at a price, but we all prevail in the end somehow. Even in death. This was for a year and it is coming to a close soon, thankfully. UK is closer anyways and we know many people there. At least with writing, I can do that anywhere as long as I have an Internet connection and laptop.
The story is going good, but shelved until 2012 for rewrites and CREATIVE differences I am having a hard time adjusting to like the complete omission of an essential character! I was also asked to remove my posts regarding the content, ideas or segments whatever for...or as my editor put it, confidentiality. Issues with plagiarism there at the publisher. Not with me, but all represented authors were asked to keep contracted material and story plans quiet which disturbs me.
Soon. Soon, the dream will be real.
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