Welcome

I think a journal entry is long overdue, so I thought I'd update you all on mine and other deviants' various activities this month. I've just dragged myself out of an exam period and now have the summer to spend with L, writing, reading Game of Thrones (it's an addictive series) and playing LOTRO (an even more addictive game. I'm a nerd, I know) but this also means I have more time to spend on here! Hurrah!

I am also still busy with other projects; back to writing for LoadGame after the exam hiatus, completed the first photo shoot for GeekInMe and my blog, shortStuff, will be up and running again next week after *Paul-James-Kintas cleans up the designs. Please like me on Facebook for updates!

On deviantART, `thorns and `GrimFace242 have forced kindly invited me to slave for join the staff at #Beta-Readers! If you're a writer of any skill level with time and kindness to spare, I hope you'll check out the group and send us your profile. I'll also be co-hosting a Word Wars Chat Tour with the group on June 30th at 7pm GMT (2pm EST) and there are prizes for grabs, so you'd better be there!

Updates

My piece Prey is a third-place winner of the New World contest hosted by =AimeeRaindrop at #Love-Literature.

My piece A Snowflake and a Spider's Web is a second-place winner of the Vices & Virtues contest at #lacoterie.

I have entered A Snowflake and a Spider's Web into the Inspiration contest hosted by *Missvirginia.

I have joined the staff at #Beta-Readers and shall be co-hosting the next Word Wars Chat Tour! The event takes place at 2pm EST on June 30th: [link] so be there!

Remember to join ~WeeklyLitContests and keep an eye out for our next contest, which will be going live tomorrow. As always, I'm your friendly face on the judging panel!

I would like to add that the benevolent `thorns is now taking requests for prize donations for your projects.

Tag! You're It!

Now, onto more deviant matters. It appears I was tagged by a certain `GrimFace242 and `Kneeling-Glory.

The Rules:

You must post these rules and 5 things about yourself.
Answer the questions the tagger set for you, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag.
You have to choose 11 people to tag and post their icons.
Go to their page and tell them you have tagged them.
No tag-backs (unless you really want to).
No stuff about 'you're tagged if you're reading this'!

5 Things About Me:

1. I have a quintessentially British English accent. I adore it.
2. I play games more than I read books (but it is a job).
3. My celebrity crush is Khal Drogo. Does that count?
4. I have an utterly irrational fear of peanut butter.
5. I love anything and everything coconut-flavoured.

`GrimFace242's Questions

1. What's the worst lie you've told? Did you get caught?
I told an old boyfriend I'd cheated on him, just to get him to break up with me. It was a bad relationship and he wouldn't take no for an answer. I haven't actually seen him since...

2. What was your first date like?
I don't think I ever had a first date with my first boyfriend, unless tagging along to all of his band practices counts.

3. If you could know the answer to any question, besides 'what is the meaning of life?', what would it be?
I'd want to know KFC's secret spice recipe, so I could make millions make my own healthy, stay-at-home version.

4. What made you laugh the hardest in your entire life?
That time I told my parents I was addicted to LCD.

5. If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
I would throw a birthday party for my L, because he hates birthdays and nobody other than me ever celebrates it.

6. What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
Game of Thrones, when Daenerys finally burned Khal Drogo's body and her dragons were born in the fire. It was powerful.

7. If you were a waiter and a customer was being rude, would you spit in their food?
No, I'm too OCD about hygiene for that. I'd just give them terrible service. No wonder I'm unemployed...

8. If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Including fictional characters? Tyrion Lannister, of course.

9. What do you miss most about being a kid?
I don't particularly miss childhood. It was more depressing than it was exciting, but I do miss the magic of choosing my first Pokémon and not knowing what my adventures would hold.

10. What would you name your autobiography?
Something brilliantly unwitty, like 'Memoirs of a Wilde Woman'. I'm good at writing, not thinking up titles, darn it!

`Kneeling-Glory's Questions

1. Do you have a musical talent? What is it?
I was classically trained in piano, but then I quit because apparently twelve-year-old me knows what stress is.

2. What is your favourite memory?
Walking the Jurassic Coast with L on our anniversary.

3. If you could go back to one point in human history, only to observe, where and when would you go? Why?
The beginning of time and space, of course! Then I would come back, write a book about it and probably be declared insane.

4. How did you meet your best friend?
I'm one of those terribly sad people whose best friend is their partner. We met through an ex-boyfriend. Long story, that.

5. Do you have any weird typo habits? (For example, I consistently mix up 'the' and 'to'!)
I tend to spell 'immediately' with As and 'separate' with Es...

6. What was the last book that you read all the way through in one sitting?
The Vagina Monologues. Please don't judge me for that.

7. What is the best gift you've ever received?
This is difficult. L has given me some beautiful things (and books!) but asking me to live with him was the best.

8. Have you ever done something on a dare?
I played Knock, Knock, Ginger once, but I got caught.

9. What piece are you most proud of in your gallery?
Definitely Prey - it's my baby - but I did earn a DD for it.

10. If you could meet any one of your ancestors, who would it be? Why that person?
Apparently I am a faraway, but still direct, descendant of Robin of Sherlock (aka. Robin Hood), so that would be nice.

11. What is your personal motto?
"We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't fuck them." - John Waters. Thank goodness L reads even more than I do.

=andrewpom's Questions

1. Where do you come from?
I was born in Gloucestershire, England; I then moved to Somerset, then Devon, then back to Gloucestershire, then Hereford, and now Wales. I promise I'm not a gypsy...

2. Describe what you look like. Do you consider yourself attractive?
I'm slight - 5'1" and around 98 pounds - with blue eyes and short or long, brunette or red or blonde hair depending on my mood, or work. I model, so I can't really say I'm unattractive. But I still live in jeans, gaming t-shirts and no make-up.

3. Why are you so hard on yourself/bigoted?
Bigoted is the exact opposite of what I am. I was raised by lesbian parents and always taught to keep an open mind. I'm hard on myself because I don't like being mollycoddled.

4. Do you have a favourite dream or memory, of which you would like to share?
Like I said to `Kneeling-Glory, it has to be walking the sun-baked Jurassic Coast in Devon with L on our anniversary.

5. Are you the sort to get angry and correct other people's grammar mistakes over the internet, or are you the person that frequently misses out apostrophes and capital letters because they are too lazy?
Grammar mistakes make me prickle with rage. I want to be an editor one day and spend my life picking at my friends' university assignments, so Nazism comes second nature.

6. Are you a frequent YouTuber? Who do you subscribe to? Or perhaps you make your own videos?
I never really 'got' YouTube. I would love to vlog, but I wouldn't know where to start. I just use it for looking at kittens.

7. Who is better: Spongebob or Squidward?
Squidward, definitely. His rage is completely founded.

8.  Do you have a favourite singer, or band? What about a favourite album or song of theirs?
I don't listen to music much (man, I suck at these questions) but I listen to a lot of classical and piano arrangements. Hans Zimmer has always held a special place in my heart.

9. Who is the best person to have ever lived?
George R. R. Martin, because without him I wouldn't have wasted spent weeks of my life reading his books, watching his TV show, falling in love with his imagination and being inspired.

10. Why is there so much hate in the world?
Unfortunately because of race, religion and capitalism.

11. Can you write me a story in less than 20 words? It can be about anything you like.
A princess was locked away, guarded by dragons. A handsome prince came and rode a dragon into the sunset because...
fuck yeah, dragons.

And fuck your twenty words.

=pixiepot's Questions

1. Have you any pets? If so, what are they?
I have a black toy poodle called Molly. She's 14 (her lifespan was eight years) and she's blind, deaf, epileptic, arthritic...

2. What is your life-long dream?
To get published. I know, it must be a common one.

3. If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
The ability to fly. I am obsessed with flying, and creatures of flight, and the sky. I won't drive, but I'd like a pilot license.

4. If you could do anything that would be beneficial to a group of five people or more, what would it be?
I would take them all to Cadbury World, because every British person should go to Cadbury World at least once.

5. What genre do you like to read?
Fantasy, sci-fi, historical, socio-political, romance, thriller, horror, adventure, biography... Can I stop now?

6. What is your favourite animal? (mine is a duck. )
I love birds! I used to have African Grey and Yellow-Bellied Senegal parrots, a cockatiel, a budgie and zebra finches.

7. PC, Mac, laptop, iPad or other?
PC and laptop (I use them dually). I famously despise Apple.

8. Do you like hats?
I don't like hat-hair, but I'd do it for the love of deviantART!

9. What is/are your favourite television series?
Game of Thrones! I also like The Walking Dead, House, M.D. and Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra.

10. Have you got a lucky/favourite number?
Yes; 26. It's the day of my birthday and anniversary.

11. What is your favourite book?
That is an awful, unfair question to ask a writer. Can I just tell you what I'm currently reading instead?

My Questions:

1. Have you ever had a dream that has come true?

2. Is there a question that you get asked a lot, which you hate answering? If so, tell me... and then answer it.

3. What is the first entry on your bucket list?

4. Do you remember the first time you were exposed to your craft (whether it was writing, painting etcetera)?

5. What one food would you take to a desert island?

6. Does anything really put your teeth on edge? (For example, for me, it's people rubbing socks on carpet).

7. What is the very first thing you ever said to your spouse/partner/best friend/person you hate? (Pick one!)

8. Do you have an embarrassing celebrity crush?

9. What magical, mythical or legendary creature would you want as a pet, and why?

10. You are now president of the world (nice going!) What is the first law you pass unto your people?

11. If you could change one thing about yourself, whether it be mental or physical, what would it be and why?

Welcome

Today, I woke up to discover that the first draft of a first chapter excerpt of my novel-in-progress, Prey, had been awarded a Daily Deviation by the lovely `thorns. Thank you so much to her, and for all of you for supporting me as a writer and helping me to achieve one of my dreams in this community. I didn't expect this, and I am touched.

In the meantime, I am still busy with my freelance work at Load and have my first photo shoot with GeekInMe booked for the end of the month. However, if you are wondering why you can't access the links to my work, it is because the Load servers crashed and the team lost everything. The webmaster and EIC had to build it back up after losing a year of hard work, but luckily I shall be back in full swing by next week.

If you have also noticed that I haven't updated my blog in a while, don't worry; I haven't forgotten! I am commissioning my colleague and friend *Paul-James-Kintas to help me redesign the site with new headers and backgrounds. the project begins on the 18th, so look out for my next entry. In the meantime, please go and like me on Facebook.

Finally, #SolutionsSanctuary are holding a tutorial contest and I am donating points, features and critiques among the other many prizes, so please enter and have fun! *akarra is also holding a second contest. The theme is a nature haiku using kigo and it ends on June 12th. I might enter it!

Updates

My piece Prey has been honoured with a Daily Deviation by the lovely `thorns. Thank you so much for the support.

I have been chosen as `LadyLincoln's Lady of Lit for May! The chatroom takes place at 6pm EST today: [link]

My piece Prey is the proud winner of the Free Form contest hosted by ~kodythedog422 at #Write-Original.

Remember that ~WeeklyLitContests' opening contest is still on until May 25th, and I'm on the judging panel!

I have entered my piece A Snowflake and a Spider's Web into the Vices and Virtues contest at #lacoterie.

I have also entered A Snowflake and a Spider's Web into the Fears contest at #We-Write-To-Escape.

Welcome

I thought it was about time I featured some of the amazing things going on around deviantART! I have had a wonderful time here recently and I wanted to thank you all for being so friendly and supportive. If you think I have made you feel welcomed, or I have helped you with my critique, please vote for me for #Life-On-dA's Deviant of the Month award.

I have had the good fortune to be welcomed into a new group this week! If you fancy winning some points or just getting your work seen around the community, please check out ~WeeklyLitContests. It's a great new group founded by ~Liedy. Please enter their opening contest, if you can! Also remember that *akarra's short poem contest ends on May 7th. The theme is music in 30 words or less and I am giving out critiques as prizes, so make sure that you enter soon!

In other news, I have been considering starting a group of my own. Although there are some great literature groups on deviantART, I would love to start one that focuses solely on giving critique and feedback, and hosts weekly competitions with points and feature prizes for those deviants who go out of their way to give the best critiques. What do you think?

Finally, I know that I usually feature lit. in my journals, but today I wanted to feature the incredible artwork produced by one of my colleagues at Load; *Paul-James-Kintas. He is severely under-appreciated here, so please show him love!

Updates

I have been chosen as `LadyLincoln's Lady of Lit for May! I am so flattered. Watch this space for a link to her journal.

I participated in #SolutionsSanctuary's Chat with the Hats last week! Please go here to read the full transcript.

My piece Prey is the proud winner of the What Future Do You See contest hosted by ~Nyan-Cookie.

For winning her contest, ~Nyan-Cookie has gifted me a beautiful artistic representation of Hester here.

I have entered my piece A Snowflake and a Spider's Web into the Vices and Virtues contest at #lacoterie.

I have also entered A Snowflake and a Spider's Web into the Fears contest at #We-Write-To-Escape.

Welcome

I have some wonderful news to share with you all! Today I was offered a freelance writing position, writing regular news features, articles and game reviews for Load Game. I have also been asked to model cosplay outfits for their sister site, Geek In Me. After the photo shoots, I get to keep the outfits I wear and then wear them again to vlog reviews on Load. Our first photo shoot will be a Catherine cosplay.

Being on the Load Game team also means that I get free press entry to London Expo this year! I'll be interviewing all of our favourite and upcoming game developers, comic artists and possibly film actors (in costume, of course). This time we'll all be in costume, so I'll be sure to take lots of photos!

While I am here, I would like to say thank you to all of you for sticking by me in my absence; I am feeling a lot better now, so I'm sure you'll be seeing more from me and my critiques very soon. I've already been busy entering this month's literature contests! Let me know how you have all been.

Please don't forget to sign up to my shortstuff blog, like my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter. Every little helps!

Updates

Check out the website I have landed a job with here and sign up or get involved, if you can. I'll appreciate it!

My piece Spindrift was featured in #Writers-Workshop's Flash Fiction & Compressed Poetry roundup.

I have entered my piece Hunting Day into the What Future Do You See contest hosted by ~Nyan-Cookie.

I have also entered it into the Changing History contest hosted by ~91816119 at #DeviantLITERATURE.

I have also entered it into the New World contest hosted by =AimeeRaindrop at #LoveLiterature.

I have also entered it into the Free Form contest hosted by ~kodythedog422 at #Write-Original. Wish me luck!

Welcome

I would like to apologise to all of you for being absent these last few weeks. A long-term hip injury has finally caught me out and I am going to need major surgery, so I am spending a lot of time in bed. However, I am somewhat pleased.

To summarise: my doctor is rather excited, as he is a young Asian man who is specialised in the exact brand of osteopathy that I require. I am his first young patient, which means that he is allowed to explore all options for the first time because I am worth giving a better quality of life to. He wants to 'clean my bones', so I am having all kinds of scans! Also, I have the flu this weekend but that is awful and irrelevant.

I am also celebrating my anniversary with L over the coming month by a visit to Chester Zoo in Wales this weekend, a romantic South Devon break the next and then a week or so staying with him whilst I get to grips with all of this. I will make updates in my blog, so be sure to follow me. Hopefully all of this will be enough to shake of the writer's block.

As Montaigne said, "Writing does not cause misery, it is born of misery." I always thought he was on to something.

Updates

I won second place in the Truth is Hard contest hosted by =AimeeRaindrop at #Love-Literature.

As a prize for my win at #Love-Literature, my work has been featured by ~Phantom-Wolf42 in her journal here.

My poem Spindrift was suggested for (and won!) a DLD by ^NicSwaner on the 16th of March. I am honoured.

I was asked to do an interview by `Kneeling-Glory for #SolutionsSanctuary, which you can see posted here.

My poem A Lover Torn was featured on the #writeaway Pinboard with other great deviants on March 17th.

All deviants can now critique work, so no excuses for literature. Check out my friend *akarra's feature!

Welcome

Things are going well for me, it seems. I have been asked to do two interviews, gained a special mention in another contest and found today that I now have 106 watchers. Phew! That's a lot of watchers for somebody with only three poems. I also have 6,300 pageviews, which is ridiculous as I had 5,000 just last month. I think I'd better submit some more deviations!

Those of you who keep up with my awfully mundane life may have heard that I have been unwell. This is why I had to stop at 30 during my 50 Critique Challenge for `Kneeling-Glory's critique contest. I have had some x-rays done and it looks as though I'll need major surgery and a replacement (or two) on my hips. I'll be a bionic woman! I thank all of you wonderful deviants who have been so supportive this month.

In other news, I have a blog! I will be featuring it in a box on my page soon, but until then you can read it yourself here or alternatively, like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter. All subscriptions, comments, ratings and so forth are greatly appreciated. It isn't particularly interesting now, but I have some (hopefully) very exciting posts in the works!

Updates

I won a special mention and a three month premium in the Critique Contest hosted by `Kneeling-Glory.

I was asked to do an interview by `MagicalJoey for #Critics-in-Training. You can see it published here.

I was asked to do an interview by `Kneeling-Glory for #SolutionsSanctuary. Watch this space for a link!

It is Poetry Week at #Critique-It! You can read the guidelines and join in, or see my own entry here.

My poem Reasons: a senryu has been featured by `Quolia in Spreading the dA Love: Vol. 11.

My deviantID has been featured by *DramiraDarkthorn in her International Woman's Day article.

Welcome

My name is CJ (if you hadn't guessed already!) I have been on deviantART for four years but have only just become fully active - and been able to afford my first premium thanks to a generous points donation from =pixiepot - so I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself properly.

I am currently studying English Language and Creative Writing at university. Although my gallery says otherwise, I am first and foremost a creative prose and technical writer. I also model far more than I am likely to write poetry, but I haven't been satisfied enough with the quality of any such work lately to upload it here. Hopefully this will change!

After some recent competition wins (see below), becoming an admin and a Peer Editor for #Love-Literature and making some brilliant friends here lately, I am looking forward to participating more in groups, contests and community projects and getting to know you. Please introduce yourself!

Updates

I won first place in the Valentine's Day mini contest hosted by =AimeeRaindrop at #Love-Literature.

  I won first place (and 500 points!) in the Valentine's Day contest hosted by !Sartosis at #Penpa.

I entered my poem A Lover Torn in the Temptation contest hosted by =pixiepot at #writeaway.

My poem Reasons: a senryu inspired deviant ~mtmac to create his own visual representation. Check it out!

I am participating in the Critique Contest hosted by `Kneeling-Glory and will update my efforts on my page.

I am participating in the 1500 points giveaway hosted by `Lilyas. Visit her journal and you can enter too!