PORTFOLIO: ZARA M.

(Suite 101) Last Minute NaNoWriMo Preparation

2011-10-27T14:50:00.001+01:00

Its not too late to prepare and take part in the 2011 NaNoWriMo National Novel Writing Month Challenge. Here are some handy last minute tips.

If you have decided at the last minute to join in the madness and take part in National Novel Writing Month, don’t panic – there are still ways in which you can prepare yourself for the challenge, whether there are only a few days or hours left before the challenge begins, or whether you are stepping in after it has already started.

The trick is to clear your mind of all doubts and anxiety and focus on the facts:

You know that you must complete 50,000 words to win before the end of November.
You know that certain things in your usual routine are going to have to change in order to make it happen.
You know that you need a vague idea for a story.

(Suite 101) Never Judge a Kindle eReader by its Box

2011-10-27T13:38:00.003+01:00

Kindle eReaders make great virtual libraries, but they can do a lot more than store ebooks. Here are some tips an tricks to transform your Kindle eReader.

You should never judge a book by its cover, and certainly never judge a Kindle by what it says on the box. There is more to your average Kindle eReader than meets the eye. The Kindle is advertised as the superior alternative to normal books because of its advantageous features; such as being able to store hundreds of titles, and give you access to a wealth of free reading to download and read at your leisure. But what about the not so obvious advantages? The Kindle eReader can do a lot more than store books and preserve your eye-sight you know?

(Zaramuse) NaNoPaNic

2011-10-26T23:14:00.000+01:00

Aaaarrrggghhh…

Its official, I am in panic mode. NaNoWriMo madness commences in just 6 days and I haven’t so much as lifted my eyes in anticipation of any thoughts whatsoever about what on earth I am going to write… and I’m already beginning to waffle!

50,000 words in thirty days and night (don’t forget the nights!) and I haven’t even got a starting point. This is not good. Wing it? Well it looks like I don’t really have a choice now, do I? Unless I can rustle up a master plot over the weekend, which is never going to happen. But then, if I can’t rustle up a simple plot over a whole weekend, what makes me think I can rustle up 50,000 words in a month? Panic stations!...READ MORE

(A-MUSE Mag: The Natural Way) Meditation: Breathe your way to a healthier life...

2011-10-19T18:48:00.000+01:00

Have you not noticed that after a hard day at work, or after a tiring evening organising the kids, it is just absolute bliss afterwards to sit down with a cup of tea, or run a hot bath and be alone with yourself to wind down? This is because the day has tangled up your body and mind with tension which needs releasing... READ MORE

(Suite101) How to Write a Plot Outline

2011-10-14T15:26:00.001+01:00

Writing a novel is an easier task to approach when broken down into smaller sections. A plot outline will help to structure and pace your story.

Writing a novel can be a daunting prospect for aspiring writers. By cutting the task down into small structured sections and focussing on each section separately, the overall task will become much more achievable, not to mention enjoyable.

There is no set way to write a book, and writers have to find out what works best for them. Some writers prefer to dive into a long project and let inspiration and passion for a subject and characters guide them, while other writers need a complete structured plan to help keep them focussed. If you have never written a full-length novel before, approaching it with some sort of plan will certainly help to structure your ideas and pace your story.

Fantastic News!

2011-10-10T11:29:00.000+01:00

I can't believe it! I know its not a massive deal, (but actually it is to me!) - two of my Suite101 pieces have been chosen as Featured Articles on the site - And one of them is also being nominated for an Editor's Choice Award for its original content! Finally a bit of recognition from somewhere :) All I want to do now is sit down with my laptop all day and write more articles...

I applied for a position as a guru for the Fiction Writing Section of About.com recently using one of these articles as a sample piece, so the feedback from Suite101 has given me a bit of hope.

How to Choose a Writing Workspace
How to Keep a Writer's Notebook

(Suite 101) How to Keep a Writer's Notebook

2011-10-04T02:11:00.002+01:00

A writer jots down daily inspirations in a writer's journal. Here are some ideas to inspire you to keep your own peronalised writer's notebook.

A writer’s journal, diary, or notebook is a personal document which records inspirations as they surface using various descriptive devices. Because a writer’s notebook is personal, it means that the notebook itself may take on any form the writer sees fit. Some writers use Dictaphones to record their thoughts, while others like to scribble notes in a leather-bound journal. The trick when choosing what notebook method works for you is to allow your personality to shine through in your choice. Choose a note-taking method that is most accessible to you and one that feels comfortable and ‘right’.

(A-MUSE Mag CWG) Where do you write?

2011-10-03T15:45:00.005+01:00

As a writer myself, I love to find out about the quirks and habits of other writers - perhaps because it makes me feel more normal to know that there are others who refer to their beds as a home-office... READ MORE

(Suite 101) How to Choose a Writing Work Space

2011-10-03T14:54:00.001+01:00

In order to focus effectively on your creative writing it is wise to choose a designated environment or writing work space to write in every day.

Choosing to juggle creative ambitions with everyday life was never going to be an easy task, but you knew that from the moment you decided to acknowledge the writer in you. There are however, ways to make writing blend into your world. One of these ways is to create an environment and work space that invites you to write in peace for a dedicated amount of time each day.

When choosing and organising an environment and work space to write in, you should take into consideration a number of factors...

(Zaramuse) Nanowrimo - I have signed myself up - Eek!

2011-10-02T17:36:00.000+01:00

I am aware that it is completely bonkers for me to be announcing this, but it has to be done. I missed out on all of the fun and madness of last year; and I promised myself that this November, no matter what my circumstances are, I will jolly well be taking part!

So I have signed myself up to NANOWRIMO – National Novel Writing Month a month in advance so that I can set about conjuring up a detailed plan of action ready for when the countdown begins...

READ MORE

(ehow.com) How to Make Dangle Pendants

2011-10-01T17:09:00.001+01:00

Dangle pendants usually hang on chains or leather or suede cord to make necklaces. But you might also attach pendants to earring hooks to make dangling earrings or to bracelets as charms. By using discrete lobster clasps, you can transfer pendants from a necklace to earrings or bracelet to suit an occasion or mood. Or put a selection of dangle pendants in a jewelry gift.

Read more: How to Make Dangle Pendants | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_12102239_make-dangle-pendants.html#ixzz1ZXySoppT

(Zaramuse) Dilution - The New Writers Block

2011-09-26T23:07:00.001+01:00

I have a problem. It’s not a terrible problem, I can think of worse; but it’s definitely a problem for me. The problem is this… I have too many ideas... READ MORE

(Suite 101) How to Make Dangle Pendants

2011-09-21T20:29:00.001+01:00

Dangle Pendants are quick and easy to make. Use discrete lobster clasps to make Dangle Pendants that can be easily transferred from necklace to bracelet.

Read more at Suite101: How to Make Dangle Pendants | Suite101.com http://zara-m.suite101.com/how-to-make-dangle-pendants-a389873#ixzz1YcJZEYLm

(Suite 101) Essential Jewellery Making Tools for Beginners

2011-09-15T17:08:00.000+01:00

Start making Hand-crafted Jewellery with these essential jewellery making- tools for beginners. Beginning a new craft doesn't have to be expensive.

Taking up a new hobby, whether for business or pleasure can get expensive, especially when you don't know what the bare essential tools are. But making your own hand-crafted jewellery doesn't have to be complicated or expensive when you know exactly what essential jewellery-making tools you need to get started.

Bead shops and websites can often be daunting places for a beginner who is starting out their jewellery crafting hobby, and it is far too easy to overspend. Use this straightforward check-list and guide to purchasing your first jewellery-making tools.

ARAZ Jewellery - Essential Jewellery-making Tools for Beginners

2011-09-15T15:24:00.000+01:00

It can be SIMPLE and FUN to make your own hand-crafted Jewellery. Anyone can do it with the right tools and a bit of patience. The most important thing, like with anything, is to prepare yourself before you start... READ MORE

Sassy Single & Starving - Cupcake Catastrophe!

2011-09-13T15:36:00.000+01:00

My sister gave me her niece for a few days, so I thought I would make use of the little terror and do some baking. Baking is a bit of an indulgence, especially for someone like me who survives mainly on food I don't have to prepare. Unless there is an occasion involved I don't think I would even attempt to bake a cake; especially knowing that in the unlikely event that I did succeed, I would probably scoff the lot straight out of the oven, when the sponge is all warm and yummy... I have no self-control whatsoever. ...READ MORE

A-MUSE Magazine First Poetry Place Anthology...

2011-08-08T12:09:00.000+01:00

Life is too sh...

An A-MUSE Magazine ...

Edited By Zara M.

Book Preview

I am very excited to announce that the first A-MUSE Magazine Poetry Place Anthology is now available for purchase! Congratulations and THANK YOU to all of the writers whose poems made it into the anthology - your words are an inspiration.

Please support the writers and A-MUSE Magazine by purchasing your copy - all profits go towards the running and upkeep of the magazine and will enable us to keep running competitions like this one to encourage and support writers, and give them the opportunity to see their work published alongside other's. Don't forget to share links and spread the word amongst your friends and family too.

This Poetry book will make a great little gift to inspire and motivate those who are important to you!

Here is a preview of the book...

Life is too short. Look for silver linings Edited By Zara M. |

Sassy Single & Starving - Pauper's bread

2011-08-08T12:07:00.000+01:00

In an attempt to veer away from my pizza-addiction and save a few pennies, I decided last week to plan my food shop online before I headed down to the supermarket to do my shopping. My intentions were to get as much as possible for as little as possible. I was rather impressed actually at how long my shopping list was in the end, considering the grand total was a humble tenner... hurrah for Supermarket's own brand! READ MORE...

Life's a Bitch! but anyway... (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.)

2011-07-29T16:34:00.002+01:00

"I could very well be wrong here, but humour me... If you were employed as a full-time member of staff and then without any warning or explanation from the hands that hold the strings, suddenly your hours start getting cut; up to the point where after you have put aside money from your wage for your rent, you find that you are left with a tenner to survive the week - would you not think - hang on a minute - wtf?" READ MORE

Sassy SIngle & Starving - Pizza Panic!

2011-07-20T21:20:00.000+01:00

The Terrible Discovery...

A friend of mine sat me down after reading the introduction to this column and asked me with a very serious expression on her face exactly how many times a week I have been ordering my dinner off the Pizza hut Delivery Website...

Sassy Single & Starving is now also featured in

A-MUSE Magazine.

(The Break-up Project) CHAPTER 2: The friendship that never was

2011-07-18T16:59:00.000+01:00

"It is three years before the hotel iPhone incident. Tariq has just wandered into my department as part of a large group of new sales recruits. I am crouching down into a cupboard on the shop floor trying to balance in my absurdly high heels as I count stock. To Tariq I am an intriguing piece of ass in a tight business skirt with a cloud of brown curls tumbling all over the place, poking out of a low cupboard and wobbling precariously every now and then. We haven’t met yet. I haven’t seen him, and he has only seen my mop of hair and my bum; yet he has already decided in his head that he wants me, and that he’s going to have me. I am oblivious..." READ MORE

(The Break-up Project) CHAPTER 1: Hotel iPhone Complex

2011-07-18T16:55:00.000+01:00

"It is 2:45pm. I am sitting in a dark hotel room hunched over my laptop and my boyfriend is sleeping, which is why the curtains are closed in the middle of the afternoon. The table I am sitting at is wobbly. The bed he is lying on is crumpled from recent use, I look at it with disgust; then catch my reflection in a mirror. What on earth am I doing here? If there is a therapist following this blog you may want to contact me, I'd be terrific income.

This situation is beyond strange. I had assumed when we agreed to meet up today that we'd go to a pub, have a drink and talk about things, you know - make some proper decisions. Then of course I would return home in misery and plunge into my newly discovered form of break-up therapy; The Break-up Project. Instead, here I am in a bloody hotel room, excuse my Italian, utterly confused and pounding away on my laptop; as usual he doesn't have a clue what is going on inside of my head.

Actually to be honest, I don't have a clue what is going on in there. I don't know what I am doing here; it wasn't part of the plan..." READ MORE

(The Break-up Project) Prologue: to dump or not to dump

2011-07-18T16:52:00.000+01:00

"This story is about a girl faced with an age-old dilemma - her soul is the current battlefield of an epic war, with her head and heart on opposing sides. The girl knows that the only way to win a war and regain her territory, her soul, is through the rational use of logic and strategy. But her passion renders her irrational at the most crucial of times; hence presenting her with the problem. Emotions complicate logic, and they get you hurt. Do you see the poor girl’s predicament?
Oh okay I admit it, it’s me. I am the crazed wreck and this story is about me; it's all about me..." READ MORE

(The Break-up Project) Foreword: A bit about me

2011-07-18T16:50:00.000+01:00

"I guess I should tell you a bit about me, so that you can at least have some idea of the person whose story you are following here. When it comes to defining yourself to complete strangers, the best way to go about it is to be honest, but positive. In other words vague and general. No point in scaring you off immediately right? If I were at one of those speed-dating things; not that I would ever stoop to that level of desperation, but if I had to introduce myself to a prospective partner in two minutes, I might say: “Hi! I’m bla bla, I’m 26, I’m a writer. I love to go out; restaurants, bars, dinner parties. I’m just here looking to meet interesting people…” and so it would go on.

It all sounds very nice and promising, but it’s not an accurate state of affairs, is it; in fact its completely useless waffle. I am sure that if every person at these sorts of places were accurate, the whole ordeal would be an utter disaster. You would have people admitting to the fact that they’re actually stuck in dead-end jobs, depressed, just been dumped or not been laid in six years!" READ MORE

Myslexia Novel Competition 2011: The Break-up project

2011-07-18T15:04:00.000+01:00

I have decided to dig out my old blog-to-book project (The Diary Girl) and begin re-drafting the first book (The Break-up Project) ready to enter into the Myslexia Novel Competition. The competition deadline is September 30th 2011, which gives me just over two months to get the manuscript up to scratch. Its a good motivational incentive. I don't expect to win, but the deadline will give me the motivation to structure my re-drafting and get it completed. At least by the end of September then I will hopefully have my manuscript finished and ready for submitting to agents. It'll be a relief if anything.

I'm posting chapter re-drafts up on the blog, so you are welcome to follow the progress and support me with comments, suggestions, questions.

Anyway, wish me luck :)

GO TO... The Break-up project