My post for X was going to be the rock band Extreme, who I listened to almost on a constant loop, when I was writing my first submitted novel (submitted, but probably never to be published). However, YouTube didn't want to share their best stuff, just the easy listening selection, so I bottled it - I didn't want you to think I had bad musical taste!
So this post is about the other stuff that inspires me, the eXtras! (Hubby is disappointed I haven't used xylophone or xenophobia, but I hope you're more forgiving.)
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My Manchester City mug! I like football and this is my team! (Just so you know, it's only first on this list because it's the first picture, not because it rates higher than my kids!)
My fountain pen, given to me by my uncle for my 21st birthday. I promised myself I'd only use it to sign my first published book. However, I was young and stupid and didn't realise how long it would take to have a book published (or that when I finally did, it would be an ebook with no cover to sign) - so a couple of years ago I started using it to write my first drafts, and I'm sure it adds something very special to my work.
Pretty notebooks - I've always been addicted to stationery shops. I love looking at notebooks, folders, pens, files! The notebook in this picture was a present from my son for my birthday last year. I'm waiting for ideas before I use it - I don't want to waste it - I want this to be the notebook that I compose my Booker winner in :-)
And Hubby. I wrote a post about him here, so I won't repeat myself. If you're interested, I'd be delighted for you to read it. Here's a gratutious link to his blog - he's a musician, by the way: Peter Crawford.
I love notebooks too - I can;t resist them!
ReplyDeleteYour hubby has a wonderful voice, I will listen to more of his music later when I have more time!
Thanks Kyra - I'll pass that on to him :-)
Deletethe xtras are the best part! yes, we writers love the office depot, the smell of fresh paper, waiting for us to make it famous!
ReplyDeleteI have to be dragged away sometimes!
DeleteI always say I would rather wander a stationery store than a shoe store any day. :)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who went shopping for shoes yesterday and came back with no shoes, I completely agree!
DeleteYes, those eXtra little things always get me:)
ReplyDeleteI think other people (the ones that don't write) call it having a life :-)
DeleteOf course the mug isn't the most special...you saved the best two for last!
ReplyDeleteAnd, knuckle bump, I LOVE pretty notebooks! I keep one in my purse at all times. It has my grocery list right next to fabulous going to earn me millions of dollars one day plot ideas.
Don't get the two muddled up, or you'll have a million dollar shopping list :-)
DeleteCool extras! But over Extreme? Over Get the Funk Out????
ReplyDeleteThe only ones I could get to work were 'When I First Kissed You' and 'Song for Love' - while I love the whole CD, those two don't shout Rock Chick, do they? :-)
DeleteOh my gosh, stationary! I'm such a freak, but yes I love love love neat notebooks and crazy paper.
ReplyDeleteYou're not a freak, you're apparently in very good company! This post has gone stationery mad :-)
DeleteI'm also addicted to notebooks and pens. Love learning about your extras...a great idea for today.
ReplyDeleteThanks M.J. X was difficult within my theme - I might have to write my own story beginning with X!
DeleteMan City!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBLUE MOON!!! You saw me standing alone....
DeleteNail-biting Monday night ahead...
I love wandering around stationery stores. We have a small independent one locally which is like an Aladdin's Cave.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful. I have to make do with chains where I live.
DeleteI was going to do extras for my post. I love notebooks and stationary. I got a really special one in Turkey it's gorgeous but I'm scared to write on it the paper is the same kind used in translations of the bible.
ReplyDeleteI used to have that same first page feeling about schoolbooks. But your Turkish one does sound too wonderful to write on.
DeleteDespite the fact that I do all my writing on a computer. I prefer to brainstorm with pen and a great journal, because it is so much more inspiring. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI was once given a tip for writers block, which also works with brain-storming. Use your other hand to write with - the theory is your brain is so busy trying to form the letters that the creative part is left to do it's thing without the logical side interfering... or something like that - I've probably made it sound more complicated.
DeleteI've done it though, and it worked. A whole new side to the story appeared!
I love notebooks, too. I keep a journal for each project. Right now they're threatening to block my view of my monitor ... :-O
ReplyDeleteCool that your husband is a musician.
It is cool, apart from the fact that I spend a lot of time at home with the kids while he's out at gigs...
DeleteI have my notebooks balanced procariously on a shelf.
Glad you broke out the fountain pen.
ReplyDeleteI am too. It's too beautiful not to use!
DeleteSorry it's taken me so long to finally come by to see you. Thanks for the extras.
ReplyDeleteNo worries - you must have had a lot of extra traffic after being highlighted on Alex's blog!
DeleteHi Annalisa .. great post and glad you're using your Xspecial pen .. now your notebook - looking forward to your name on that XBooker list .. KidX, HusbandX - just the first X in your life .. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late reply, Hilary, your comments always end up in my spam!
DeleteYou used a lot more Xs here than I did in my post! Well done :-)
No worries, Annalisa - I did Xenophobia for you! Besitos, as they say here - they don't recognize our abbreviation of XXX for kisses.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lizy! Although "I did xenophobia for you" is the strangest thing I've heard today :-)
DeleteI love stationery shops, too! I can't decide if I like them or bath goods shops, more. I love sniffing soaps and candles, but I can't resist a quirky little set of impeccably-designed notecards. Well, I mean I can ...
ReplyDeleteI loved those fruit smelling erasers and pens you could buy in the 80s - the best of both worlds!
DeleteI wouldn't call this a cheat. Not even close! :)
ReplyDeleteNo, it could have been worse :-)
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