LEARNING
There is so much in life to learn, that there is no way that anyone studying a particular subject could ever conclude that he or she has learnt it all. Far more those who are novices at the subject.
I for one have spent life learning new subjects all of my life, scratching the surface of some new and interesting topic. That makes me jack of many trades and master of none. A complete novice at most things I do. But one thing is for sure, I realise that life has a lot to offer, and I feel therefore that I must learn, and never stop learning. I am humbled every day at the deficiencies in my own knowledge, which in total is not even a pinprick in the universe of knowledge, and certainly not visible to the eye. I could never boast that I am an expert in anything. But I enjoy the process of learning.
I also realise that those who really do know, are the humblest amongst us, and are the ones who relentlessly pursue new research projects, mostly primary research, endeavouring to discover something new. Something that has a chance of being useful to mankind.
I just watched a programme on Channel 4 where Alan Buckley, the archaeological chemist, recently mummified the Torquay taxi driver who donated his body for medical and scientific research. Buckley has been researching the subject for eight years and this gave him the opportunity to try out his theories on a human. Mummifying as the ancient Egyptians did was a secret. No record or writings are found, which tells anything about what methods, chemicals or other substances they used in the process.
The programme was fascinating!
About Me
- Marilyn Rodwell
- The Wedding Drums - my novel set in an early 20C village in Trinidad is almost here. Two young girls, Amina and Sumati plot to escape their arranged marriages and plan to live life following their own dreams. But Sumati falls in love and runs away, putting Amina's plans in jeopardy. Neither of them bank on what is in store for them. Soon they face the adult world of scheming men, corruption, prostitution and violence, and life in the village will never be the same again.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Saturday, 24 September 2011
RED BALLOON LEARNER CENTRES
http://www.redballoonlearner.org.uk
I have decided to give some of my time to a very charitable cause.
Red Balloon Learner Centres, rescue severely bullied children who have removed themselves from mainstream school, because they can no longer cope.
Red Balloon Centres provide a safe leaning environment with specialist teachers, so that these children can study until they are ready to return to main stream school, take exams, or get a job.
The founder of Red Balloon Learner Centres set up the first school in her home in Cambridge fifteen years ago. There are six centres open at present in the UK.
Red Balloon is the only organisation in the UK to actually provide a academic tuition for the GCSE and A Level syllabus and exams, as well as counselling.
My time is spent in a most interesting way, and for a very useful cause.
I am involved in raising awareness of this Charity, but also involved with fundraising for this brilliant cause.
For more details and to donate - www.redballoonlearner.org.uk
I have decided to give some of my time to a very charitable cause.
Red Balloon Learner Centres, rescue severely bullied children who have removed themselves from mainstream school, because they can no longer cope.
Red Balloon Centres provide a safe leaning environment with specialist teachers, so that these children can study until they are ready to return to main stream school, take exams, or get a job.
The founder of Red Balloon Learner Centres set up the first school in her home in Cambridge fifteen years ago. There are six centres open at present in the UK.
Red Balloon is the only organisation in the UK to actually provide a academic tuition for the GCSE and A Level syllabus and exams, as well as counselling.
My time is spent in a most interesting way, and for a very useful cause.
I am involved in raising awareness of this Charity, but also involved with fundraising for this brilliant cause.
For more details and to donate - www.redballoonlearner.org.uk
Saturday, 10 September 2011
The New Novel
Since my return from Trinidad and Tobago I have got 1/3 of the new novel finished. To date, 27,483 words. All these are new words and do not belong to the start of the previous novel God of the Cocoa.
This WIP is called Granville Girl, or maybe, The Jeweller's Daughter.
I'll have to see as time goes on....
It is about the dilemma of a devoted mother who is torn between traditional practices and modern ways of thinking. It is modern - 1919! Why does a mother arrange a marriage for her 10 year old daughter? It goes against all wants for her daughter, and she knows that she is breaking an understanding between them both. Why has she done it? And will it come to pass?
It is about arranged marriage vs education.
It is about new opportunities, or old traditions.
It is about the diversity of religion - Hindu practices and Christian teachings.
It is about similarities in religion, and freedom of the individual.
It is about childhood and innocence.
It is about broken promises.
It is about the bond between mother and daughter.
It is about the power of pride and shame in a family.
It is about truth and honesty.
It is about lying for a good reason.
It is about immaturity and innocence.
It is about abuse of vulnerable young people.
It is about growing to understand - maturity.
It is about the process of taking responsibility.
It is about knowing when bad can be good, and good can be bad.
It is about making the biggest decision of your life.
It is about friendships.
This WIP is called Granville Girl, or maybe, The Jeweller's Daughter.
I'll have to see as time goes on....
It is about the dilemma of a devoted mother who is torn between traditional practices and modern ways of thinking. It is modern - 1919! Why does a mother arrange a marriage for her 10 year old daughter? It goes against all wants for her daughter, and she knows that she is breaking an understanding between them both. Why has she done it? And will it come to pass?
It is about arranged marriage vs education.
It is about new opportunities, or old traditions.
It is about the diversity of religion - Hindu practices and Christian teachings.
It is about similarities in religion, and freedom of the individual.
It is about childhood and innocence.
It is about broken promises.
It is about the bond between mother and daughter.
It is about the power of pride and shame in a family.
It is about truth and honesty.
It is about lying for a good reason.
It is about immaturity and innocence.
It is about abuse of vulnerable young people.
It is about growing to understand - maturity.
It is about the process of taking responsibility.
It is about knowing when bad can be good, and good can be bad.
It is about making the biggest decision of your life.
It is about friendships.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Deadlines
Deadlines are a really good idea. You might have one already imposed on you by an outside body, like dates for entry to competitions.
But self imposed deadlines are also effective. However, they should be realistic, otherwise they might not be achievable. They should be there to motivate you to reach the goal post, achieving the target, or at least close enough to the target.
A Birthday is a good deadline. If you have an important birthday, that can be a huge motivation to finish a piece of work by that time. But any birthday, yours or a close family member's birthday can also have a similar motivating effect.
My first attempt to write a novel, was completed within 13 months of a big birthday. At least I got the 120,000 words down. That was an achievement all by itself.
But self imposed deadlines are also effective. However, they should be realistic, otherwise they might not be achievable. They should be there to motivate you to reach the goal post, achieving the target, or at least close enough to the target.
A Birthday is a good deadline. If you have an important birthday, that can be a huge motivation to finish a piece of work by that time. But any birthday, yours or a close family member's birthday can also have a similar motivating effect.
My first attempt to write a novel, was completed within 13 months of a big birthday. At least I got the 120,000 words down. That was an achievement all by itself.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
ONWARDS
Since my post in June, I apologise for not writing my blog till now. However, I have steadily worked on what I call ...my original novel God of the Cocoa. But it has strayed!!
Really what has happened is odd. I planned it out ... a new story. I plotted it out on A3 sketch paper. Then I decided to change my style a little after reading two novels which were similar in many ways. But I really loved them. They both used small detail to draw in the reader, and I became hooked into their world...both times.
Those two novels are:
Jamaica Inn, by Daphne du Maurier
Before the Earthquake, by Maria Ellen (a debut author)
I started my own writing, and the characters took over AGAIN. So I lost my plan!!
New things have happened. I have introduced some new characters. I have written 21,000 words of that novel, and apart from some of the familiar names, the story has changed. It could still work, but not really as God of the Cocoa. That is another story. This new story is another part of the same series of Cocoa novels. Starting earlier in the life of Latchmin, my Main Character.
I am thinking that I should change the title to Granville Girl. What do you think?
I'm not sure yet, but this new title seems to be taking root in my head.
Well, the characters have beaten me again.
I still can't plot and stick to it!
But, I've got quarter of the novel done in in 6 weeks, after being stuck for weeks. And that is with some pretty slow writing. I rarely get 1,000 words a day done, because I am editing hard in order to put it up on Authonomy as I go along.
That's it! I will continue, because I have a different deadline to meet by the last week in August.
Bye for now.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Marilyn x
Really what has happened is odd. I planned it out ... a new story. I plotted it out on A3 sketch paper. Then I decided to change my style a little after reading two novels which were similar in many ways. But I really loved them. They both used small detail to draw in the reader, and I became hooked into their world...both times.
Those two novels are:
Jamaica Inn, by Daphne du Maurier
Before the Earthquake, by Maria Ellen (a debut author)
I started my own writing, and the characters took over AGAIN. So I lost my plan!!
New things have happened. I have introduced some new characters. I have written 21,000 words of that novel, and apart from some of the familiar names, the story has changed. It could still work, but not really as God of the Cocoa. That is another story. This new story is another part of the same series of Cocoa novels. Starting earlier in the life of Latchmin, my Main Character.
I am thinking that I should change the title to Granville Girl. What do you think?
I'm not sure yet, but this new title seems to be taking root in my head.
Well, the characters have beaten me again.
I still can't plot and stick to it!
But, I've got quarter of the novel done in in 6 weeks, after being stuck for weeks. And that is with some pretty slow writing. I rarely get 1,000 words a day done, because I am editing hard in order to put it up on Authonomy as I go along.
That's it! I will continue, because I have a different deadline to meet by the last week in August.
Bye for now.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Marilyn x
Sunday, 19 June 2011
STUCK
BEING STUCK as a writer is no fun. I will not be beaten though. There are many ways to overcome writer's block, but I've heard it doesn't exist! And here's why.....
All you have to do is keep writing!
Anything.
What I did recently was start a different writing project. I thought I could do a Young Adult novel quickly, if I do 2,000 words a day. This is what happened. I started well. I managed approx 2,000- 2,500 a day ....That lasted only a few days, before I ran out of steam. I have about 11,000 words of that done.
But I have already had 2 other projects on the go:
1. Deep in the Cocoa, to be edited ....again
2. A new version of God in the Cocoa, a prequel to the above.
So that I don't have to decide each day what to work on, I decided to work on one project for a full week. So every project would come round again every 3 weeks. OK!
That was working out fine.
I got bored again :(
I thought I might start something entirely new ...a Romantic Novel :))
That lasted for 2 weeks, and I have 15,000 words on that.
Now I have a total of 4 projects on the go properly. That is apart from all the ideas that I write down every day.
This week however, I have returned to one of my original projects, God of the Cocoa. I have planned, and replotted this version. It is totally new, and I am very excited. I am now working more-or-less to a planned plot. More or less!
I do find though that it is so easy for me to go off course...But it isn't my fault. It is the characters that take me wandering, I get friendly, and go along with them. Are they right, I wonder? Let's find out. And before long, I've added a few friends, because Latchmin, aged 11, was lonely.
But I have to ask myself the question, before I've wasted too much time writing their story. Shall I keep this, or delete it? Inevitably, I keep it, somewhere, because I might need it....sometime.
All you have to do is keep writing!
Anything.
What I did recently was start a different writing project. I thought I could do a Young Adult novel quickly, if I do 2,000 words a day. This is what happened. I started well. I managed approx 2,000- 2,500 a day ....That lasted only a few days, before I ran out of steam. I have about 11,000 words of that done.
But I have already had 2 other projects on the go:
1. Deep in the Cocoa, to be edited ....again
2. A new version of God in the Cocoa, a prequel to the above.
So that I don't have to decide each day what to work on, I decided to work on one project for a full week. So every project would come round again every 3 weeks. OK!
That was working out fine.
I got bored again :(
I thought I might start something entirely new ...a Romantic Novel :))
That lasted for 2 weeks, and I have 15,000 words on that.
Now I have a total of 4 projects on the go properly. That is apart from all the ideas that I write down every day.
This week however, I have returned to one of my original projects, God of the Cocoa. I have planned, and replotted this version. It is totally new, and I am very excited. I am now working more-or-less to a planned plot. More or less!
I do find though that it is so easy for me to go off course...But it isn't my fault. It is the characters that take me wandering, I get friendly, and go along with them. Are they right, I wonder? Let's find out. And before long, I've added a few friends, because Latchmin, aged 11, was lonely.
But I have to ask myself the question, before I've wasted too much time writing their story. Shall I keep this, or delete it? Inevitably, I keep it, somewhere, because I might need it....sometime.
Friday, 13 May 2011
3 WEEKS AWAY FROM MY DESK!!!
Holiday and Research in Trinidad and Tobago
I flew with Virgin Atlantic to the beautiful and unspoilt island of Tobago, and reunited with the island, family and friends for a week. With me was my 13 year old - daughter and assistant. (She had this title from the day I booked her on the flight, so that she had enough time to come to terms with my expectations of her. There is no such thing as a free holiday!)
We started our 3 weeks away in style, sunning ourselves in Scarborough, touring the island, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Turtle Beach, Store Bay, and Pigeon Point. The food was to die for, and our taste buds titillated every day with curried crab and dumplings, cassava, dasheen and yams, Tobago style stew chicken, pigeon peas and rice, curry goat, chicken an beef, with roti.
Tobago is still very picturesque and unspoilt, but we had to leave for Trinidad after the first 7 days, where the research was waiting for me.Trinidad is the older sister of the two islands, the wealthy, industrial island, where the my books God of the Cocoa and Deep in the Cocoa were set.
The main reason for this trip was to do some face to face primary research in Trinidad, for the Cocoa Trilogy.
The trip was successfully, thanks to all those who helped. But I also wanted to get in some personal connections into my schedule, like meet up with old friends and long lost family, including the ones I had never met. And it happened! I managed to get friends and family also involved in my pursuit for finding people who didn't mind being interviewed.
They all did beautifully and I was busy from morning till night for 9 days, travelling up and down the island visiting places like The Temple in the Sea(left); a 93 year spritely old man with Carib, Indian, and Venezuelian heritage; The Murti in Waterloo (below), The Hindu Museum; and other interesting places and people. Although there was a lot more to do, I didn't have time.
It came as a relief to return to Tobago. We spent the next 6 days relaxing and reconnecting with family and enjoying the sun, sea, and waves breaking on the fine coral white sand. We took a trip out into the ocean in a glass bottomed boat to swim amongst the fish in the Coral Gardens, Buccou Reef, and the Nylon Pool miles out in the ocean. It was a sad day to have to leave, and I miss it every day so far.
I huge THANK YOU, TO ALL WHO HELPED ME WHILST OVER IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - ACADEMICS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, FRIEND OF FAMILIES, FAMILIES OF FRIENDS, INTERVIEWEES AND COMPLETE STRANGERS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME.
I flew with Virgin Atlantic to the beautiful and unspoilt island of Tobago, and reunited with the island, family and friends for a week. With me was my 13 year old - daughter and assistant. (She had this title from the day I booked her on the flight, so that she had enough time to come to terms with my expectations of her. There is no such thing as a free holiday!)
We started our 3 weeks away in style, sunning ourselves in Scarborough, touring the island, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Turtle Beach, Store Bay, and Pigeon Point. The food was to die for, and our taste buds titillated every day with curried crab and dumplings, cassava, dasheen and yams, Tobago style stew chicken, pigeon peas and rice, curry goat, chicken an beef, with roti.
Tobago is still very picturesque and unspoilt, but we had to leave for Trinidad after the first 7 days, where the research was waiting for me.Trinidad is the older sister of the two islands, the wealthy, industrial island, where the my books God of the Cocoa and Deep in the Cocoa were set.
The main reason for this trip was to do some face to face primary research in Trinidad, for the Cocoa Trilogy.
The trip was successfully, thanks to all those who helped. But I also wanted to get in some personal connections into my schedule, like meet up with old friends and long lost family, including the ones I had never met. And it happened! I managed to get friends and family also involved in my pursuit for finding people who didn't mind being interviewed.
They all did beautifully and I was busy from morning till night for 9 days, travelling up and down the island visiting places like The Temple in the Sea(left); a 93 year spritely old man with Carib, Indian, and Venezuelian heritage; The Murti in Waterloo (below), The Hindu Museum; and other interesting places and people. Although there was a lot more to do, I didn't have time.
It came as a relief to return to Tobago. We spent the next 6 days relaxing and reconnecting with family and enjoying the sun, sea, and waves breaking on the fine coral white sand. We took a trip out into the ocean in a glass bottomed boat to swim amongst the fish in the Coral Gardens, Buccou Reef, and the Nylon Pool miles out in the ocean. It was a sad day to have to leave, and I miss it every day so far.
I huge THANK YOU, TO ALL WHO HELPED ME WHILST OVER IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - ACADEMICS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, FRIEND OF FAMILIES, FAMILIES OF FRIENDS, INTERVIEWEES AND COMPLETE STRANGERS WHO VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)