I had to update my CV this week and then for one reason or another I had to create a writers CV as well. This stumped me. I mean, what does that even look like? I’d never written a CV just for my writing stuff before. What is it meant to include? Is it different from a normal CV? I gave it a bash and then decided I probably ought to do what I do best, and research. So here are the top tips I have gathered on creating your perfect writers CV. (more…)
I have tried on a number of occasions to set lots of objectives for the new year, and generally speaking failed, or taken two years to complete them!
However, I am going to set some resolutions anyway.
1. Read a book a month (trying to read more non-fiction)
2. Give £5 to charity every month. I actually started this in November, donating to Movember, and then to NaNoWriMo in December.
3. Finish a first draft of my novel
4. Spend more quality time with the wife and kid.
5. Get to my goal size… (this is the hardest, chocolate addiction is a hard one to break)
What are your New Years resolutions?
I am going to run a series of writing tips posts, and a series of writing inspiration posts. As an aspiring writer myself, I am constantly researching and reading other peoples blogs and tips, so I figured why not share the nuggets of wisdom I’ve found for all the other aspiring writers out there.
Scene Lists –
When drawing up your novel structure, something to think about is a scene list – akin to an outline – it helps to formalise the order and details of your scenes – in order. If you use a spreadsheet or table it also makes it super easy to rearrange them. Plus when you need to quickly remember your story – or certain aspects this sheet will provide an easy to read, easy to navigate summary for you.
Key things to include in your scene structure:
Theres a link here to nine famous authors scene charts.
One week. One week back in my cesspit hole of a job to feel myself start to tip off the side of sanity all over again.
I hate it. I hate my job so much it infects me. It putrefies my thoughts and tears tiny bits of my soul away, day by day. I can feel myself erupting on the inside over nothing. Something someone says, an insignificant remark makes my mind seethe and my blood burn with angry lust.
I am becoming scarred with bitter frustration.
I am broken.
I have a new boss, and he asked me this week after hearing my story if I had any fight left in me.
“you do don’t you… have fight left in you?” He asked me expectantly.
I just turned my head away. Biting back the tears.
” I don’t know”
And I really don’t know.
My old boss stole my confidence, and crushed my creativity.
” The thing is Sach…” He would say patronisingly.
“You got a big personality. You just need to be a bit less Sacha… you know?”
Cunt.
He hated me. He hated what I represented and made sure I knew it.
I am disgusted with myself that I could let a man beat me down and crush me the way he did, the way work has.
He left, but I have given up. I have nothing left, no fight, no drive, no ambition.
My entire being is bruise and I am exhausted.
I am Sacha, and I am beautiful, but, I am utterly broken.
There comes a time in life, when you are tired of thinking about your dreams, your sick of pondering about some far off future life you might have if only XY or Z happened. If only you could such and such.
Life’s too short.
So, I stopped bullshitting myself.
Only I can change my life, only I can do something about it. I need to stop waiting for something to happen, or waiting to be head hunted, or waiting to land on my feet. That doesn’t happen. You (I) need to open my own doors, and create my own opportunities, and that ain’t guna happen sat on my arse thinking about what I might or might not do.
If I am ever going to seriously finish this novel, or make any extra money, or have a creative job, or be a millionaire by the time I’m 35 I need to stop day dreaming, get off my slightly chubby backside and do something about it.
So I did.
I only took a tiny step, but it was a step nonetheless.
I have a studio.
It’s and office, come art studio, for all Sacha Black Creations. I am going to devote half of the space to my novel enterprise, and the other half to my art.
Its wonderful, and I cannot wait to get in there properly. To be honest, it’s probably a little more than I wanted to pay, but the space is bigger and I cannot complain, the light is fantastic, and the ‘feeling’ I got when entering was electric.
I went into another studio they had for rent, and I hated it, I was so disappointed and thought that I wasn’t going to find the right space, but then she told me that she had another space. It was more money but she had it if I wanted to look at it. So I did, and both the wife and I had massive grins as soon as we entered. You can just feel the creative juices oozing out of the walls. I am SO excited. It took me all of 2 seconds to decide. We both knew it was right instantly. That can only be but a good sign.
It’s 80 square foot. So about the length of my car both in width and length, as it is a square, and currently it is a square, and a total blank canvas…
*rolls up sleeves*
I will post photos of it as I decorate. But below are images of it as a shell… The person/dog in the photo is not me, its the owner of the studios… not that you can tell.
There are 11 artists in total, which is lovely because it means that I will have other artists to bounce off too if ever I hit writers/painters block.
Welcome to Sacha Black Creations… (I think thats a good company name… maybe I will call my company that!)
p.s. The studio is bigger than it looks in the photos, my camera phone hasn’t done it justice.
It’s about this time on a Monday when I usually start ranting about how shit it has been. Someone or other has pissed me off, something has gone horribly wrong, etc etc. In fact, I secretly love the fact so many ridiculous things happen to me. It gives me funny stories to tell and hopefully some good anecdotes for others to enjoy.
HOWEVER, I am dumbfounded to find that I have NOTHING negative to say!!
My heart bleeds!
I almost don’t know what to do with myself it has actually been an above average day!!!
Despite my usual Monday routine of: waking up, getting ready, passing out again fully clothed trying to scrape the last few minutes before leaving for work, cradling coffee the rest of the day went surprisingly well.
This is odd for me, firstly because I love a good moan, or rant. It saddens me that I have nothing to moan about! *at least I am honest!!*
Perhaps I should enjoy the moment!
Secondly because I have the worst luck with Mondays, they normally feature somewhere between diabolical and worst days of my life.
Anyway.
I am a trainee manager, and on a ‘scheme’ at work, and today I was given a budget for a project that will remain nameless because it is an extremely large national project that is running across all authorities. The fact that I will have some responsibility over a budget is fab, and also something I think, not many other grads have had the chance to do yet. Which considering I have my mid placement review tomorrow, is beyond excellent timing.
I have had some seriously good feedback about my role in this project too, which was also great, and a real boost to my confidence, particularly because I haven’t really enjoyed the work I have been doing.
Then, I decided that I wanted to shape my next placement. I do not want to be in the situation where I am not enjoying what I am doing. More to the point, because of my drive to be a millionaire in 10 years see other blog! (https://sachablack.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/this-time-next-year-rodney-well-be-millionaires/ )
I decided I want to look at property development. So I thought considering the company I work for has a huge portfolio I would try to get a placement in their property department. So I nudged a bit and prodded in the right direction and it’s looking promising to say the least!
This is a major win!
It is only 6pm… maybe I shouldn’t count my chickens just yet!!
OK, don’t laugh…. actually you probably will because this sounds ridiculous.
But, I have decided I am going to be a millionaire!!!
I have 10 years. By the time I am in my mid 30’s… I am going to be a millionaire.
I am sick of working for other people and not being pushed, or challenged. I have been miserable for a year because I hate the job I am doing. Well nothings going to change, unless I change it. Well here I am taking the first baby step… I have made a decision.
I am going to be a millionaire.
Now I am sure loads of people say this all the time. But I am beyond determined. I have reached another level of drive, another level of conviction, of perseverance and dedication.
I want out, and I want it now.
I honestly believe that half of getting what you want out of life is about your mental attitude. Positive mental attitude, and having the right mindset. I have always believed this and the only thing I have ever failed at is my driving licence.
I don’t know how I am going to do it yet, but thats not the point. It’s more about having a positive attitude, not letting anyones negativity push you down or make you feel useless or incapable. I have felt lost for so long, without a direction or goal, well now I have one. It’s not a firmed up or particularly descriptive goal, but it’s a goal, and why shouldn’t it be my goal?
The thing is, I actually believe I can do it as well! I know I am going to come up against I know people will laugh, but I will let them, and then I will show them.
I have another goal.
I want to live in New York.
I am done with the UK. I am done with shitty countrysides, with incestuous villages where everyone knows everyone else’s business and slow boring lifestyles. More importantly I am done with uneducated close minded people. Don’t get me wrong, I know you get that everywhere, but I am done with the UK.
In 10 years, I will be sipping cocktails at lunch with the girls in a bar a few blocks away from my Manhattan town house, with a summer house in LA, wearing my Jimmy Choos, Trim and muscly, married to my beautiful wife, and working hard.
Is this too much?
I don’t think I care. I am going to work on it anyway.
You only live once.
Heres to new beginnings.
Sacha Black 