Rob in España

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-24T10:49:00.001+01:00

New Blog - Platinum Page

2009-12-19T12:46:00.000+01:00

A new blog has hit the net - Platinum Page

This is going to be a new magazine for creative writing - launching in 2010

Vivienne describes herself as owner, editor and dogsbody - well good luck to you and thanks for choosing my story for the 2nd edition.

Check out the blog and leave Vivienne a comment, she deserves all the support she can get.

Platinum Page

2009-12-15T11:32:00.001+01:00

Writing can be a funny old world in which to reside. Some projects take months whilst others happen overnight.

I spotted a call for fiction submissions for a new magazine - Platinum Page so I reviewed some of my previously written but unpublished short stories selected my favourite 'Digging for Victory' and emailed it off to the editor.

Having had a bad day yesterday with the death of one of my best friends, this morning a smile returned to read that the story had been accepted and will be published in this new magazine which launches next year.

I have written a short obituary for my friend which will be published on Friday in the local paper. RIP Graham, a talented singer.

Another new role for 2010

2009-12-13T20:57:00.001+01:00

Somehow I sort of volunteered to get more involved with The Inland Magazine blog site and managed to get myself promoted to the dizzy heights of administrator.

I don't really like that rather boring sounding word so I have decided to call myself The TIM blog zester - why? well why not given the definition of zest:

1. keen relish; hearty enjoyment; gusto.

2. an agreeable or piquant flavour imparted to something.

3. anything added to impart flavour, enhance one's appreciation, etc.

4. piquancy; interest; charm.

5. liveliness or energy; animating sprit

I am busy working on a relaunch plan with invited bloggers of international repute. More to follow...

The photo? - you try finding a photo of zest (so this is relish, piquancy,.....)

Survived Benidorm (Just)

2009-12-10T18:47:00.000+01:00

Just to let all the blog readers out there that I have in fact survived and returned from the land known as Benidorm.

The short trip has in fact, I think, generated enough material for 2 articles - which will appear in 2010 when all will be revealed, working titles:

SAGA LOUTS IN BENIDORM

GOING BONKERS IN BENIDORM

on another note I have been co-working on the Writers Abroad group Ning site which will shortly be released on the unsuspecting world - more to follow.

It's Tough at the Bottom

2009-12-07T16:52:00.000+01:00

Being a 'super sleuth' (stop laughing, and see earlier blog) investigative journalist means having to undertake arduous journeys, living rough, risking all to get the story.

Fortunately as none of that applies to me I am off to Benidorm (stop laughing) for a few days to investigate other peoples claims of 'The old town is nice'

So armed with my sharpened pencil, notebook (Moleskine naturally) and digital camera (Nikon naturally) I am off to see these wonders for myself, accompanied by a trust sidekick (AKA - TJ)

The full unexpurgated version will appear (I am now joking) in The Inland Magazine in due course, or if things get really juicy front page of The Sun. Best to watch this space.

New Writing Buddy

2009-12-03T17:18:00.002+01:00

My regular observant readers will remember me alluding to my new writing buddy the other blog.

Our paths crossed rather literally on the Alicante mountains during my recent expedition.

Whilst we jointly suffered the ups and downs of mountain walking we shared our common interest of writing.

However this buddy whom we will call JB (nothing to do with whisky) is of a rather different genre to yours truly - that of Script Writing.

I listened with interest and a degree of awe (Put more awe in it John. "Or am I truly the son of God." Thanks Duke) as he explained his script and its technical intricacies.

Well we have been emailing on a variety of literary topics and this week he sent me his synopsis for my review.

To which I felt honored and even more pleased when he replied to my comments that I had provided a lot of very useful feedback.

Next time you settle down to watch a TV comedy drama, spare a thought for the poor scrip writer because I now know how much blood, sweat and re-writes has gone into it.

Keep the Oro flowing JB!

The Inland Magazine (TIM) December

2009-12-01T13:20:00.000+01:00

TIM December edition publishes my

(Available online from link above)

Rob's Bits and Bobs - Christmas Special (Pg 46) a humorous look at a few recent news items.

'The Coming of the Spanish Mother in Law' (Pg 40) a true life little story about my Spanish 'suegra' and I apologise about the illustration - none of my doing I assure you!

and a filler - 'Do You Remember When' a quiz based on historical news items (Pg14)

Also look out for a picture of Horace Greasley with a recent TIM competition winner

Super Sleuth ?

2009-11-25T17:34:00.001+01:00

Enjoying a cup of coffee whilst sitting in the shade, yes the sun was shining, and perusing the local paper I was surprised to see my name in TJ Miles 'Splash of Colour' column:

Lastly we go even further north, all thanks to super sleuth journalist Rob Innis.........

I had mentioned a display of Rodin, including the world famous 'The Thinker' in Valencia which TJ had included in his weekly Coastrider newspaper slot.

So thanks for the mention TJ, (photo by yours truly of TJ at one of his recent exhibitions) glad to be of service.

The (as yet) Unamed Int. Writers Circle

2009-11-20T20:18:00.000+01:00

Wow have we been busy since our Windows Messenger online conference, Mary in Oz missed out as her internet cables got too hot (incredible but true)

Susan (in the USA) is busy on final proof reads for her book and is involved with the publishing changes frenzy stateside, Jill (France) has a story in My Weekly about to appear, and everybody is sub-ing stories for critique and we have shared a mixed bag of WB experiences.........

Our leader has started the weekend (in Italy) with G and T's (I have always liked Italy) and my input amongst such distinguished company ?

Rob, thanks for all the links and information – you are a great resource!

I will settle for that - have a great weekend - wherever you are

Kindle - Wireless Reading Device

2009-11-18T18:52:00.000+01:00

Today was my Torrevieja Writers Circle, TWC, meeting - apart from a varied selection of members contributions, poetry, fiction and a hilarious spoof piece based on 'Deal or No Deal' featuring a teddy bear the subject of Kindle was also discussed by some of us.

If you would like to know more about this electronic device for reading books check out the video which I posted on the TWC blog

Print On Demand - POD

2009-11-15T18:29:00.001+01:00

Print On Demand, POD, means literally that - you want a book then it will be printed for you as soon as you confirm your order. This means no huge stocks of books sitting around in warehouses waiting for the orders to roll in, or not, but instead a system designed to fulfill customer orders the minute they press the button to buy online.

The machines are also be being installed at 'Point of Sale' in various shops so you can see your book being printed just for you!

Here is a video of how it works:

The New Writer Magazine

2009-11-14T12:19:00.000+01:00

When I received an email from a member of TWC telling me that I appeared in the magazine 'The New Writer' I was rather confused. Why? Because I had not made any submissions to that magazine.

My writing circle, TWC, subscribes to the magazine so when I attended the next meeting I looked and sure enough there I was in print - courtesy of my writing associate Simon Whaley who had contributed an article regarding Writers Circles blogs.

He had asked me some time ago to send him some details of how I had setup the blog for our writers circle - which I did and which he had used as research for his article.

So now I have been in a magazine without making a submission - famous? well maybe for 15 minutes in the Andy Warhol tradition.

International Conferencing Writers Circle

2009-11-10T09:05:00.001+01:00

Noticing a piece in the Writers News concerning an Expats Writers Circle for writers living abroad I emailed Jo Lamb, the organiser, and was delighted to be invited to join a dedicated circle of writers living in the far flung corners of the world including Australia, USA, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Bangkok, Belgium and the UK.

Many of whom have been published (including The Oldie, incredible!) and competition winners.

Apart from emailing they also hold online meetings in which I will be participating this weekend.

The world of writing continues to shrink!

A Blog about....Blogs

2009-11-06T16:46:00.003+01:00

My blogs on this blog - 'Rob in Espana' are mainly connected to my writing activities and those of my writing buddies and associates.

Many peoples blogs are witty anecdotal blogs concerning a particular topic close to their heart, they are usually entertaining, informative and sometimes worth a comment or two...

So today I thought I would blog here about my other blogs (confused, I promise this gets easier to follow)
therefore here are some extracts from my other blogs (the witty, anecdotal ones)

How to cause a Queue with 21,80€

I got fed up with carrying my small change around in my pocket. Because it regularly fell out, down into the gaps around my cars handbrake. Convincing me, that one day, it would cause the hand brake to fail leaving me rolling backwards down a hill in a panic.......(For more click on the title)

CRISIS OF ANOTHER KIND

Ever had one of those days when you just want to scream? The nervous breakdown is but one small incident away and you just want to time switch yourself into a different world – No? Well where do you live?

I was preparing our villa for a 2^nd viewing, yes really, in this market unbelievable – but true!
(For more click on the title)

Lucky I was Hungry

If I shared with you that I have just spent an entertaining hour in the local butchers (carniceria) you would probably think - now he really has lost it. But to understand why spending an hour in the butchers really can be a good crack you have to appreciate the facilities in [...]
(You've guessed it)

Anyway just thought I would mention my 'other' blogs....enjoy.

Great article on this millenium but oh dear

2009-11-04T15:12:00.000+01:00

As I have blogged before writers love to receive feedback from their readers. So today via The Inland Magazine editor I received the following email from Ann P. regarding my article 'They Think It's All Over It (Nearly) Is Now' published in the November edition:

Email subject as per the title of this blog -

really enjoyed your reminder of all the things that have happened since 2000.

but what happened to a mention of the terrible bombings in London amid the joy of announcing the Olympics.
never mind cant expect you to remember everything I suppose.
keep up the great work.
regards Ann P.

Thanks for reading the article Ann and yes you are right perhaps these events should have been included.

Happy 5th Birthday The Inland Magazine

2009-10-30T14:29:00.001+01:00

I have just read the editorial in the November The Inland Magazine, I could not believe it was TIM's birthday again so soon.

In this edition my article:

They Think It's All Over It (Nearly) Is Now

reviews the events of the first decade of the 21st century - which seems to be drawing to a rapid close without a whisper:

Given everyone’s obsession with financial downturn and the value of their house, the end of the first decade of the 21^st century has crept up on us with hardly a whisper.

Don’t you think it is incredible? It only seems like a few weeks ago we were knee deep in Millennium this and Millennium that – remember the hyped threat that the world was going to end because of the computer bugs surrounding the date change? So here we are and the world has nearly ended, thanks to the banks overpaid directors mismanagement of our capitalist society, bombs and natural disasters, but the good old microchip did not let us down.

Further on in the magazine my regular feature - Life on The Coast takes a look at the local salt industry, illustrated with some of my photos.

I wonder what TIMs 6th year will bring as we enter the 2nd decade?

I am now published on Expatify

2009-10-29T10:26:00.000+01:00

My article entitled:

10 Things You Didn't Know About Spain - Until You Lived Here

has now been published on the online site - Expatify, an interesting site with information about Spain, including blogs etc, and many other countries.

I will be offering more of my work in the future.

Freelance Market News

2009-10-27T18:33:00.001+01:00

The November FMN (published by the Writers Bureau) has just appeared and carries my letter regarding having a writing buddy - someone to turn too when you want to scream or celebrate.

Writing can be a frustrating lonely occupation. Trying to manipulate those words into a coherent sentence to express what is in your head but reluctant to appear on the screen.

I am lucky to have a writing buddy and may even have met a 2nd one. If you are a writer be on the look out for a buddy - someone to confide in, spark ideas around and of course share those publishing successes with!

Think about joining a writing circle or if you are in Southampton area I know you will be made welcome at Penny Legg's Writing Buddies group.

Be brave, share your work with others - we all need constructive feedback.

Best of My Blogs

2009-10-25T14:44:00.002+01:00

On Spain - Are here.........

Also here

Facebook

2009-10-22T17:46:00.000+02:00

Regular readers of my blog are probably wondering how Rod Stewart (yes he is still going) slipped into the blog last time.

Well I was surfing around and ended up clicking on an invitation to hear some sound clips from Rod's latest CD - and that click lead me to Facebook.

I had been resisting joining yet another web service but to hear the music (surprise surprise) you had to register and so I became a Facebooker (?) and actually made contact with a cousin and some long lost friends.

And yes I ordered the CD (through play.com, great site for books, CDs etc etc) so thanks Rod for getting me into another new technology stream....

Rod Stewart

2009-10-20T09:20:00.001+02:00

Today something different!

Writers Bureau

2009-10-17T09:11:00.000+02:00

Having returned from my adventures in the Alicante mountains it is time once again to focus on the Writers Bureau students submissions for their magazine - Chapter and Verse.

Lots to read and edit. They were given a free choice of theme so it will no doubt be interesting to read their work.

The magazine is only published for Writers Bureau student access. If you are looking for a writing course, they offer many, why not have a look here.

Mountain Walking in Alicante

2009-10-09T13:03:00.000+02:00

Once again, it is time to disappear amongst the mountains of Alicante. To wander amongst the verdant hills alive with nature and aromas of wild herbs. The peace will come as a contrast to my normal environment with its sounds of city life going on around me. Children laughing and shouting at play, the next generation up screeching past on their noisy motor bikes, car alarms, ambulance and police sirens, exploding crackers on football match nights. Have Madrid scored again? Just count the crackers going off echoing around in only the way the acoustics of Spanish buildings permit.

Walking in the Las Muntanyas d'Alacant is a visually stimulating experience but seldom is it interrupted by other hikers, apart from you own small group. This suits me perfectly, although I enjoy the sociability of other walkers it is pleasant not to have to compete for a narrow path or be beaten to the best lunch spot by a deluge of opposing walking boot clad persons, like many of the UKs best walking trails.

Naturally, I shall be hoping for inspiration to strike me during this sojourn with nature. Some more articles or maybe fiction just might be encouraged to enter my brain as I attempt to keep up with my co-walkers. The other joy is to gather round the dinner table, appetite honed to perfection by the days exertion, and enjoy a Spanish meal in the company of others – exchanging stories and anecdotes, perhaps another source of a writing opportunities?

I hope you have a good week as well……….

PS If you are a walker - visit here:

http://www.mountainwalks.com/index.php

TWC and TJ Miles

2009-10-07T20:55:00.001+02:00

Wednesday is Torrevieja Writers Circle (TWC) meeting morning. We had a good turn out including a potential new member. Group members read a variety of work and I experimented with a book review on Ken Follett's 'A Dangerous Fortune' - more on the TWC blog

Being a typical blue sky sunny October day on the Costa Blanca I decided to share a lunch time tapa with TJ Miles, my painter associate, who also is a member of TWC. He has recently been exploring in China, Mongolia and Russia. Which he has been busy blogging on. He is currently busy with local exhibitions, if you are in this area check Procomobel (N332, Guardamar) and Torrevieja casino from this Saturday (see my Life on the Coast in TIM for more)

We discussed future plans, projects, ideas, dreams and generally let our imaginations run away with us whilst we sat overlooking the Med. in Torre de Horadada. I am lapsing into holiday mode as I am planning an adventure in the Alicante mountains next week........more to follow.