RobsWriting

For once in my life, I am mostly lost for words. As a writer, that doesn't come easily to me. Here in the U.K., my friends and I have been deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic event in Orlando and I wish you all much comfort at this difficult time. We have a great community here at G.A., one which I am proud to be a part of. I know that we will help each other through this. Wishing you all love and peace. My thoughts are with you all. Rob.

"Lost a planet, Obi Wan has. How embarrassing." - Yoda, Star Wars.

Can I suggest that he doesn't brand it under the Microsoft name?

Honestly, I tried to like it. I really tried. I approached it with an open mind and swore I would judge it on its own merits. But, once I had got over the ideas of sparkling vampires, vegetarian vampires (who only eat the blood of animals) and the shock of meeting Edward Cullen in general, it was Bella's incessant whining that really got under my skin and made me dislike it. On the other hand, the author has done a good job to create a character who makes the reader actually feel something about her characters. so in this respect, I have to admire her nonetheless. Now, if only Edward could renounce vegetarianism, Bella may just become a bit less whiny and a bit more wary of him.

I have three on the go at the moment: 1) The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson 2) 2061: Odessey Three - Arthur C Clarke 3) The Last Unicorn - Peter S Beagle.

"I am NOT going to be ordered around by a rock." - Aleksandr Orlov of the Compare The Market adverts shortly after having a threatening letter thrown through his window wrapped around a rock. Somehow it just cheers me up every time I hear it.

I absoloutely love the BBC's Merlin show (largely because of Bradley James... *cough* Sorry, I meant "fantasticly written script and talented acting", naturally). I was also a huge fan of Will and Grace and Queer as Folk (both versions). Going way back into my childhood, I loved "The Dreamstone", "The Worst Witch" (the 1980s version, not the 2000s version), and most of the Roald Dahl adaptations. In fact I think it was quality children's TV which got me hooked on reading and writing fantasy in the first place. I owe a lot to the brilliant imaginations which were shown in the '80s and '90s.

Without fail, I go swimming. Half an hour to an hour in the pool is enough to blast through whatever's got me down and make me feel like a new person. On the odd occasion when that fails, it at least leaves me too knackered to care about it for much longer before I fall asleep. The great thing is, I don't even have to work hard at it. Sometimes a leisurely half and hour is as effective as a 1km speedy swim.