Were you, or even are you, a fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five? If so, you might be interested in the this news clip announcing that the series is now going to be updated into a television series.

As somebody who grew up reading almost all of Enid Blyton’s books and having passed many of them on to my children, the news makes me excited and nervous. Yes it will be great to have the Famous Five immortalised in yet another technology, but, since I’m not convinced that our children find the stories as gripping as we did, I’m concerned about the popularity of the series and the changes that might be made to attract a larger audience. But then maybe the stories don’t need changing to attract children, maybe they just need to make the transition from ‘the books mum read’ to ’cool books’?

Do your children read Enid Blyton? 

At the beginning of last week I was discussing with ‘the man’ the possibility of running a selection of e-courses. At the time I wasn’t sure if there was a sufficient call for any.

However, in the days since the discussion I have had two totally unprompted requests to re-run the ‘Writing From The Heart’ e-course. (Don’t you just love the way life works?)

So I am now proud to announce that I will be running another, Writing From The Heart’ e-course. Details as yet aren’t confirmed but it looks like the 4 week course will be starting on 5th October 2007. If you’re interested the fee is $120, but includes $80 of critiquing in the price.

More details soon, just wanted to give you the heads up.

I made it! I’m still sane, I think. Although I don’t know that I was on Saturday, and I probably drove the family nuts, but I made it through the 40 hour famine technology free.

Between the family we have raised enough money to feed 8 children in Laos for one month, which sounds a lot better than the total sponsored amount in dollars, I assure you. But like they say, every bit helps. It’s also left us, or at least me, contemplating a few things as well, which can’t be a bad thing.

Well here I go, I’m logging off now for 40 hours. The question, is will I still be sane by Sunday morning? Who knows. (I guess some would even dare to say that I’m not sane now so it doesn’t matter. Hmm?)

Anyway, my support goes out to everybody else doing the 40 hour famine, good luck.

And for those who were interested in a final tally of our house:

• 2 technology ‘famines’
• 1 furniture ‘famine’
• 1 furniture and food ‘famine’

Have a great weekend

So it’s not just us poor, unknown writers who sneak into bookstores to see if our books are on the shelf.

Of course, unlike Stephen King in this article, I expect very few of us travel to foreign countries to do it or are so apologised to after being called a book vandal.

I had hoped to write a post here saying, ‘I’m going without technology for the 40 hour famine, so don’t worry that there will be no posts for the weekend.’

But then it occurred to me, chances are that my blog entries (or lack of) would be no different from many other weekends - oops.

I had always thought that the concept of raising money through the 40hr famine focused around going without food (something I had considered doing but believed would cause more than health concerns for me than just a light head and grumbling stomach). Only this year was I told that I could go without anything that the children in Laos went without - hence the choice of technology.

I had mentioned to the teenage daughter that perhaps she would like to do the same. But as you might expect the thought of no computer, playstation, mobile phone, etc. didn’t rate particularly highly in her estimation. Food also seemed unacceptable since her school ‘formal’ is this weekend and that she had a pre-arranged day out with friends. So what was the other option? Furniture.

Which means this weekend we have: 2 on a technology ‘famine’, 1 on a furniture ‘famine’ and as yet, 1 undecided (it all depends on what the diabetic clinic say). All of which has me thinking about our true understanding of life in a third world country and our ability to give up those ‘luxuries’ that we are so familiar with, even for a short time. But then, maybe that is the point of the 40 hr famine, equally as important as raising money is the raising of awareness and contemplation.

Isn’t it funny how at one moment your calendar can be completely empty and the next day you’re left wondering when you’ll be able to find time for cuppas with friends?

Maybe it’s something about the weather and the approach of Spring (not that it’s reflected in the current weather) that spurs people into booking speakers and arranging events. Anyway whatever it is, if you’re in Perth and hoping to get to one of my talks on writing or a writing workshops you’ll be pleased to know that there are now a few to pick from. Click here to go to the newly updated Events page. 

Of course, if you can’t find a prearranged event that suits what you’re after, don’t forget that it’s really quite easy to arrange for me to come and talk at your local group or business.

Yes, I have finally made my decision on who to pass this award on to. Took a while I know, but you have to get these things right, don’t you? Or maybe it was just the school holidays getting in the way, hmm? Anyway, apart from the reasons listed below I also picked these women because I know what wonderful women they are and am totally impressed by their writing skills and abilities to find blog writing time when I know their lives are so incredibly busy. But hey, I guess that’s what the Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award is all about. So here goes …

I have always been impressed with Heather’s blog at A Creative Journal, and not purely because she has managed to put in regular (if not daily) entries for absolutely years. Heather always has something new to think about, a resource to link to or a suggestion for writing - and what about the Freaky Fridays?

I’m also passing the award on to Dotti Enderle. I love the insights into life as a successful writer (and all it entails) but also the interviews with others in the field. There is always some piece of information to make me feel wiser for having read the article and, with her sense of humour, something to giggle at.

Then of course, if Melissa hadn’t passed the award to me I certainly would have passed it on to her. She has so many lovely pictures and diverse entries in her blogs.

I can’t wait to see who Heather and Dotti pick as their favourite Rockin’ Girl Bloggers. (You can pick up to five each, Ladies) 

Anyway, that’s my decision. Please feel free to check out the sites, you won’t be disappointed.  

Why is it that the longer you leave writing a entry into either a journal or blog the more important that entry has to be?

Over the years I have started my fair share of journals. I still have them here to prove it. Sadly I don’t think any (except the one that covers my last UK trip) have more than 10 pages written in them. Once the inital excitement has worn off and I put the book down I have to be really motivated or determined to pick it up again. Actually I’m the same with reading novels - which I guess explains why I like YAs (young adult books), they are short and faster.

I read somewhere that there is a logical reason why some writers can keep journals while others struggle at it. And before you say it, it wasn’t because they were slack or lazy, it was more logical than that. It seemed to tie in with left and right brain strengths and making lists, but can’t remember. LOL! maybe it was to do with being preoccupied and forgetful.

Anyway I decided to go against my trend of not continuing my record keeping till I had something amazing to say. Maybe there is hope for me yet.