Sarah Hargreaves

Writing, Reading and Listening

recent posts

  • Lesson 1: How to start your first novel

    Just close your eyes and jump in?

    First step is done: I have an idea.

    I have ideas for scenes and can play them in my head, what I need to work out is how they all fit together into a tangible narrative.

    I have just downloaded a free trial of Scrivener to see if this can help me.

    Reading various advice columns I am going to see if I can write the whole story in chronological order and then edit it into a more compelling story. I think this way I will be able to figure out where there may be plot holes, where things need to be more explained when I break it up into the actual order I want. If anyone is reading this and has experience please do feel free to give advice.

    I’m not sure how well Scrivener works with my plan to do this but this whole project is a learning curve so off I go.

  • More a hello than a goodbye

    Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

    Rather than a phase being particularly difficult to say goodbye, it was welcoming a phase that snuck up on me without me realising. It’s the phase that we all have to go through. The realisation of what it is to become an adult.

    Suddenly, without a clear warning, I realised that if I didn’t have my shit together, the life I had created for myself would fall apart. I’m the breadwinner of my household and I realised that if I didn’t keep getting up every day, showing up every day, working to keep a roof over my head (nearly) every day this life I’d worked so hard to build would crumble.

    It wasn’t difficult entering into this phase. It wasn’t difficult saying goodbye to no responsibility. But the staggering realisation that I was the only one keeping us afloat, that was terrifying.

  • I totally think that like, I would want to like, ban the word like?

    If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

    ‘I like you’ could become ‘I think you’re nice.’

    ‘I like that cardigan’ could be, ‘that’s  a pretty cardigan.’

    ‘I slept like a log could be ‘I slept similar to a log.’

    ‘He was like no, and I was like yes, and he was like no way and I was like yes way’ could be, ‘We disagreed. ‘

  • We who will die (audio)

    So I’m not reading trashy romantasy anymore but I am still listening to it. It’s good because I can do other things whilst I’m listening and if I phase out for a bit the plot isn’t that sophisticated that I can’t keep up.

    This was a bit boring to start to be honest. And just as I was getting into it, it ends!

    What I find very frustrating about these types of books is they are basically unfinished. The plot had no resolution, presumably because the author/publisher wants to make more money and sell a second, possibly third book in the series. It’s annoying and if anything puts me off getting the next one.

  • Mindlessly numb

    What bores you?

    Like quite a few grown adult men, my boyfriend is addicted to video games, specifically Halo. He would probably interject here and tell me that it’s Halo 2, not Halo – they are very different games. I mean, are they really? They’re all shooting people as quickly as you can.

    He is horrified when I don’t know the difference between COD, PUBG and some other random shit.

    He often tells me we could split screen and I could play too, that would be fun, he says.

    Ummm, no it wouldn’t be.

    It’s boring, stupid and I’d prefer to sit here with my book, cuddling the dog.

    If you could stop shouting at the tv though yeh? It’s disturbing my zen.

  • Vets and vaccinations

    Is there anything more distressing than watching the people dog you love suffer?

    Ozzy is not a fan of the vets. Big time. She never really liked it at the start, and after a few distressing visits, she hates it.

    Waiting outside because it’s too scary inside

    So, in order for her to go and get something routine, like her annual vaccination, I have to dose her up on anti-anxiety medication. Which, to be blunt, don’t work. Sure, she’s drowsy and dopey in the car, but the minute we get there, she’s on high alert. Any evil vet might be lurking round the corner to stick some horrible needle into her.

    After 40 minutes of gentle cajoling, strong handling, and muzzle putting on, we managed to vaccinate her. She’s now looking at me like I am such treacherous owner, and how did I dare put her through such an ordeal.

    Anti-vaxxers don’t come for me, I don’t want her to get sick, and my pet insurance is invalid without it.

    I also don’t approve of drugging dogs willy nilly to get them to behave. This was so she would be more chilled when she was in there, goodness knows what she would have been like if I hadn’t.

    Anyway, here’s a photo of her looking angelic (and not drugged).

  • It’s the drink and the lifestyle

    What is your favorite drink?

    Hear me out.

    It’s a cold, frosty, sunny day.

    You put on coats, hats, gloves, and scarves and take the dog out for a long walk. When you breathe in you can feel the cold air in your lungs. It feels fresh and there is a delicious crunch underfoot.

    You get home, take off the coats, hats, gloves and scarves and someone has lit the fire. The living room is warm and inviting. There’s chocolate biscuits on a plate on the coffee table next to my favourite drink. A hot, steaming, mug of tea.

  • Social anxiety

    Who are your favorite people to be around?

    The anxiety I often feel is hitting me pretty hard today so I am inclined to say nobody. But that is not true. I love being around my boyfriend because he is one person who fully accepts me as I am and I can say anything to him with no judgement. When I need him he’s there, even when I push him away, like I’m currently doing. I better stop writing this and go give him a hug.

  • Normal people (reread #5)

    People rave about this book and to be honest I don’t get it.

    I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but I wouldn’t go and tell the world and his wife that they need to read it. The difference in their social class and social standing is well observed, and following that shift as they grow up is interesting. And on some level I found myself relating to both characters for different reasons.

    I read it quickly but I wasn’t desperate to pick it up.

  • I have to pick just one???

    Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

    Gah, I love shoes. The film ‘In her Shoes’ made me realise how much I love shoes because they always look good. Even if I’ve put on weight I can still get into those shoes.

    I talked about how much i love my wellies in a previous post so I can’t choose them again can I?

    My hiking boots because I’ve been on so many nice walks with them.