Having frustrated people with my 100 days project by not being able to show my actual writing, I've decided to give my writing a focus (other than writing about writing!) by taking a photo and doing some writing based on that image. Whilst browsing the internet, I came across the 365 project, where people have taken one photo a day for a year to capture their life.

I always carry a camera around with me every day. And I really like the idea of improving my photography skills and finding an outlet for all the photos I take and am not sure what to do with. I thought this project would be the perfect opportunity to take a spare moment out of each day and reflect on what is going on around me. I'm also looking forward to seeing the story of my life reflected in moments captured through a lens.

So this is an extension to the 100 days project. I'm really excited about it.

Please take a look here: http://photostoryofmylife.posterous.com/

New year, new decade. A time of anticipation and expectations for what is yet to come. I like this time of year, full of endless possibilities …

2009 ended well, and the year has also started well. I’ve been writing, even started a pagination plan for my book (yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m writing a children’s book, otherwise a pagination plan would be a bit strange for a novel! Although I do have a novel idea in my mind too – but probably should do one thing at a time!) And even with the frustrations of new technology not working, good old fashion pencil and paper have been very conducive to my writing.

Since starting this project, I’ve found that life has a funny way of offering up what you need at the time. Inspiration pops up everywhere  - in the films I watch, the news I read, the books I read, the conversations I overhear. Endless possibilities indeed. 

The house, once filled with people, is quiet again. The days leading up to Christmas are always full of expectation and excitement, but also tinged with sadness and anticipation of disappointment. I love my family dearly and it's always great to spend time together. I suppose every family is dysfunctional in their own way, but I'm always left feeling disappointed that we couldn't get through a few days without melancholy in the air. 

But the thing about family is that the ties that bind are strong so no matter what was said or not said, all is forgiven ... 

Went to the 'Wonderland' exhibition at the Museum of Childhood in the hope of inspiration for my writing, but found the charming photographs taken by the kids at a local school the real inspiration.

'Kingsmead Eyes' is a collection of photos taken by local kids. I loved the refreshing perspectives and the stories that they told. It was great to see life from a kid's perpective. The photos and stories were full of humour (the photo of the sock), sadness and pathos (phone call from an absent father) and cheekiness (photo of a sister who looks good and sweet but does she have a story to tell!)

A video of the exhibition can be viewed here if you can't make to the exhibition, well worth a watch: www.kingsmeadeyes.org

Passing Hyde Park today on the bus took me back to the balmy summer's day when we walked nervously, avoiding the rollerbladers and joggers. A smile, an accidental bump, and a tingling touch on the back. Ice-cream, lying on unmowed grass, jazz playing in the distance. A touch, and then the smile, the beat that my heart skipped.

I'm suffering from #100days project-envy - everyone seems to be doing some really exciting ventures and produced some really nice work. I've realised my project isn't that interesting for any followers since I can't actually share what I've written. And this blog will probably drive most people mad with my neurotic ramblings about writing in general.

However, I'm not one to give up so I will perservere with this project as I'm finally writing and actually getting that book written, which I think is the main point of this venture so at least I will have accomplished my goal.

Since this project started, I've started to find inspiration in everything I do, everything I see ...

A very lovely carol service at St Paul's Cathedral provided spiritual inspiration. I'm not particularly religious but found it really uplifting to go to this service and stop and think about the real meaning of Christmas, my year, my life and the decade. And singing is great for the soul.

My writing project is coming along and I think I'm almost ready to put something down on paper soon. It's quite exciting.

Went to see 'Where the wild things are' - a fab looking film and great soundtrack. A film about childhood, being a child and embracing what it's like to be a child. It reminded me of being nine and not really being able to articulate how you feel, but also being at an age when you can just let your emotions out. Being free to just feel. As we get older, we get more reserved and repressed about it. The story I have in mind is about childhood so I think it's a sign?

So I thought the best way to get into the head of my character would be to embrace my inner child today. The weather was playing ball and snowed enough for me to make a snowman in the garden, whilst running around screaming 'rrrraaahhh' ... Max is king!

I'm really enjoying this venture - if I don't get a book out of it, it will have at least opened my eyes to what is going on around me. I've always been a person that notices detail, but now I've got a book full of these observations now.

Like for instance, sitting on the bus and a car pulled up beside us. I couldn't see the driver's face, only his hands. On his left hand, he had 'LOVE' tatooed on his knuckles. The font was sharp and aggressive which made me think how incongruous it looked. The word conjures up romance, it soars, makes you think of happy times and feel warmness in your heart. I wondered what sort of life this man had, when he had the tattoo done, who influenced it? Was it the lady sitting in the passenger seat next to him? I couldn't see the right hand - did he have something tattooed on that too?

Walking down this street reminds me of the stories that are just waiting to be told ... from the strange gender transformation shop, to the greasy cafe full of builders, and the slightly dodgy massage parlours, where men in trench coats (I kid you not!) walk sheepishly in.