A friend of mine has an annoying habbit. She constantly refers to everything as "delicious", "lush" or "perfection".
"Nice day?"
"Delicious" is the reply.
or...
"You look delicious" she says.
or...
"My day has been perfection"
"The weather is lush"
"Ah, I have had a delicious evening"....

Now my initial thoughts were - Oh, you are so annoying with these repetitive words, but then I started to think. . . She is happy, outgoing, and has an infectious laugh and smile - Maybe it's just me thats grumpy! and its probably the latter!
Have your friends got any annoying or happy phrases?

Inspiration comes in many forms, and in many ways - How do you find your best inspiration? I find that I am at my most creative when I am walking the dog in the woods - just me, the dog and nature - Its lush!

If you don't write, then read. If you do write, then read more!

My daily word count has improved and finally I am glad that I have found more time to write. The problem is that I am writing stories, memoirs and general things but my writing course has taken a back seat - In fact it is in the boot. I feel that I am on a roll, enjoying my writing but feel guilty that my writing assignments for the course are getting behind! Now do I continue write my heart away? - or do I settle down for an hour to completed the writing assignments which require some factual articles?

DOES THE WEATHER AFFECT YOUR LEVEL OF INSPIRATION?

I love writing when the rain is heavy, when I can hear the raindrops rattling against the window - It sends me into my own imaginary world which results in some good plots and story lines (well I think so). Does the weather affect anyone elses writing?

CV help for graduates – Research shows nearly 70 graduates chase every job
With research showing that nearly 70 graduates chase every job, graduates need help to write the best CV. Are you a graduate that needs help writing your CV? Are you looking for a job, following your graduation? Does your CV leap off the page?

There are now nearly 70 graduates chasing every job, according to the biannual survey published by the Association of Graduate Recruiters. (AGR)

Carl Gilleard, the AGR’s chief executive remarked “Two consecutive years of decrease in vacancy levels is a familiar pattern during an economic downturn and this latest fall mirrors the two-year drop in graduate vacancies prompted by the dot-com crash in 2001-2002. Today’s findings suggest that the recovery is going to be slower than previously thought”.

“Recruiters are under intense pressure this year dealing with a huge number of applications from graduates for a diminishing pool of jobs” said Gilleard.

The simple truth of it all is that graduates now have to present themselves to their prospective employer from the CV stage of the application, or even the telephone call to the company requesting an application form or futher details. It is a buyers market which will present problems for employers who will be faced with a massive increase in applications and CV’s.

Former University Lecturer and now successful business man, Sam Deeks says “When I was an academic, I would reduce the pile of applicant CV’s by selecting out the dreary, the badly spelled, the difficult to read. In business, I do the same. Not because I am horrible, just because I can’t deal with 100 cv’s. Personally, when I am looking at CV’s, after selecting out people who can’t spell, can’t lay out words in a legible way, I’m looking for curiosity, passion and self awareness”.

The bottom line is that your CV has to be perfectly presented and accurate in every dimension. DO NOT LEAVE IT TO CHANCE. Words make a difference!

Call yourself a writer? Just another spin? Do you know where your career is going? I have heard it all. I love writing and I do not really care what people think. Many love my work and are pleased that I have something to occupy my mind - Others are cynical and damm right nasty about it. Writer? Are you having a laugh? What have you published? - Mmmm, I am determined to get work published because I would like others to gain pleasure from my written work but if I don't manage to achieve my goal, then I will still have enjoyed the process of expressing myself, and being creative on paper. I just wondered what my fellow writers and authors think? Have you had any similar comments? and the big question - When can you call yourself a writer?

I write early in the morning, after rising out of my bed and refreshing myself in the shower. On these occassions I will only have about two hours, as have to leave for work at 8am. After a day working, I pop to the gym on my way home and start writing around 7pm for several hours. My note book accompanies me throughout the day which I use to note anything of interest, ideas or descriptions that I witness or think of. I find that I write better in the evening, whilst sat at my desk in my bedroom. I write in silence, but often ideas materialise whilst I am talking to people, or busy shopping. I can not write with the television on, or with people in the room.
I am not lacking ideas, maybe just a little time. My aim is to write full time, but at the moment, as many writers still need to work. Perhaps the next step is to work part time, so I can increase my writing hours. I write about 1500 words a day and would love to increase this.
I am curious as to writers habits. You may be a full or part time professional, published, novice looking to be published or a writer that enjoys it as a hobby. How do you best find inpiration? Where do you write the best work? In what conditions do you write best? Are you systematic to your approach or do you write as inspiration comes to you? If you have a little time, it would be lovely to hear about your writing habits.
Carlton Relf

Something solely stored in the imagination is worthless.