Well... after nine weeks of pain, frustration and hobbling around the house, my cast is finally gone and my foot is able to breath!
I've got a nifty-looking scar on the right hand side from the surgery, which they said has healed very nicely. There's still some swelling and bruising here and there and generally it feels kind of floppy and useless. It hurts if I move my foot too much in any direction and especially if I try and point my toes so I won't be trying that again for a while. The skin (where it isn't all dry and cracked) is really hard and itched more in the 1 hour after the cast was off than during the entire time it was on! My right leg from the knee down is about half the size of my left leg (not to mention looking like a prop from The Wolf Man film).
So what was the first thing I did when I got home? Well, like any sane human being, I went straight upstairs for a bath. And oh... my... god... I never thought a bath would feel so good. I must have spent an hour in there, mostly shaving and scrubbing to get all the dead skin off my right leg. Yummy, I know. I still don't think it's all gone, but at least it looks (and feels) more like a normal foot again. The skin has softened already, especially after applying a little... okay A LOT of moisturiser.
My Doctor says that I should try walking on it bit by bit, still using my crutches to begin with, and no running or jumping for a little while (as if I was really going to try this as soon as I left the hospital). He's given me another sick note for two weeks, so hopefully by the end of that time I'll be walking and driving and ready to go back to work, then in two months it's back to the hospital for one final check-up and x-ray.
I still can't believe I did this just by going over on my foot during netball. It's not exactly the most dangerous sport in the world!
Monday, 2 January 2012
On the Mend!
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After spending just over two months hobbling about like Tiny Tim (I fractured the 5th metatarsal bone of my right foot on Halloween 2011) I'm finally going to be having my cast off this Friday. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to it... although god knows what my leg is going to look like. My future husband has already said he's glad he's not going to be there to see it... and won't be home until I've had time to get it looking halfway decent!
I wish I could say that I've used my time off from work to do plenty of writing. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback shortly after my last blog update (way back in June) and lost the last 4,000 or so words to "The Doldrums", plus some editing to the bulk of the text. I have no idea how it happened... I can only say that Microsoft Word's Auto Recover system failed me. But 4,000+ words is a lot to lose, and it left me feeling pretty disheartened. This, along with a general case of writer's block, mean that I have done precisely zero in terms of writing, although I have been keeping myself occupied in other ways (such as reading, playing piano and even learning a little bit of Spanish).
Nevertheless, I feel disappointed with myself and, since it's the new year, I am resolved to do better in terms of writing. Firstly, I plan to keep on top of this blog! I will probably use this particular one for more personal updates and posts related to writing projects of my own. But I also have plans to start a few alternate blogs dedicated to some of my other interests. In particular I want to start a Book Review blog, although the possibility of reviewing this such as video games and perhaps doing a page on piano has also occurred to me.
Hopefully this time I might actually keep my resolution and see this through!
(Speaking of resolutions, breaking my foot actually helped me towards one of last year's resolutions - to lose weight. Odd, since I expected to gain plenty of it while sitting on my arse all day, but apparently not. I wouldn't recommend it as a weight-loss plan though).
I wish I could say that I've used my time off from work to do plenty of writing. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback shortly after my last blog update (way back in June) and lost the last 4,000 or so words to "The Doldrums", plus some editing to the bulk of the text. I have no idea how it happened... I can only say that Microsoft Word's Auto Recover system failed me. But 4,000+ words is a lot to lose, and it left me feeling pretty disheartened. This, along with a general case of writer's block, mean that I have done precisely zero in terms of writing, although I have been keeping myself occupied in other ways (such as reading, playing piano and even learning a little bit of Spanish).
Nevertheless, I feel disappointed with myself and, since it's the new year, I am resolved to do better in terms of writing. Firstly, I plan to keep on top of this blog! I will probably use this particular one for more personal updates and posts related to writing projects of my own. But I also have plans to start a few alternate blogs dedicated to some of my other interests. In particular I want to start a Book Review blog, although the possibility of reviewing this such as video games and perhaps doing a page on piano has also occurred to me.
Hopefully this time I might actually keep my resolution and see this through!
(Speaking of resolutions, breaking my foot actually helped me towards one of last year's resolutions - to lose weight. Odd, since I expected to gain plenty of it while sitting on my arse all day, but apparently not. I wouldn't recommend it as a weight-loss plan though).
Friday, 3 June 2011
Close to the finish!
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Current Project: The Doldrums
Word Count: 143, 541
Well, I'm finally getting there with this one. I'm not finished, but I've made it to the end of the story. The bulk of the work is done. Now I get to fully indulge all my compulsive editing needs. Hooray!
It's actually quite sad to think that I'll have to leave the story one day and never, ever be able to make changes again. I imagine this is the reason why so many authors write sequels - because they just get so attached to the characters and the story that they don't want to stop writing about them. I have absolutely no intention of writing a sequel to this though. I already have another story lined up at the back of my head and after finally coming close to finishing The Doldrums I'm actually quite excited to get started and begin developing the new characters - a mother and her five-year-old daughter.
I think the mission for this next book will probably be to limit my word count to around the 100,000 mark, which is what publishers normally expect from a debut novel (so I'm told). I have a feeling I'll fail spectacularly, but we'll see.
Got to give credit to the film Inglorious Basterds here too... for introducing me to the song Cat People (Putting Out Fire) by David Bowie. I've listened to this song a lot while writing this.
Word Count: 143, 541
Well, I'm finally getting there with this one. I'm not finished, but I've made it to the end of the story. The bulk of the work is done. Now I get to fully indulge all my compulsive editing needs. Hooray!
It's actually quite sad to think that I'll have to leave the story one day and never, ever be able to make changes again. I imagine this is the reason why so many authors write sequels - because they just get so attached to the characters and the story that they don't want to stop writing about them. I have absolutely no intention of writing a sequel to this though. I already have another story lined up at the back of my head and after finally coming close to finishing The Doldrums I'm actually quite excited to get started and begin developing the new characters - a mother and her five-year-old daughter.
I think the mission for this next book will probably be to limit my word count to around the 100,000 mark, which is what publishers normally expect from a debut novel (so I'm told). I have a feeling I'll fail spectacularly, but we'll see.
Got to give credit to the film Inglorious Basterds here too... for introducing me to the song Cat People (Putting Out Fire) by David Bowie. I've listened to this song a lot while writing this.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
My name is Sophie... and I am a compulsive editor.
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Current Project: The Doldrums
Word Count: 126, 544
After a really, frustratingly long period of writer's block I'm finally getting somewhere with this book. I've gone from just over 100,000 words to my current word count in around 3 weeks, and I can finally, FINALLY see how it's going to end.
A big part of what I've been doing these past few weeks is editing. I've switched a lot of passages around in order to make the whole narrative flow a little better. It's a pain in the backside, because I usually then have to go through the entire scene, check and double-check every detail, and then edit out all the text that now doesn't fit because of the move. Frustrating... but I think it's important to be prepared to do that sort of thing if you genuinely want your story to move along properly. Plus, while I'm doing all that checking I can weed out errors (Word's Auto Correct is a curse as well as a blessing, methinks), change words that don't sound right or have been repeated too often, and sometimes add a little extra detail to flesh out the action or the characters.
I really shouldn't be worrying myself with the editing process just yet. I should be pushing towards the finish and only go back over everything once that's done. But I can't help it, especially when I'm going through the whole thing in my head and I keep thinking "oh, that'll be a good detail to add", or "that bit I wrote yesterday doesn't make sense, I should change it". I know if I don't do it ASAP I'll forget about it altogether, so I get stuck in the editing side of things and put off the actual writing.
I'm starting to worry that when it comes to publishing my main problem will be not knowing when to stop tweaking and just leave the damn thing alone!
Word Count: 126, 544
After a really, frustratingly long period of writer's block I'm finally getting somewhere with this book. I've gone from just over 100,000 words to my current word count in around 3 weeks, and I can finally, FINALLY see how it's going to end.
A big part of what I've been doing these past few weeks is editing. I've switched a lot of passages around in order to make the whole narrative flow a little better. It's a pain in the backside, because I usually then have to go through the entire scene, check and double-check every detail, and then edit out all the text that now doesn't fit because of the move. Frustrating... but I think it's important to be prepared to do that sort of thing if you genuinely want your story to move along properly. Plus, while I'm doing all that checking I can weed out errors (Word's Auto Correct is a curse as well as a blessing, methinks), change words that don't sound right or have been repeated too often, and sometimes add a little extra detail to flesh out the action or the characters.
I really shouldn't be worrying myself with the editing process just yet. I should be pushing towards the finish and only go back over everything once that's done. But I can't help it, especially when I'm going through the whole thing in my head and I keep thinking "oh, that'll be a good detail to add", or "that bit I wrote yesterday doesn't make sense, I should change it". I know if I don't do it ASAP I'll forget about it altogether, so I get stuck in the editing side of things and put off the actual writing.
I'm starting to worry that when it comes to publishing my main problem will be not knowing when to stop tweaking and just leave the damn thing alone!
Monday, 3 January 2011
Happy New Year!
1 comments
Hello everyone!
Well, this is my first blog post and, since it is the New Year and because I see no better place to do it, I'm going to list my resolutions for 2011.
1) Plan my wedding - Yes, I am getting married... though not until June 2012. However, since I'm the world's most disorganised person I need all the time I can wrangle. I've already searched some of the most well-known wedding websites around (http://www.hitched.co.uk/, http://www.theknot.com/ to name just two) and started putting together a basic picture in my head of what I want. The bare bones have already been taken care of (dates and venues) but now I have to start with narrowing down the guest list, choosing flowers and hunting down THE DRESS, among the myriad of other things that come with planning such a big day. I sense many Bridezilla moments heading this way.
2) Lose approx. half-a-stone - I know, a cliche of most women at this time of year, but in my defence it is somewhat related to resolution No. 1, although I have plenty of other reasons for wanting to take off a few pounds. I'm not overweight (if my Mum's Wii Fit is any reliable judge), and everyone seems fond of telling me that I don't NEED to lose weight. They're probably right, but I want to do this anyway in order to take control, feel better about myself and to generally build a much healthier lifestyle. What are my obstacles in this pursuit? I'm a self-confessed chocoholic and the shelves are already packed with leftovers from Christmas. Not the best start, but I am inspired by my progress towards the end of 2010, when I managed to lose about 3 or 4 pounds and am now hovering on the edge of being a size 10.
I think the key for me is to do much more exercise. I only began losing weight last year after I took up running and borrowed a cross-trainer (which unfortunately is going back to its owner this week). Some friends and I actually planned to attend yoga classes last year. Our thinking was that we would be more motivated by going together and would have fun at the same time. Unfortunately, the plan was scuppered by a wrist injury for one friend and a leg injury for another. Hopefully, once everyone is healed (and if it isn't MY turn to come down with something) we will follow through.
3) Finish writing my book - As a writer, one of my personal hang-ups is my complete inability to see a story through to the end. This is often due to another idea coming along and catching my interest, drawing me away from the book I had started on. I am easily distracted by other things as well - TV, video games, mindless internet surfing - but this year I am resolved to complete a story and (I hope) send it to a publisher by 2012. I'm feeling especially optomistic about this book because it has themes that are relevant to the modern world and its dilemmas and at the same time is something different to all the band-wagon fiction that has hit the shelves over the past few years.
For those of you wondering, yes, I AM referring to the masses of supernatural/fantasy romance fiction. I could (and probably should) give this topic its own blog entry at a later date. I'll just state, for the record, that I have no beef with this particular genre. I'm sure some of it is good and it is obviously very popular. I just get sick of seeing it everywhere (I have similar feelings towards what we call "misery literature").
So those are my "Big Three" for the year. Only time will tell if I end up breaking any of them, or if I add more along the way. The diet plan is already in dire jeopardy... I think I can hear the chocolate calling to me from the fridge.
Well, this is my first blog post and, since it is the New Year and because I see no better place to do it, I'm going to list my resolutions for 2011.
1) Plan my wedding - Yes, I am getting married... though not until June 2012. However, since I'm the world's most disorganised person I need all the time I can wrangle. I've already searched some of the most well-known wedding websites around (http://www.hitched.co.uk/, http://www.theknot.com/ to name just two) and started putting together a basic picture in my head of what I want. The bare bones have already been taken care of (dates and venues) but now I have to start with narrowing down the guest list, choosing flowers and hunting down THE DRESS, among the myriad of other things that come with planning such a big day. I sense many Bridezilla moments heading this way.
2) Lose approx. half-a-stone - I know, a cliche of most women at this time of year, but in my defence it is somewhat related to resolution No. 1, although I have plenty of other reasons for wanting to take off a few pounds. I'm not overweight (if my Mum's Wii Fit is any reliable judge), and everyone seems fond of telling me that I don't NEED to lose weight. They're probably right, but I want to do this anyway in order to take control, feel better about myself and to generally build a much healthier lifestyle. What are my obstacles in this pursuit? I'm a self-confessed chocoholic and the shelves are already packed with leftovers from Christmas. Not the best start, but I am inspired by my progress towards the end of 2010, when I managed to lose about 3 or 4 pounds and am now hovering on the edge of being a size 10.
I think the key for me is to do much more exercise. I only began losing weight last year after I took up running and borrowed a cross-trainer (which unfortunately is going back to its owner this week). Some friends and I actually planned to attend yoga classes last year. Our thinking was that we would be more motivated by going together and would have fun at the same time. Unfortunately, the plan was scuppered by a wrist injury for one friend and a leg injury for another. Hopefully, once everyone is healed (and if it isn't MY turn to come down with something) we will follow through.
3) Finish writing my book - As a writer, one of my personal hang-ups is my complete inability to see a story through to the end. This is often due to another idea coming along and catching my interest, drawing me away from the book I had started on. I am easily distracted by other things as well - TV, video games, mindless internet surfing - but this year I am resolved to complete a story and (I hope) send it to a publisher by 2012. I'm feeling especially optomistic about this book because it has themes that are relevant to the modern world and its dilemmas and at the same time is something different to all the band-wagon fiction that has hit the shelves over the past few years.
For those of you wondering, yes, I AM referring to the masses of supernatural/fantasy romance fiction. I could (and probably should) give this topic its own blog entry at a later date. I'll just state, for the record, that I have no beef with this particular genre. I'm sure some of it is good and it is obviously very popular. I just get sick of seeing it everywhere (I have similar feelings towards what we call "misery literature").
So those are my "Big Three" for the year. Only time will tell if I end up breaking any of them, or if I add more along the way. The diet plan is already in dire jeopardy... I think I can hear the chocolate calling to me from the fridge.
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