Living By The Pen in the UK

It is the Christmas holidays and as a UK based writer, I feel I am in the right place and the time is perfect to reminisce about family and friends who are dear to me. As I sit on the sofa with my lovely mug of hot PG tips tea by our Christmas tree that is decked in purple, red and gold this year, I am contented to be in our warm, cosy living room.
Outside, an orange breasted robin or two still make their way around the red berries on the green hedges, as the wind blows gently and some neighbours make their way in the cold to town. The sun has not made much of an appearance in the last few days, giving me more reason to want to curl up with a book indoors.
Yet, as a self employed writer, the penchant is there to keep the grey cells working even during the festive period. My discovery of a copywriting agency in the UK has taught me to when possible, be quick and win writing tasks. This far, the tasks have been fun and fairly simple for a seasoned writer like me. All I need is a little discipline to sit down, research and write the articles within a stipulated time, namely two to three days. Payment is prompt and copywriters who are looking for a new source of income will find working in this manner beneficial.
At this time of year, when most people are off work and spending time with their families, I am happy to be in the profession I am. As a writer, I can take it easy but not stop writing totally as my kind of work can be carried out anytime and anywhere, with the advent of the internet, Google, Wikipedia and all the various social media networking websites.
Here’s wishing one and all a very Merry Christmas and a much better 2012. While we mope about the present economic crisis in this region, I believe there is hope yet for everyone who is willing to strive and work hard in the face of adversity. Living by the pen is not easy, but it gives one something to do and opens up new paths of opportunity.

Darren Criss rocks!

Today, I met a fellow Athena member who reminded me to get back to my blogging. As a Freelance Copywriter, I have been so busy pitching for new work that I have completely forgotten about posting new blogs. Melanie had to remind me that the best way to let people know about my writing style was to blog. I'd also like to add that Melanie is a social media networking genius, hence it would do me good to take her advice.

The past few weeks have been filled with getting excited over my teenage daughter and her friend's preparation for the GLEE concert in O2 London. First, we ordered special Starkid t-shirts online. Next, we panicked that they would not arrive in time and I was trying to get them done locally in town but it was too expensive. Anyway the t-shirts arrived promptly, the girls had a birthday party and sleepover, during which time they made a banner for Darren Criss (the current heart throb) using my friend's bedsheet ( I think she knows about it). The next day, after a train and tube ride, not forgetting bumping into excited fans from Europe and America, the girls finally got to see Darren Criss in action. Needless to say, they were over the moon! My daughter came away saying that she was not particularly taken up by the English accent that American Darren tried to put on. Besides that, she felt sorry for him after realising that he had to keep singing the same songs and performing on stage several times over a few days! This, I guess was reality, in comparison to watching him singing on youtube in the comfort of his bedroom.

You could say that I was equally excited as the girls and have not forgotten the simple joys of being young and carefree! Oh, did I mention that the bedsheet banner was not allowed in due to its enormous size! But it was a fun day all in and we will remember it for a long time to come!

Wash your hands while singing happy birthday twice!

I love listening to BBC Radio Four while I am busy in the kitchen. And this morning's tip is one that I must share with fellow friends and mums alike. In view of the e.coli bacteria that is present in Germany and now England, the public has been advised over radio to wash our hands properly with soap for the time taken to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice!

This, I thought, is a good way of getting the kids to focus while carrying out a mundane task which so often involves mums yelling and being unsure as to whether the hands have actually been washed. Now, we can listen for soft or loud renditions of 'Happy Birthday'. Be prepared however, for someone just walking into the room to ask whose birthday it is!

Other comments made this morning when health officials were interviewed over radio included that we can prevent this bacteria from affecting us by having good manners. If we are well-mannered enough to care about our personal hygiene and that of our neighbours and all around us, we should be able to keep this bacteria at bay.

I hope this bit of information helps mums to get their kids (even the big ones) to wash their hands properly.

Here's to friends and family

For the past month, from the day of the Royal Wedding, my husband, daughter and I had the pleasure of playing hosts to great family friends from Malaysia. The husband, wife and daughter team used our home as a base as they embarked on memorable adventure trips to England and Europe. While we as a family continued with our ordinary, daily lives, it was a joy to listen to their humorous encounters and heartwarming visits to family and friends whom they had not seen for many years.

In many ways, it was a dream come true not only for our friends, but for me too and I am thankful to my husband for making all this possible through his ambition, drive and determination.

Viva La good times with friends and family!

Chocolates and a bottle of wine

Last  Sunday, I received a rather pressing text message from my ex-colleague asking for some writing help. Not thinking too much about it, I spent an hour or so editing some written work for her which needed to be submitted urgently. Her Polish background did not allow her to be versatile enough in the English language, hence the need for my input. When I had gone through the text, I informed her and called it a night.

The next day, she turned up at work with a lovely bottle of wine and Belgian chocolates. Wow! I certainly did not expect her to thank me in such a profound way and needless to say, I was greatly touched. Everyone at home enjoyed the chocos but I am saving the bottle of wine for a special occasion.

For now, I am content to be living by the pen, chocolates and wine.

Emma Tennant or Nigella Lawson!

Our Athena Wokingham meeting on Wednesday was a lively, educational and entertaining meeting of different minds. Emma Tennant, our presenter for the day, has inspired me to write about her fantastic insight into the current world of fashion. Emma was kind enough to inform us that contrasting colours are all the rage now. But Emma, I must confess to wearing red pumps with turquoise, blue and purple tops set against black trousers and getting away with it as I am from the wacky world of advertising. My devastated daughter keeps saying "What are you wearing, Mi?" So, the general consensus is, when I am with hubby and daughter, I get their approval on what I am going out in for the day!

Back to Emma, her mannequin and how she performed magic with a simple black top and comfortable looking jeans. The pearls, the trick with just the right dash of jewellery, including the spectacular piece from Lizzie just made every ensemble look splendid. She kept dressing the mannequin up while chatting with the group of us in such an easy, carefree manner that for a moment I thought I was watching Nigella Lawson on television, conjuring up a delightful cheesecake.

Although when you come to think of it, if you decided to indulge in Nigella's recipes and succumb to giving the weighing scales a hard time, everything that Emma taught us yesterday would simply have to go out the door! But the point I am trying to make is Emma Tennant is very comfortable demonstrating and explaining about what you should wear and what must be avoided. She has a soothing way of making her audience feel good and the great round of applause after her presentation sums this all up.

I'd like to leave you with Emma's answer to Libby's question; you are never too old for skinny jeans if a 70 year old lady is wearing them!

Handing Out Promotional Leaflets

When I decided to move to England with my husband and daughter, never in my wildest dreams did I think that handing out promotional leaflets would be part of my job! As an accomplished Copywriter who mainly conjured up ideas on how to sell a product, never once did I think that I would be put to the test by actually being a front liner and doing the selling!

I must say that I find all this very exciting as it offers a whole new perspective on advertising. I still write for the web, having familiarised myself with SEO writing. Recently, I began learning the art of social media networking with the aim of promoting my copywriting business. All this, only to find that handing out leaflets on the high street does generate business for my employer, whom I work for part time.

He manufactures and installs fitted bedroom and home study furniture. While the company does have a website, it has been proven that handing out leaflets does have a positive impact on local and even out of town individuals. One might argue that people are generally polite when they take the leaflet but may chuck it away once they get home. This is true but I say that they have at least glanced at it, know you exist and will call on you the next time they need made to measure furniture.

So, there you go! While technology may be making its way into the world of selling, the good old art of handing out leaflets does seem to be working for some. More so in these difficult economic times where every bit of selling helps. Especially when it comes to keeping a Copywriter gainfully employed outside the home.