Mirth in Manchester

Exposure!

2009-11-14T16:37:00.000Z

Theatre trailer coming soon!

Reading

2009-11-14T15:06:00.002Z

Just finished reading Good Girls by Laura Ruby. I read it so quickly this week, it was fabulous. I even shed a little tear at the end.

Mr Sally treated me to the second and third books from the Twilight series. I'm desperate to read New Moon before I watch the film.

Light!

2009-11-13T13:23:00.002Z

What a stressful, stressful time. I've been doing a million jobs and not getting much money in return. My theatre job is fab, but it's monthly pay and don't get my first pay until the end of this month.
My play worker job was great, the kids were amazing but it was three hours a night and the pay was terrible, plus in the half term I didn't get given any shifts. And because the hours were early evening, it meant I was turning down work in the theatre, teaching etc.
I was also spending half my pay getting to work, which was getting me down.
Bills pouring in, Crimbo round the corner, it made me ill.

I got offered a full time position / trial in one of my fave restaurants yesterday. I know the staff quite well and they're trying me out on Sunday. Full time hours, weekly pay, can still work at the theatre, still do my teaching/writing.
Today, I suddenly feel a million times better about things.

My friends and family have been so supportive to my depressed, ill state :-)
Mr Sally has paid as many of my bills as he can. My family have phoned with words of love every day.
My friends have been looking out for jobs for me. Paul Newbery, especially has been so supportive with encouraging words.
Paul Swaine sent me a text that just said, 'Hurry up and get a new job. You're starting to remind me of the mum in dinnerladies!'
Yeah, thanks Swaine!

So providing I pass my trial on Sunday, (they just want to see how I work), then hopefully that's the end of what has been a very, very tough few months.
Phew x

Ghosts

2009-11-12T13:26:00.004Z

Do you believe in ghosts?
I do.

I grew up in a haunted house for 11 years.
I'm terrified of them.

Anyway, so you know how I work in my favourite theatre in the whole of the world? I run their members bar with another girl. We work alone though and swap nights.
The bar is HUGE, very grand and there are creepy pictures on the walls. There is a big sweeping staircase and there is another old looking room at the top that members can use too.

So, I've been aware since day one that it's creepy. I'm in there for five hours on my own, most shifts. It's OK until it starts getting to the end of the night and it suddenly gets really creepy. I have to cash up, go to the top bar and turn the lights off, run down the dark stairs in to the bottom bar and turn the lights off downstairs. That's the bit I hate.

The other day I was in the bar and a four people came back for post show drinks. So I was clearing up, whilst they were chatting. I was just behind the bar and not looking up because I was cleaning and thought one of them had come to the side of the bar to ask for another drink, I looked over and went to say, 'Hello.' But nobody was there, they were still all sat together chatting.

It freaked me out.
But I can't let it get to me, because I have to work there. So it's not an option to be scared.

Last week I was doing a function and I said to one of my bosses, 'Right, I'd better get back to the bar.'
And he said, ' The haunted bar.'
'Pardon?'
'Haven't you seen the Most Haunted show they did here?'
'Err, nope.'
'Apparently that bar is the most haunted part of the theatre.'

Oh, wonderful.

'Watch it,' he said. 'It's on YouTube.'
'I think I'll pass thanks.'
There is no way I'm going to watch it, no way at all. I'm only ever going to watch it when I don't work there anymore, which I'm hoping will be a long way away!

Anyway, I was telling my lovely friend Paul all about this and he said he was going to watch it for me and report back.

Here are his Tweets to me:

Interesting to hear if you feel anything?! WTF?!
Thanks Paul!

I shall report back.
OMG - I'm scared, really scared now!

**PS: Paul thinks I should talk to it. I don't want to encourage the thing and if I did decide to talk to the thing, what would I say? Oh, this is stupid, I'm scaring myself! **

Awww!

2009-11-12T13:17:00.004Z

I've not been well this week and I've been down in the dumps about a lot of things... I'm not going to blog about it though.

Anyway, I've not been sleeping very well either and keep having horrible dreams.

Last night I dreamt Mr Sally really upset me and I had no option but to dump him and I was soooo upset. Then I had a baby with David Tennant, so it was OK! But, I woke up and told Mr Sally how he was really horrible to me in my dream - blah, blah, blah.

He went to the shops this morning to get some bits and came back with a bunch of flowers.

'Sorry for upsetting you in your dream,' he said.

Awww!
He's doing OK with at this relationship malarkey at the moment!
x

Discovering Fab Authors

2009-11-12T13:13:00.002Z

I stumbled upon the site of author Laura Ruby the other day. I have no idea why I haven't heard of her until now. Anyway, her books all look fab. And I loved the sound of her teen books.

This has just arrived through my letterbox this morning. I'm on chapter two already and I'm loving it so far.

I love discovering new and fabulous authors.

Honk-Honk-Beep-Beep!

2009-11-11T13:48:00.003Z

Mr Sally has just made my week by insuring me on his car!
I haven't driven since mine was burnt and stolen back in May. Wow, six months without driving. I hope I remember how to do it!

Public transport has been fine and I've done loads of walking too and sometimes the train/tram is a cheaper and quicker option. But I've missed popping to the shops on the weekend and if I'm on my own only being able to buy what I can carry.

It'll just be nice to have the option of driving. Plus, Mr Sally has been taking me to places like teaching early on Saturday mornings and now, I can just leave him in bed and drive off.

Oh, I'm so excited!
Mr Sally is wonderful.

NaNo Day 8

2009-11-08T19:27:00.002Z

A Guy Called Pig is really coming along now.
I was working last night at the theatre and there's a really
long second half to the play, so once all my job were done, I got to sit down with my notepad and plan the book properly.
Usually when I'm writing anything, the story changes as I'm writing and I don't like to plot too much because of this, I just have an initial idea and go with it - but I'm 5 chapters in and have a feel for it now. I know where it's going, I know what's going to happen and I'm still really enjoying writing it.

It's a bit dark, a bit edgy, a bit naughty and full of twists. It's aimed at the older end of teens.
I'm going to see what my agent thinks this week - eek!
But I think, even if he doesn't like my idea initially, I won't be able to just put this one away half finished. I feel compelled to tell this story and write this book - which I'm taking as a good sign.

Drama!

2009-11-07T14:24:00.003Z

My adult drama class is ace. Last night a few of them turned up to rehearse in costume. They're so fab, I have a lot of love in my heart for this class. Rehearsals for EXPOSURE! went well. We open in a month and tickets went on sale yesterday, eep!

The theatre I use is nice, but it's a co-op with flats behind and the people who live in the flats run the offices etc. So last night (and the week before), our rehearsal was disturbed by kids kicking the doors. Last night they were in the theatre on the balcony switching our lights off and shouting things like, 'Lick my yellow bum!'

It's so frustrating for the class because we've got so much to do before we open and it's their first play and so they need to concentrate.
ALSO

I can't have that happening when there is a performance on. It's not fair on any performer to have that and especially not a group of performers who are going to be stressed enough by performance nerves. Plus, I'm not having a group of kids ruin all the hard work this group have done.

I don't see how the theatre can control it as there are no locks on the doors.
So we may be moving venues. I'd rather them perform the play in a cold community centre than have the stress of these kids.

Oh, isn't there always a drama whenever I'm producing a play? Lovely this time around that the drama is off stage rather than with a cast member!

Here is a pic of a rehearsal shot. I took this last week and forgot to use my camera last night to capture the fab costumes.

Nano Day 5

2009-11-05T19:48:00.002Z

Right, so yesterday was a complete and utter write off! Damn. And it was bugging me because I'd left Pig and Audrey in the woods, he'd just kissed her. Eeek!

Today, Mr Sally had to do lots of errands on his day off. Mainly sorting out car insurance and putting me on it so I can drive a car again!
So I got him to drop me off at the train station.
I was two hours early for my train and I took my notepad. I got a coffee and wrote the start of Chapter 5.

I have no idea how many words I wrote at the train station because I need to type them up, which I'm going to do after bangers and mash for my tea!

I know I've mentioned that my book felt like it was going a bit dark, well it really is. Something happened today that I didn't plan happening and I like it. It's got a bit of edge to it, and it's exciting.
After writing and (not selling) two books - this one feels right. I just hope my agent agrees and shares my excitement for it. I've yet to send it and I'm going to send him some sample chapters this weekend, so fingers crossed.
But for now, it feels exciting and I'm just going to go with it.

Dark Cloud

2009-11-05T19:34:00.005Z

I didn't blog, tweet, or do any social networking yesterday. I got out of bed on the wrong side, I don't know why or what was wrong. I did have some horrible news about two people I know, separate things, but both got me down and I just argued with Mr Sally all day. Poor thing, he was a bit like 'What have I done?'
My answer was 'Nothing,' and err, that was the point!

Flippin' heck. My day job went wrong yesterday and I just felt like bursting in to tears. Horrible, horrible.
I did try and Tweet a message of misery from my train, but even Twitter didn't want part of it and refused to upload it!
I had to rush to my theatre job after the day job and ended up having a fab night. It was the opening of a new play. We had a HUGE function and it was busy. I got to work with the girl I trained with. We get on so well, we even had matching tops on last night! We share the job, so we never get to work with each other, although we're always texting and trying to meet up for drinks etc. So it was great to actually get to work together. We also got some of the GORGEOUS food, free ice cream, chocolate cake and coffee.
We worked until midnight and got a huge glass of wine at the end of the night too.
It must be something to do with good old Doctor Theatre, because my mood was lifted and I felt much better when I got in, much to Mr Sally's happiness!

Phew, I don't get like that - EVER. And hope to never again, it wasn't nice.

Nano Update

2009-11-03T12:17:00.002Z

Writing at my desk at 10:00am.
Got 1,683 words down this morning.

Pig has just kissed Audrey in the woods and I've got to go to work and leave them there!
I'm taking my notepad with me, because I can't wait until tonight to find out what happens!

To be Continued...

Progress

2009-11-02T22:57:00.003Z

I have been productive today. Sat at my desk at 9:00am. Did some admin things I needed to do and then time to write some words for A GUY CALLED PIG.
I'm enjoying NaNoWriMo this year - my word count is going up, up, up. Meant to write more tonight, but various things got in the way, like discovering a box full of old notepads and an hour and a half phone call with my mum!

Anyway, I'm up again early tomorrow before work and I'm cracking on with the book. I may even take my notepad to bed and do some scribblings before I hit the land of nod.

Proud

2009-11-01T21:24:00.001Z

Today I wrote the words 'THE END' at the bottom of my play.
A proud feeling.
Cast have messaged to say they love it. Phew. I love it too!

Right, NaNoWriMo - I'm ready for you! x

Live from my NEW OFFICE!

2009-10-31T13:44:00.003Z

I HAVE A DESK and I HAVE MY OWN OFFICE!

Woop - Woop!
I have been desperate for my own little office space for nearly two years. Writing with a laptop on my sofa is ok, but my back starts to hurt after a while and I have folders and notepads everywhere!
I still want to decorate the room and get a sofa for it... we'll see how funds are before Crimbo. It's something I'll do slowly, the main thing is I have a desk. (Finally!)

My cold is going! Feeling much better today, which is good as I'm working at the theatre tonight and don't want to be all snotty whilst talking to the theatre club members.

I need to tell you about last night.
I was so ill and snotty and felt horrible. I got ready for teaching and had to go and pay my monthly rent for the theatre space, so I had to go to town first. I had a huge bag of things for teaching as well as my mini laptop as I had a bit of time to myself when the dance class was on.

Anyway, town was busy, I felt ill and hot and couldn't cope with my bags. By the time I got on the bus to go to the theatre, I felt like killing someone. Honestly, everyone was getting in my way and I had a temprature and being ill and public transport do not mix!

BUT

My drama group arrived with enthusiasm about the class and the play and for the hour of teaching I actually forgot I was ill. It was so strange.

I love this group, they're just inspiring and fun.

We'd arranged to go to the bar next door for drinks after the class, so everyone could get to know each other a bit better. I said I'd just stay for one lemonade as I wasn't well.
BUT

We had such a lovely evening chatting, two lemonades later and I completely lost track of time.

There's something special about this group and I LOVE teaching them. I'm excited to be writing a play for them, which is on in a month and they're sooo excited.

So that's the secret to being ill, hang out with my drama class!

Urgh!

2009-10-30T13:51:00.002Z

The play last night was RUBBISH. I didn't like it, I didn't get any of it. It was just pretentious and really not my cup of tea at all. I won't be horrible and tell you what it was!

I'm delighted to report that even though it had the same title as the play I'm writing with my friend Luke, it was nothing like ours. So we're keeping our title and plodding on with our play - phew.

It was lovely to catch up with Luke though. He's been on tour doing a kids play for ages and so we went for food, had some beers and he bought me a beer after the play to say sorry for dragging me out to a rubbish play! haha!

After that I went to meet Mr Sally at work, he was just finishing a get out, so beers with some of the crew were decided and although I felt really ill at that point, I was happy to have a few drinks with them.

I couldn't wait to get home to bed and a hot water bottle though. This morning I have woken up feeling sooo ill. Coughing and sneezing, urgh.

Mr Sally has looked after me this morning and made me egg and soldiers and I have no time to sit around feeling sorry for myself as I'm teaching tonight and really looking forward to it.

Hope everyone else is feeling well and not run down and ill like most people seem to be.

Inspiring Friends

2009-10-29T14:56:00.004Z

Woke up feeling full of a cold today, which I'm just going to ignore as I'm too busy to be ill.

Two days until NaNoWriMo and I'm going to attend the Manchester launch party on Saturday, can't wait for that.
Also noticed there is a NaPlWriMo - for playwrights. So I've joined. Why not. I have a million and one writing projects on the go at the same time always, so it should be fun.
I'm hoping my desk will be in my new office by this weekend so I can sit and write properly.
My back really hurts from writing from my sofa, despite shoving a million cushions behind me.

Just had a lovely phone call off a friend of mine who is an ex-soap actress. She's not only really talented but she's so inspiring to be around.
Anyway, she's always loved writing and now that acting is slow she's joined forces with a drama school friend of hers and they're meeting every Monday night and writing, writing, writing.
I'm so pleased for her and I could hear the bubble of enthusiasm in her voice as she told me all about it.
I like people like this, ones that don't sit around moaning about the industry and how tough it is - they just get on with it and put the work in.
There's something comforting about having a circle of like-minded friends. Like a safety blanket of inspiration when things get tough.

Theatrical Spy

2009-10-28T19:31:00.002Z

I have been working solidly all day today - I think a bubble bath is in order and I'm going to pick a book off my huge TBR pile.

I have a few deadlines to meet by Friday and yet, I'm out tomorrow night to the theatre to watch a play with my friend Luke.
We are writing a play together and it seems there is a play on with the exact same title and possibly a similar theme to us. So we're checking it out, like theatrical spy's!
I hope, hope, hope it's nothing like ours because I love our play so much.

It'll be nice to catch up with Luke too. He's been busy on a theatre tour for a while, so we're in need of a proper catch up.

I haven't had a treat or a theatre night out for a bit, and although money is tight at the moment - I've been working so hard, I figure one little trip to the theatre is allowed! Especially as it's research!

Woof

2009-10-27T16:47:00.004Z

I have been flyering this today:I have met some nice people along the way and one very vicious dog.
Eventful.

NaNoWriMo

2009-10-27T12:54:00.002Z

Oh heck, I've just realised it's that time of year again.
Anyone else joining NaNoWriMo?

I join every year and fail. But as I'm just starting to work on A GUY CALLED PIG, thought this year it would give me extra reason to keep my bum to the seat and my fingers to the keyboard.

I need some writing buddies. Come and find me, my username is: sallylawton

Theatre School

2009-10-27T10:49:00.004Z

I'm working from home this week and this makes me happy.
I've got so many writing deadlines this week, so I've got to crack on and get stuck in to them.

My theatre school is just starting to bloom and I'm so happy. The dance class finally launched last week, it looked so much fun I actually had the urge to join in. Gemma is a wonderful dance teacher and everyone looked like they were having a fun time.
The adult drama is in full swing and they seem to love the play I'm writing for their Christmas productions, so it's great.
My Saturday classes are launching this weekend, and I'm excited. I'm offering this weekends launch class free as a special half term introduction offer - so hopefully we'll see loads of kids and teenagers walking through the door.
The theatre I'm using is so nice. They've made me feel very welcome and I've been trusted with keys and basically left to it when I'm there.

It's been running a month. I haven't broken even this month, but didn't expect to as I know it's something that takes time to grow. I'm hoping the company makes a profit at the end of next month.
It all goes back in to the business so we have money in the pot for productions, costumes... anything to do with the classes.
The aim is to have enough coming in to have our own building and I have huge plans for that... but that's way off.
I'm happy we're building slowly. Everyone who has come through the door for classes, taught the classes or just helped out have been wonderful and inspiring and I feel like we're becoming a little Characrer Creation family!
Here's our new and funky website.

Here

2009-10-26T20:23:00.001Z

I'm still here... sorry for being totally rubbish.

It's been another chaotic week of work, teaching, writing and rushing.
I'll do a proper post tomorrow. But for now I'm going to watch a film with Mr Sally on his only night off for a bit!

Adult Drama Class

2009-10-22T12:07:00.001+01:00

My first play for the adult drama class in my theatre school.
I'm so excited about this. We start rehearsals in class tomorrow night.

Positive

2009-10-20T22:05:00.003+01:00

I have not really enjoyed my Tuesday. But anyway, I'm a positive person so I'll talk about lovely things!

Came home from work and Mr Sally had made from scratch a pie from his Jamie Oliver cookbook. Bless him, he slaved over it for three hours and it was GORGEOUS.

I started plotting my adult drama class' Christmas play today. The play is called EXPOSURE! It's set in a photography camera club (I think I've told you this already!) Anyway, whilst sat on my train today I planned the twists and turns. I'm very excited about this play. I want to write something the group will be proud of. Although they are beginners, I am treating this whole production as a professional production and I know they'll cope. It's very exciting.

Tomorrow I have to get up MEGA early. I have to get a train MEGA EARLY as I'm on a First Aid course. It's a good thing to learn, but I don't think I'll enjoy it. I don't like blood or the thought of saving someones life, it scares me! Hmm.
I shall let you know how I get on. I hope it's good and I'm not sat there thinking about all the work I could be doing back home. I've got so many projects on the go and not much money coming in at the moment because everyone seems to forget to pay me.
Oh yes, sorry - positive, positive, positive!

Niiiight! x

Running in Heels

2009-10-19T12:52:00.002+01:00

Today I have to go to my after school club job then when that finishes I have half an hour to leave that job and rush to my theatre job. It's going to be chaotic, but I'm very excited about starting the theatre job.

I'll fill you in properly later.

My CRB check came through today, which is great. We only sent it off two weeks ago.

Logging off to do some writing. Have a good Monday x