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Rob Sharp (Writing as Rikki Sharp), YOUNG BLOOD AND SEABIRDS
November is always a month of change for me. Not only do the seasons switch over, as autumn flexes its muscles and reminds us what winter is like, but here in the UK we do this stupid thing of putting the clocks back an hour to mess with everyone's heads. Best, and worst of all, it's my birthday.
This year was a big one. I'm not telling, but it had a zero in it and a six, that's all I'm saying. My youngest daughter and my wife ganged up on me and what was going to be a dignified affair turned into a fancy dress party. I went as Dracula, which had nothing to do with being able to order my bits and pieces in the sale after Halloween - honest! But nothing melts the ice at a party better than opening the door to see family and friends have also made complete fools of themselves and it's not just you.
My three-year-old granddaughter, Neve, was not impressed with all these so-called grown-ups looking very silly and drinking far too much fizzy pop. She clung to her mum like a limpet until bedtime, when my outfit finally stopped terrifying her and I got her to smile.
"Who do you think has the best costume?" I asked her, just before she made a dignified exit.
Adults would have been tactfully polite, saying it was the birthday boy. Neve just smiled sweetly, pointed to herself and said, "Me."
That's the last time I ask my family for any creative reviews!
http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/meet-rikki-sharp/
 Sandra Ireland, FOXFIRE
Writing is often said to be a lonely occupation, but how can you be lonely when your head is full of stories and amazing characters just itching to get out?! The loneliness has never been a problem for me, but I have to say that I find writing a painful occupation. It's easy to get lost in your scribbling or typing and when you stop and straighten up - oww! We writers get stiff necks, bad backs, sore joints, so it's really important to move around, stretch and get some life back into our seized-up limbs.
When I confide in people what I do for exercise I am greeted with disbelief, laughter (of the mocking variety) and disapproval as they peer closely at me, trying to calculate my age.
You see, I am a secret bellydancer!
Bellydancing has been my passion for the last six years. It improves posture, tones the abs, limbers up everything from your fingers to your ankles and the music lifts your soul! I always come home from my weekly class energised and inspired, ready to write some more!
http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/meet-sandra-ireland/
http://sandra-awaywithwords.blogspot.co.uk
http://sandraireland.vpweb.co.uk
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