Kreativ Blogger Award

Queridos,
Today I had to go see our tutor to discuss my writing thus far and my 'plan' for the future - bamboozlement!  It actually went really well- she said I could get a publishing deal on the basis of the concept of the novel alone.  Then she said 'now you just have to write it... So, go write it.' which reminded me there is still a long way to go... as a wise man once told me, "You judge yourself on what you know you're capable of, the world judges you on what you've actually done". Excellent for motivation though!  I realise I haven't blogged much about the day-to-day realities of the MA but suffice to say I am really enjoying it and would highly recommend applying if you're thinking about it.

Anyway, enough of that, onto the most exciting news of the day, Valerie O'Riordan nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger award!!  *wipes away tears of joy* Isn't it pretty?

I shall print it off and tape it to my mantelpiece (the fire broke years ago so there's no fear of setting light to it).  Now there's a bunch of stuff you're supposed to do when you get the award:


* 1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
* 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
* 3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
* 4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
* 5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
* 6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
* 7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.

-as listed by Valerie, whose blog, Not Exactly True is everything mine isn't e.g informative, lucid and frequently updated.  Valerie actually blogs our Martin Amis seminars and stuff so go check it out.  Thanks Valerie!

So,7 things you didn't know about me and probably didn't need to:
For some unfathomable reason I took Chemistry for A-level - and naturally got a 'D' grade.
I have a not-so-secret crush on the man who presents Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud.  When he gives homeowners sound advice (sometimes in French & Italian both of which he's fluent in) ooh it gives me the shivers.
I once posed naked for a charity calendar (I forget which charity actually which is bad).
I'm -probably- the best speaker of Nicaraguense in the whole Kirkham area.
I was named after the treacherous Daisy from The Great Gatsby. (But fortunately not after Stella from A Streetcar Named Desire).
My great great uncle George Morton Smith was the very first Royal Correspondent.  So move over Jennie Bond, I'm looking to carry on the legacy...
My life's ambition is to appear on Channel 4's Come Dine With Me.

Now for nominations! Well I'm sort of new to the whole creative blogging scene, (I think this blog is still best know as a travelogue), but I'll do my best!

I Swim Chapati is Griselda Murray Brown - it's a bit of a mouthful, but remember this name, it's gonna be famous
Inspired Together this may at first look too science-y but it is written by the best English student I ever met at Oxford, who now happens to be an American Medical Student (I hate multi-talented people, I bet she didn't get a D in Chemistry) along with her lovely husband Peter who introduced me to Borges.
Central Lancs Writing Hub
this is cheating slightly as I write for them, but this is the beating cultural heart of Preston (yes, Preston!) and well worth a visit.
No That Would Be Too Easy
A fellow MA-er Adam has just started blogging so hopefully this shiny award will convince him to continue.
Bois de Jasmin
I read so many perfume blogs but Victoria from Bois de Jasmin is the best of the lot - go here before choosing your Christmas wish-list perfume...
The Sartorialist  
Oh the clothes, the beautiful beautiful clothes. (I don't think this guy needs my award as he's sort of famous already...)
Every Day I Lie A Little
Jenn Ashworth; leading the charge to put Preston on the map for something other than being the model for Charles Dickens' Coketown in Hard Times, being the first place KFC opened in the UK, the birthplace of the motorway and scene of some of the most hilarious Come Dine With Me's ever. 

Thank you and Good Night xxxxx