Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, February 06, 2012
Borgen
We don't have much time to watch television nowadays, so when my husband suggested that we spent our Saturday evenings watching a subtitled Danish series about politics, I have to admit I was less than impressed. Even the fact that it was from the producers of The Killing, to which we came very late, didn't convince me.
But I couldn't have been more wrong. Borgen, about a newly elected female Prime Minister trying to hold together a fragile coalition government as well as family life, quickly became must-see viewing. It focused on the worlds of both politicians and journalists, linked by the Prime Minister's spin doctor. There were strong and believable female roles on both sides of the fence but for me Sidse Babett Knudsen, who played Birgitte Nyborg, the Prime Minister, stood out. An actress who can portray so much through just subtle facial expressions, she managed to balance the strengths and vulnerability of her character to great effect.
Borgen has been perhaps a surprise hit, but all ten episodes are currently still available on BBC iPlayer, at least until Saturday. Along with Sherlock, it has provided some quality viewing at the start of the year, so I was pleased to find out that a second series has just been bought by the BBC and a third is being filmed.
But I couldn't have been more wrong. Borgen, about a newly elected female Prime Minister trying to hold together a fragile coalition government as well as family life, quickly became must-see viewing. It focused on the worlds of both politicians and journalists, linked by the Prime Minister's spin doctor. There were strong and believable female roles on both sides of the fence but for me Sidse Babett Knudsen, who played Birgitte Nyborg, the Prime Minister, stood out. An actress who can portray so much through just subtle facial expressions, she managed to balance the strengths and vulnerability of her character to great effect.
Borgen has been perhaps a surprise hit, but all ten episodes are currently still available on BBC iPlayer, at least until Saturday. Along with Sherlock, it has provided some quality viewing at the start of the year, so I was pleased to find out that a second series has just been bought by the BBC and a third is being filmed.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
January
So January slipped away before I knew it.
What have I been doing? Well, I had a birthday. I've been organising, but not going on, two uni applicant days for Son 1. I've been downloading lots of cheap and free books to my Kindle. I've been trying to deal with Son 2's increasing behavioural issues.
And I've been writing.
I completed the 31 days of the River of Stones project. To be fair I did on a few occasions forget to post the stone which was germinating in my mind, but I always caught up the next day and I ended the month with 31 stones written.
I've also started doing Helen M Hunt's Hop On, Hop Off short story course and I'm enjoying it very much. As some of you may know, womag story writing is an area in which I've had no success so far and I'm a great admirer of Helen's stories for that market, so I'm hoping some of her skill will rub off on me. Woman's Weekly has always been the weekly magazine which I feel suits my writing style best and Helen has had significant success in that very competitive market. Although womag stories require the same writing skills as other genres there are definite restrictions on content and I'm trying hard to rein in my darker side!
Helen also runs face to face workshops but if you are looking for something very flexible the Hop On, Hop Off course might just fit the bill.
What have I been doing? Well, I had a birthday. I've been organising, but not going on, two uni applicant days for Son 1. I've been downloading lots of cheap and free books to my Kindle. I've been trying to deal with Son 2's increasing behavioural issues.
And I've been writing.
I completed the 31 days of the River of Stones project. To be fair I did on a few occasions forget to post the stone which was germinating in my mind, but I always caught up the next day and I ended the month with 31 stones written.
I've also started doing Helen M Hunt's Hop On, Hop Off short story course and I'm enjoying it very much. As some of you may know, womag story writing is an area in which I've had no success so far and I'm a great admirer of Helen's stories for that market, so I'm hoping some of her skill will rub off on me. Woman's Weekly has always been the weekly magazine which I feel suits my writing style best and Helen has had significant success in that very competitive market. Although womag stories require the same writing skills as other genres there are definite restrictions on content and I'm trying hard to rein in my darker side!
Helen also runs face to face workshops but if you are looking for something very flexible the Hop On, Hop Off course might just fit the bill.
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