This Week's Web History (21 June 2013)

I firmly believe that being a writer and getting thoroughly (and shamelessly) lost on the internet go hand in hand. I am continually looking up information and needing inspiration... or just needing a bit of a distraction! And, let's face it, the internet is always winning when it comes to the information and inspiration department. And it is the king of distractions.

So, it's Friday once again and that means it's time to see what in heaven's name I've found on the interwebs this week.

Idioms - idioms are a combination of words that has a figurative meaning, due to its common usage. An idiom's figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. They are fun and I like to play with them in my writing.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter MP: Put an end to commercial 'parenting club' reps in Maternity Units - This is a call to end the harassment of new mums by sales representatives. They invade maternity ward with advertising material and seek to extract data to sell on. Maternity Units are not the place for strangers selling their products. The government must stop allowing sales reps onto maternity wards. In short, if you're a mum, going to be a mum, know a mum... this is a petition you should sign.

Janet Reid enlightens us once again with her post on exclusives, why they are not in the author's best interest and what is really reveals about the agents that require them.

The Origins of Nursery Rhymes - Everybody knows Ring-a Ring-a roses is about the plague but what about other nursery rhymes? Mary Mary quite contrary, Humpty Dumpty, etc.

Wasteland Weekend 2013: A 4-Day Post-Apocalyptic Party in the Desert - "Wasteland Weekend is a 4-day post-apocalyptic party in the heart of the California desert wastelands. Costumes are required and you must be at least 18 years old at the time of the event to attend. Wasteland Weekend provides camping space, a 360-degree post-apocalyptic environment, entertainment and activities, vendors, and basic facilities." Still trying to decide if I like this or not. I think the idea is more interesting than what appears to be on offer, but you never know.

Corpse Road - Corpse roads provided a practical means for transporting corpses, often from remote communities, to cemeteries that had burial rights, such as parish churches and chapels of ease. Such "church-ways" have developed a great deal of associated folklore regarding wraiths, spirits, ghosts, etc.

This Week's Cover: A first look at the making of 'Divergent' - This week, EW offers an exclusive first look at the making of Divergent, based on Veronica Roth’s dystopian YA best-seller.

Quiet Books - There are some things you don't eve know exist until your a parent. And even then, there are some things you don't know exist until you're told about them and then you're like DUH, THAT'S GENIUS. Now, I like being crafty, so I might just have to take a bat at making one of these quiet books. After I finish my work, don't worry!

What about you? Have you come across anything interesting this week? Leave me a message in the comments.