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2/10/2024 0 Comments 1st October It might seem strange to some but yesterday was officially my half-year celebration – tadah! I decided a while back that one birthday per year wasn’t enough so have effectively introduced two additional celebration days into my calendar, much like the King has. Recent years/events have highlighted the importance of time so I celebrate and recognise the add-ons purely on a personal level – don’t panic, I don’t expect gifts and treats from third parties. It helps to prevent an unnecessary sense of maudlin creeping in as certain months and memories return – better to have chilled bubbles than relive a nasty episode. Well, that’s my argument and I’m sticking with it … cheers!
Another task for today, was to undertake my monthly challenge. I usually choose something creative connected to my writing, but not this month. This month, I have opted to sketch for 20 minutes each day. I have no rules - other than to be creative and enjoy my time. I can draw what I wish, as I wish and do with it what I wish – which is all very liberating given the usual restraints on modern life. Day one went well – I was pleased with the finished piece. I may reproduce it in a larger form, sometime in the future, but for now it can remain as it is. I might share some of my sketched pieces as the month pans out, fingers crossed – I’ll have 31 to choose from.
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2/10/2024 0 Comments Autumn time Don’t you just love this time of year? When nature changes her colour palette from vibrant green to tawny browns, oranges and deep reds. I love watching the subtle changes of the season, embracing the dark nights and the crisp autumn chill.
I especially like the changes to my daily routines. Today, I’ve rearranged furniture so that my favourite reading chair has a cosier feel and sufficient lighting ensuring that nothing detracts from my enjoyment of reading. I tend to read far more during the autumn and winter months so smother myself with cosy blankets, oodles of hot chocolate, plus an accompanying dog and settle between the pages of a book. Gone is the nightly TV watching, the busy social calendar and long evening walks. Instead, my body clock switches towards hibernation and a hygge-like existence filled with candle light, nourishment and self-nurturing. My current reading book – ‘Reading Lessons’ by Carol Atherton explores the books we read at school (depending upon your age), the group conversations ignited by their contents and the impact they made upon us as individuals. It’s a joy to read; as you’re taken back in time, as if rediscovering forgotten friends. I’m lucky enough to have read all but one of the books mentioned, so intend to borrow that book from the library on finishing this current read, despite it being labelled a children’s book. I often reread children’s books when the mood takes me. I’m hoping this season’s reading includes Daphne Du Maurier, more Agatha Christie and possibly, Patricia Cornwell – who knows, I’m excited to see where the seasons take me.  One of the joys of my job is receiving a selection of audio samples deemed suitable as potential voices for my characters for the audio book format. The email arrives with approximately six book links connecting me to the Audible website. I then sit, usually with goose bumps running up and down my spine, repeat playing each sample with the named character in mind. It’s surreal! Suddenly characters that I’d created on paper come ‘alive’ via accents, intonation and hesitations. It always amazes me how the audio team are spot-on with their initial selection so much so that I rarely comment or query their choice.
As always, today’s selection were perfect. I love the subtle difference between each actors' voice; each delivering a personality and warmth, without jarring the other characters. If you’ve never listened to an audio book, Amazon and Audible offer audio samples for each title on their websites. Have a listen, you might be surprised what an enjoyable experience an audio book can be whilst driving, gardening, walking or DIYing! This time last year, I re-emerged from isolation after a major operation armed with a mini-bucket list. During my many months away from modern society, I’d had plenty of time to ponder the promises we’d each made ourselves during the Covid epidemic. You know the promises I mean: quiet life, no pressure, more paint, less agro!
Here’s what I achieved in twelve months:
I didn’t manage everything on my mini-bucket list but have made a start by laying the basic foundations – as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day! 19/9/2024 0 Comments Proofreading - book 14 If you’ve followed my journey for a while, you’ll know that I love the planning stage, the initial writing to create draft one, even the draft two writing but intensely dislike structural edits, moderately like the line edit process and on reaching the proofreading stage am needing to fall back in love with my own creation. A constant cycle which has been repeated throughout my publishing journey.
I’m delighted to announce that book fourteen followed suit. During the past week, I have spent numerous days proofreading my latest publication, ‘Reunited at the Lakeside Cottage’ to be released in December 2024 and am grateful to have fallen back in love with my three ladies, and this time - three gents too! Like most tasks, I have a set routine that works for me. I download the polished manuscript onto my iPad and then read aloud to my deaf dog. Seriously, my darling Teddy sits alongside me for hours. I have a MacBook positioned nearby and when I come across something that I think needs amending I enter the details into a grid table – which is later sent to my editor. Below, I’ve noted the first few entries of the current proofreading document. Erin Green – proofreading of Reunited at the Lakeside Cottage Page no. Line no. Current print Correction needed 0 1 Quotation: To err is human; to forgive, divine. To err is human; to forgive, divine. 7 23 me my me that my I’m grateful knowing that professional proof-readers are also reading through the novel seeking errors for the final correction before the printing presses roll! And afterwards, having returned the proofreading document to my editor and waved goodbye to another completed project, I celebrate with chilled bubbles. After which, I resume my writing work because it’s time for another story! Available to pre-order: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reunited-Lakeside-Cottage-heart-warming-uplifting-ebook/dp/B0D5QQPL8J  Last night, Coleshill library hosted an author talk for an attentive audience of avid readers. As always, we had a giggle and much discussion regarding my publication journey and the people/experiences that I’ve encountered along the way. I even confessed that my parents nearly bought a particular house near the busy cross roads, which would have meant I’d have been their ‘local girl’, if plans had progressed.
The topics covered were: Secret scribbler Houses and lampposts Being a good girl Mortgages & dowry RNA New Writers’ Scheme Katie Fforde - fairy godmother Qualifications and nappies Coleshill church bells Readers’ emails Noddy Holder Signing books Euston station and party nights in London Polesworth library and Saturday mornings Jane Austen and Pride & Prejudice Golden nuggets Paris and YouTube clips Character names Sainbury’s checkout Spare bedroom, a 1990s computer and floppy discs My current writing project (hints) Writing retreats and magic moments Proofreading to a deaf dog John Lennon (& New York) Reading a book series in order Narnia and Aslan Library book borrows Amazon deliveries School life, teaching and detentions Reunite at the Lakeside Cottage Writing groups  Come and join me for an evening of book chatter, creative writing tips and discover my pathway towards publication! It took me a fair few years but I'm honest and open about my journey. I'm happy to sign your paperback books after the event and Waterstones will have a stall offering a small selection of my titles to purchase on the evening. Looking forward to meeting you!
It is a free event but you will need to reserve your seat by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-conversation-with-erin-green-tickets-915143949187?aff=ebdssbdestsearch P.S. You don't have to have read my books to attend, I won't be offended - several library users have attended previous talks and simply learnt so much more about books!  Months ago, the Waterstones' team invited me to visit and give a talk on 22nd August – which I can’t believe was two weeks ago – where is the time flying to? Their upstairs room was prep and primed before my arrival and their hosting skills were superb, as hot beverages and biscuits/cakes were provided for my eager audience.
During the evening, the Waterstones' team told me they'd had many customers walk in to store and say 'the author in the window used to be my English teacher!' Bless you, that detail made me smile. I always say of my teaching days, 'some pupils left their fingerprints on my heart!' The author talk went so well that we’re planning to organise another evening during the festive period when my next book is published in December 2024! The topics covered were: Secret scribbler Being a good girl Beatrix Potter RNA New Writers’ Scheme Katie Fforde Libraries and reading habit Jane Austen Plotter or pantser Blank pages Peacocks Spare bedroom and a 1990s computer Social media posts Strange author requests Spelling of names Advent calendars My current writing project (hints) University degrees Village life and rumours George Eliot walking tours Writing retreats Book signing comments/dedications Narnia and Aslan Character names School life and teaching My current reading book Manuscript book/maps/layout/post-it notes 2/9/2024 0 Comments My return visit …As promised, I returned to Strawberry Fields to view the one item I hadn’t chance to view last Thursday: John Lennon’s piano. The humble piano on which he composed 'Imagine' and played during the recording. Not the white grand piano that everyone remembers from the iconic video but an everyday piano which provided the perfect sound I’ve come to love. I’ll admit, standing before this silent piano, beneath its Perspex casing, that I have listened to thousands of times during my life - I was simply in awe of it! Secondly, I was touched to know that George Michael had bought the piano at auction for £1.45 million pounds back in 2000. Him winning the bidding battle against Robbie Williams and the Gallagher brothers filled me with joy - those that know me in the flesh, know why! Strawberry Field remains in the care of The Salvation Army who provides a safe and secure place for young people with learning disabilities to experience and succeed in the world, honouring the nurturing vision of John Lennon. Visiting Strawberry Fields, seeing their exhibition and walking the gardens provided an insight into the young John Lennon and his creative world - I experienced another wonderful day chasing the legacy of John Lennon. Note: the third photograph below is how the original building used to look during John Lennon's childhood. A year ago today, I officially came out of a self-proclaimed isolation needed to prepare and aid my recovery from an operation. I had withdrawn from everyday life since December 2023 to avoid the Covid lurgy delaying my surgery date. What I hadn’t known, no one had, was that my isolation would last until September 2023. During that time, I made a list of things I wanted to do once ‘free’. Last Thursday, with just a few days to spare, I managed to complete one final wish … I visited John Lennon’s childhood home. If you’ve read previous blogs posts you’ll know the day of his birth, Wednesday, 9th October 1940 is important within my family tree. All my life, John Lennon’s name and details of his life and death have cropped up and featured. Hence, my desire to visit his aunt Mimi’s house in Liverpool. Having booked the necessary ticket with the National Trust, I packed my car and ventured out on an ‘author jolly’, as I call it, for a day trip. I was not disappointed. In fact, I’d highly recommend anyone interested in music to go and visit – I think there’s something for everyone in his life story. The house certainly won’t disappoint – the experience and attention to detail is on par with any stately home under the National Trust's care. Many organised city tours view the house on Menlove Avenue from the outside, standing and staring from beyond the privet hedge and garden gate but due to Yoko Ono’s generous gift to the National Trust, booked visitors/members walk up the driveway, around to the back door and enter Mimi’s kitchen. I won’t ruin it for anyone by giving away any other details - just to say, it was simply wonderful! The tour guide shares details and stories of John Lennon’s life – showing personal objects, his drawings, family photographs while walking you step by step and talking you through each room. You are there for an hour. And boy, what an hour! I just wanted to stay, move in and have aunt Mimi call me for my tea! Afterwards, the National Trust minibused us the short distance to Paul McCartney’s house in Forthlin Road, to repeat a similar tour of his childhood home. Once again, the guided tour, the attention to detail and the non-stop stories makes for a truly unique experience. Whilst we stood in the garden being introduced to the property a crowd of 40 tourists were gathered outside the garden gate peering at us. Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to be so close and yet so far away. My magic moment in Paul McCartney’s house was to play the piano in the lounge, which Paul actually played when he visited alongside James Corden in 2018 (see YouTube Carpool Karaoke Paul McCartney). Seriously, I could have cried when the guide say I could. Seriously, having passed my grade one exam in March, playing other people’s pianos seems to have become my new hobby. Other people happily collect autographs or selfie/photographs, I leave my fingerprints on their piano keys! I could have driven home at that point, I was on cloud nine. But I didn’t, I headed into the city to do the usual tours though I soon discovered that my dearest friend of 53 years was unknowingly in the city. You couldn’t make it up! Anyway, she meet me down by the docks and we headed to The Cavern for a quick drink with her family. I’d wanted to stay much longer and enjoy the music, like I had on previous occasions, but couldn’t as I needed to drive home. I came home a happy gal having accomplished my main mission, alongside experiencing many magic moments throughout the day. There was one of John Lennon’s possessions that I didn’t manage to see on Thursday … so tomorrow, I go back. |
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