I'm attending two 'Author Q&A' sessions hosted by Warwickshire libraries in February 2024. On Saturday, 10th February 2024, I'll be at Rugby library from 11am onwards. On Monday, 26th February 2024, I'm visiting Nuneaton library from 7:30pm onwards. I'll be discussing my publication journey, my inspirations, current project and provide tips about creative writing - literally, an insight into my creative world! I'll happily sign paperback books at the end of each session so please bring them in! The event is free to attend but has a set number of places - so booking is advisable. To reserve a ticket: copy and paste the link into your search bar. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/author-events-2632979
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16/11/2023 0 Comments NaNoWriMo - week 3
15/11/2023 0 Comments One year on ...I've been dreading today, there I’ve said it. Because today’s date is a stark reminder of what my life was precisely one year ago. Tuesday, 15th November 2022* was officially labelled as the worst day of a horrible 2022. I’d spent months battling with poor health. A level of physical health that I’d never previously encountered. I’d spent the day at the hospital surrounded by medics, received a mind-numbing phone call and endured a prearranged 45 minute MRI scan, in which I didn’t move one inch, seriously – I don’t know how I did it. After which I found myself making decisions based on earlier hospital appointments and discussions about a probable seven week isolation period to avoid Covid, in preparation for an operation planned for January 2023. Which ultimately turned into a much lengthier isolation period and my op in June! In the afternoon, I had a rather frank discussion with a police officer about a detailed statement I’d made three days earlier. Which renewed my faith in our law enforcement but which ultimately saddened me that certain measures are necessary in this anti-social world that we live in. Alongside the pain and the side-effects of medication, I juggled my lack of sleep, induced worry and continued stress that often accompanies poor health. You live a half-life in which you’re constantly clock watching awaiting the next dose of tablets, the hope of pain relief working and battling the sheer magnitude that life might never improve from this scenario. The freedom you once had to live a full and active life has gone with no goodbye or even, see you laters! I was dealing with two conditions: one of my body’s own making, the other caused by a doctor’s mistake with a prescription drug – each condition conflicting with the other, both serious in their own right. The day was dark, I can’t deny that. I dragged my sorry ass through the motions. I’d spent each hour talking myself through each step, from appointment to appointment, from place to place. Facts, details and worries swimming around my head. Unanswered questions that no one wanted to help me answer in case they influenced my decisions – those type, the big ones. Finally, I reached the end of a horrible day. And that’s when there was one small moment of sunshine. Just one glimmer. My instant reaction surprised even me – I burst out crying in the middle of a public place ruining that moment. Over the past year, I’ve had to refer back to this particular day, time and time again. And today, one year on, with my health restored 100%, and despite dreading the dark memories, I’m hoping for a day filled with sunshine. *Slap bang in the middle of my NaNoWriMo month! I'm attending Longden Library, Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday, 9th December 2023 from 11am for an 'Author Q&A' session. I'll be discussing my publication journey, giving hints and tips about creative writing, my inspirations, future projects and an insight into my world! Phew, there'll be a lot to discuss - there usually is! I'll happily sign paperback books at the end - so please bring them in! Christmas presents too, if you wish! The event is free to attend but has a set number of places - so booking is advisable. To secure your place, it’s best to contact Longton Library on 01782 238424 or by email:Longton.library@stoke.gov.uk 10/11/2023 0 Comments NaNoWriMo - week 2
8/11/2023 0 Comments Once upon a time ...A few weeks ago, I promised you a story ...
Once upon a time there was a published author who read every review and checked her review ratings each week. Other authors told her she shouldn't read them as their confidence was knocked, if they received a poor review. But this brave little author continued to read her reviews because each written review gave her an insight into what her readers were looking for in her books, their likes, their dislikes and what they wished to read more of. She took notes and planned accordingly. She continued to read her reviews, taking the good with the bad. She noticed certain patterns in the written reviews and the star ratings. She noticed that negative comments and one star ratings were being made for each book by readers called Claudia, Claude, Claud and Clawed - this seemed very strange. Why could she not please these particular readers with various books? But she took it on the chin, never moaned, didn't complain and didn't mention it to anyone, for quite a while. A long while, in fact. Until the day she did. She told a group of authors on a writing retreat. The other authors were genuinely shocked, surprised and offered her many kind words hoping that Claudia, Claude, Claud and Clawed might one day like her writing. She mentioned it to some others over dinner. Word got around, and over time several other people mentioned to her that they'd heard her tale about Claudia, Claude, Claud and Clawed. And that's when this author noticed a new pattern - written reviews by Claudia, Claude, Claud and Clawed stopped! Many previous reviews were even deleted. The end. Note: this brave little author continues to read every written review and notices the star ratings. I share this story because it came as a shock when I realised in this wonderful world of books that not everyone has your back. Not everyone wants your book to be a success, not everyone smiles at the praise you receive on social media, celebrates your book launch or supports you during NaNoWriMo. Do I think Claudia, Claude, Claud and Clawed have disappeared - nope, I don't. Though I'll continue to live happily-ever-after simply writing my books and supporting my author-friends! 1/11/2023 0 Comments NaNoWriMo: Week 1
31/10/2023 0 Comments NaNoWriMo - tomorrow!
29/10/2023 0 Comments Astley Book FarmEarlier today, the clocks were ‘turned back’ as British Summer time officially ended here in the UK. It meant that we each gained an hour to our day. Typical me wanted to spend my hour wisely. I could have chosen an extra hour of reading, drawing, painting … even jogging but no. I decided on a treat - to go book mooching at Astley Book Farm.
Armed with my list of books that I’m ‘looking out for’ I went swanning around the shelves seeking titles. And guess who I found? Little old me! In the fiction section under 'G', as you’d expect, quietly sitting on a lower shelf between Grebe, Green and Greeley. As quick as a flash, because you spot your own covers from a mile off, I opened the cover to find it wasn’t the one I’d signed last time I visited; this scenario happened on that occasion too. Anyway, I took the ‘unsigned’ book to the counter, knowing the owner was present and asked if she’d like me to sign. I bet you already know her answer. So, I did. I then returned the 'signed book' back where it belongs, between Grebe, Green and Greeley. Should you drop by any day soon, I’m hope she’s waiting for you to gain a nice new home on your book shelf. If she’s left the farm by the time you visit, just know that I regularly visit and sign whenever I spy one of mine. Just another small delight in the life of a published author! Press this link for further details about Ashley Book Farm: press here 26/10/2023 0 Comments Writing poetryI wrote a poem this morning. In the space of twenty minutes, my brain went from tootling along with my current writing, to a tiny gem of an idea into full blown creative mode and a poem was born. If you've read the previous blog post, 'grass roots' - it'll come as no surprise. It isn't a coincidence - which is why I'm mentioning it.
I have learnt to appreciate how my brain reacts and responds. In order for me to create, I need to feed my brain creative stimuli. Which is why I juggle my time to hone particular hobbies; they each feed my writing life. Without them, my creative landscape becomes barren. So back to the new poem. It's a competition piece which I need to create, polish and deliver in January 2024. Yep, you read that correctly, 2024! Yet my brain has thrown up a perfectly acceptable piece in just eight days. Last weekend, I did ponder potential topics and began writing a list but got no further as each suggestion seemed 'forced' as if I were seeking a topic rather than allowing something to naturally occur and be expressed. You might remember last year, I wrote a poem having walked passed the local graveyard on Christmas Eve and saw how busy it was. I came second in the competition with that poetry piece. Anyway, at the weekend, I ceased noting topics knowing that 'something' would simply appear. And, hey presto, this morning it has. Thankfully, I had time to stop what I was working on and take note of the ideas/language that were surfacing. It is this, that I've had to learn how to do. To recognise when my 'muse' has been silently chugging away in the background whilst I focused on other writing projects. Over the coming weeks, I'll probably return to it several times to see if revisions are necessary but I've a funny feeling this one is 'cooked'. Hopefully, given the time period, I may have a second idea so I can submit multiple entries. I'd happily post my new poem but I need to adhere to and respect competition guidelines. You'll need to wait until March 2024 for the adjudication and I'll let you know if it gets placed. |
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