tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38552835115386013752024-03-16T07:27:27.761+00:00Novel Points of ViewThe Not-So-Secret Seven. Writers and bloggers passionate about creativity - spilling the beans on writing, narrative, reading and more … Do join us and enjoy.Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.comBlogger556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-67809681194706243302023-06-30T12:41:00.001+01:002023-06-30T12:41:35.482+01:00Musings from a ghostwriter<p>About 18 months ago
I was contacted by my publisher and asked if I would ghostwrite a
novel for a celebrity. It was to be a Second World War story, set in
the East End of London. Initially that’s all I was told, but I
couldn’t agree to do the work without knowing who the celebrity was
(it might have been some rabid right-wing politician! Argh!)
Thankfully it was someone I admired so I agreed to write the book, as
it’d be a new and interesting challenge for me. I was passed lots
of research that had already been done, and we had a few WhatsApp
conversations where more ideas were sent my way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL08MKn-zZ0gVdsGWYOw-fGGESyg69UUHfMQkl-v5e9u-tXbyovEYfSEDOjVe7_qxaan_S4Fj9Xjyy2m76_NVo5iZV-3EFK1VLknzXEagdfXUqE0zyJWz-9rKr6URn7Z7ZvyYEVaLGF2H0mrEcz4mgg0GAS0k77y--9sghC37_nSWJGZHHiCydUZO7zo9M/s800/Cover%20image%20raw%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL08MKn-zZ0gVdsGWYOw-fGGESyg69UUHfMQkl-v5e9u-tXbyovEYfSEDOjVe7_qxaan_S4Fj9Xjyy2m76_NVo5iZV-3EFK1VLknzXEagdfXUqE0zyJWz-9rKr6URn7Z7ZvyYEVaLGF2H0mrEcz4mgg0GAS0k77y--9sghC37_nSWJGZHHiCydUZO7zo9M/s320/Cover%20image%20raw%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">I spent last summer
writing draft one, and the first few months of this year completing
several rounds of edits until the book was finally accepted.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">And now… now I’m
waiting for publication date, waiting to see how it’s received by
the reading public, by the celebrity’s many fans and followers, by
the book press…</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">… and it’s a
strange feeling. With my own books that are written under my own
name, I get to approve the cover and blurb, I’m involved in the
cover reveal, I’ll post excitedly about the book going up for
preorder, I’ll arrange a blog tour around publication date, I’ll
post frequently on my social media about the book in its first few
weeks post-publication. I’m not an author who does a lot of
promotion compared to others I know, but I do that much anyway.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">This time – it’s
not ‘my’ book. (My name will be on the title page inside, but not
on the cover.) I get no royalties (it was a flat fee) so it makes no
difference to me financially whether it does well or not. But I do
care… because my name is associated with the book, and because I
worked damned hard on it and I’m proud of the finished story, and
I’d love the book to fly high!</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">I had a heads-up
before the book was announced, I was sent a bound proof copy, and
later I spotted the cover reveal by chance, and occasionally I see a
snippet of news about it. Publication date is still a couple of
months away so who knows how much hype there’ll be about it by then
– it’ll be interesting to see.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">My own books don’t
make a huge splash. They sell to a core group of fans, to readers of
dual timeline fiction, and they make me a decent income. But there’s
never any real hype around publication, not like there will be with
this book. I don’t know whether any of this book’s publicity will
spill over into more sales for my own books or whether it’ll have
no effect whatsoever. (Doesn’t really matter – I didn’t write
it for that reason; I wrote it for the experience and the challenge.)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">I don’t really
know what to expect at all! And I’m not sure there’s a point to
this blog post other than my musings out loud.</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">(PS it’s no secret
who the celebrity is, but I didn’t want to include their name or
the book’s title here so this post so it won’t turn up on
searches. But if you’re really curious pop over to my website and
have a rummage around to find out.)</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Kathleen McGurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01157686676565485064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-35119071022293521602023-05-04T22:22:00.002+01:002023-05-12T21:29:28.295+01:00ChatGPT and ME! The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has popped up in news stories for a while, but since the introduction of the latest version of language model, ChatGPT, its potential uses and dangers are being discussed on podcasts, phone-ins, and online forums, as we try to understand what it means for us.<div> <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6STixf6Y8fXOVamLriI-qGrwcGNu0JEFggfGdPMp4SMAZdgcLsLGP3LljfRjxOHoByiHrLNs9F8wcotYAqOhhc56O2icrfOIUNLkknAKK1fcddP5YxhCm_2eUQgyPyNUgQQMueuSTPCWWEwS3pNpCm_N1rCV7EZh4b6ijErLYR60xsWroYTOhT1i2kw/s1080/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T211238.138.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6STixf6Y8fXOVamLriI-qGrwcGNu0JEFggfGdPMp4SMAZdgcLsLGP3LljfRjxOHoByiHrLNs9F8wcotYAqOhhc56O2icrfOIUNLkknAKK1fcddP5YxhCm_2eUQgyPyNUgQQMueuSTPCWWEwS3pNpCm_N1rCV7EZh4b6ijErLYR60xsWroYTOhT1i2kw/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T211238.138.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> MY STORY </h3><div><br /></div><div>The implications of a computer system that analyses language and produces text in seconds, be it a factual or creative piece, has obvious worrying consequences for writers. Here's a personal example that might help explain.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over Easter weekend my eldest went to visit his grandparents, while I worked on a suffragette story. On his return, he asked what I’d written, and I explained the premise, which included specific details relating to a daring attack on Winston Churchill that took place at Temple Meads Station in Bristol, in November 1909. The piece was written in the form of a letter. </div><div><br /></div><div>My son then input what I’d shared – the bare bones of the story – into ChatGPT which created a piece in seconds. The programme was mind-blowingly quick and frighteningly accurate.
I then asked if the letter could be rewritten in a more formal, Victorian voice. Again, a new letter was produced in less than a minute.
What had taken me a whole day – both research (checking characters, dates, settings, language, dress etc.) then writing – had taken ChatGPT seconds to reproduce. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnOh7YkAzyGvvtvtFbAD-DaBWxBJzb68RY0EbCGzKcYO9zFVRSn_1H8DTcpNZ7yZ95hToyRiBX-1v8Y2fG6RR7-e3pw0Bft1qvTGvT7WJoBV5sVgT53LSI_XfkIR4m92rrvqWCEMlr7MK60z070CERZbRU0sCO8wBb27sRyFRhbEJsey2Kw0yZiEa5Q/s1600/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T211959.689.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnOh7YkAzyGvvtvtFbAD-DaBWxBJzb68RY0EbCGzKcYO9zFVRSn_1H8DTcpNZ7yZ95hToyRiBX-1v8Y2fG6RR7-e3pw0Bft1qvTGvT7WJoBV5sVgT53LSI_XfkIR4m92rrvqWCEMlr7MK60z070CERZbRU0sCO8wBb27sRyFRhbEJsey2Kw0yZiEa5Q/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T211959.689.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer Processor</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">THE PROBLEM </h3><div><br /></div><div>But it wasn’t perfect. The voice was too stilted; something developers say will improve as users input more and more data. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT DID I DO? </h3><div><br /></div><div>I read what ChatGPT produced, just as I would read other research material (reference books, blog posts, newspaper articles) then selected THREE words I felt would strengthen my story. But what did that mean? Was I cheating? Was it still my work? Does that mean MY story is now ChatGPT assisted? </div><div>I don’t know. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZycZ8EOZARIhqL7_zqNAD9Waibn1VEZiwlTrtJJIqsvgg03XMc9JBqXZ23qkjCda14qbk1Y07I31gzLxMQczA7Vg9YAHJnl8fI2HCyJhF1F97Wxsp_IGFmHk8lgtUgom38-hAvFYbsAGcYPtYqLyTXucUpHrYIpJfL14viS6lvNspGmLFHWMV_C1w/s1080/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T214041.799.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZycZ8EOZARIhqL7_zqNAD9Waibn1VEZiwlTrtJJIqsvgg03XMc9JBqXZ23qkjCda14qbk1Y07I31gzLxMQczA7Vg9YAHJnl8fI2HCyJhF1F97Wxsp_IGFmHk8lgtUgom38-hAvFYbsAGcYPtYqLyTXucUpHrYIpJfL14viS6lvNspGmLFHWMV_C1w/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T214041.799.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BOOKS AND PUBLISHING? </h3><div><br /></div><div>Most authors find ideas come easily. We have notebooks and files stuffed with magazine clippings, random snippets of conversation, details of interesting places visited. The real difficulty is finding time to fix our bums on seats and write. And the act of writing is hard. It requires research, concentration, grammatical skill, knowledge of the craft, determination to spend weeks and months rewriting draft after draft after draft.
However, the introduction of ChatGPT, and other AI products like it (Amazon has just launched its version), mean there are already authors (some indie – independent of large publishers) saying they plan to write hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of books per year. </div><div><br /></div><div> It would be easy to become despondent and say, what’s the point in continuing, assuming that whatever I write will become lost in the tsunami of books and writing that is bound to be coming our way.
But the truth is, I still have ideas I want to explore and stories only I can write (with or without the assistance of ChatGPT).
We live in interesting times, which will have implications for all industries, not just publishing. Artificial intelligence isn’t going to go away, and has implications for rights and author income, so all we can do is arm ourselves with knowledge. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02IKXycmJjmt7QUH1WdC1HLZDLfeN5jEEux9PJJEbPedjaPsSBDjFICGiW6TTfRCQbzO8ut1qzaj9wjGZ1EGyvet456Ms2SQdeiclPUiuymKnVWNZURymrnGVDtHxQwjXM7aNwpsou4PVQ0-44KD7phRha990DhdC3yyVvrmkqd85KxEkr0W_4Q5pTA/s1920/binary-2175285_1920%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02IKXycmJjmt7QUH1WdC1HLZDLfeN5jEEux9PJJEbPedjaPsSBDjFICGiW6TTfRCQbzO8ut1qzaj9wjGZ1EGyvet456Ms2SQdeiclPUiuymKnVWNZURymrnGVDtHxQwjXM7aNwpsou4PVQ0-44KD7phRha990DhdC3yyVvrmkqd85KxEkr0W_4Q5pTA/s320/binary-2175285_1920%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR READERS? </h3><div><br /></div><div>As a reader, do I wish to know if a news article, blog post, novel or piece of flash fiction has been written by a human or assisted by a bot – yes, I do. But until regulation catches up, it’s unlikely we can be certain exactly what’s going at desks and kitchen tables across the globe. </div><div><br /></div><div>How about you? Do you need to know if what you are reading was written or assisted by AI?
Or, if the novel/article is a page-turner/ interesting, does it matter? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJwUc3LpGWpSGWoMjF9bzJGw6IZTMbHz-m7fo9te8vDcBZtaPWKfS2y-aa7_Q-HdNJLgo242R04Rb0b2UrNRmE6MfzjVF7p3_D06Hq459oTZez7PhLO_-XmQUFswyErZgwS4r-9KYDJKJlcSiTk-VLvZ0r2Ws8w63FE8LjpunTxv6n_xgwVTVgqWAkw/s1080/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T210531.159.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJwUc3LpGWpSGWoMjF9bzJGw6IZTMbHz-m7fo9te8vDcBZtaPWKfS2y-aa7_Q-HdNJLgo242R04Rb0b2UrNRmE6MfzjVF7p3_D06Hq459oTZez7PhLO_-XmQUFswyErZgwS4r-9KYDJKJlcSiTk-VLvZ0r2Ws8w63FE8LjpunTxv6n_xgwVTVgqWAkw/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-05-04T210531.159.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHERE TO TURN NEXT </h3><div><br /></div><div>A writer who is constantly ahead of what’s happening next, and brilliant at explaining futurist technology in an easy-to-understand, positive way, is author and podcaster, Joanna Penn. I recommend checking out her <a href="https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/" target="_blank">Creative Penn website and blog posts</a>, as well as listening to her fantastic podcast.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dBlpBrBFlQJ3y1uofDwyMzwmqB3IqotY0oubk0Yx6lopUc357qchDqSwOi_vHmsxSijsub8wwub4vYBSBmY9hL05XkgZQifgk3AID_iRQIwL73nByNna5mBoEOS-1AT6iSwvQ7KHWOo-wIfnRedem2urI3-ZGzy0ttgnoqUs0uewc-Xs9SiWJUrqCg/s600/CreativePennPodcastButton_1400x1400V2-600x600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dBlpBrBFlQJ3y1uofDwyMzwmqB3IqotY0oubk0Yx6lopUc357qchDqSwOi_vHmsxSijsub8wwub4vYBSBmY9hL05XkgZQifgk3AID_iRQIwL73nByNna5mBoEOS-1AT6iSwvQ7KHWOo-wIfnRedem2urI3-ZGzy0ttgnoqUs0uewc-Xs9SiWJUrqCg/s320/CreativePennPodcastButton_1400x1400V2-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, for transparency, no AI was used when writing this blog post. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for my original (non-AI assisted) suffragette story, it will be included in my debut flash fiction collection. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Rae x</span></div></div>Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-87179962260368811702023-04-01T11:13:00.002+01:002023-04-01T11:31:02.634+01:00I love book clubs!<p> Do you belong to a book club? I've been a member of several over the years, and I have a very big soft spot for them.</p><p>Twenty five years ago I joined a book club in the village I was living in at the time. The members were made up entirely of mums from the local primary school and I'm not sure we could really call ourselves a book club. Certainly we did all read a book each month, but to be honest that was the extent of anything bookish that used to happen. We would meet at someone's house and enjoy a lovely meal, then we'd spend a maximum of ten minutes (no, I'm being generous, it was closer to five minutes) discussing the book, followed by several hours gossiping about the local schools, a decision about new curtains, how many bottles of wine was acceptable on a school night - you get the picture!</p><p>These days book clubs have evolved due to the wonders of the internet. We can join in with online book clubs and discuss our opinion of a book with people from all over the world, connecting through our love of reading. And there is also the concept of a 'readalong' where we can read a favourite book by a specific author at the same time as fellow fans, pausing every few chapters to discuss what we've just read. Similar to a book club, but in much smaller chunks and for a lot of people with a hectic modern lifestyle this is more manageable.</p><p>I am also once again in a physical meet-once-a-month book club. And shock horror, we spend the whole meeting discussing the book! Well, sometimes we may stray into a moan about the state of the pavements while super-fast broadband is installed in the village, but we all congregate from different walks of life with a wide age range, so it's nothing like the book club of decades ago. The best part of this book club - indeed all book clubs and readalongs - is hearing such different views about something we have all read. Often these differ from my own thoughts; our different backgrounds and life stories change the way a book speaks to us. </p><p>One of the most wonderful things about this book club is that we have a special library department to organise our chosen books, so we're all able to have a copy of the same book at the same time without having to purchase each one. I need no encouragement to buy books, but even I can see the wisdom of borrowing a book that I may turn out to not enjoy. And of course, every time a book is borrowed from the library the author gets a small payment - but that is a subject for another blog!</p><p>And in case you're interested, this month's bookclub book is The Fish Ladder by Katharine Norbury. It's part travelogue, part memoir and is very different (in a good way!) from anything I've read before.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UXakfM3Ur1SabIXKxQbYq3vkg6Q2YLmFGeB-h8AAyTP5M2Fit--Y1EQv-A7uodiMOthZG3tDgBKK_vLmJgkYUeZuqpBKfOREeJ9LjTbogDtO12Ht_ythdTnL-b8yrdVHaEE8x8JGmvGQ2MXi6l8wUU_9Gb1aWHduerjhQ8UioCbaVFbzu6SuzFcb/s3648/IMG_20230401_094912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UXakfM3Ur1SabIXKxQbYq3vkg6Q2YLmFGeB-h8AAyTP5M2Fit--Y1EQv-A7uodiMOthZG3tDgBKK_vLmJgkYUeZuqpBKfOREeJ9LjTbogDtO12Ht_ythdTnL-b8yrdVHaEE8x8JGmvGQ2MXi6l8wUU_9Gb1aWHduerjhQ8UioCbaVFbzu6SuzFcb/s320/IMG_20230401_094912.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Clare Marchanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11165226550088704571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-2651918822704535452023-03-15T14:52:00.001+00:002023-03-15T16:01:27.800+00:00Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2023<p style="text-align: left;">Exhausted but happy, I returned from the annual Romantic Novel of the Year Awards (RONAs) last Monday night, 6th March. Held by the Romantic Novelists' Association, it is always a spectacular evening to be part of and, on this occasion, I was a finalist in the Romantic Historical Novel category, with my dual timeline THE LEGACY OF HALESHAM HALL. Not a winner this time (huge congratulations to Natasha Lester), I still had an enormous smile on my face and joy in my heart. That's what comes of spending an evening with your tribe - and romance authors are definitely that!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcWKwgwkVRFMcyDrplBG4poCM5AdxMiqjmF5MaYAxa03_2iykiOroTYU0HN-fie7MmEyItZo8DZgYLiyL4oWsnoio3Ispox2oBhMu31DBzRiIEDasjEnYDqq53LZGywTlLmSi94EiOKK72WGwrnZONYaBPlztA5XNZeHoouJTMn1kY7YngdpcuK09IQ/s940/Jenni%20Keer,%20Historical%20-%20Facebook%20&%20Twitter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcWKwgwkVRFMcyDrplBG4poCM5AdxMiqjmF5MaYAxa03_2iykiOroTYU0HN-fie7MmEyItZo8DZgYLiyL4oWsnoio3Ispox2oBhMu31DBzRiIEDasjEnYDqq53LZGywTlLmSi94EiOKK72WGwrnZONYaBPlztA5XNZeHoouJTMn1kY7YngdpcuK09IQ/s320/Jenni%20Keer,%20Historical%20-%20Facebook%20&%20Twitter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I travelled down to London with fellow Norfolk and Suffolk Chapter members Heidi Swain, Clare Marchant and Kate Smith, and the hour and a half journey whizzed by. My fabulous agent (Hannah Schofield of the LBA agency) met me beforehand for a drink, and then I was whisked off for photographs with the other finalists, before we all took our seats and the evening began.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdq-eAT1F23qqt3eyCBOQPUKX7xF6LBNM-lWwkaMUoC-JE0M6zycBxMlL_-2qsln165jYldk7nRv5y67qvEw4QfwSGoxmhXhiirkeeBrWYafdBZGmDtCBtAnZah30hgpw3lyHGqR3xFvX3DNhQ6kv7Xe_1l1FRpups-EDF3QZKBF_iaTvD-6lCj-xpw/s4000/IMG_20230306_184506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdq-eAT1F23qqt3eyCBOQPUKX7xF6LBNM-lWwkaMUoC-JE0M6zycBxMlL_-2qsln165jYldk7nRv5y67qvEw4QfwSGoxmhXhiirkeeBrWYafdBZGmDtCBtAnZah30hgpw3lyHGqR3xFvX3DNhQ6kv7Xe_1l1FRpups-EDF3QZKBF_iaTvD-6lCj-xpw/s320/IMG_20230306_184506.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">The night started with a moving tribute to Eileen Ramsay, former chairman of the RNA, who sadly passed away recently. She was a lovely lady and I remember talking to her at a RNA conference several years ago. She will be missed.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The first award of the evening was the Popular Romantic Fiction Award, which went to the delightful Heidi Swain, but huge congratulations must go to all the winners; Emily Bell, Emily Kerr, Jane Lovering, Sara Downing, Dani Atkins, Natasha Lester, Vicki Beeby, Louise Allen and Julie Haworth. The trophies were handed over with aplomb by Peter Davison, and there were some fantastic (and quite emotional) acceptance speeches.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpFbY1Oo0WhVUWfKIUwvfvEDZi6R9LFICBg_LSA5FQjLY1BV2vxUZbu5IysZ-em3UnHH93FcNOlPiFAHAv2jk3-h2P4EH07RN0TxQmkT4u16EyGBMvr9V5dijXV_3fNcHl4LG-vSn4FrTCkKpVp8r3BQlNLA7znHgTRT7MEQF9Wrk1uTCYXxD_2FL4g/s170/1-RNA-Romantic-Novel-Awards-2023-Winners-With-RNA-Chair-RNA-Awards-Organiser-Awards-Sponsors-incl-Katie-Fforde-and-Presenters-Photo-credit-Camilo-Queipo-Photography-1-170x170.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="170" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpFbY1Oo0WhVUWfKIUwvfvEDZi6R9LFICBg_LSA5FQjLY1BV2vxUZbu5IysZ-em3UnHH93FcNOlPiFAHAv2jk3-h2P4EH07RN0TxQmkT4u16EyGBMvr9V5dijXV_3fNcHl4LG-vSn4FrTCkKpVp8r3BQlNLA7znHgTRT7MEQF9Wrk1uTCYXxD_2FL4g/s1600/1-RNA-Romantic-Novel-Awards-2023-Winners-With-RNA-Chair-RNA-Awards-Organiser-Awards-Sponsors-incl-Katie-Fforde-and-Presenters-Photo-credit-Camilo-Queipo-Photography-1-170x170.jpg" width="170" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winners, with the glorious <br />Katie Fforde at the front.<br />(Photo credit; Camilo Queipo Photography)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">To end the awards, and the section that had the whole room emotional was, of course, the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to the long-standing President of the RNA, the enchanting Katie Fforde. As the tributes poured in, the one word on everyone's lips was "kind". Such a kind lady - so generous and encouraging to aspiring writers and published authors alike. There was not a dry eye in the house.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sS4qCbEhLsjZuweKqUAncSYyjLoG686cLnK8DzQpWhMW5819nUksahFkkpawV4aQOsmndFvqyGm-6Nj9AHlwGtR8dZo3I-fBjud67E5T-5wa0_hAWWtCcuP0RyEZ7P1DOX4e1Jv6jbX5H1FVRomMQkj4qvrepo6dzNgd9IkWecvDqsv5y1lJ_p1b-w/s512/WlmWwdj0%20heidi%20and%20me.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sS4qCbEhLsjZuweKqUAncSYyjLoG686cLnK8DzQpWhMW5819nUksahFkkpawV4aQOsmndFvqyGm-6Nj9AHlwGtR8dZo3I-fBjud67E5T-5wa0_hAWWtCcuP0RyEZ7P1DOX4e1Jv6jbX5H1FVRomMQkj4qvrepo6dzNgd9IkWecvDqsv5y1lJ_p1b-w/s320/WlmWwdj0%20heidi%20and%20me.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite photo! Full of giggles, it looks as though<br />Heidi and are about to waltz around the room.<br />(Photo credit; Camilo Queipo Photography)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">As always, the RNA continues to play a huge role in my life, and not just my writing life. These people are my friends and my mentors, and I must yet again thank this incredible organisation for the knowledge, opportunities and support it continues to give me. Being shortlisted at the RONAs made me feel like a winner regardless, and attending these awards was truly a highlight of my year.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Jenni x</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p>Jenni Keerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03918451936816419936noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-32613275750197939712022-12-03T09:02:00.003+00:002022-12-03T09:03:30.317+00:00Finding Books in Spain<p> </p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We’re
spending a few months touring Spain in a motorhome, my husband and
I. This is the third time we’ve done this, and it’s such a
wonderful way to escape England’s grey, drizzly winter days. He’s
retired and I can write anywhere, so we’re lucky to be able to do
it.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Away
from home, away from the TV – of course we end up reading a lot. We
both have Kindles but we also read paperbacks. One thing we’ve
discovered is that it’s amazingly easy to find English-language
books to read while away in Spain, particularly while on the Costas.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There
are a lot of northern Europeans who, like us, seek out the warmth of
southern Spain for winter. British and Irish, Germans, Scandinavians,
Swiss and Dutch people in abundance. And all bring books with them
and then need more to read later in their trips.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In
the larger supermarkets, such as Carrefour’s hypermarkets, you can
buy books in various languages. All the big name authors will be
represented, but you’ll be paying a premium for these books – no
discounts at all!</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Alternatively
some street markets will have stalls selling second hand books for
about a euro each. I’ve spent plenty of time happily browsing
what’s available there, and yes, I’ll admit, I always check if
any of my own books have made it out to Spain! (Never spotted one
yet.)</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYZLsVDK0JXoOr5g7SNCCXpUgyxbd5NyemMDHONAGxXOTXWn5qp5y7B_RBeo_qvbClqf5UOHh-r-wrViRUltFxtBzxeCokFdnVJhzMqmCQ3RiVrUmUfq3o_G73SMdgLQ_5O4r-bkUSR-zNGGBGo57JvXrQotK6x6j-NqqJybADKG0OiKRDm3Pdb6wHw/s2048/317936781_1274049069825045_6363524002079072660_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="2048" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYZLsVDK0JXoOr5g7SNCCXpUgyxbd5NyemMDHONAGxXOTXWn5qp5y7B_RBeo_qvbClqf5UOHh-r-wrViRUltFxtBzxeCokFdnVJhzMqmCQ3RiVrUmUfq3o_G73SMdgLQ_5O4r-bkUSR-zNGGBGo57JvXrQotK6x6j-NqqJybADKG0OiKRDm3Pdb6wHw/w591-h351/317936781_1274049069825045_6363524002079072660_n.jpg" width="591" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A<span style="font-size: medium;">nother
option is to use the various book-swap facilities around. Many
campsites will have a few shelves of books in various languages, and
I’ve also seen them in coffee shops or just in tiny huts in town
squares. The deal is you leave one, and take another. Some </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">volumes</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
look as though they’ve been kicking around Spain for years, being
passed on over and over again.</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">One
campsite I know well closed down its bookshelves during the Covid
crisis. Even so, long term campsite residents found ways to pass on
books. When read, a book would be left by the communal washing up
sinks. You could guarantee it’d be picked up by someone else within
a day.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve
found that reading books from book-swaps has introduced me to new
authors. There’s a limited choice, of course, which will force you
out of your reading comfort zone and get you to try something new.
Also, campsite friends </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">of
various nationalities </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">have
passed interesting books on to me – </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">the
quirky but compelling books of Carlos Ruiz Zafon for example, and The
Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting was given to me by a
Norwegian friend who’d read it both in Norwegian and English. (And
oh wow, what a fabulous book that was!)</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So
now when we come to Spain for the winter, we bring a selection of
paperbacks that we know we’ll be happy to pass on when read. And
we’ll keep our minds open as to what we’ll pick up in exchange
for them!</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span><br />
</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Kathleen McGurlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01157686676565485064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-49366991890080281122022-11-06T10:13:00.000+00:002022-11-06T10:13:56.250+00:00WRITE YOUR NEXT CHAPTER... CAREER COACHING FOR CREATIVESSpace and time are luxuries most authors crave, but being around writing friends and other creatives can also be hugely inspiring. So, when I was invited to join eight women on a pilot creative coaching programme, of course I said ‘yes’, chuffed to be offered such an opportunity... but then immediately wondered what <i>exactly</i> I had signed up for!<div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG2F66PRkgfGh2XJOD41UNzMR5yTNwPsiEGsZF8LJ1MCqHNXF6VoejNHaimodXUbzlnOG3MsjAJgMsvy00KU72US7y9tbDXqggR6uwGYSNLr13HZjFDArGq5sqvLXujjhWEt8DfkSJaxOtC9NI37pJafct7Zw3LD1XAHKVkB2vQkXVNLHEjUwIeHTbg/s940/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-11-05T124202.138.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG2F66PRkgfGh2XJOD41UNzMR5yTNwPsiEGsZF8LJ1MCqHNXF6VoejNHaimodXUbzlnOG3MsjAJgMsvy00KU72US7y9tbDXqggR6uwGYSNLr13HZjFDArGq5sqvLXujjhWEt8DfkSJaxOtC9NI37pJafct7Zw3LD1XAHKVkB2vQkXVNLHEjUwIeHTbg/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-11-05T124202.138.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT IS COACHING? </h3><div>I can only share my experience and have no expertise in the field, but the main tool used in sessions was ACTIVE LISTENING. A handy skill for writers too! <a href="https://www.ellipsiscoaching.com/about" target="_blank">Tanya Paget of Ellipsis Coaching</a> was warm and friendly, immediately putting me at my ease. The initial focus was on beliefs and goal setting, which helps creatives work through issues in their personal and/or professional lives.
Tanya’s business strapline is <i>Write your next chapter.</i>.. How could I resist! </div><div><br /></div><div>Tanya’s fundamental belief is that individuals are creative, resourceful and whole – meaning we have the knowledge to make the changes needed to gain whatever we seek in our lives –balance, confidence, more sleep, the ability to say ‘no’... the list goes on! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h9fysVXTGCHDILrsN4mthdMzTs_-Q-r7L3LVhZTUFoRkXi7YB0XDdk3xJ1y17J3bY6YeHS8NMS21B_miYhQzuVQy7lfc3-KZ1H1RhhSUrTADioHYouhSlBQe9wQ-z2LfwLnJpY1ZtUgdPp_vuBNRUltn5WZbenKLowILEgFktmYBtQZKYNz4I6SVtA/s1303/Tanya_Paget_ellipsis_coaching_03.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h9fysVXTGCHDILrsN4mthdMzTs_-Q-r7L3LVhZTUFoRkXi7YB0XDdk3xJ1y17J3bY6YeHS8NMS21B_miYhQzuVQy7lfc3-KZ1H1RhhSUrTADioHYouhSlBQe9wQ-z2LfwLnJpY1ZtUgdPp_vuBNRUltn5WZbenKLowILEgFktmYBtQZKYNz4I6SVtA/s320/Tanya_Paget_ellipsis_coaching_03.jpeg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanya Paget of Ellipsis Coaching</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHAT IT’S NOT... </h3><div>Coaching isn’t therapy. It tends to be goal-focused, looking forward, helping clients identify and work towards next steps. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHO WAS INVOLVED?</h3><div><b>GROUP SESSIONS </b></div><div>As I mentioned, part of the pilot coaching project included group sessions with eight fantastically creative women, who were an absolute joy to get to know. Confidentiality is key to these sessions, but I can say that the diverse range of creative disciplines in the room really added to the fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS </b></div><div>We were also offered individual sessions, which either took place over Zoom, or as a walking consultation, when there was time to drill down into what I wished to achieve and what was holding me back. Through gentle, incisive questioning, Tanya explored how barriers could be removed, helping me take small steps that have made a big difference. (In amongst new business goals, I now make time for Yoda Nidra – check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcwdJcaCRD8" target="_blank">Ally Boothroyd’s FREE meditation sessions on You Tube here</a>) </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxmkscZ2wxj-hcKqh5U1Ucf6TOtbbv2Xn8it_c8D3JrNzWKB-Hg_K5STvuoiWpUc8nP1Tojom3ok7ry9bcGhv6UujLvhVZ-6LexPtQdUDAb2wlIFupG6IWqGOE3j36EXpJIYA7YjOuKMFJGfMvAUhnO6FeEvorglDYwPu3wqkPTv-hnGme6VrTjP-xg/s1280/balance-110850_1280%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxmkscZ2wxj-hcKqh5U1Ucf6TOtbbv2Xn8it_c8D3JrNzWKB-Hg_K5STvuoiWpUc8nP1Tojom3ok7ry9bcGhv6UujLvhVZ-6LexPtQdUDAb2wlIFupG6IWqGOE3j36EXpJIYA7YjOuKMFJGfMvAUhnO6FeEvorglDYwPu3wqkPTv-hnGme6VrTjP-xg/s320/balance-110850_1280%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balance Stones</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WHERE DID SESSIONS TAKE PLACE? </h3><div>I opted for Zoom sessions and was a little concerned that such personal conversations might be awkward on screen, but this wasn’t the case as I quickly forgot that Tanya was in a different location.
We also enjoyed a group session at <a href="https://www.greenbraesteading.co.uk/" target="_blank">Greenbrae Steading, Hopeman</a>, a co-working space with a log-burning stove and spectacular views over the Moray Firth – a real treat. (A brilliant space for writing workshops too).</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpi8N-VWkwpaGNH6gBgA-9V1YyQ8tUZyqi16dyKeQuYi0BzAzAYRk7nthW_P_T4McG4FQQztPvER4-SuxxSV8vCP-I_eXsI1nOTMz37OqESoQC1NLRIel0Xv21etNF4uwz510xJ4sTEG0PwnAv3ZLTvA69vtCOQqItwwQK5pacGxHn7j76b-0VGaPPA/s1800/greenbrae.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpi8N-VWkwpaGNH6gBgA-9V1YyQ8tUZyqi16dyKeQuYi0BzAzAYRk7nthW_P_T4McG4FQQztPvER4-SuxxSV8vCP-I_eXsI1nOTMz37OqESoQC1NLRIel0Xv21etNF4uwz510xJ4sTEG0PwnAv3ZLTvA69vtCOQqItwwQK5pacGxHn7j76b-0VGaPPA/s320/greenbrae.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenbrae Steading's fabulous workshop space</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">WOULD I RECOMMEND COACHING FOR CREATIVES? </h3><div>Would I recommend coaching for creatives? Absolutely! I now understand how coaching helps individuals make time to think about their life, career, business, and clarify what should happen next.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is career coaching an approach that could be used by publishing houses to support their authors – particularly during such uncertain times? It's an interesting thought.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to thank M:ADE (Moray Arts, Development, Engagement) for funding such a useful initiative.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, just as important as the personal growth I experienced, was spending time with such an interesting, supportive, creative circle of women who love to laugh and share. I wish them all happiness and an abundance of creative success as they begin their next exciting chapter. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYb7bmS1n0j9VXg-cv6jZwRmd-4OQgPZ8ujjRGX1Hc7csiRMjGcyTzfxyRmZj0EK9jK7BFPUt7zaztToVRJdnUn9ZYUWEWQ97Ol9M-ZP4afAwGclIXpsfu5ODlp-HQX8_shHwlYxsGbfxqpo_932KYjs8lUo4LZKV3jU_xOMg6JRIqKbwkBB8Qz0VFA/s320/rae_blog_signature.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="320" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYb7bmS1n0j9VXg-cv6jZwRmd-4OQgPZ8ujjRGX1Hc7csiRMjGcyTzfxyRmZj0EK9jK7BFPUt7zaztToVRJdnUn9ZYUWEWQ97Ol9M-ZP4afAwGclIXpsfu5ODlp-HQX8_shHwlYxsGbfxqpo_932KYjs8lUo4LZKV3jU_xOMg6JRIqKbwkBB8Qz0VFA/w182-h99/rae_blog_signature.jpeg" width="182" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-47527334891995846962022-09-30T07:05:00.001+01:002022-09-30T07:05:39.543+01:00Living and Writing in York<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or in Yorkshire</span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We retired to York 9 years ago for many non-writing reasons,
but basically because we loved the city. However, it wasn't until I got the
writing bug and started exploring the area that I realized how remarkable the
County was! I mean, ANY county that produces <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bront%C3%AB_family" target="_blank">the Bronte sisters</a>, <a href="https://www.jamesherriot.org/" target="_blank">James Herriot</a>,
<a href="https://jbpriestleysociety.com/" target="_blank">JB. Priestley</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._H._Auden" target="_blank">WH Auden</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Bennett" target="_blank">Alan Bennet</a>t, <a href="https://www.valwood.co.uk/" target="_blank">Val Wood</a>, <a href="https://www.kateatkinson.co.uk/" target="_blank">Kate Atkinson,</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurence_Sterne" target="_blank">Laurence Sterne,</a>
<a href="https://barbarataylorbradford.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Taylor Bradford, </a><a href="https://frances-brody.com/" target="_blank">Frances Brody</a>, <a href="https://www.avamanello.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ava Manelo</a>, <a href="https://www.janelovering.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Lovering,</a> <a href="http://klshandwick.com/" target="_blank">K LShandwick</a> and<a href="http://www.leahfleming.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Leah Fleming</a> has to have something special going for it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbhhLRTahGhGRkRsKGpTxZFnrVMpUKcu3yj69TRu0zleiDMl8m-lDT18s9ATZ6nGcbTXI-AZMrQOrSFmX5bi_NgGS8iAGizfHp_8DzoVg99EeHJkVGmwuB-2cbY8crv-RwSg6FPLKJdo8O8fkc4oZA-R5JnBAolYMHRTOkFrqgK6vRe9TBQIoICo9/s800/preview_8d27275db6bf042611e2cecb951f002e_collage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbhhLRTahGhGRkRsKGpTxZFnrVMpUKcu3yj69TRu0zleiDMl8m-lDT18s9ATZ6nGcbTXI-AZMrQOrSFmX5bi_NgGS8iAGizfHp_8DzoVg99EeHJkVGmwuB-2cbY8crv-RwSg6FPLKJdo8O8fkc4oZA-R5JnBAolYMHRTOkFrqgK6vRe9TBQIoICo9/w582-h436/preview_8d27275db6bf042611e2cecb951f002e_collage.jpg" width="582" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Of course, in terms of novels actually SET in York, I give
you the amazing Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, with its very Gothic
presentation of the city. Going back in time, Bernard Cornwell had York – or Jorvik,
feature in many of his Uhtred novels! York is such a compact city you can walk
around the encircling walls in an hour – and many of the streets have changed
little over the last thousand years.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26YcyS0diXlNTMvgGf2K-iiS1mk4QZ4__nY4hUNkF0xv189G9tKvipp3yTNdjlUunKIWoij5NsPcS9fobbGYXc9EHE03bS7HsrO3iAXmBgSwrAVNNfqwDbLOaY9H1JePfGF5_0M_lh6Yr8bhAFYXr7_bRXdG86h77soYfkfWoFgbsisUYw2Rq-_5C/s423/md30772530382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26YcyS0diXlNTMvgGf2K-iiS1mk4QZ4__nY4hUNkF0xv189G9tKvipp3yTNdjlUunKIWoij5NsPcS9fobbGYXc9EHE03bS7HsrO3iAXmBgSwrAVNNfqwDbLOaY9H1JePfGF5_0M_lh6Yr8bhAFYXr7_bRXdG86h77soYfkfWoFgbsisUYw2Rq-_5C/s320/md30772530382.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br /><div>No piece discussing Yorkshire and its writers could be complete without mentioning the fabulous <a href="https://millyjohnson.co.uk/" target="_blank">Milly Johnson</a> - who was presented with the Rishard Whiteley Award for givin<span style="font-family: inherit;">g outstanding inspiration to others within the County.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oH_RfeW8OBURBMUqD-Qfv2OxGDSWUEK6qfczy7yDchpdJlUxDBDllsMm9WGnfCOfHwEm6mkowG_Y8V7GShxxHhlesGzh92iescpUTTylYpcY-CoP264l_U0H7_h3WoLPejGARsHGtDfsXvxDrqkSbu9kKmsUWo-OnB_TTfKjQznQ6ZODyhkhdjse/s750/milly-johnson-portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="750" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oH_RfeW8OBURBMUqD-Qfv2OxGDSWUEK6qfczy7yDchpdJlUxDBDllsMm9WGnfCOfHwEm6mkowG_Y8V7GShxxHhlesGzh92iescpUTTylYpcY-CoP264l_U0H7_h3WoLPejGARsHGtDfsXvxDrqkSbu9kKmsUWo-OnB_TTfKjQznQ6ZODyhkhdjse/s320/milly-johnson-portrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">If you are in the mood for Historical fiction (or fact), a
walk around the city can give you a host of plot ideas! As can the city pubs! Ghosts
abound – as do real-life characters like Guy Fawkes, Dick Turpin and Anne
Lister.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaZUTDT1khwKC2-jIzrYYazlHjYFHc6I-OZvzVbBta9dNJuGkDMwOdcF-jMdx84lhYUsOykJDmstnxM-HwpLr0PSTKMYx_o5zpd9xlljwfwHOMJjXjuRjTcUdULwuNzZg93JZrcJ7BiytFNZQaDDUvKO5xAxsolm6hN_F2DNR88loGlzz9GhdgWmy/s880/historic_york_1947_24_29_frame_massive.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="880" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaZUTDT1khwKC2-jIzrYYazlHjYFHc6I-OZvzVbBta9dNJuGkDMwOdcF-jMdx84lhYUsOykJDmstnxM-HwpLr0PSTKMYx_o5zpd9xlljwfwHOMJjXjuRjTcUdULwuNzZg93JZrcJ7BiytFNZQaDDUvKO5xAxsolm6hN_F2DNR88loGlzz9GhdgWmy/w549-h462/historic_york_1947_24_29_frame_massive.jpg" width="549" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">Come at the right time of year, and you could find the
<a href="https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/" target="_blank">Romantic Novelists Associationtion </a>hosting an event there too. Recently they have
been holding them in the <a href="https://www.merchant-taylors-york.org/" target="_blank">Merchant Taylors Hall</a>. In addition, you may find a
writers' conference being held at York University.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, all the attractions bring a downside too. A local
paper ran a piece recently entitled "Death by Hen-Party". York being
a central transport hub, Friday about 3 pm., the arriving trains start to
decant groups of <i>jeunesse dorée </i>all determined to have a good time. To
be fair, they are mostly harmless, and there is usually room for everyone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">York's other claim to fame is, of course, chocolate! Terry's
and Rountree's were the big players in the chocolate markets of the Victorian
era. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0eVbflVi38HQSq-2bWv9YT7rBgUc6k9AZHpYsD58VjxT6rTF2ss8qlmgqSkuIkIJywJz998ohXfWf3R76A0_IY7NwJzALRl3KJWYt8MEko64qnFT9WNyD922AoKPRlZPV6YmHrtWwpXxVmpH8emGEVftkrrUaSmyms1sB8rERVjo12RGT8T6qyHG/s275/download%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0eVbflVi38HQSq-2bWv9YT7rBgUc6k9AZHpYsD58VjxT6rTF2ss8qlmgqSkuIkIJywJz998ohXfWf3R76A0_IY7NwJzALRl3KJWYt8MEko64qnFT9WNyD922AoKPRlZPV6YmHrtWwpXxVmpH8emGEVftkrrUaSmyms1sB8rERVjo12RGT8T6qyHG/s1600/download%20(2).jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZRslc-CORT48uMig1Sv8eB0d8PRbw563Shw7ej_JPf1kSQhlUvi2OEFq_tYqoADP5Yo54lZhKHRMEVHb1j0p_YQpfB_RqyImM91uW5GoLJkNRz0FaSHY04CN8NT2FIRqg-QK8PkNw-nLTr3ubz2K-0PRKDZLuYlCqMsPHMinULWq6ECQT284rh2-/s266/download%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="266" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZRslc-CORT48uMig1Sv8eB0d8PRbw563Shw7ej_JPf1kSQhlUvi2OEFq_tYqoADP5Yo54lZhKHRMEVHb1j0p_YQpfB_RqyImM91uW5GoLJkNRz0FaSHY04CN8NT2FIRqg-QK8PkNw-nLTr3ubz2K-0PRKDZLuYlCqMsPHMinULWq6ECQT284rh2-/s1600/download%20(3).jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa5RN98p3y8n6_1K7ckrTb5esTWx3STaj3Qlnghd4UaBd0Qk9LPYeieYuT9eR0l7eQtP9qTF2nrxdsWKzOX73bc3MQNiPnAp2bsy-Z-kugGWo5ghERhZULWAiFjSHSErA899VPZgQlqQtq_OLIJDDp-KRUAINGqRkxrfjalFl8DjaLBcNNQCcuUhn/s750/York-s-chocolate-story-continues-even-if-former-factories-no-longer-exist.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa5RN98p3y8n6_1K7ckrTb5esTWx3STaj3Qlnghd4UaBd0Qk9LPYeieYuT9eR0l7eQtP9qTF2nrxdsWKzOX73bc3MQNiPnAp2bsy-Z-kugGWo5ghERhZULWAiFjSHSErA899VPZgQlqQtq_OLIJDDp-KRUAINGqRkxrfjalFl8DjaLBcNNQCcuUhn/s320/York-s-chocolate-story-continues-even-if-former-factories-no-longer-exist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Like many chocolate makers of the era, they were Quakers and
had a very paternalistic attitude to their workforce. However, they are STILL significant
players in the property market. Rowntrees even built a theatre for their
workers, and the <a href="https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank">Joseph Rowntree Theatre</a> is in vibrant and popular use today. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When writer's block strikes, take a stroll, think back and
imagine these very stones being trodden by King Richard III. You can literally walk
in their footsteps. Towton, Stamford Bridge, Marston Moor and Fulford, some of
the most infamous and bloody battles fought in England, have been fought here! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally – a word about hedgehogs! Our local ones seem to
have gone into hibernation already. This is early but not exceptional. We have
at least three who regularly visit us and seem to come back every spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/" target="_blank">Hedgehog Street! A link worth clicking on!</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheatLYrLiwD5uU63-QO25MLFXM2qv3fuppMSnhoW0pswbyIh0rmsJ7koRtzCCjY5TJ0p05SPiTLJ4iPP8VpFxtjHF8HfkFxPa_Pa0vCOU6kACW7nvCa-xkLfTNXi12tXb361PS0U0G9Bq3-00L7Gy5uH7XNIMC-CkfROXoLi6rXsUYvw-FOUdevFUe/s4000/collage-hedgies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheatLYrLiwD5uU63-QO25MLFXM2qv3fuppMSnhoW0pswbyIh0rmsJ7koRtzCCjY5TJ0p05SPiTLJ4iPP8VpFxtjHF8HfkFxPa_Pa0vCOU6kACW7nvCa-xkLfTNXi12tXb361PS0U0G9Bq3-00L7Gy5uH7XNIMC-CkfROXoLi6rXsUYvw-FOUdevFUe/w524-h394/collage-hedgies.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Hedgehogs from earlier this year.</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We are STILL putting the food and camera out – just in case.
As it happens, we live next door to an old orchard with a large area of the untended
garden. Heaven for hedgies – and they have a hedgehog highway through to our
garden. My expert advisor for hedgies, Toni Burrell, says they only take about
15% of their food from what we put out – they get the bulk of their diet from
what they forage.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Winter is definatly approaching. It is noticably cold at night, and the nights aare drawing in. Hibernating sounds like a good idea (if only!) Take care over the winter, and curl up with several good books. Hopefully, by the time spring comes around they will be joined by one or more of your OWN books!</p></div>John Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02095349741824511293noreply@blogger.com4York, UK53.9614205 -1.073910825.651186663821157 -36.2301608 82.271654336178841 34.0823392tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-31153501701399118912022-09-02T12:58:00.002+01:002022-09-02T12:58:44.049+01:00Change of Seasons<p> As I write this, I'm enjoying the final warm days of summer, but I've noticed that the nights are already drawing in and it's dark by nine o'clock.</p><p>Although I love the warm summer months (and we've been more than blessed this year!) there is something enticing about autumn. The first whisper of the cold weather to come, closing curtains as the evening falls and curling up with a good book. There are some advantages to living in a country with so many months of long, dark hours when we can be holed up in our homes making our way through a teetering 'to be read' pile.</p><p>And I find that <i>what </i>I read changes with the seasons. During the summer I like to read novels that reflect my life at that time, so holidays, sunshine, village fetes and days out. I absolutely love anything involving a coastal location and a big multi-generational family staying in a vast holiday home. I can feel the tension seeping out from between the pages before I've even opened it! I want to be transported somewhere warm with cocktails and sun-loungers and definitely no work - the summer of my dreams, but never my reality!</p><p>So, as we move into autumn and the children are going back to school (collective sigh of relief from parents across the country, including myself) I'm looking at my bookcase and putting away the summer novels to start reading something more suitable for the new season.</p><p>Whilst I do absolutely love them, I try and save the Christmas books for reading in December (I must stop myself from diving in too early!), so for my autumn reading I turn to darker, slightly mystical books. The sort of slightly spooky, gothic books usually with a historical element or dual timeline that needs to be read in front of a roaring log fire. Just as sitting in the sun adds to the mood when I'm reading a holiday novel, sitting in the dark with the lamp lit, is perfect for reading something atmospheric.</p><p>I've pulled out some of the books that are at the top of my 'tbr' pile and I am ready to dive into; I've just finished reading a review copy of Jenni Keer's 'The Legacy of Halesham Hall' so I don't have a copy of that (yet!) but it was brilliant, everything I love in a book for the turn of the seasons - twists and turns, gothic and deliciously dark!</p><p>Roll on the autumn nights, my books and I are ready to embrace them!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGZH5g-antAvfVBSJTWbn4eUgyIU2kV2MJgWMgKqVkSWM532uqrSstUznOhdkRCoHLVKT7GvZTrj324ySu94YuGfh5T6io6_Gf4-FnzX07s1GeE1BPRrsOgtVrhq-RAnSp7hU6T8Eq97xE_fieJHaVoH9wwS6xMxKh_Lx88HnIUiW5cxWMbS-csqs/s3648/books%20for%20blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGZH5g-antAvfVBSJTWbn4eUgyIU2kV2MJgWMgKqVkSWM532uqrSstUznOhdkRCoHLVKT7GvZTrj324ySu94YuGfh5T6io6_Gf4-FnzX07s1GeE1BPRrsOgtVrhq-RAnSp7hU6T8Eq97xE_fieJHaVoH9wwS6xMxKh_Lx88HnIUiW5cxWMbS-csqs/s320/books%20for%20blog.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Clare Marchanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11165226550088704571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-3303848041892436182022-08-05T12:38:00.000+01:002022-08-05T12:38:20.389+01:00Hooray! Hooray! For the RNA!<p>Last month the annual <b>Romantic Novelists’ Association</b>
conference was held at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. The
pandemic meant the 2020 and 2021 conferences couldn’t take place,
so for many of us, this gathering of romance writers was extra
special and eagerly anticipated.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds2n3ETnozt6ULdScCPuayveWu4BnJVCgkV9o3YCmcJgiUmLd2gF7-YOr-3oHkxTogIjjNDTQjFXibw7MTd6pyjtRSlMnkUQr5c0Igtd4fsA28-unfFa4dBDZ7USyUvDtapuDXGQ2or-FjSI3EqTdBJN85zBWCaeA141pNWay8CxfyXVqVhHF_eETVg/s4000/IMG_20220715_165229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds2n3ETnozt6ULdScCPuayveWu4BnJVCgkV9o3YCmcJgiUmLd2gF7-YOr-3oHkxTogIjjNDTQjFXibw7MTd6pyjtRSlMnkUQr5c0Igtd4fsA28-unfFa4dBDZ7USyUvDtapuDXGQ2or-FjSI3EqTdBJN85zBWCaeA141pNWay8CxfyXVqVhHF_eETVg/s320/IMG_20220715_165229.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notepad at the ready...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For four blissful days, I was surrounded by my tribe – people who
were passionate about writing and, specifically, championing the
romance genre. The conference has long been a highlight of my year: a
chance to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and mingle with
industry professionals. At Harper Adams, both the accommodation and
the food are always top notch, and it was my privilege to share a
flat with Clare Marchant, Rosie Hendry, Ian Wilfred, Nancy Peach,
Kate Smith, Annette Hannah and Debbie Johnston. (What happens at the
kitchen party, stays at the kitchen party – right guys!)</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISjw8mSJr0pV8YxYgjw6cL34HRGechkzr-sl5rDC6AgbnLJ68daQJOUqZYAFwbtGywBMGHrztkDY83yGxzbAa5b5EGjZSgPc_KKdAAH-l8l51A9_kc-A3wfr0sv0iVhf-h7fTmp3xjegT-0Zk86itFpVQHKXxU03jBKFSw4r2267poTptkJGaAtQU8Q/s4000/IMG_20220715_211813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISjw8mSJr0pV8YxYgjw6cL34HRGechkzr-sl5rDC6AgbnLJ68daQJOUqZYAFwbtGywBMGHrztkDY83yGxzbAa5b5EGjZSgPc_KKdAAH-l8l51A9_kc-A3wfr0sv0iVhf-h7fTmp3xjegT-0Zk86itFpVQHKXxU03jBKFSw4r2267poTptkJGaAtQU8Q/s320/IMG_20220715_211813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kitchen gathering.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The long weekend is jam-packed full of lectures and panels, with
barely a moment to catch your breath. Highlights for me were the talk
by Elizabeth Chadwick, a panel on pitching your book to editors,
TikTok and Instagram talks, the legend that is Charlotte Ledger, and
various talks about diversity and inclusion. I also got to meet my
amazing agent, Hannah Schofield of LBA Books, for the first time, as
I had signed with her during the pandemic. She’s a real industry
superstar, fantastically supportive of romantic fiction, and
definitely one to watch.</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsv0llLcFIamfbMtlPJqr9NbMb0S-aKnaQk1LnAVwgd1yOAMZ2dLaldM-N2W8lhk4O1oEznFevs5HpV7DJjNbR8GfNXGPoeLOgUPY3YPUpkCz2h8-6KAJz0qvp-FDnJtJ4SmkCCaFaBTApsJISQnU75bzW6E1FDFnk0j-lU8p2ZCDzx0Q25--XMXrrQ/s4000/IMG_20220716_213646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsv0llLcFIamfbMtlPJqr9NbMb0S-aKnaQk1LnAVwgd1yOAMZ2dLaldM-N2W8lhk4O1oEznFevs5HpV7DJjNbR8GfNXGPoeLOgUPY3YPUpkCz2h8-6KAJz0qvp-FDnJtJ4SmkCCaFaBTApsJISQnU75bzW6E1FDFnk0j-lU8p2ZCDzx0Q25--XMXrrQ/s320/IMG_20220716_213646.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself and the amazing Hannah Schofield</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The RNA runs an amazing New Writers’ Scheme to support emerging
romance writers. NWS members receive a critique of their manuscript
and the opportunity to attend RNA events. Every year, graduates from
this scheme are put forward for the Joan Hessayon Award, and this
year the awards took place just before the Gala Dinner at the
conference. The shortlist was overflowing with talent and the winner
was Suzie Hull for her delightful debut “In This Foreign Land”.
Congratulations, Suzie. I can highly recommend the book. Link below:</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://mybook.to/InThisForeignLand">mybook.to/InThisForeignLand</a><br />
</p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh089o1w7EV4qr6vGPTHz6xXpr2yI0svko673ewjGmHaqXdvfS9-odvc822RJmjmdMGdyvOklTFglA5Olu-hV0npbt2gZh1bLWOhABPAIL23YtfD6C3weFGKeuYQt4oDwIvfZ4WjWApzdUrUV2lu2T3AtmbNHpDs38Hs76kUvCt2ixNi2rDw4__M4lvzg/s1611/Screenshot_20220805-085228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh089o1w7EV4qr6vGPTHz6xXpr2yI0svko673ewjGmHaqXdvfS9-odvc822RJmjmdMGdyvOklTFglA5Olu-hV0npbt2gZh1bLWOhABPAIL23YtfD6C3weFGKeuYQt4oDwIvfZ4WjWApzdUrUV2lu2T3AtmbNHpDs38Hs76kUvCt2ixNi2rDw4__M4lvzg/s320/Screenshot_20220805-085228.jpg" width="215" /></a></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But what I love most about the conference is the things you learn
over snatched cups of coffee and late night kitchen parties. THIS is
where close friendships are forged, some serious networking takes
place, and snippets of publishing gossip are shared. I finally got to
chat properly to the very lovely Jessica Redland (after taking her on
a magical mystery tour of the campus at midnight… oh, okay, yes, I
got us both lost). I had a long overdue hug with my dear friend Mick
Arnold, and Morton Gray shared useful underwear tips! But with 240
attendees, I couldn’t possibly shout out to all the wonderful
people I talked to in those surprisingly short four days, but suffice
to say, I returned home absolutely bouncing and brimming with new
ideas. It was a time for me to reflect how much joy our genre brings
to people, and gave me the confidence to continue writing what I
love.</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ibdh93GtqBw3y57YSZD-jzbdjQWMalh1au7dsG45bWmK47Fv4lqwaJGMoEEbjWm0zng96DW5Y0dztZHP4eP6pD5eXGD34gJIVnJ42jLMzs3mNqw8xWoXwxgKxPH01n4YwjC4RX6UF87Uai11pNoiT9fHKR88k4klmwGMEgoTZRz7hbMGxjy114exg/s4000/IMG_20220715_131626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Ibdh93GtqBw3y57YSZD-jzbdjQWMalh1au7dsG45bWmK47Fv4lqwaJGMoEEbjWm0zng96DW5Y0dztZHP4eP6pD5eXGD34gJIVnJ42jLMzs3mNqw8xWoXwxgKxPH01n4YwjC4RX6UF87Uai11pNoiT9fHKR88k4klmwGMEgoTZRz7hbMGxjy114exg/s320/IMG_20220715_131626.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My book in the bookshop!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-Y7wwKou501h-xKveVHTSLK5ouP0AJqGLrT6guLdO_sycAUoEg1uky8VGhdZahiSTbF6e9frLOPBjc1GgrIFMfW7nDaDh33VPiG4xJZeeFWgPRxry6rICJqLeuCyc3XdZ5U3iNiurr-NGye0Eb_6G_aInvn9_s8nrXXJ2eFKSWaN1B1wG8T6SelXjQ/s4000/IMG_20220715_153137.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-Y7wwKou501h-xKveVHTSLK5ouP0AJqGLrT6guLdO_sycAUoEg1uky8VGhdZahiSTbF6e9frLOPBjc1GgrIFMfW7nDaDh33VPiG4xJZeeFWgPRxry6rICJqLeuCyc3XdZ5U3iNiurr-NGye0Eb_6G_aInvn9_s8nrXXJ2eFKSWaN1B1wG8T6SelXjQ/s320/IMG_20220715_153137.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panel about the modern protagonist</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR17gzNKYyh0BIv21dwUFzwsEkKqpzNNXJpBTjFfvEanx-xmO8KWK6cCBW7Y3WIkXX2zEyDkcnrx22SnCfULfB6M_yetJATl54cvz83jlqdIUbhWe6G3CW4kys5juBSpqC5Z9j6XsVr3JYlqV_Ne0v_-KXdKwO8avgZVyr8kfHAPUfTqlxSs1MY1nXg/s6560/IMG_20220715_183014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="6560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR17gzNKYyh0BIv21dwUFzwsEkKqpzNNXJpBTjFfvEanx-xmO8KWK6cCBW7Y3WIkXX2zEyDkcnrx22SnCfULfB6M_yetJATl54cvz83jlqdIUbhWe6G3CW4kys5juBSpqC5Z9j6XsVr3JYlqV_Ne0v_-KXdKwO8avgZVyr8kfHAPUfTqlxSs1MY1nXg/s320/IMG_20220715_183014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Wilfred - who grinned for 4 solid days!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJC8he-vPf6wiorG-PCQJkVPdOjLPN1m41encyWQw2k7Us3W07oiWyEJSpYvrypLc9dNDn4eL4sYlx54WtEd7cv99AbfM8AgSLW-coyBfjwACyGpMtACbxh26-YTIyFf-EypKhXuoIonRwzgxJtnbYyz8Wwr4GZXiDvP2gr3eON2SALRJ5yl8QtWFtw/s4000/IMG_20220716_162211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJC8he-vPf6wiorG-PCQJkVPdOjLPN1m41encyWQw2k7Us3W07oiWyEJSpYvrypLc9dNDn4eL4sYlx54WtEd7cv99AbfM8AgSLW-coyBfjwACyGpMtACbxh26-YTIyFf-EypKhXuoIonRwzgxJtnbYyz8Wwr4GZXiDvP2gr3eON2SALRJ5yl8QtWFtw/s320/IMG_20220716_162211.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I packed the essentials.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWpd_t_UlR8FAuMfxdeccPcipaKV2lxlBFZe0EIu9rUuXhQ4lu3grQhNwSzfbSRAsTPuuuEjDIUwlhD4cueZ6AeV_LU5OK4pcl2dHE3O6WnzB1UR5yKqmpcaxHkejYjG-fJ3ParUgebXYJbelGWHvfrEBKqN6aPaMYmblxXBd5O6svL3JnsdWcLSyLg/s6560/IMG_20220717_124703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="6560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWpd_t_UlR8FAuMfxdeccPcipaKV2lxlBFZe0EIu9rUuXhQ4lu3grQhNwSzfbSRAsTPuuuEjDIUwlhD4cueZ6AeV_LU5OK4pcl2dHE3O6WnzB1UR5yKqmpcaxHkejYjG-fJ3ParUgebXYJbelGWHvfrEBKqN6aPaMYmblxXBd5O6svL3JnsdWcLSyLg/s320/IMG_20220717_124703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Elizabeth Chadwick</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTBmQ0MR5RJKf5ZYFFTNCcH440CjLRCMLwGQ_9huoTd43qUNaGIupvak9ssLx2D0HmFSFaM-UZHx9EN2o4kt9hMzaDCMCV6Tjqwg49mdAm5UH50pcrmtc42-tUAhgzNPcBzudfiFFHSVIqHkRl2L6zwMYYndWH2ZGKfpzYGgCWzfy40d63LagGvjAyw/s6560/IMG_20220716_223738.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="6560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTBmQ0MR5RJKf5ZYFFTNCcH440CjLRCMLwGQ_9huoTd43qUNaGIupvak9ssLx2D0HmFSFaM-UZHx9EN2o4kt9hMzaDCMCV6Tjqwg49mdAm5UH50pcrmtc42-tUAhgzNPcBzudfiFFHSVIqHkRl2L6zwMYYndWH2ZGKfpzYGgCWzfy40d63LagGvjAyw/s320/IMG_20220716_223738.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diane Saxon - you little beauty!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Roll on summer 2023.</p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Jenni x</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Jenni Keerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03918451936816419936noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-47051196949608734852022-07-03T11:07:00.002+01:002022-07-03T11:07:41.660+01:00A Novel Point of View?<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;">Schools in Argyll
and Bute finished for the summer holidays yesterday, so at one o</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;">’clock I found myself singing my
annual rendition of Alice Cooper’s <i>Schools Out for Summer</i>, although with a
little less enthusiasm than I perhaps used to when I was a classroom teacher.
At least I have six weeks ahead of me without an alarm going off at seven in
the morning even if I do have to entertain my kids more often!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9LNhNm2IbN3lipYqw1vJOFKcUBAgJfSB-TjfR-qi_omk-KqJHvkJOvIhIhS7Jygy7bFpBG5XlCVo3PQolSe562SmSlsm18EA4qwf4GWNoam6dMRuITXAYOASZkvA6S29NUVx9Zy5sEe2H2qss7Qiz5awdF61TVkDaUeUAhKGZqOO-Qpc9rgHcyosmw/s1600/IMG-20210926-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sunset on a loch. sky in shades of orange and yellow. woman in pink sea-kayak in middle ground on calm water." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9LNhNm2IbN3lipYqw1vJOFKcUBAgJfSB-TjfR-qi_omk-KqJHvkJOvIhIhS7Jygy7bFpBG5XlCVo3PQolSe562SmSlsm18EA4qwf4GWNoam6dMRuITXAYOASZkvA6S29NUVx9Zy5sEe2H2qss7Qiz5awdF61TVkDaUeUAhKGZqOO-Qpc9rgHcyosmw/w320-h240/IMG-20210926-WA0001.jpg" title="Me in my kayak on a calmer day! (Photos couresy of D. Harland)" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As soon as the
girls were home, they wanted to go to the beach and, as it was too choppy for
the paddle boards, they went swimming while I took my kayak out. After a rather
dodgy attempt to get into it, I finally managed without either capsizing or being
washed up onto the beach. I did, however, discover that my plan to paddle
leisurely up and down the shoreline was simply not going to happen. The waves
were high enough that the safest option was to head directly into them at
ninety degrees, then turn as quickly as possible and head back to shore the
same way. (The photos were taken on better days!)<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLReKlF9ZcseH6ju6k78AEiv-AMQBxNhdaQ_VF2nX5sZHxxicql2qeWglYZebulGCYjcU8tnzG1Pz_hCsXjyaTwyKMUOiTIZ78CfxXnZC2UvstxHCNMMlolCh4QUUJxI4B79D05mVVfvK8bjsBQlHJd6Y5DbVVohXW1tPI2qSzzftN0jTU18J4KOeuw/s1600/IMG-20210725-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a sunny day looking onto the shore of Loch Long. The water is pale blue and a rolling hill is in the distance." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLReKlF9ZcseH6ju6k78AEiv-AMQBxNhdaQ_VF2nX5sZHxxicql2qeWglYZebulGCYjcU8tnzG1Pz_hCsXjyaTwyKMUOiTIZ78CfxXnZC2UvstxHCNMMlolCh4QUUJxI4B79D05mVVfvK8bjsBQlHJd6Y5DbVVohXW1tPI2qSzzftN0jTU18J4KOeuw/w200-h150/IMG-20210725-WA0001.jpg" title="Loch Long looking NW towards Knockderry - site of the viking fort" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 15pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;">This meant that I
found myself further out into the sea-loch than I usually go, giving me a different
perspective of the peninsula I live on. This idea of looking at the place I am
so familiar with from a different point of view (a novel point of view?) has always been intriguing to me. It was when I discovered that there had been a Viking fort on
the site of a friend</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;">’s
house, and human remains found in my parent’s garden (in Victorian times —
thankfully I didn’t have to even consider the possibility of Mum having buried
someone under the patio — maybe I'll save that idea for a future book…) that I thought about setting
a Viking series here.</span></div></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7h5EpUV1NyYydmRCMkcV_Ocb3aWJs0UsGET2fq4x9Uy37F5KHMe-xtsu2VtnMPBW4RfXET7YbixsBOvVd_wmtH4xhO1bThYHVNN6LQi68XDfOvFF5WZg9knEAkq6MI73rjkAeqZErP6rpMr00h-Ic9VELEb_t01diOQt3lIxIcde8V_E_L2yxergYA/s1600/IMG-20210725-WA0002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a sunny day looking onto the shore of Loch Long. The water is pale blue and a rolling hill is in the distance." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7h5EpUV1NyYydmRCMkcV_Ocb3aWJs0UsGET2fq4x9Uy37F5KHMe-xtsu2VtnMPBW4RfXET7YbixsBOvVd_wmtH4xhO1bThYHVNN6LQi68XDfOvFF5WZg9knEAkq6MI73rjkAeqZErP6rpMr00h-Ic9VELEb_t01diOQt3lIxIcde8V_E_L2yxergYA/w200-h150/IMG-20210725-WA0002.jpg" title="Loch Long looking towards Cove" width="200" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>So little is known
about the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde that it doesn</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’t often feature in novels and it’s
divided from modern Scotland by language — they most likely spoke Brythonic or
Cumbric, a language closer to modern Welsh than modern Gaelic — but
nevertheless, there are remnants throughout the area of links with the Norsemen
if you know where to look. (Knockderry, Luss, Carrick Golf Course, Dumbarton Rock and Govan,
to name but a few.) These remnants may not add up (yet) to a significant
relationship between the two peoples, so I have kept these interactions minimal
in my novels, but there are enough to suggest that there was definitely some
level of significant contact. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCQBNy1Qj3im8IEk5H8yDU6zLvvanvz3YOZDSbuF69MPL4stLzdPFqNLDH4uxX_SMUjq9tecVIaDiLsI623rsHbny_sBJ_HPTNs_wy4XOdTUjFx4ug4kYU5AMQNYYTmGhcdhpizMp9kp_dG6xJSLT13UMX_e_r3XylHKbfzDNzOBlGwdVbRvkmF-oEA/s1600/IMG-20210725-WA0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A sunny day looking onto the shore of Loch Long. The water is pale blue and a rolling hill is in the distance." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCQBNy1Qj3im8IEk5H8yDU6zLvvanvz3YOZDSbuF69MPL4stLzdPFqNLDH4uxX_SMUjq9tecVIaDiLsI623rsHbny_sBJ_HPTNs_wy4XOdTUjFx4ug4kYU5AMQNYYTmGhcdhpizMp9kp_dG6xJSLT13UMX_e_r3XylHKbfzDNzOBlGwdVbRvkmF-oEA/w200-h150/IMG-20210725-WA0003.jpg" title="Loch Long looking SE towards Kilcreggan" width="200" /></a></div></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></p><br />It<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s not until you are actually out
there on the loch that you see the water as forming a connection, rather than
it being a division. Places that are far distant by road suddenly become the
closest town. People that you would be unlikely to meet on land
suddenly become the very people you are most likely to bump into. The long
fingers of the peninsulas that form the northern banks of the Firth of Clyde
suddenly become accessible to one another, rather than separated by hundreds of
miles of long, narrow, winding roads.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoqcL937hoRPa-WpnLaYXj_X0WHnx3uYTvZk3pWjHntUbys3K2zAXALyNQruHIe1Q0eeyCLL4DXpl2KoSnGGEAtBZ-FDWpW-uft9VkoaNyRBsM0VW9EHJxwKXtMZYlNIqUTH7odkWj5CUQO6bZvUgK_XAB2XFT-xy1D-QmqkNCeVvSB9ZHiPBVX7XwA/s1600/IMG-20210725-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An expansse of calm blue water with a sliver of dark land just above the mid-point. A single white sailed yacht sits in the centre." border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoqcL937hoRPa-WpnLaYXj_X0WHnx3uYTvZk3pWjHntUbys3K2zAXALyNQruHIe1Q0eeyCLL4DXpl2KoSnGGEAtBZ-FDWpW-uft9VkoaNyRBsM0VW9EHJxwKXtMZYlNIqUTH7odkWj5CUQO6bZvUgK_XAB2XFT-xy1D-QmqkNCeVvSB9ZHiPBVX7XwA/w200-h150/IMG-20210725-WA0000.jpg" title="Looking towards the Firth of Clyde from Loch Long" width="200" /></a></div></span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 15pt;">Perhaps this is
something writers always do — distance themselves from places and people and
perhaps even themselves — so that they can tell these other stories, but I
think, for me, anyway, that it</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 15pt;">’s
more pronounced when writing historical fiction. Looking back at the landscape
in front of me from far out on the water, I imagined what it would have looked
like then. There would, of course, have been the same basic bare bones of the
landscape, but what areas would have been attractive to live on? Where had the
best access to the sea-loch and streams? Where is the flattest land for
building? What would those buildings look like? Sadly, my artistic skills don’t
extend to me drawing an image, so I have to use words and hope that
readers can picture it roughly the way I have — or maybe that doesn’t matter?
Maybe it’s okay for them to picture it their own way?</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://books2read.com/u/mqEndv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="a viking man embrcing a woman with long dark hair in a flowing white dress. the bottom of the cover shows a snow-covered landscape." border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAimpg4LlQpurDIVtgy2PIB3bgVgxLpSgPXBT9eLEC2WgG1Ly_BEQ0OY0H8Nf3HxTQLqRN_LPTGUN5j7ZpJUjcU_pvvtJaHiHsOcGpOb7Xbo3rKDWMyfPX6O5Z53bb1A3rMMydAH98kmo__YNt02SlaELdwf1XgXkT0AOBrV4bXD1xJ77N_8O8uDgUKQ/w133-h200/TheVikingsPrincessBride_Small.jpg" title="Cover of The VIking's Princess Bride" width="133" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Our new schedule for the
Novel Points of View blog has meant that, rather serendipitously, I have ended
up being the one to blog the weekend prior to the release of book three of my
series. <i>The Viking</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s
Princess Bride</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> will be released on Tuesday July 5th.
Thanks to various delays, it</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s
not particularly seasonal as it’s set at Imbolc in early February and features
the two main characters snowbound in a shieling high on the moors. Shielings
were dwelling houses used primarily by women during the summer when they took
the sheep up onto the moors to give them access to richer grasslands. This is
Scotland, however, so I’m not going to jinx our summer weather by saying that
the presence of snow indicates that the events couldn’t happen in July!<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope everyone has a lovely summer and sees the sun at
least once or twice!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mairibeth</span></p><p></p></div>MairibethMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547784363812591865noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-55261866280291232482022-06-12T10:21:00.002+01:002022-06-12T10:21:36.486+01:00TIME FOR CHANGE...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVjAzfRhZ751JvZbFrVG0hxwMkkmz7fu5WzQKcT-DAEPp0laZ1dHyJ-KUit8O8C5gGIVVD5JJldXxcVqy-zt1l0DBj4CUImiDMagX5hxfNFM4yTT5ugwonoSZdsCgAFFh5pDrzrFEeAAXsdy0V1-Fe94rb-4DbwehY-mLsZULbq1EXdn5ypuZl1MoRw/s1920/time-for-a-change-2015164_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1277" data-original-width="1920" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVjAzfRhZ751JvZbFrVG0hxwMkkmz7fu5WzQKcT-DAEPp0laZ1dHyJ-KUit8O8C5gGIVVD5JJldXxcVqy-zt1l0DBj4CUImiDMagX5hxfNFM4yTT5ugwonoSZdsCgAFFh5pDrzrFEeAAXsdy0V1-Fe94rb-4DbwehY-mLsZULbq1EXdn5ypuZl1MoRw/w350-h233/time-for-a-change-2015164_1920.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br /><p>Hello reading friends!</p><p>Over the many years the Novel Points of View blog has been running, team members have loved sharing and connecting with readers. However, as the social media landscape has grown, placing added pressure to keep up on both readers and team members, the time for change has come and posts will be monthly (rather than weekly) from now on.</p><p>We are also saddened to share that team stalwart, <a href="https://victoriacornwall.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Cornwall</a> has decided to step back from the blog to concentrate on fiction projects. Throughout her time with the team, Victoria worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the blog ran smoothly and she will be very much missed, so we take this opportunity to thank her for all she has done and also to wish her well with her writing. </p><p>Finally, we wish to thank readers for engaging, sharing and making blogging fun. Going forward, we invite you to come on our journey, as the Novel Points of View team sails towards a bright new adventure...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVfC43S8YLCamBD__BH14J8ptl-SMA5wF-7SDLHnfnyv-1xNBx5T1U_aOLurAK28BU93JiubEZ4cLIQHsZEgujW3z0Ujc61z1eloHVm0zCv2J0yEf3iloKomUsaSldb1p1Dmj6S-a2AlymHVKb7RzD7M1NW_t-e0d4u1EIjoE_hgovp_9THL76k99ww/s1920/girl-1561989_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVfC43S8YLCamBD__BH14J8ptl-SMA5wF-7SDLHnfnyv-1xNBx5T1U_aOLurAK28BU93JiubEZ4cLIQHsZEgujW3z0Ujc61z1eloHVm0zCv2J0yEf3iloKomUsaSldb1p1Dmj6S-a2AlymHVKb7RzD7M1NW_t-e0d4u1EIjoE_hgovp_9THL76k99ww/s320/girl-1561989_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p>Best wishes from,</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All at Novel Points of View x</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-2690105183605447222022-06-04T08:50:00.000+01:002022-06-04T08:50:45.795+01:00SIGNPOSTS TO CREATIVITY...Hello! <div><br /></div><div>As summer arrives here in the United Kingdom and the sun finally decides to shine, team members have been out and about spotting interesting signs that have inspired them to write.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdwHDdYNc-NHg0CdOYX2p7xaOiNIjMicIin2QTIErY0fUoiioIWXAZjAtgP6ek3n30n1L_vAzr2iLQztAuY-JenRCRUqrAFyXTxh5aZt7oBc0g3kjOF-_x_RiHU0-mMwlCQCru05-2i7U6L6v9wsXTzI76V02MGRZmRI-zF8VSdzeU9v2oH5k_Ujmbw/s1920/career-479578_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1920" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdwHDdYNc-NHg0CdOYX2p7xaOiNIjMicIin2QTIErY0fUoiioIWXAZjAtgP6ek3n30n1L_vAzr2iLQztAuY-JenRCRUqrAFyXTxh5aZt7oBc0g3kjOF-_x_RiHU0-mMwlCQCru05-2i7U6L6v9wsXTzI76V02MGRZmRI-zF8VSdzeU9v2oH5k_Ujmbw/s320/career-479578_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Victoria says</span></b>... Bodmin Jail is a grade ll listed building which has survived many significant prison reforms - both good and bad. In recent years it has been developed into a boutique hotel and attraction yet still preserves the history and character of the infamous prison. The words that inspired two of my books, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thiefs-Daughter-Victoria-Cornwall/dp/1781893977/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654272806&sr=8-5" target="_blank">The Thief's Daughter</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captains-Daughter-Cornish-Tales/dp/178189423X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654272882&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Captain's Daughter</a>, made up a list of prisoners who were hung at the jail. Atmospheric, thought provoking and providing a snapshot of the past, those words will evoke many feelings... for the victims if not for the criminals themselves. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE3oanhetsS-5znAA8tXKCfOxND585t9Wqz-lvunWDho04wj0Nh-UTagZOA41T9bMv6hdQ_0O5FzJuRag_5fd7gNhdm2iB2ET-JGE8MnenTgGd-c0qfA7NVy2g59LpqpkMgx09XVAysJcBVtTDSAkD3TV1sZKYVCQrS3rOKO8PGFt6-veT8tiT9AQbg/s640/IMG_1893.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE3oanhetsS-5znAA8tXKCfOxND585t9Wqz-lvunWDho04wj0Nh-UTagZOA41T9bMv6hdQ_0O5FzJuRag_5fd7gNhdm2iB2ET-JGE8MnenTgGd-c0qfA7NVy2g59LpqpkMgx09XVAysJcBVtTDSAkD3TV1sZKYVCQrS3rOKO8PGFt6-veT8tiT9AQbg/s320/IMG_1893.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chilling list...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A link to the prison/hotel is here:-
<a href="https://www.bodminjail.org/discover/about-bodmin-jail/history/">https://www.bodminjail.org/discover/about-bodmin-jail/history/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jenni says</span></b>... As an author, I am constantly seeking out fresh names for characters. In my most recent novel, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Hawthorn-Place-heartfelt-dual-time/dp/1472286731/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1654272932&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Secrets of Hawthorn Place</a>, Percy Gladwell, got his surname from a truck parked in my village that is owned by a local landscaping company – Gladwells. I used to pass it several times a day and thought it fitted my character perfectly. In a nearby village, the poignant street name above (see photo) haunts me, and I have stored the Flowerdew surname in my memory bank for future use. But the coolest (and possibly creepiest) street name of all is Deadman’s Lane, just around the corner from me. This delightful single-track lane with a pretty stream running through, is allegedly where they used to hang criminals many centuries ago, and I just know that somewhere there is a story waiting to be told… </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkcFa6yn18HANHrsBE4nJzFwbSLQjvlK8OzE8za2y25vjN3H-lHQMBhsPVTebUtMLRDu5Ao5EihLlO7VdiNP0eu6ae0EG6fbvqL5TAU4o8UEa50kK4k5v7nUg0TUd1Fmrgvbh4qIqgThEKMXpb94-zoY4CskX6UUf-rGWzyPMakXW27sEwj30wK78EA/s2000/IMG_20220516_171657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkcFa6yn18HANHrsBE4nJzFwbSLQjvlK8OzE8za2y25vjN3H-lHQMBhsPVTebUtMLRDu5Ao5EihLlO7VdiNP0eu6ae0EG6fbvqL5TAU4o8UEa50kK4k5v7nUg0TUd1Fmrgvbh4qIqgThEKMXpb94-zoY4CskX6UUf-rGWzyPMakXW27sEwj30wK78EA/s320/IMG_20220516_171657.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Clare says</span></b>... Every day I like to take a break from writing to get out for a short walk, and around the corner from where I live are Ghost Hill Woods. The name originates from an Anglo-Saxon battle and the ghosts are believed to be soldiers who were discovered in a mass grave not far away at Bloods Dale Woods. As a history buff I love the images they provoke. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNKCiS0XvWNyHI-IoggIAAWzGa1-J5SlEr19s0_2dnTXRhj3-jpEfl6wy79zBqW5YmlNKuRGRJ4PLJlXmovvhQqKDhtSbutVTEpM8IKVLQ6xc2WCEpvmrVj0zbVjfHQ1gswyXO-_XeqSXJ2z53wLqY9gIZLeq4aNRI3CE9GZtgWj5bPTH_Kwf5fODBw/s2736/IMG_20220528_122820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2154" data-original-width="2736" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNKCiS0XvWNyHI-IoggIAAWzGa1-J5SlEr19s0_2dnTXRhj3-jpEfl6wy79zBqW5YmlNKuRGRJ4PLJlXmovvhQqKDhtSbutVTEpM8IKVLQ6xc2WCEpvmrVj0zbVjfHQ1gswyXO-_XeqSXJ2z53wLqY9gIZLeq4aNRI3CE9GZtgWj5bPTH_Kwf5fODBw/s320/IMG_20220528_122820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I visit during daylight with my dog, when the ghosts are silent. At night though the woods are deserted and there are pockets of shadow that are the deepest black, a cold presence deterring all but the brave. And sometimes if you listen carefully, you can hear the echoes of fighting; the shouts of Vikings and the ringing of blade against blade carrying on the wind... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Mairibeth says</span></b>... A nearby street-name helped inspire my <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vikings-Cursed-Bride-Brothers-Thunder-ebook/dp/B09G1PZGPB/ref=sr_1_4?crid=14AHYN4VLKLU5&keywords=Brothers+of+Thunder&qid=1654272998&sprefix=brothers+of+thunder%2Caps%2C123&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Brothers of Thunder</a> romance series. The oddly named Tom a’ Mhoid in the village of Rosneath, is a Gaelic street name shared in English by the nearby Courthill. A small pathway leads to this early medieval site where cases were heard and justice decided — sentences were then carried out at Gallowhill, outside the village itself. The tiered mound was removed c.1820 to build nearby Rosneath Castle (now demolished). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9wqr0rU0XjvBcOhOgaRDAayOPifTKvFUhQtT7rFhSffOrnsAbSb8z1paefI7NUWTpboitSdrm0CKrozrrom1PHpwWL_sTzJ9eCImMUhHPmaVxtPjI1abbev09lSIxJXf_6uDD9hswtA2zVVl4-h8crmxdmUgob5Ro8Spl0cyHrtg1welyC2hSNwTig/s875/IMG_20220601_170800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="875" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9wqr0rU0XjvBcOhOgaRDAayOPifTKvFUhQtT7rFhSffOrnsAbSb8z1paefI7NUWTpboitSdrm0CKrozrrom1PHpwWL_sTzJ9eCImMUhHPmaVxtPjI1abbev09lSIxJXf_6uDD9hswtA2zVVl4-h8crmxdmUgob5Ro8Spl0cyHrtg1welyC2hSNwTig/s320/IMG_20220601_170800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>If I hadn’t been intrigued by the street name, and discovered its similarities to Norse Thing sites, I might never have realised how many local links there are with the Norse! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Rae says</span></b>... For a couple of years, I drove passed Kellie Pearl Way and wondered who Kellie Pearl was, and why the road was given her name. I assumed she was a woman accused of witchcraft, as, sadly, here in NE Scotland, witch trials were aplenty. Then in May 2020, I completed an Inspiration Through Folklore online series of workshops with tutor, Sandra Ireland, and one of the tasks set was to discover more about a local street sign. I knew exactly which one I would research. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1UdWbvwZwH2bwe0RpblSn8MGQl-DIkkXmL6tg1qrf7N7gUVnsq_1Ymo37rVNCpMnu_AhktBBDlapoOmtEX0uqK0_J78rajtyoAGyEA3n8flZEzk18erFzVuN58PgTXFR3Z9RnqGQoMafgXTWmuH4nMRIwWW9cA-DHG8zB1pSA30uMOWu_Tgg7Lt3BA/s640/IMG_5262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1UdWbvwZwH2bwe0RpblSn8MGQl-DIkkXmL6tg1qrf7N7gUVnsq_1Ymo37rVNCpMnu_AhktBBDlapoOmtEX0uqK0_J78rajtyoAGyEA3n8flZEzk18erFzVuN58PgTXFR3Z9RnqGQoMafgXTWmuH4nMRIwWW9cA-DHG8zB1pSA30uMOWu_Tgg7Lt3BA/s320/IMG_5262.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To my astonishment, <a href="https://internetstones.com/kellie-pearl-largest-freshwater-pearl-scottish-crown.html" target="_blank">Kellie Pearl</a> wasn’t a person, but the largest fresh-water pearl ever discovered in the United Kingdom. It was found in a tributary of the nearby River Ythan and presented to King James VI, who had it mounted on the Scottish crown. Today, the crown can be viewed at Edinburgh Castle, part of the Scottish crown jewels, also known as the Honours of Scotland. </div><div><br /></div><div>For a writer, such an intriguing tale was a gift. Who found the Kellie Pearl buried deep in the mud? As they weighed the precious gem in their palm, were they tempted to keep it? And so, I wrote a short story imaginatively entitled, The Kellie Pearl! It’s yet to be published, but it feels good to share a little royal history here, on this, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxgcXSsjxPmfV6qt-GHurON5WfgL8gg5mPfWTpdFupz0QHY_oVmSNWQrPjdXftRtEWK6PZJLLb9r6CxuWmn8JRfT-Py3aH3pu7SgrjHKN0e5Csg66IvAIssyd1fgRSu6IxhHpS6gD4oEcPvBO78EuJIgms_h9eNeGDm1i_4k9FN8vDN6Hiz-Lz1_R4Q/s176/CROWN%20OF%20SCOTLAND.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="168" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxgcXSsjxPmfV6qt-GHurON5WfgL8gg5mPfWTpdFupz0QHY_oVmSNWQrPjdXftRtEWK6PZJLLb9r6CxuWmn8JRfT-Py3aH3pu7SgrjHKN0e5Csg66IvAIssyd1fgRSu6IxhHpS6gD4oEcPvBO78EuJIgms_h9eNeGDm1i_4k9FN8vDN6Hiz-Lz1_R4Q/s1600/CROWN%20OF%20SCOTLAND.gif" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown of Scotland containing<br />the Kellie Pearl</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div>What little known local history has inspired your creativity? Or what interesting signs have caught your attention? We would love to hear... </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rae x</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-56416647420996793782022-05-28T07:34:00.000+01:002022-05-28T07:34:40.891+01:00Your Favourite Books?<p> I was part of a panel at a recent signing event in Stoke.
One of the questions posed by our excellent MC, Donna Morfett, was on
"What real love story has influenced you and your writing." </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1S1hGhfgaiVxCXmEPZMNwhNkFOcB3ZmV7tF9MCgRu1SBwteLFpTO8jjh7ApcUydkZhbYtFR-GmmHmiHUPO8kSzG8aSnSaF0MVIPHtzPV6-4Mgm5ZpEZtHK_B9FxVbEoKHT-YmGxRs6NnzUHhdSjqoBlvzDbepFuNt8XmAQkXAkWieF_2iWgMaqwZ/s2048/280878565_2172917386233258_110580510693600350_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2048" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1S1hGhfgaiVxCXmEPZMNwhNkFOcB3ZmV7tF9MCgRu1SBwteLFpTO8jjh7ApcUydkZhbYtFR-GmmHmiHUPO8kSzG8aSnSaF0MVIPHtzPV6-4Mgm5ZpEZtHK_B9FxVbEoKHT-YmGxRs6NnzUHhdSjqoBlvzDbepFuNt8XmAQkXAkWieF_2iWgMaqwZ/w217-h156/280878565_2172917386233258_110580510693600350_n.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/muffet.king" target="_blank">Donna Morfett</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009565890747" target="_blank">Toya Richardson</a>, <a href="https://www.rosrendleauthor.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ros Rendle</a> and Me!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had no advance knowledge of the questions, but this was still an instantly easy one to answer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The story of Major Harry Smith and the young girl he found
and married in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest sieges of the Napoleonic
Wars may be known to many readers, particularly fans of Georgette Heyer, Her
novel, “The Spanish Bride” details their story in her inimitable prose. Even
her name is pretty unforgettable; Juana María de los Dolores de León!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Bajados was the scene of terrible savagery by the British troops after taking the city. In Harry Smith’s own words: “The atrocities committed by our soldiers on the poor innocent and defenceless inhabitants of the city, no words suffice to depict. Too truly did our heretofore noble soldiers disgrace themselves”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">IMHO <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/311153.The_Spanish_Bride" target="_blank">The Spanish Bride </a>is a superb book, combining as it
does the story of the Peninsular war from Bajados in 1812 right up to Waterloo.
It is full of domestic details of their life with Harry’s regiment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW9TZChG75anMMgTPJDhYI8cy0kWlzCaJb1OSk5LLnlUQdyE4EYmRIYLI6aMRpoNWR_F8M4gq4BlnUgyya2HE5Nq73t2HAHDaNOyKGR-y-AQKS9mfvsknTy49Bk62e953ri6xtFQotD8uMB1pYYKmHV-OEtYEbvNZgPMBJlk5G5tJPZoR4cRHpzQi/s477/md30749198447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="300" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnW9TZChG75anMMgTPJDhYI8cy0kWlzCaJb1OSk5LLnlUQdyE4EYmRIYLI6aMRpoNWR_F8M4gq4BlnUgyya2HE5Nq73t2HAHDaNOyKGR-y-AQKS9mfvsknTy49Bk62e953ri6xtFQotD8uMB1pYYKmHV-OEtYEbvNZgPMBJlk5G5tJPZoR4cRHpzQi/w161-h256/md30749198447.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I had this edition. It fell to pieces many years ago!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWkObmeIJ8CWLy_sb4H5HdejvxfNt1-c7MSCwsyG9u2Flo15ePTLtCtp_9lzvPRs0fkPyUv0GEY2LB8_illvYDGtjjOrkzoNwHBry4ymsiTMXals1VNCCK9p8SDYqKKvX3dCs_9kF1nuqgCf8UXeWkI0yMJgVVoBuRtklazy4T806c3136bT6OWcA/s542/Juana_Ponce_De_Leon_Smith.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="384" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWkObmeIJ8CWLy_sb4H5HdejvxfNt1-c7MSCwsyG9u2Flo15ePTLtCtp_9lzvPRs0fkPyUv0GEY2LB8_illvYDGtjjOrkzoNwHBry4ymsiTMXals1VNCCK9p8SDYqKKvX3dCs_9kF1nuqgCf8UXeWkI0yMJgVVoBuRtklazy4T806c3136bT6OWcA/w142-h200/Juana_Ponce_De_Leon_Smith.gif" width="142" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juana Smith</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSXnhl7mZ5wt-GBXhwv6WsRpBHHOSazwJ4PsbxSNpxthnNicp5nXu6kqx2qtLKYrwHubomQOVeS_s2lxZeuDHVt6iXiPzpt3eLCTeOFtqKcaQMGlqYX85CsXaf2MCgDJlVaHrbCxkwLs3gTUUK_tBukLB7Td7eMG29jF9lqKkc1WH9S2rbPg_0hX9/s516/Sir_Harry_Smith.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="382" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSXnhl7mZ5wt-GBXhwv6WsRpBHHOSazwJ4PsbxSNpxthnNicp5nXu6kqx2qtLKYrwHubomQOVeS_s2lxZeuDHVt6iXiPzpt3eLCTeOFtqKcaQMGlqYX85CsXaf2MCgDJlVaHrbCxkwLs3gTUUK_tBukLB7Td7eMG29jF9lqKkc1WH9S2rbPg_0hX9/w148-h200/Sir_Harry_Smith.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Harry, as a General</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS8DDZoateWmasVfQvOv3Ma_EMJ0X-9iwRGCa5YHiZ3ZAQzA1h7tMJjho97EVG1ZD3BNLozN8xi8jxTzhZYr3NqxdQr7MAsNdHFXgcFc-sadFs_bpA5YxGIXFcaIoo731RFIHaYbYGv9U8a_gyXWnTOjBtiwRI_jxfQubJS-kpEn6pqPtmbogHLeg/s800/Col-Macleod-Atkinson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="800" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpS8DDZoateWmasVfQvOv3Ma_EMJ0X-9iwRGCa5YHiZ3ZAQzA1h7tMJjho97EVG1ZD3BNLozN8xi8jxTzhZYr3NqxdQr7MAsNdHFXgcFc-sadFs_bpA5YxGIXFcaIoo731RFIHaYbYGv9U8a_gyXWnTOjBtiwRI_jxfQubJS-kpEn6pqPtmbogHLeg/s320/Col-Macleod-Atkinson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The storming of the breach at Bajados</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the reasons the book maintains its attraction for me
are the parallels between Harry and my gt-gt-grandfather, Henry Dumaresq, who
took part in most of the same battles as Harry (including Bajados). Indeed,
they would almost certainly have known each other, if only in passing. Harry
was the older of the two by five years. </p><p class="MsoNormal">It was Harry who had the romantic
story, though. Henry did marry, but not for another 5 years, to the daughter of
another Irish peer, Sophie Butler-Danvers who was aged 25 rather than 14!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3cYgJv5D8PBoGe7XeUcy_5hVoqt4YgFB_g5ZCllqlqjRbC_oVDegKAChTpRwWSdtiNxMSopC-4vyjQ7NziJZmQb9l8XD4DZIa0DFSEzGQ55z2aFatZRrL_r4arnZF28jv5WHtgoinHLff6BhPLAyu5lWuoFlyKc3Vps8j6tT8K5zUHs4rcRLYTww/s903/HD%20Service%20Record.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="903" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3cYgJv5D8PBoGe7XeUcy_5hVoqt4YgFB_g5ZCllqlqjRbC_oVDegKAChTpRwWSdtiNxMSopC-4vyjQ7NziJZmQb9l8XD4DZIa0DFSEzGQ55z2aFatZRrL_r4arnZF28jv5WHtgoinHLff6BhPLAyu5lWuoFlyKc3Vps8j6tT8K5zUHs4rcRLYTww/s320/HD%20Service%20Record.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry Dumaresq's Military Record!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">A clerk's handwriting was pretty unreadable even then.
Luckily, we now have Wikipedia!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Dumaresq_(colonial_settler)" target="_blank">Henry Dumaresq</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the Napoleonic Wars Harry and Juana spent much of
their time on various overseas posting, especially in South Africa where the
town of Ladysmith was renamed in honour of his wife.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Henry ended up as ADC to General John Byng at Waterloo, and
played a large part in the defence of Hougemont – a key part of the battle. He
was wounded delivering a dispatch from General Byng to Wellington. He had taken
a ball in the lungs, and “fell from his horse, a dying man”. Thanks to the
attention of Wellington’s surgeon, he survived, but they couldn’t remove the
ball. It eventually caused his death twenty years later.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyHO731UgLA_CpRch5baN5zUgZ3OyEjnR2pkAIP0QYsvVJ7m4W3LxPeOx3reZn4o1dHjrYS__4viyQC5S8ofy6UrcMt_4xrEtbj8hmkyl3iPxzSlLeeq6d9Vn11pYjMowhl3a-SHW3Un-kTaEKo7jbLzFVimzzyW_CrFeiZA25q3xF--Wjkou67oX/s1600/Robert_Gibb._Closing_the_Gates_at_Hougoumont_1815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="470" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2c0bE2lfNYr6TEQd3lYWYEv-CmYV6zlesooQi8vV_Y-H-dFkdxOSBWbqMFARpkKePY73WGI1hl-ab5wr1zVAD_um9hw58tke8E3xYb-4kQeeUNx2fWe_C73ud-II8AVv4D3HgHTQWlIgdcVTJlhhBo5kZ02me5x7aDLpYoBM_RYaQ5gBix6HFrwu/w304-h243/duchessrichmondsball.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Duchess of Richmond's Ball. Henry Dumaresq was there. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyHO731UgLA_CpRch5baN5zUgZ3OyEjnR2pkAIP0QYsvVJ7m4W3LxPeOx3reZn4o1dHjrYS__4viyQC5S8ofy6UrcMt_4xrEtbj8hmkyl3iPxzSlLeeq6d9Vn11pYjMowhl3a-SHW3Un-kTaEKo7jbLzFVimzzyW_CrFeiZA25q3xF--Wjkou67oX/s1600/Robert_Gibb._Closing_the_Gates_at_Hougoumont_1815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyHO731UgLA_CpRch5baN5zUgZ3OyEjnR2pkAIP0QYsvVJ7m4W3LxPeOx3reZn4o1dHjrYS__4viyQC5S8ofy6UrcMt_4xrEtbj8hmkyl3iPxzSlLeeq6d9Vn11pYjMowhl3a-SHW3Un-kTaEKo7jbLzFVimzzyW_CrFeiZA25q3xF--Wjkou67oX/w342-h241/Robert_Gibb._Closing_the_Gates_at_Hougoumont_1815.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing the gates at Hougemont. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also on the panel at the signing was friend, fellow-author
and RNA member, Ros Rendle. It turns out that she and her husband, Scott, live
in the town that Harry was from, Whittlesey near Ely in Cambridgeshire. Scott
taught at the Sir Harry Smith Community College!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since coming back from the Tales on Trent signing, I’ve been
reading The Spanish Bride again. Well worth it!! That’s probably 12 times I
have read it (so far)! I celebrated finishing it again, with a glass of one of my favourite beers, <a href="https://www.belgianbeerfactory.com/en/waterloo-tripel-33cl.html" target="_blank">Waterloo! The Beer of Victory!</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEQoFa4r1zSDEB09KedC5jikNkXDFGmTcXPJy_P8ScnGJWYrsaWqBLf6EmcYOwnkfWPm_JyzNbCZtMUJk31YEd7VCNtrs_d58O5KiAfxqfncxL0H9SJ2S7Hf2FxoD-C_cz2ugTZmzmAHzlTZRU84Obn7R9gV6yVaB6qfWwEFQzREJtJYoxUhKQPiq/s1323/20220527_180559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEQoFa4r1zSDEB09KedC5jikNkXDFGmTcXPJy_P8ScnGJWYrsaWqBLf6EmcYOwnkfWPm_JyzNbCZtMUJk31YEd7VCNtrs_d58O5KiAfxqfncxL0H9SJ2S7Hf2FxoD-C_cz2ugTZmzmAHzlTZRU84Obn7R9gV6yVaB6qfWwEFQzREJtJYoxUhKQPiq/w300-h400/20220527_180559.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">So what’s YOUR favourite book? How many times have you read it? How many copies have you gone through? </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />John Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02095349741824511293noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-44212264597972873482022-05-21T08:38:00.000+01:002022-05-21T08:38:02.086+01:00RECLAIMING LOST WORDSA couple of weeks ago I took the ferry to the Scottish Isle of Arran, a pleasant hour’s sail from the mainland, which docked in the pretty village of Brodick. Our first stop was <a href="https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle-garden-country-park" target="_blank">Brodick Castle</a>, an impressive strategic fortress atop a hill, with wide sweeping views of the Firth of Clyde. The ancient seat has a long, bloody history, as a Norse stronghold, as a prize of Robert the Bruce, as the target of eight galleons sent by King Henry VIII who ordered an attack.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0697g57WSWSltaVDYDYLR1XbsBLXum-276X_GVOfTVsCRslk-YB_cek6DCiMF153erzgaOXggQg0H7XCQ3_Xoi_1RnbpjFFIxfAaQfsv_yrF4jOhOUS56Q6l_ZhiaLEjDck3FmTE-bD09-EvZ07jjltmZwJl_Wd_SpPG59y2xjEKUodLAqvgRL4DWg/s640/IMG_4843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="558" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0697g57WSWSltaVDYDYLR1XbsBLXum-276X_GVOfTVsCRslk-YB_cek6DCiMF153erzgaOXggQg0H7XCQ3_Xoi_1RnbpjFFIxfAaQfsv_yrF4jOhOUS56Q6l_ZhiaLEjDck3FmTE-bD09-EvZ07jjltmZwJl_Wd_SpPG59y2xjEKUodLAqvgRL4DWg/s320/IMG_4843.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sailing...!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYToKScgP9bAUfq5JJllmTmzNzdqfQscEMkoVG1MJTGUPbYh7uPkqCtKVRIpZBoxQHLkmh6KFASgyp19kixu1Wn6E8di8cSdGU_XsWh0H_8S3clpojguld-afAbIPDQ4pQ7sATrdIeImwEr_T_MYzeZKiIezgsmUe1ap2jyKIsnnfATGSxixxX6ZfgA/s640/IMG_4857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYToKScgP9bAUfq5JJllmTmzNzdqfQscEMkoVG1MJTGUPbYh7uPkqCtKVRIpZBoxQHLkmh6KFASgyp19kixu1Wn6E8di8cSdGU_XsWh0H_8S3clpojguld-afAbIPDQ4pQ7sATrdIeImwEr_T_MYzeZKiIezgsmUe1ap2jyKIsnnfATGSxixxX6ZfgA/s320/IMG_4857.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brodick Castle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>Inside, the castle was beautifully furnished, complete with a well-equipped Victorian kitchen that shone with polished brassware – jam pans, pots, fish kettles for steaming. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTgdhhg3CShMFjp3og7v0QpUOdp67q_jHa-HWoS4MY9IdZAGVU6uN7vSEqJba0uibQzpqdwHWa-A83dFYCxJNbk72LpLoLwyvNcDgTrMbh1ii0JdUnHKkEkAEF_a6N1O0TEpzjCzdVluIrXNk8qsAw00-eIfLZo6zkh0443vV9Cqc2_fge2LD31TF-w/s640/IMG_4887.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="640" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTgdhhg3CShMFjp3og7v0QpUOdp67q_jHa-HWoS4MY9IdZAGVU6uN7vSEqJba0uibQzpqdwHWa-A83dFYCxJNbk72LpLoLwyvNcDgTrMbh1ii0JdUnHKkEkAEF_a6N1O0TEpzjCzdVluIrXNk8qsAw00-eIfLZo6zkh0443vV9Cqc2_fge2LD31TF-w/s320/IMG_4887.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gleaming Victorian kitchen...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>But it was the assortment of quirky collectibles in the wine cellar that got my writer’s brain whirring — a set of drinking horns disguised as a family of owls, an elaborate wine jug fashioned as walrus, a glass decanter shaped like a dodo!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVbonAerj0YrGvfbHETIOHWGyUUK-nUQBFiA8UMxNiD9JsSKOWQ69N9FXuKoOKpq-fL38goCrqxuz2ZkreOhdpV0BtBqQWP01fkN6CqHvR5Hp7IbNImwFY7uxVTlWIsm6IrTY4vd79-jmm31W5z7e7nTlA_8X81okkP4JYbsf8jF45haRnRkWb5iE4A/s640/IMG_4893-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVbonAerj0YrGvfbHETIOHWGyUUK-nUQBFiA8UMxNiD9JsSKOWQ69N9FXuKoOKpq-fL38goCrqxuz2ZkreOhdpV0BtBqQWP01fkN6CqHvR5Hp7IbNImwFY7uxVTlWIsm6IrTY4vd79-jmm31W5z7e7nTlA_8X81okkP4JYbsf8jF45haRnRkWb5iE4A/s320/IMG_4893-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The owl family...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_8KJAvO7oYmjCkCBf5ExCAz7K9cnvBk_hNitX6GflEflkDVevJ81J5MewSAAVAfqZu1jbb2GKOIiAIk35sS4ltqSGYBEIoJt5YrhGXM9wrspadtIfGBzdzCS8k7XVRTAiVKrEHYi8SEihq4TxK27h71go3HYMydDNslGHg4G5VkvHyz6q-05ykGkQ/s640/IMG_4896.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_8KJAvO7oYmjCkCBf5ExCAz7K9cnvBk_hNitX6GflEflkDVevJ81J5MewSAAVAfqZu1jbb2GKOIiAIk35sS4ltqSGYBEIoJt5YrhGXM9wrspadtIfGBzdzCS8k7XVRTAiVKrEHYi8SEihq4TxK27h71go3HYMydDNslGHg4G5VkvHyz6q-05ykGkQ/s320/IMG_4896.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last Dodo!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I enjoyed discovering the gems the castle offered, it was a walk in the gardens that I loved. Rhododendrons are my favourite flower and I’d timed it just right. Towering glossy bushes sprouted thick along well-kept trails; their pom-pom heads nodded, pearly white, sunshine lemon, party red. They were an absolute joy!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDtdB4yD9v4JzxL5a-_pBR63drUcYFug0P7rrWybFGIZZ27reWXGK8YP8ujdiS4bNgTaUtMsUAMD4jxsxUmv9JmKct2VAWPXbpMcysBJcxWvVBoeVgAs4XHvcRyc1OUKYL99RP60Q8evB4oazCZIIa6WLHngQ8X2oVVXc_yW00mBa9ktpi9uc3Qqgkg/s640/IMG_4971.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDtdB4yD9v4JzxL5a-_pBR63drUcYFug0P7rrWybFGIZZ27reWXGK8YP8ujdiS4bNgTaUtMsUAMD4jxsxUmv9JmKct2VAWPXbpMcysBJcxWvVBoeVgAs4XHvcRyc1OUKYL99RP60Q8evB4oazCZIIa6WLHngQ8X2oVVXc_yW00mBa9ktpi9uc3Qqgkg/s320/IMG_4971.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As a symbol of optimism and cheer (and we all need more of that!), the rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal, the state flower of both Washington and West Virginia in the United States, as well as the provincial flower of Jiangxi in China. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin79qUS3Mog83vKW6PbxKjxaByQyR8Y_BtgDS0CnLPj8oHUJhHFjiN5y3fKtyvXqwSfYBtzB534C0bKFqbz-k_svE02JddXl6VKMbqrR9ns6lhgthNmetiU1xZUyUWkgocqMMigVnI33T9aq1-XzkckeWZ3QCRQau88pxD2MayHfaZVKa4M2hEIhT9Jg/s640/IMG_4955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin79qUS3Mog83vKW6PbxKjxaByQyR8Y_BtgDS0CnLPj8oHUJhHFjiN5y3fKtyvXqwSfYBtzB534C0bKFqbz-k_svE02JddXl6VKMbqrR9ns6lhgthNmetiU1xZUyUWkgocqMMigVnI33T9aq1-XzkckeWZ3QCRQau88pxD2MayHfaZVKa4M2hEIhT9Jg/s320/IMG_4955.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Which got me thinking, that the rhododendron is rarely mentioned in stories or novels. Perhaps it’s just too tricky to spell? (I admit to triple-checking my ‘o’s and ‘d’s were in the right place!) Which then reminded me of <a href="https://www.thelostwords.org/lostwordsbook/#:~:text=The%20Lost%20Words%20is%20a,adults%20with%20its%20wide%20appeal." target="_blank">The Lost Words</a>, written by Robert Macfarlane and brilliantly illustrated by Jackie Morris, a poetry book written for children, which quickly became a bestseller with adults too.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLioAzG0IuX-MktelUKJrkHAf6BpX2H9V0h62mY70-OzKbxT8dJNBmLnHiuTGSaUjwarm-oBmXwBuXXnHdQo3Kjd1EeNcXVTSKK00iFm1l9PULZqI5z3if27QC88nAwDmvAqUo2M_9lPl_9spG8JsFE8lTgMhObDoe17RmF7d6K9nLoEVSoI2BZqqtg/s1080/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-05-19T161814.446.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLioAzG0IuX-MktelUKJrkHAf6BpX2H9V0h62mY70-OzKbxT8dJNBmLnHiuTGSaUjwarm-oBmXwBuXXnHdQo3Kjd1EeNcXVTSKK00iFm1l9PULZqI5z3if27QC88nAwDmvAqUo2M_9lPl_9spG8JsFE8lTgMhObDoe17RmF7d6K9nLoEVSoI2BZqqtg/s320/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-05-19T161814.446.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lost words... beloved by both children and adults</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div>Macfarlane focuses on the natural world and words that are quietly slipping from children’s vocabulary, names like acorn and adder, wren and weasel. His poetry is musical, surprising; 'spells' to be read over and over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was born and brought up by the coast, and enjoyed freedom to roam and play with friends in the woods and fields that surrounded us. Perhaps then it isn’t surprising that I also like to incorporate language inspired by nature in my writing.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwVxevu47GQVaOfmNUqRN3qtUnW67Y3-EqHZvDmrd02pIJ3HNcQsFpTiujCtbq7kKSRIDhVynA0wST3TJJVfvrNSyigdMlMBYxPGodAcIA5TZ3oO3cipCexn5C0mNKrHfJaDFmKRMz1afgYwUSZXHtjRrVeMJq90v43PRhmt5T7bmTh7P_tenyE3-iQ/s640/IMG_4945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwVxevu47GQVaOfmNUqRN3qtUnW67Y3-EqHZvDmrd02pIJ3HNcQsFpTiujCtbq7kKSRIDhVynA0wST3TJJVfvrNSyigdMlMBYxPGodAcIA5TZ3oO3cipCexn5C0mNKrHfJaDFmKRMz1afgYwUSZXHtjRrVeMJq90v43PRhmt5T7bmTh7P_tenyE3-iQ/s320/IMG_4945.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More rhododendrons... just because!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I’ve set myself a mini goal for the coming months, to place a different ‘lost’ word, from Macfarlane’s book of poems, in each of my stories. I’ve already used fern and heron. </div><div><br /></div><div>Which words do you miss from childhood? And if you were to write a book of lost words, what would it contain?
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rae x</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SabYo8d0LBdeVjhlDOKyB3WGUXhXyqdeefZBuPCgEQwqxL_WiScXJBX6tj7QBPRp1uObxtQNkCZLXRXCUa539PSMiGznDpLOsmAqIzz5aWN3mB786ub4AT0srMxWApF19Qyc5Vd6VlLi7u1oh71G45dGZcMqRz09XEa3zhVBcjeXBzpHJuWACRfS0A/s640/IMG_4897-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SabYo8d0LBdeVjhlDOKyB3WGUXhXyqdeefZBuPCgEQwqxL_WiScXJBX6tj7QBPRp1uObxtQNkCZLXRXCUa539PSMiGznDpLOsmAqIzz5aWN3mB786ub4AT0srMxWApF19Qyc5Vd6VlLi7u1oh71G45dGZcMqRz09XEa3zhVBcjeXBzpHJuWACRfS0A/s320/IMG_4897-1.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Walrus</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-22054423801418850512022-05-14T09:13:00.000+01:002022-05-14T09:13:41.530+01:00Reading Group, Anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ctNThNrMN9MDxAjBqWMyj7KsIOk6YyyxzchkNsszfeAGF6kAHEl2su_xtIgmL5j6kx4BnR-JJtnoq2WZmFPAvh-Iy7zBtbWwF1vsLJrf9XFQXOkpVtGKmaUTjtAAN3EzNsPbAy3Lteq-i9ERAh77Eqpj46tCSA7tjNZQF1byBA-0k-Xn5NZN4w/s640/book-1294864_640.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="320" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ctNThNrMN9MDxAjBqWMyj7KsIOk6YyyxzchkNsszfeAGF6kAHEl2su_xtIgmL5j6kx4BnR-JJtnoq2WZmFPAvh-Iy7zBtbWwF1vsLJrf9XFQXOkpVtGKmaUTjtAAN3EzNsPbAy3Lteq-i9ERAh77Eqpj46tCSA7tjNZQF1byBA-0k-Xn5NZN4w/w135-h270/book-1294864_640.png" width="135" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>Online book clubs have prospered in recent years. Accessibility, enthusiastic celebrity endorsement and, more recently, lockdown have increased reading and the desire to find the next book within a cosy community of like-minded people.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzGzILG_wJP6h1709iTXvjRyXzq0C8syrdYQN5gcdsZLjkajnLqThXdIV28kFxFhAZGDXlAzL-WWZHq-kYmSBQ7Z_YdiofKtOHB25PJ5smSBgBK6S4t9zblOcIhbJ4TIMC-3rw8MS-2cQ8bruv1CRtqD4a10Z6IKsL7B8SJADlHY_PO6f7IwdxQ/s640/woman-at-cafe-3751069_640.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="640" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzGzILG_wJP6h1709iTXvjRyXzq0C8syrdYQN5gcdsZLjkajnLqThXdIV28kFxFhAZGDXlAzL-WWZHq-kYmSBQ7Z_YdiofKtOHB25PJ5smSBgBK6S4t9zblOcIhbJ4TIMC-3rw8MS-2cQ8bruv1CRtqD4a10Z6IKsL7B8SJADlHY_PO6f7IwdxQ/w228-h227/woman-at-cafe-3751069_640.png" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unfortunately, despite the best efforts or good intentions of celebrities and "influencers" there will always be a healthy dose of scepticism from the public regarding their book recommendations. Being a celebrity/influencer is a business in itself and the world is built on networking, deals, promotion, freebies and brand awareness perhaps more than ever in history. The celebrity/influencer who has a genuine love of books and want to share it with the world is caught between a rock and a hard place by virtue of their career clashing with their passion. Who will truly believe their book recommendation when there is a suspicion that they might have been paid to promote it? However, despite having these nagging doubts we, the public, are still happy to join their online book clubs to find our next read, both parties aware of the issues yet gleefully ignoring the elephant in the room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy9fqkfHXV8mV9HiWhVgoPrlmRxfWW517uq82AAUtd1RvDa43zvNkD6maJxTAfCM7AIQ_3KliqZHxvgjjIe3OXMCAtDr_SEY8kOoyZxCjS6n4PYu2WSEl8EM-fxWz8WJmGN2yCa-Mk2dLrGXN-XQsWpsX1AhqRKtTtSy-LeEbT_yDw2KFdtVIjA/s640/gentlemen-2433959_640.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="493" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy9fqkfHXV8mV9HiWhVgoPrlmRxfWW517uq82AAUtd1RvDa43zvNkD6maJxTAfCM7AIQ_3KliqZHxvgjjIe3OXMCAtDr_SEY8kOoyZxCjS6n4PYu2WSEl8EM-fxWz8WJmGN2yCa-Mk2dLrGXN-XQsWpsX1AhqRKtTtSy-LeEbT_yDw2KFdtVIjA/w190-h246/gentlemen-2433959_640.png" width="190" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Reading Groups, particularly local reading groups which are linked to libraries, takes a virtual flame thrower to many of the concerns above, but I am getting ahead of myself. For those who have little to do with reading groups in the community, a reading group is a group of people who meet regularly to discuss a book they have read. Of course, a discussion is best if it is the same book, so they are often linked to libraries. The leader of the reading group borrows the books from the library on behalf of the group, distributes them and the group meet up again in a few weeks to discuss the book (hopefully with a glass of wine, nibbles and a bit a of laughter sprinkled in).<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIo0hmiA59NiCrMeI0WUalgTTL1puQMuWwCuFbpaeOQ2RBqoepRLscaqpeo1PeUanAk1aCiLl1CRCIBcvD14g6Go6w8VP0VEY00psPNdXQHShXZeHFxWh9cQD30vdGDtQ1LFj5iVgPjozlZR6Hh4FI9oyY8Te4E3FLmYJ6utaY7CJzYHWMNOLeQ/s640/group-1825509_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIo0hmiA59NiCrMeI0WUalgTTL1puQMuWwCuFbpaeOQ2RBqoepRLscaqpeo1PeUanAk1aCiLl1CRCIBcvD14g6Go6w8VP0VEY00psPNdXQHShXZeHFxWh9cQD30vdGDtQ1LFj5iVgPjozlZR6Hh4FI9oyY8Te4E3FLmYJ6utaY7CJzYHWMNOLeQ/s320/group-1825509_640.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The benefits of a reading group are:-</span></div><p>1) The books are varied and pushes the boundaries of your usual reading preferences (I am currently reading <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Wigan-Pier-Internationally-Classics/dp/0008443823/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SBXU9A2EA9DI&keywords=the+road+to+wigan+pier+george+orwell&qid=1651747183&sprefix=the+road+to+wi%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell</a>, something I would never have chosen myself but it has opened my eyes to the harsh living and working conditions experienced by the mining community in the 1930s).<br />2) They are library books so are not being promoted or endorsed for monitory gains.<br />3) It provides books free of charge.<br />4) It's a way of making new like-minded friends.<br />5) It provides a conduit for all those thoughts and feelings you had about the book, yet also opens your eyes, heart and mind to all the things you had previously missed as a healthy discussion always provides another perspective - in this case as seen through another reader's eyes.<br />6) The meet-ups/social gathering gets you out of the house. Some may see that as a disadvantage as it is quite an enjoyable experience to surf the net looking for your next read with a mug of coffee in your hand. However, neither is exclusive to the other and is only limited by the time you have to read.<br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">The disadvantages of a reading group:-<br /><br /></div>1) Feeling pressured to read a book by a certain date. However, most members feel this and understand. It is not uncommon for someone to give up on a book due to time constraints or lack of enjoyment. At least the reader does not feel they have wasted their money.<br />2) Most reading group do not focus on one genre (i.e. romance). You have to be prepared to read outside your preferred genre for most of the time. If this is not for you, then reading groups may not be either unless it is genre specific.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W0v4wPOtiJEWVMAzE5HljXeYUOGcoLKIp-AP4ooTS0QEIRo9Y-GKdLdlk9-4Q-6imNlInc2vkyGdoPPgK3zbEFA2pkWvL75CNg3OofiDMgV-Xf7DSLvT54Go1rZ54Aeao3VBQPq2rxXqyjs_wWJX0JIVj8mBRBsH_jJFHD79Tez0wh-sHvpy0A/s640/reading-4134154_640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="640" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7W0v4wPOtiJEWVMAzE5HljXeYUOGcoLKIp-AP4ooTS0QEIRo9Y-GKdLdlk9-4Q-6imNlInc2vkyGdoPPgK3zbEFA2pkWvL75CNg3OofiDMgV-Xf7DSLvT54Go1rZ54Aeao3VBQPq2rxXqyjs_wWJX0JIVj8mBRBsH_jJFHD79Tez0wh-sHvpy0A/s320/reading-4134154_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So do you like the idea of a reading group? Are you interested in setting one up in your local area? Why not go along to your local library and find out what is in your area? Reading does not have to be a solitary hobby. Discussing the book afterwards with a varied group of people can confirm your opinions or open your mind to a different perspective.... it can also make you think more deeply about your own beliefs, character traits and morals too!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy reading everyone!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://victoriacornwall.com/index.php/about" target="_blank">Victoria Cornwall</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-67817803631857687112022-05-07T07:51:00.002+01:002022-05-08T08:38:26.044+01:00A Writing No Man's Land<p> This is my first Novel Points of View blog post, so hello! And it comes at the perfect time, because at the moment I am in my favourite place in my writing cycle. One that I eloquently call my 'in-betweeny' time. A no man's land in my writing process, those few weeks/months when I have no deadlines and the sun lounger and my to-be-read pile beckons. If only I could indulge, but there is still work to be done!</p><p>My latest book is now away having those final tweaks and edits done and so it's time to be thinking about what I'm going to write next, and this is without doubt my favourite part of the process. It feels as though there are a million possibilities. I know which era I'm going to write in (I think!) but everything else is undecided.</p><p>At this point, I may not have any firm ideas, but I do have my 'little black book'. Which is in actual fact a little yellow book, and it contains a physical list of potential book ideas - I don't quite trust technology enough so although I have a list on my computer I like to copy them so I also have a hard version. These ideas usually come as lightbulb moments that strike me when I am driving with no chance of writing them down (when I have to find a parking spot before they drift out of my head, lost forever) or in the middle of the night when I scribble on a piece of paper and subsequently cannot decipher it the following morning!</p><p>Sometimes when I go through the list I realise that what I had once considered to be genius inspiration isn't robust enough or there is some other reason why it won't work and those ideas are jettisoned from the yellow book, but with the ones that may have potential I start the most exciting part of my writing life. Because while I'm quietly plotting and planning I'm also, by necessity, having to do a lot of research and that is without doubt my favourite way to spend my time. Every true event I uncover, every historical character or wonderful old house or ruins I visit leads me further down a rabbit hole of investigation and although often what I discover doesn't get used, everything is so fascinating I can lose whole days - sometimes more! - learning about people who lived more than five hundred years ago. The lives they lived, the people they loved and the dangers they faced.</p><p>Because of my love of history, I've always enjoyed reading historical fiction that includes real events and individuals so quite naturally these are the books I want to write. And that's why I like to consider myself a detective (I quite fancy being Sherlock Holmes, the cool Benedict Cumberbatch version!) searching out that story hiding in the background, looking for those real people who were living their lives which were just as interesting, fascinating and as full of love, violence and intrigue as ours are today.</p><p>Although I love to just dive in and start reading and investigating, I do however at least try and have some sort of proper process. Otherwise I use the time as a long enjoyable reading holiday and when it comes to the day when I have to produce a book pitch or synopsis I have nothing to show for my research. Often the initial idea blossoms into something else, but I still plot everything out on good old-fashioned paper (actually I have a tablet on which I can write and then convert it to text, but that may need to be the subject of another blog), but that's further down the line from my in-betweeny time.</p><p>Because I write dual timeline I'm not only thinking about my historical story, I also need to be thinking about a present day one to weave through, and although that's still lurking at the back of my mind (hooray for lightbulb moments!) it's definitely the historical research that I love - so many stories to uncover.</p><p>So that is how I spend this very special in-betweeny time; no deadlines on the horizon, a whole world of story possibilities spinning around in my head and a pile of research books waiting. Perfect! Now, where's my sun lounger...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbow-f8mOW5VmzNEGWwJ_iKeAu3CtyRdLd4qNC662jTp-n95YW7j2QBXGMXc_hLBo4hpkJ_A24qnc3W29HkEuDCADAafsSnhoDt1HqRyFEeKpAYWDih_y9U91Awm47bbUnhuhEfWB8yIgDzVxj4zKL-zpBWjzdlp36jNIVOiTHcIIIAnnl1UcB1PEv/s3264/758889AA-B48B-406C-B1D2-2BC4CC79209A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbow-f8mOW5VmzNEGWwJ_iKeAu3CtyRdLd4qNC662jTp-n95YW7j2QBXGMXc_hLBo4hpkJ_A24qnc3W29HkEuDCADAafsSnhoDt1HqRyFEeKpAYWDih_y9U91Awm47bbUnhuhEfWB8yIgDzVxj4zKL-zpBWjzdlp36jNIVOiTHcIIIAnnl1UcB1PEv/s320/758889AA-B48B-406C-B1D2-2BC4CC79209A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Clare Marchanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11165226550088704571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-424817989382470132022-04-30T10:11:00.000+01:002022-04-30T10:11:44.231+01:00Increasing My Productivity - The Timer Method<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I
would like to talk about productivity today. Or rather – my lack of
it recently. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m approaching a
certain age, the pandemic has screwed with my mind and motivation, or
I’m at that stage of writing a book where everything is hard work.
Who knows? But I am finding it much more difficult of late to focus
on my writing and editing. I’m easily distracted, I lose the thread
of what I’m doing and my output has declined. But with deadlines
looming, something had to change...</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf_7w-cCeP4SQq4gX-oh5D_FT--KFnf8SMLdXXUDgpkDZ5BT_TIofF3IdxjouS0M122vQAgFoD1th1BhDBD2C7mW2OxL9m5DXRcwIgCHG7eI9gvVToF1yKo-inpXQCOYOthwfNQ6mStbb6TQNmz8NNYiqk0IZ9AxIw2o-iPy2CfXas4LpRq43-zfoIQ/s3170/butterflybunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="3170" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf_7w-cCeP4SQq4gX-oh5D_FT--KFnf8SMLdXXUDgpkDZ5BT_TIofF3IdxjouS0M122vQAgFoD1th1BhDBD2C7mW2OxL9m5DXRcwIgCHG7eI9gvVToF1yKo-inpXQCOYOthwfNQ6mStbb6TQNmz8NNYiqk0IZ9AxIw2o-iPy2CfXas4LpRq43-zfoIQ/s320/butterflybunting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So
last week, I trialled something that I had actually investigated a
long time ago but forgotten about – timed bursts. I set the timer
on my phone for 25 minutes (although I have read the maximum
concentration span for most adults is 20 minutes but this gives me
fiddling time). When the alarm goes off – I STOP. I get up from my
desk and do something else. Doesn’t matter what; make a coffee,
hang out washing, eat cake, whatever. The break can be five minutes
or fifty and the unexpected upside is that, because I have to find
something to do in that break time, I’m seeking out smaller jobs
that I’ve been letting pile up; pairing socks, weeding a border,
tidying out a cupboard… Then I return to my desk, set the timer,
and I’m off again.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_67MKEOSPENycb1GrbsRxoOuSwo0U7dKhkmUIeEDJpWeR3Tvum0owD_AuIMsR0YKE81vfmpu3NZUeYH4ykNDhLDLB3k3Auvuzq917OZMDdmtmQubyq-Xjs8nB3d1cDoLMlHhp0DGhLWMF0-SncmRnoz7oUE2QyHXHDgy9zVwWN3EyN3wHmYK7g0wQ/s3000/IMG_20220429_115615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_67MKEOSPENycb1GrbsRxoOuSwo0U7dKhkmUIeEDJpWeR3Tvum0owD_AuIMsR0YKE81vfmpu3NZUeYH4ykNDhLDLB3k3Auvuzq917OZMDdmtmQubyq-Xjs8nB3d1cDoLMlHhp0DGhLWMF0-SncmRnoz7oUE2QyHXHDgy9zVwWN3EyN3wHmYK7g0wQ/s320/IMG_20220429_115615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dreaded ODD SOCK BASKET...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I
know that it’s important to take breaks from being in front of the
laptop for various reasons. Firstly, sitting in a chair for a long
period of time is not good for you physically. An ergonomic set-up is
essential for your back, neck, wrists, etc. I know my eyeline should
be level with the top of the screen, my forearms should be
horizontal, and I have an ergonomic mouse that means my wrist is
resting in a natural position. This is something I addressed when I
got published and noticed early sign of of RSI and back issues.
(Although, I do still grab the laptop and write slumped on the sofa
from time to time, and even occasionally propped up in bed…)</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Eye
strain is another issue, and it’s important to focus on
long-distance objects every 20-25 minutes, to give your eyes a rest
from close work. So the timer method means I move away from the
screen and do exactly this. Plus, it’s good for the soul to stare
across the open fields from time to time. Working in bursts also
battles the social media time suck, because I resit the temptation to
look at my phone during my timed session, knowing I can so when the
alarm goes off.</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOds9aZGoIzIw0VGhliOwg54OfoguHNKg4HmpFj9j028zxLB8P_lbWJ5fMX6jCVjeeH60y3J7rZEza03J6QP7iKAZvTubc1XVn8b5Xi3kZHdvrPIGfKjsh__CCeqkJR5gO66rLlP0teDJ5LEEQo704fpuuFfiYq8AYnKsU1jNHrdiGplyNqbt9cd3kpQ/s3000/IMG_20220315_154352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOds9aZGoIzIw0VGhliOwg54OfoguHNKg4HmpFj9j028zxLB8P_lbWJ5fMX6jCVjeeH60y3J7rZEza03J6QP7iKAZvTubc1XVn8b5Xi3kZHdvrPIGfKjsh__CCeqkJR5gO66rLlP0teDJ5LEEQo704fpuuFfiYq8AYnKsU1jNHrdiGplyNqbt9cd3kpQ/s320/IMG_20220315_154352.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even put the timer on when I'm working outside</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There
is a brain strain side to sitting at a computer for too long and this
is where my lack of concentration comes in. I need to give my brain
more rests. The problem is, I find it hard to step away from a scene
or a chapter, and persuade myself to keep going, and then produce 50
words in the following hour. Yet I would have been more productive
walking away, refreshing, and returning replenished. I may only do
another 25 minutes of work, but if I write 300 words in that time,
it’s time well spent.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">There
is also a work/life balance which is hard to achieve when you are
largely self employed in any capacity. I do have part time jobs that
take me from the house (thank goodness) but much of my time is spent
writing. This means I continually feel guilty when I’m not at my
desk, so piles of washing get stepped over, cups stack up next to the
sink, and you could write a whole novel in the dust – never mind
your name.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8KAkQtk0cm7RtYTPlpDlG5ep_OEtKfjRGoST5VbHBy--EHBcrT0sz7tWwivuw5O32-2jEnII-LOLbKOt90zZkF1FnJ0al7pxl7vHUUf0ZEtrX-1Z73rwAVeW3d0CyupPp1KU_JOrtt6qX6HtAapCJUE56JMnWvx8MK7g7IGXM-WJ5bl3ldwMXsnTOA/s3170/butterflybunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="3170" height="22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8KAkQtk0cm7RtYTPlpDlG5ep_OEtKfjRGoST5VbHBy--EHBcrT0sz7tWwivuw5O32-2jEnII-LOLbKOt90zZkF1FnJ0al7pxl7vHUUf0ZEtrX-1Z73rwAVeW3d0CyupPp1KU_JOrtt6qX6HtAapCJUE56JMnWvx8MK7g7IGXM-WJ5bl3ldwMXsnTOA/s320/butterflybunting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">But
guess what, folks? My timer method is working. (And so am I!) Not
only has it solved the issue of too much time at the screen, but it
has also made me leave the desk and move my butt. I have even worked
a smidge of exercise into these breaks, with a 7 minute workout app
that I try to do once a day. (We can all spare 7 minutes – right?)
And last week, with a copy edit deadline, I found I was getting
through more pages and focusing much better when I gave myself
frequent breaks.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">So
if you are struggling with concentration and output, give it a try.
Don’t just tell yourself you’ll stop frequently, because you
won’t. SET A TIMER and stick to it. It’s a really simple change
to my writing routine, and I’m determined to continue with it –
because the biggest bonus of all is my tidier house and nicely paired
socks!</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Jenni
x</span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNmlqDv5Ve9jZ_V8ctnlbQj8e4ZY8UdYiX-oZ1TBT2hzVEHeOd6a8tV6a0Q_qPnII3bWOEyTY7aHTw7q7wSh5rKBkXI4GbgIlHH-9hg-3UIB2fTnKZ8hF2_viZvbaW1VfWACpD0fuvN0jX3EcFUW2UwxsToQ-7RFXq-sNM2Q10uBV0A2jj00maCUGhQ/s1024/HAWTHORN%20PLACE%20moving%20graphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNmlqDv5Ve9jZ_V8ctnlbQj8e4ZY8UdYiX-oZ1TBT2hzVEHeOd6a8tV6a0Q_qPnII3bWOEyTY7aHTw7q7wSh5rKBkXI4GbgIlHH-9hg-3UIB2fTnKZ8hF2_viZvbaW1VfWACpD0fuvN0jX3EcFUW2UwxsToQ-7RFXq-sNM2Q10uBV0A2jj00maCUGhQ/s320/HAWTHORN%20PLACE%20moving%20graphic.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The
Secrets of Hawthorn Place</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is
available in paperback, eBook and audiobook:</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/SHPJK">smarturl.it/SHPJK</a><br /></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The
Legacy of Halesham Hall</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> is out
15</span><sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">th</span></sup><span style="font-weight: normal;">
September. Cover reveal coming soon!</span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Find
me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok under JenniKeer</span></span></p>Jenni Keerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03918451936816419936noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-70949427175188600912022-04-24T11:44:00.001+01:002022-04-24T13:43:25.507+01:00How to Herd Cats (Or Attempts to Organise My Life)<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanndNkXGc4OSmD05V4mERdlE14zceSwB8j1Cr6jtyIRbGi8kgAVyHBeXcICFJbsUXU4Dok1WLseuyUQWeqSRAB4Ze8ZvS9aesqPN9-Xh1W-8YbPIaarvWNcZZnRxF7Mgh4eOw-G273o6ScLthIRFHiVbscF-432iwbpJ9o6hDwa-4h4eWlxDbDWvI5w/s939/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Five kittens looking like they are all about to run away in five different directions" border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="939" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanndNkXGc4OSmD05V4mERdlE14zceSwB8j1Cr6jtyIRbGi8kgAVyHBeXcICFJbsUXU4Dok1WLseuyUQWeqSRAB4Ze8ZvS9aesqPN9-Xh1W-8YbPIaarvWNcZZnRxF7Mgh4eOw-G273o6ScLthIRFHiVbscF-432iwbpJ9o6hDwa-4h4eWlxDbDWvI5w/w200-h110/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div>I often feel that my life is a chaotic mess. I rarely get one activity finished, before another one pulls my attention away from it and I end up with a very long to-do list that I can’t actually tick any items off because, although I have accomplished many tasks, I haven’t actually completed any of them in full. After messaging Rae the other day and finding she was having similar issues, and, working on the principle that sometimes we understand a process better when we try to teach it to others, I decided to share my current attempts at organising my writing life with you.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r5SCFTgP-Eh9Mzz8zEr5R7YjB2RhLIN7d7SdwdzoXDV_PCi8fcvLjBwGsfJ-K65Efg0aBrOuymjXBSOp-dsvH4qm0nDNpIdiZ7vcABpbak-8b3HKFX8dzYv14pwiNjOsWFBMSVMILC_nhAIE6lLZi5DDwhfpFJymb3b7r08CIJZfRexQk4BVKuxgHA/s940/8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A messy bundle of colourful electrical wires" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2r5SCFTgP-Eh9Mzz8zEr5R7YjB2RhLIN7d7SdwdzoXDV_PCi8fcvLjBwGsfJ-K65Efg0aBrOuymjXBSOp-dsvH4qm0nDNpIdiZ7vcABpbak-8b3HKFX8dzYv14pwiNjOsWFBMSVMILC_nhAIE6lLZi5DDwhfpFJymb3b7r08CIJZfRexQk4BVKuxgHA/w125-h105/8.jpg" title="Actual Footage of my Thought Processes" width="125" /></a></div>Getting organised feels to me like I’m trying to herd cats — there are lots of things independently wandering about and none of them ever stays where they are put. Most of my ‘cats’ are justifiable activities: I have a novel to finish editing, another one to write, regular short stories with deadlines to submit, a teaching job, housework, an elderly father in a care home, two children at home, a third child living ‘independently,’ and a husband who spends much of the year at sea — where he gets to focus on his job with no other distractions… Hmm.<div><br /></div><div><br />The list goes on, as I’m sure it does for all of us. And while I am the sort of person who can easily leave the housework undone with few regrets, I also see other people managing to accomplish more than I do despite having just as many cats (if not more) in need of herding.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk5chczVAbWIBFf7WAOu5qP80v4HTkNh1KwpbWnKtH-qDz4KsG3XqSKfPJjNIUYQJR_36QZVRHyaUuhR-T1d1_vX3cxrxMAyrRvGMvB_LBz3ajJ9T4x-FvAbOZz67gf2nFKD47XvrWqjHn33Zi1MpwOi3wvowXpR2JB_CtVMvkKJH6J2jNDUGH44hww/s4200/IMG_20220422_113903.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Cover of the book The Organised Writer by Anthony Johnston" border="0" data-original-height="4200" data-original-width="2810" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk5chczVAbWIBFf7WAOu5qP80v4HTkNh1KwpbWnKtH-qDz4KsG3XqSKfPJjNIUYQJR_36QZVRHyaUuhR-T1d1_vX3cxrxMAyrRvGMvB_LBz3ajJ9T4x-FvAbOZz67gf2nFKD47XvrWqjHn33Zi1MpwOi3wvowXpR2JB_CtVMvkKJH6J2jNDUGH44hww/w92-h138/IMG_20220422_113903.jpg" width="92" /></a></div>Earlier this year, I bought a book called The Organised Writer by Anthony Johnston and read it cover to cover. Anyone familiar with my reading habits (apologies to Carol MacLean for reading Jeannie’s War entirely out of order) knows that this is, in itself, a rarity. While it contained many helpful suggestions, and I would recommend it, I’m well aware that my brain simply doesn’t function the way Johnston’s brain does and while I’m currently working on untangling the mess that constitutes my thought patterns until I do, I will have to compromise with some of his guidance. <p></p><p></p><p>So, what I am doing? Well, I have developed a four-pronged approach. I thought of a rather sweary title for it but then decided to call it the Fork Handles Approach. This will hopefully light my way to a more organised writing life. (Note: this joke doesn’t work as well in written form.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi28p0N90qBt_tlhYUF7W21TfZtvB7yfoNKrHH6vYdCsobcopzldDEVqDl4tKfBulBSRWeiBlKcWfgaRGlnvqx7IHEyDmHOSQRpcJxNj5mihaonudbo_NB5SibpLF0giQJa8CQmKQvAbQCaQgmgE6ylYtCXPuZBa47MkLz7KPbHbWWC8KuRfghGIG1Q/s669/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="669" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi28p0N90qBt_tlhYUF7W21TfZtvB7yfoNKrHH6vYdCsobcopzldDEVqDl4tKfBulBSRWeiBlKcWfgaRGlnvqx7IHEyDmHOSQRpcJxNj5mihaonudbo_NB5SibpLF0giQJa8CQmKQvAbQCaQgmgE6ylYtCXPuZBa47MkLz7KPbHbWWC8KuRfghGIG1Q/w112-h32/7.jpg" width="112" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnM89Dh9wUQEWH2pL1-QRqVT7R3x-qQZtTHxyzP3el_OrZC9U62zw9lSOEb7lbfeKXgHOwI0qaXWwq9dnE6fqqV1sEBzDOvTx2CIJEbjQ1U8dU93eM5y2ORkiUNinzPigAnCyj3BOMZVfgoO7YG1JTFymqgBSbCPtg0KNtHsS6bUnH3Q42Gy845KTsQ/s940/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Four lit candles in diagonal line" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnM89Dh9wUQEWH2pL1-QRqVT7R3x-qQZtTHxyzP3el_OrZC9U62zw9lSOEb7lbfeKXgHOwI0qaXWwq9dnE6fqqV1sEBzDOvTx2CIJEbjQ1U8dU93eM5y2ORkiUNinzPigAnCyj3BOMZVfgoO7YG1JTFymqgBSbCPtg0KNtHsS6bUnH3Q42Gy845KTsQ/w108-h90/2.jpg" width="108" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaq3Kgubs09g82_YZqoyomtQG3sqPFZJpo2sW28oHp18YksTWTftWojQgpJPS11KyDacGqdWe1pKyIb9gtnzfAT60WnX521y2yttnc01Kco6UUefrX27bTlhenGKvcIAx4fhYWcLdp-cWfyKjarMmzTirw0JjEdxoL-7rbWt7-zLW15tLG2i_UM1Oag/s1384/IMG_20220424_113506.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Cover of To Do list. Gold on pink background saying I am very busy." border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="712" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaq3Kgubs09g82_YZqoyomtQG3sqPFZJpo2sW28oHp18YksTWTftWojQgpJPS11KyDacGqdWe1pKyIb9gtnzfAT60WnX521y2yttnc01Kco6UUefrX27bTlhenGKvcIAx4fhYWcLdp-cWfyKjarMmzTirw0JjEdxoL-7rbWt7-zLW15tLG2i_UM1Oag/w68-h132/IMG_20220424_113506.jpg" width="68" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnM89Dh9wUQEWH2pL1-QRqVT7R3x-qQZtTHxyzP3el_OrZC9U62zw9lSOEb7lbfeKXgHOwI0qaXWwq9dnE6fqqV1sEBzDOvTx2CIJEbjQ1U8dU93eM5y2ORkiUNinzPigAnCyj3BOMZVfgoO7YG1JTFymqgBSbCPtg0KNtHsS6bUnH3Q42Gy845KTsQ/s940/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></u></div><u><div style="text-align: center;"><u><u><br /></u></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><u>The Fork Handles Approach</u></u></div><p></p></u><p></p><b>The To Do List</b>: Write every task that needs done on this. Every task. (And yes, I have been known to write a task I’ve already completed down just so that I can tick something off — but I think this is okay — the more ticks I see, the more likely I am to believe finishing things is possible.)<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUolH8q1t5NUaE576YoYV1dXLvIuk0hDFjnPTzzIKZmMm30xSHF0R-ZC1EkW2kC0_sSdug8BQX562RCy3mUOQp7-0pFCQmzUvcYkFJ46IiZmrgVy3Myq-SLPMPQ1_gUgKl993J3A6s76jBearHGHxgWk2zNgBHAQUss1lH7XtYu9eRhg07J3mj72QWVQ/s4608/IMG_20220422_113625.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Front cover of academic year diary in pink/purple swirl pattern saying Monday Mojo" border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUolH8q1t5NUaE576YoYV1dXLvIuk0hDFjnPTzzIKZmMm30xSHF0R-ZC1EkW2kC0_sSdug8BQX562RCy3mUOQp7-0pFCQmzUvcYkFJ46IiZmrgVy3Myq-SLPMPQ1_gUgKl993J3A6s76jBearHGHxgWk2zNgBHAQUss1lH7XtYu9eRhg07J3mj72QWVQ/w99-h132/IMG_20220422_113625.jpg" width="99" /></a></div><b>The Week to View Diary</b>: Every item on the To Do list then needs to find a place in the Diary. This sits beside me at all times so that I can regularly check what I’m supposed to be doing. I then force myself to do that thing first. Before I do any thing else. (This may sound obvious but believe me, it is the most difficult stage in the process for me!) I then get the satisfaction of ticking it off, both on my To Do list and in my Diary, thereby making me feel twice as productive! <p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yES5vcdTu9kwj9qRDU5S8wxYvwznZXsnHki-ImLGM1SY52I7j_BEEmga8DJ55YuhF1a7kyEooZi0BjtzIKGdTdzSllqE15Cso1UF8IYiT-NHCCbheUH7PDV5PuT9mjr-49e_-WX944OMt2XUFxvhmj88OpA7zufgeKXXZlDSsLgpJIdR1FiT32t0ig/s4243/IMG_20220422_113501.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Cover of project planner showing multiple post it notes attached to a wall in bright colours" border="0" data-original-height="4243" data-original-width="2923" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yES5vcdTu9kwj9qRDU5S8wxYvwznZXsnHki-ImLGM1SY52I7j_BEEmga8DJ55YuhF1a7kyEooZi0BjtzIKGdTdzSllqE15Cso1UF8IYiT-NHCCbheUH7PDV5PuT9mjr-49e_-WX944OMt2XUFxvhmj88OpA7zufgeKXXZlDSsLgpJIdR1FiT32t0ig/w94-h136/IMG_20220422_113501.jpg" width="94" /></a><b>The Project Planner</b>: While the To Do list/Diary combo works for most things, there were some troublesome items on my to do list, that just never seemed to leave — those bigger items that take more time, or that are actually the result of a series/combination of tasks. In order to deal with those I’ve started to use a Project Planner. I couldn’t find one that did exactly what I wanted it to do, so I used what I’ve learned from Canva and KDP and designed my own. (Some of you may recognise this as a procrastination technique, but it was fun and necessary and that’s the story I am sticking to!) I have actually sold a few copies of this and the new author name I picked for this project makes me smile. (This is also a bit sweary, so don’t click on the link in the comments if you’re easily offended.) Each bigger project gets its own page and can then be further broken down into smaller pieces. What I call Tiny Achievable Targets. I then still feel like I’ve accomplished something when I tick one of those off!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpKOoQMrLaydVlQwnC2AERNIzfu4KDxtqEmoM9UtDkA1S6iTH4pJjP-lLefAKJ3mNa8--4WB3g-NH8iMjJmCGU2KU_pL9vXR1DfDzF9uSNWTKNAxq25KYDlHjPFOAmh--vj4-gk9fOba4aSmXlX1bmB9XXNlEIMbneUwrwOGaFlvTRzyAB2ZsKYjfnQ/s3394/IMG_20220422_113314.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picture of magnetic wipe clean habit tracker with orange pen. Lines for Words, exercise, tidying and studying filled in with varying degrees of success." border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="3394" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpKOoQMrLaydVlQwnC2AERNIzfu4KDxtqEmoM9UtDkA1S6iTH4pJjP-lLefAKJ3mNa8--4WB3g-NH8iMjJmCGU2KU_pL9vXR1DfDzF9uSNWTKNAxq25KYDlHjPFOAmh--vj4-gk9fOba4aSmXlX1bmB9XXNlEIMbneUwrwOGaFlvTRzyAB2ZsKYjfnQ/w148-h102/IMG_20220422_113314.jpg" width="148" /></a></div></div></div><b>The Habit Tracker</b>: I use this for all the never-ending items on my To Do list. Things like <i>learn ten new vocabulary words every day</i>, or <i>exercise daily</i>, or even — dare I say it —<i> housework</i>. How do you ever manage to tick those items off a To Do list successfully? I now have a wipe clean Habit Tracker right in front of me as I’m working each day. (I’m clearly still a work in progress when it comes to developing habits, but I am definitely improving.) <br /><p></p><p>Between all of these, I appear to be making some progress (my editor, if she’s reading this, will be rolling her eyes!) On the positive side, however, I have submitted competition entries more regularly this year, my writing is more consistent, and one day… someday… hopefully soon, I will finish The Viking's Princess Bride and publish it! </p><p>Now, to learn how to focus on one writing project at a time. Wish me luck!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://amzn.to/3OruTL8">The Organised Writer</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://amzn.to/37KMRro">My Project Planner</a><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://amzn.to/3K9iZ5q">Jeannie’s War</a><o:p></o:p></p></div>MairibethMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547784363812591865noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-69668071347306999152022-04-16T09:39:00.005+01:002022-04-17T10:52:29.940+01:00When it's time for Time Out<p>Writers find it difficult to switch off from their latest novel sometimes. They are either thinking up new stories, thinking about how to write them, thinking about their first/second/ gazillion(th) draft, thinking about edits, thinking about manuscript submissions, thinking about their failings, thinking about their successes, thinking about promotion, thinking about the next story.... well you get the picture. So it is always a good idea to cleanse the brain and do something completely different.</p><p>I joined InTune Choir just before lockdown and, despite covid restrictions, I am still a member! Research shows that singing can relieve stress, boost the immune system and may improve snoring and lung function. It is also believed to improve memory, mental health and develop social connection. All these benefits help make it the perfect hobby to not think about writing. The video below is the InTune Choir at the Minack Theatre in 2016. I am delighted to say that we will be appearing at the <b><a href="https://www.minack.com/whats-on/intune-choir" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">Minack Theatre</span></a></b> again on 7th May, 2022. Money raised will go to the Cornwall Air Ambulance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="190" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JYU2ynzl7Ic" width="228" youtube-src-id="JYU2ynzl7Ic"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So let's see what hobbies or guilty pleasures other writers have to take their minds off story telling. First up is award winning short story and flash fiction writer, <b>Rae Cowie</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Remember when most folks bought an actual daily newspaper, with pages that rustle? Then 24-hour rolling news stations popped up and articles became available for free online – and newspaper sales slumped. But, for me, nothing beats sitting with a cup of tea, flicking through the daily news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here in north-east Scotland, we have the Press and Journal (also known as the P & J), which is full of local and human-interest stories, perfect when I’m stuck for inspiration. I rip out articles and headlines that grab my attention and stick them in a ring binder, waiting for the day when I’ll riffle through them and invariably notice themes – protection of wildcats, plastic in the ocean, foodie stories etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But I’m not the only fan of the P & J, it is also enjoyed by royalty, delivered to Balmoral Castle when the Queen arrives for her summer break."</div><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcpANZ3f_G-b14Z6-IfKQm8q-6NB4HIgDK83dlY0lTB4q2-7fJmgj_hdv1ZGFKq2LnRRpq7eDxY-dmb_575oVjXdRx5Ot401WEHeELyue9FDjd90MFNVgnZnlcaQKJZRSVWwyukItgYFm4sYWXnVJmaUBjhnvEDxN01K1knY4kqSCnBf09UNPLg/s480/download.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcpANZ3f_G-b14Z6-IfKQm8q-6NB4HIgDK83dlY0lTB4q2-7fJmgj_hdv1ZGFKq2LnRRpq7eDxY-dmb_575oVjXdRx5Ot401WEHeELyue9FDjd90MFNVgnZnlcaQKJZRSVWwyukItgYFm4sYWXnVJmaUBjhnvEDxN01K1knY4kqSCnBf09UNPLg/w166-h166/download.png" width="166" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press and Journal logo</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Mairibeth MacMillan</b>, author of the <i>Brothers of Thunder</i>, an historical Viking romance series, prefers her 'time out' to be outdoors.</p><p style="text-align: left;">"During the last few years, I’ve taken up wild-swimming. Now that I have the basic gear, it’s essentially free as I live near a sea-loch and can simply wander down to the beach. The water is baltic (as we say here on the west coast of Scotland), I rarely swim unless covered neck-to-toe in black neoprene and the sun rarely shines, but swimming outdoors with no restrictions is both a physical and spiritual experience. For a while, all my cares and worries wash away and I feel that if I could just swim far enough, I’d reach another world!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcIrEiCyqzretkPXjiGxXmk_TsnjYFGIGxPV3k3hULAru7Wjca3FuY-YBRSIvASxbiUr38TM61su2nUsw854USXvU5kL0wQJaD4Q4bAojv4PyxZq-c3bbrGdarliXJfcepG5Dcd9MJurIgBa203xMaZvM-dLEsTVOXKulKvl0dYXhsdhO8q7xCg/w179-h238/IMG_20190929_090253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="179" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mairibeth at her local sea-loch<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcIrEiCyqzretkPXjiGxXmk_TsnjYFGIGxPV3k3hULAru7Wjca3FuY-YBRSIvASxbiUr38TM61su2nUsw854USXvU5kL0wQJaD4Q4bAojv4PyxZq-c3bbrGdarliXJfcepG5Dcd9MJurIgBa203xMaZvM-dLEsTVOXKulKvl0dYXhsdhO8q7xCg/s4608/IMG_20190929_090253.jpg"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div><b>Jenni Keer</b>, who has several successful commercial fiction novels under her belt, prefers to burn extra calories with friends to music.<div><br /><div>"I’ve been attending a dance class for the last twelve years, which not only combats the writer’s bottom but is also is an invaluable headspace for me. (Sometimes it’s hard to switch off from your WIP when you’re an author.) We have a gold level formation disco team and I’ve achieved bronze in my freestyle solo. The ladies I dance with are some of my closest friends and biggest supporters."</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D5hVElFOvj_n1ug1fs01bRmAgj_wTh6BF9HstKRnijc3rmv6pDtK9jO-j3WMhQcYc3Mf9ztMfKsSMoVj81J84K6PXF7G20e6h0EanN49YC_7kvcbDYez9uzh7VFE42dMMfxENKtSouxuklO5ly5hyiXfXY77dUZcmbBOC05SOlLRxdHhsONbuw/s913/FB_IMG_1648457448335__01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Our dance class was a guest Morris dancer!" border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="913" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D5hVElFOvj_n1ug1fs01bRmAgj_wTh6BF9HstKRnijc3rmv6pDtK9jO-j3WMhQcYc3Mf9ztMfKsSMoVj81J84K6PXF7G20e6h0EanN49YC_7kvcbDYez9uzh7VFE42dMMfxENKtSouxuklO5ly5hyiXfXY77dUZcmbBOC05SOlLRxdHhsONbuw/w299-h249/FB_IMG_1648457448335__01.jpg" title="Our dance class was a guest Morris dancer!" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dance class was <br />recently visited by a Morris dancer!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><b><br />John Jackson</b>, author of historical romances based on his ancestors, prefers indulging in something that embraces all the senses.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>"For me, its food! That includes, of course, the activities that go WITH food; i.e. cooking, eating and drinking!</div><div><br /></div><div>I do almost all the cooking at home now, and I cook a lot of food from all over Asia. Friday night is Thali night in our house. The objects on the thali could be anywhere from the Pacific through South East Asia to the Indian subcontinent and beyond. So many recipes, so little time!</div><div><br /></div><div>Or, as Lionel Bart put it in Oliver! “Food, Glorious Food! There’s nothing quite like it!”"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6WTbaKzC4xY7PrQu0Gllbd0UR3StGjh_qhs4IlIx13GApu4RQ2_-XNbGo_DCVJEyCd0zZKTqrekNl96LZuB1OU7pCjzWLcG76lDpSvOiPiBTih2yRV9FblydDyAkwFSR1ZGddQo9e_Dcx6Q7F-IiE4LLSeQjVKXRB02MUYisg6JLM2Pgw7pAyQ/s1323/273692664_10161570423501632_1086582847831159232_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1323" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6WTbaKzC4xY7PrQu0Gllbd0UR3StGjh_qhs4IlIx13GApu4RQ2_-XNbGo_DCVJEyCd0zZKTqrekNl96LZuB1OU7pCjzWLcG76lDpSvOiPiBTih2yRV9FblydDyAkwFSR1ZGddQo9e_Dcx6Q7F-IiE4LLSeQjVKXRB02MUYisg6JLM2Pgw7pAyQ/w227-h227/273692664_10161570423501632_1086582847831159232_n.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>It's been great fun learning about how my writing friends take their minds off writing. I hope it inspires you to take some time out to recharge your batteries and 'cleanse the mind'! If you already have a method, do let us know in the comments, we would love to hear about it!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-8457573978226117632022-04-10T10:11:00.007+01:002022-04-10T10:16:06.719+01:00Murder Your Darlings Dreckly!<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBIVr6gAyF5Idp9aVeC0B7hIxGFhRyfLYsj3yUX83DNMmLAOFNSJLlZKe7KmN3C72T12ZpkTOv8J33dIbx7HhLb8GCAJvEIujAlx3ednqHB4sZmJw3zIjFeiemwwmbN7sLdeQ_gJlOGzp0VZvfRuwjiUAiUDWXm2au4qHVn_gqBKucHsbC_3B6Klm/s253/q.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBIVr6gAyF5Idp9aVeC0B7hIxGFhRyfLYsj3yUX83DNMmLAOFNSJLlZKe7KmN3C72T12ZpkTOv8J33dIbx7HhLb8GCAJvEIujAlx3ednqHB4sZmJw3zIjFeiemwwmbN7sLdeQ_gJlOGzp0VZvfRuwjiUAiUDWXm2au4qHVn_gqBKucHsbC_3B6Klm/w153-h195/q.jpg" /></a></div><p></p>As writers, we all know the agony of editing and erasing some of your favourite prose. <br /><br /><br /><br />The phrase "Murder your darlings!" was coined by Sir Arthur Quiller Couch (“Q”), compiler of the Oxford Book of English Verse and a host of novels about his native Cornwall.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJu7advgNT2-d80PVcCDiPcWgxl37s4kJ8q56njFhE1vCNg7vB-lOF-3T7qxMq0J8-Eii5SuP18FhjTetcAi5bZOjQQr922l7HGNxG1kebYOGzETXSnnEPl8U_ne1TTL2sU0WsiE8nFfTPlVM1L1P1p24jh2Izx4ZxyOptH4VDsHlWjMqEqvD6m66/s500/9780575024113-uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJu7advgNT2-d80PVcCDiPcWgxl37s4kJ8q56njFhE1vCNg7vB-lOF-3T7qxMq0J8-Eii5SuP18FhjTetcAi5bZOjQQr922l7HGNxG1kebYOGzETXSnnEPl8U_ne1TTL2sU0WsiE8nFfTPlVM1L1P1p24jh2Izx4ZxyOptH4VDsHlWjMqEqvD6m66/w122-h182/9780575024113-uk.jpg" /></a> A quick check on Wikipedia gives a list of 45 books associated with Cornwall. Lots of familiar names, too. <br /><br /><br /><br />The list is dominated by Winston Graham, and the Poldark series, (the man solely responsible for the recent surge of interest in scything!) and by Daphne du Maurier, surely the doyen of Cornish authors. There are many others though. Enid Blyton set her “Mallory Towers” series of school novels in Cornwall.<div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUsoa8Utv1Ch_ERfHvyaacDUZadCRH4d-bKLg1_KMY4pg9Sj3R3COo1VtQ-PZlnUhabAjgdm5sJE49hZa1M9Pk3MYLS5xdOVVD_kwLCgrWphrrHTgK_TItmvi2PbbkYrwfVNWY6Qc1VYKd8kmXM5MZ-FruMar6uKJGZNtt1YVMP1Q4_ag_--8H4rv/s500/0006129277.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="292" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUsoa8Utv1Ch_ERfHvyaacDUZadCRH4d-bKLg1_KMY4pg9Sj3R3COo1VtQ-PZlnUhabAjgdm5sJE49hZa1M9Pk3MYLS5xdOVVD_kwLCgrWphrrHTgK_TItmvi2PbbkYrwfVNWY6Qc1VYKd8kmXM5MZ-FruMar6uKJGZNtt1YVMP1Q4_ag_--8H4rv/w117-h200/0006129277.jpg" width="117" /></a><span style="color: #202124; text-align: left;">Back in Victorian times, RM Ballantyne gave us “Deep Down! A
tale of the Cornish mines.” A very readable story and the result of three
months he spent at the Botallack in St Just. Coincidently, and a nice example of "what goes around, comes around," Deep Down is the title of a recent Jack Reacher story.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmWMngXUSmc_0mfGRaL7-ipQa5OZ7zJo-JvO669nolVe4b1DD7Pz0neLVmcenUzBdgl9Bdjlfela66B19Rqo3TzvVhvTs3Sm01ycsRMEkYa5JZD3mWpkrktQrkuMy9Vj_HLevaszlhMN2dIMavuF_qZauv4Xf1EOJ6RGWv13uaIDTgNBOl165c4yD/s500/0340491817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="327" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmWMngXUSmc_0mfGRaL7-ipQa5OZ7zJo-JvO669nolVe4b1DD7Pz0neLVmcenUzBdgl9Bdjlfela66B19Rqo3TzvVhvTs3Sm01ycsRMEkYa5JZD3mWpkrktQrkuMy9Vj_HLevaszlhMN2dIMavuF_qZauv4Xf1EOJ6RGWv13uaIDTgNBOl165c4yD/w144-h220/0340491817.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><br /><br />Rosamunde Pilcher hit a literary gold mine with The Shell Seekers; Victoria Holt, Mary Wesley and Susan Howatch too have fallen under the “Kernow Spell”<br /><br />So why? What is it that brings these amazing authors to write of Cornwall? <br /><br />For me, it’s the atmosphere. I find that the land and sea, the mines and manor houses, cast a spell. Its as if a parallel world exists when you cross the Tamar. <br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuiBBx0hRCTcys3cxjgfm0wnlBl44Quho8SlTmpHQp9AFaauYmcwUNxDFmQK5sFkJmrCoR6sOdX1bddlUI3yR-vPj5bGnVfe1VJIK1zTMH08HUluzetFw72vO_eVeeVszWHGP2NgPwF4YYi65RYsb_3foC5OaHlmHqxB5jCDQhhLmlTTZ-xRc8uOe/s475/32943892._SY475_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuiBBx0hRCTcys3cxjgfm0wnlBl44Quho8SlTmpHQp9AFaauYmcwUNxDFmQK5sFkJmrCoR6sOdX1bddlUI3yR-vPj5bGnVfe1VJIK1zTMH08HUluzetFw72vO_eVeeVszWHGP2NgPwF4YYi65RYsb_3foC5OaHlmHqxB5jCDQhhLmlTTZ-xRc8uOe/w142-h217/32943892._SY475_.jpg" width="142" /></a></span></div>Many modern authors have set their stories there and use the land or its history as a foundation for their stories, including <a href="#">Victoria Cornwall</a>, one of the Novel Point of View bloggers. I read her first novel – The Thief’s Daughter and loved it. An excellent historical romance adventure, and packed with bona fide detail! .<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span></p>This is a county where history and legend can be found around every corner, and in every glade in the woods and every cove and bay along the coast. It’s a coast that has seen every phase of history from Phoenician traders coming for tin to make bronze, through raids by African pirates seeking slaves, the mining of tin, copper, arsenic and china clay, the rise and fall of a massive coastal fishing industry based on pilchards, flowers, farms and American soldiers and sailors for the invasion of France in WWII, and now a massive and growing tourist industry.
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfvIPrJxbcXq1gqKcC3-1P4xltZ6wLcldJFRNZO6aHwdcaAjrGisybvNwCHPhueFSJfyzUFwW3ssAQAyW56rj_vVRRyvFoFCeOZSv42T8uT_JCWPbXrddg4unUGJ7TT0pYBaytfbSttXKxeGrbiEnc_UpAA4_MGFw2hpCuXeJ5D9STH0RatqjQoYc/s1564/Liz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1564" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfvIPrJxbcXq1gqKcC3-1P4xltZ6wLcldJFRNZO6aHwdcaAjrGisybvNwCHPhueFSJfyzUFwW3ssAQAyW56rj_vVRRyvFoFCeOZSv42T8uT_JCWPbXrddg4unUGJ7TT0pYBaytfbSttXKxeGrbiEnc_UpAA4_MGFw2hpCuXeJ5D9STH0RatqjQoYc/s320/Liz.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202124;"><br /></span>Some authors make the county their own. <a href="#">Liz Fenwick</a>, American by birth, is now, according to the Guardian, “An award-winning author of eight novels, dubbed 'the queen of the contemporary Cornish novel' “ Her latest novel, The River Between Us, has just been awarded the Popular Romantic Fiction Award by the Romantic Novelists Association..<br /><br />And so to come right up to date with the myriad of modern authors, across all genres and tropes who succumb to the mystic charms of this multifaceted corner of the country. Check out <a href="#">Melanie Hudson,</a> <a href="#">Jane Johnson</a>, <a href="#">Phillipa Ashley</a>, <a href="#">Mandy James</a>, <a href="#">Kate Ryder,</a> <a href="#">Kitty Wilson!</a> They and others ALL weave their tales using Cornwall’s magic to set their scenes, and very well done, too. <br /><br />“Last night I dreamt I went to <strike>Manderley</strike> Cornwall again,” and we are off there on holiday in a couple of weeks!<p></p></div></div>John Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02095349741824511293noreply@blogger.com5Cornwall, UK50.266047099999987 -5.052712521.955813263821142 -40.2089625 78.576280936178833 30.1035375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-25363971057094923042022-04-03T21:50:00.001+01:002022-04-03T22:00:23.022+01:00DISCOVERING EKPHRASTIC FLASH FICTION...Over the past year, I have been drawn to ekphrastic writing, creating flash fiction inspired by visual art. Poets have long enjoyed finding inspiration in other artforms, whilst novelists create ekphrastic work too; amongst the most famous are <i>The Goldfinch</i> by Donna Tartt (original artist – Carel Fabritius) and <i>Girl with The Pearl Earring</i> by Tracy Chevalier (original artist - Johannes Vermeer). <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOtStyg8tS_QYekk8dCF8JVRwCb9gxWglRJW6TuRffybnW4ycdqXfJlIL2n8Jvt2KIvoI0Vcb77ITyp82zgf_bTemy6J6rEJmzQnm_p7QQJqHal3_mnb7w-C22c4b0h66OmC5wjGSPAUgGBEs8AUNdj_JFCzxmAwW52cKGICsYDkoWNlfo0aN7_dWPQ/s500/The%20Group%20of%20Seven.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOtStyg8tS_QYekk8dCF8JVRwCb9gxWglRJW6TuRffybnW4ycdqXfJlIL2n8Jvt2KIvoI0Vcb77ITyp82zgf_bTemy6J6rEJmzQnm_p7QQJqHal3_mnb7w-C22c4b0h66OmC5wjGSPAUgGBEs8AUNdj_JFCzxmAwW52cKGICsYDkoWNlfo0aN7_dWPQ/s320/The%20Group%20of%20Seven.jpeg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada's famous Group of Seven...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">CANADA’S FAMOUS GROUP OF SEVEN </h3><div><br /></div><div>But <i>my</i> interest in ekphrastic writing was sparked when I stumbled across a beautiful coffee-table sized book of flash fiction created by Canadian writers, entitled <i>The Group of Seven Reimagined</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, who were the original Group of Seven? </div><div><br /></div><div>A century ago, seven artists formed what was to become Canada’s most famous art group. They travelled the rugged landscape, on foot, on horseback, by canoe, capturing the country's wild beauty in a way that had never been done before. Find more information about the artists and their work here... <a href="https://thegroupofseven.ca/" target="_blank">The Group of Seven</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>But back to writing and <i>The Group of Seven Reimagined</i>, which is a vibrant flash fiction anthology, created by contemporary writers, each story inspired by one of the original paintings... I wanted to try something similar. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLpEqacTvfaesk96zNldrLZNB-dGxv9Zh7NbYxiC4kTr_B8oNtE-O9EVgubucT0DF2BlpDWyA0Qpa94hMV65gs0M2drql0_MecD6yKVSlvfsDFhw6SJLI_QTMlAGagw5Hvkd633frHZqIdf_EWT4FrxcJto87rjJr_X0eXucJLAAsMCoIFq_tMf-0nw/s319/Seven%20Reimagined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="318" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLpEqacTvfaesk96zNldrLZNB-dGxv9Zh7NbYxiC4kTr_B8oNtE-O9EVgubucT0DF2BlpDWyA0Qpa94hMV65gs0M2drql0_MecD6yKVSlvfsDFhw6SJLI_QTMlAGagw5Hvkd633frHZqIdf_EWT4FrxcJto87rjJr_X0eXucJLAAsMCoIFq_tMf-0nw/s1600/Seven%20Reimagined.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful anthology inspired by Canadian artwork...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">EKPHRASTIC WORKSHOP OFFERED ONLINE </h3><div><br /></div><div>That’s when I spotted an online ekphrastic flash fiction workshop, focusing on animals, being run by top flash fiction writer, <a href="http://megpokrass.com/" target="_blank">Meg Pokrass,</a> as well as the founding editor of the Ekphrastic Review, <a href="https://twitter.com/lclmixedupmedia" target="_blank">Lorette C Luzajic. </a></div><div><br /></div><div>During the workshop we were given seven thought-provoking paintings from around the globe (a mix of classical and modern), along with interesting information about the artists and the inspiration behind their work. I produced four new flash pieces in four days, and received helpful feedback from Meg and Lorette, as well as the other participants. It felt great to try something new and learn more about art. Meg and Lorette’s next ekphrastic writing workshop begins on the 22nd April 2022... <a href="http://flashfictionworkshops.uk/the-write-of-spring-an-ekphrastic-microfiction-workshop/?fbclid=IwAR279ot7tDOV7WOb-9gQHH8e0NZknJyeTcVUx-ebRvnm2eItkZ7OuwWbKtg" target="_blank">The Write of Spring. </a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX2CFPe_Z9IkW2b-2eQ_b9lBS5ZHfau5vm0b2tWJyJCeaxM5ZSPUfLKG2JSWHXq7RSzDmN5xwvr91qfPjMr3JwtjjwwBO0sJz8YhPr7xPRTwXT3s4apBAXKH4gjYBiOlc4qd5X6SVMu2pTvIbxTom2mDDPQ9fm5JRPRL_h-uWm5qLPu_ZX8_lp8w3mg/s1650/The%20Write%20of%20Spring.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1650" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX2CFPe_Z9IkW2b-2eQ_b9lBS5ZHfau5vm0b2tWJyJCeaxM5ZSPUfLKG2JSWHXq7RSzDmN5xwvr91qfPjMr3JwtjjwwBO0sJz8YhPr7xPRTwXT3s4apBAXKH4gjYBiOlc4qd5X6SVMu2pTvIbxTom2mDDPQ9fm5JRPRL_h-uWm5qLPu_ZX8_lp8w3mg/s320/The%20Write%20of%20Spring.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Write of Spring - an ekphrastic flash workshop <br />(available online)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">ART HISTORY </h3><div><br /></div><div>With my interest in artists and artwork awakened, I signed up for a series of online art history workshops, taught by Kristine T G Hardeberg, focusing on Impressionism. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why the Impressionist period? </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, it was a time when many artists (authors, designers, painters, musicians) spent time in the cafés of Paris, as well as exploring the French countryside, and I feel that impressionism shares much with flash fiction. Both provide a slightly blurred snapshot in time which relies heavily on implication, requiring the reader/viewer to bring their experience to the artform. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve loved discovering more about artists such as Manet, Monet and Cassatt. About their lives, their loves, their muses, their struggles, their friendships. But, perhaps more importantly, I’m being introduced to new artwork that is planting seeds of story ideas for me to nurture and grow. </div><div><br /></div><div>For a flavour of Kristine’s workshops, head over to You Tube where she introduces art pioneer, Berthe Morisot and her moving piece, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v6s3HCWkzQ&t=29s" target="_blank">The Cradle</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZTfKhFvlVOxzGM2uKuW4O66wwiPqP6ItvJ5lY7nDjsvabYwjzNTqGjc39gIQNQDMPOhmM55BQ0bSzJTGmUQOoLCfI3DLk50z9S9oFS5FLtaoRQWjnfxWcB-5wNu49MFeqPAzpsqDfO2N98b8696tA8jIXYfXmVklJcV7IpvHe7fn1SSCBHsUkq4jGA/s1920/brushes-gb59c33425_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1920" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZTfKhFvlVOxzGM2uKuW4O66wwiPqP6ItvJ5lY7nDjsvabYwjzNTqGjc39gIQNQDMPOhmM55BQ0bSzJTGmUQOoLCfI3DLk50z9S9oFS5FLtaoRQWjnfxWcB-5wNu49MFeqPAzpsqDfO2N98b8696tA8jIXYfXmVklJcV7IpvHe7fn1SSCBHsUkq4jGA/s320/brushes-gb59c33425_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, do you have a favourite artist or piece of artwork to share? Or has artwork inspired your creative life in some way? </div><div><br /></div><div>Until next time, happy reading (and writing)!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Rae x</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-61193092277517269172022-03-26T08:59:00.004+00:002022-04-10T10:05:42.156+01:00Box Sets Anyone?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFNW8geA185M9HrD3Yg0qLClsr4zeOxOYjCnamvm3HvjuyEZMAITGNKY21EGd_spFRwCrS9Dw-SzrQ0zujm0mecLatKHM0yx5FLGj2J2qQvMh6xytifDUj2Aoq9BML96IaELlJFvz2RGVkFv1qyyaZBRdtYvDjWu4yNt5BkPe2PNRV6TBKcXltsA=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFNW8geA185M9HrD3Yg0qLClsr4zeOxOYjCnamvm3HvjuyEZMAITGNKY21EGd_spFRwCrS9Dw-SzrQ0zujm0mecLatKHM0yx5FLGj2J2qQvMh6xytifDUj2Aoq9BML96IaELlJFvz2RGVkFv1qyyaZBRdtYvDjWu4yNt5BkPe2PNRV6TBKcXltsA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>I love a good book box set! In fact, I love them so much I was given two sets for Christmas! There is something satisfactory about seeing them on a bookshelf - sitting there all neat and organised... hinting at the personality of the owner who owns them.</p><p>I think it may stem from when I was younger. The first novels I enjoyed were series, written by the formidable and talented Enid Blyton. A series, written by the same author, provided a reassurance that the book you were spending your pocket money on was going to be of the same standard as before. Of course, it was also the era of the Reader's Digest book sets.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibYpauELBeUzu1Rk_WTDZE4PG4-tDVUu9et5-8osdAif6FogCgBTkz9Cu_iDZJtOoBnR3Fc0cvnFzeLGcwLE6OZUVzU7zcvgT63SiwsxPBtK230TX_Vs7ViLFrYNmKeWOVVCoxf6Gr_D9AG9ENyaWHDlaSO2hVcPjIninqODMVwvvKTVIzOR52mw=s782" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="782" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibYpauELBeUzu1Rk_WTDZE4PG4-tDVUu9et5-8osdAif6FogCgBTkz9Cu_iDZJtOoBnR3Fc0cvnFzeLGcwLE6OZUVzU7zcvgT63SiwsxPBtK230TX_Vs7ViLFrYNmKeWOVVCoxf6Gr_D9AG9ENyaWHDlaSO2hVcPjIninqODMVwvvKTVIzOR52mw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, they were neat, organised and appealing to look at. As a teenager, I was fascinated by their gold embossed lettering and swirls. Unfortunately, I also found them a little daunting and didn't read them. Their hardback covers reminded me of the sort of books found in the libraries of a grand stately home so I assumed they were too educated for the likes of little old me, a farmer's daughter growing up in rural Cornwall. It wasn't until I was a young adult that I came across the set again and took another look. To my surprise I discovered that the books were just normal books and that I had read several of them already, just with another book cover. This experience taught me a lesson... book sets are just as much about being ornamental and projecting an image of the owner, as it is about the books inside the covers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now is the era of the <i>box set</i>, which has all the advantages and intrigue of the above but now neatly slid into a carefully designed box. They are so popular that publishers now use box sets in a number of ways in an attempt to get a reader to buy not one but several books in one hit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what are the types out there? Lets take a look and the categories I have found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Standalone novels by the same author</b>.<br />My Jane Austen box set, published by Wordsworth Editions, is a perfect example of this. Austen's six novels, which were published anonymously in her lifetime, proudly bear her name on each spine and take pride of place on my shelf. Notice that the spine area is just as important, if not more so, than the book covers inside, which is unusual for a book.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrJysh0Zt7SVtje1j5jnZ6QQ1eKhQwTFUjBs_qp4ko5WZLxWDIsSVlEt8TDYxsbhjUAzO6PJ70LyWx1o8v9b8LT5Jv1cWvgtzE41DEVGai2PMg1lWrQCCMCWEMMkfBRpFQ1lMbykFgtHK_rujBmlgQ56BT29VGS-krar-tY0Wq-JijebF_W6B0og=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrJysh0Zt7SVtje1j5jnZ6QQ1eKhQwTFUjBs_qp4ko5WZLxWDIsSVlEt8TDYxsbhjUAzO6PJ70LyWx1o8v9b8LT5Jv1cWvgtzE41DEVGai2PMg1lWrQCCMCWEMMkfBRpFQ1lMbykFgtHK_rujBmlgQ56BT29VGS-krar-tY0Wq-JijebF_W6B0og=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box set include Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, <br />Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Series by the same author</b><br />The Complete Anne of Green Gables Collection by L. M. Montgomery is published by Arcturus. Over a series of capers and experiences, it tells the 'coming of age' story of Anne during the 1800s. Although written in the early 1900s, we can see that great care has been taken to appeal to today's reader. Bright colours and contemporary illustrations on the box cover and spines are used to appeal to a demographic that may not normally go for historical fiction.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Z_sRP2pi9cEdbnGQr7FJVqA9O52V9TM7J45NcaJB0ddvdlHxqEOrefrlW_3psKsBb32qYv64EIl2je0vM2aXTYx2Dpm2ITKOebQ7EcxoqAc0JsEELY9QV5VcTq2mqEYCwvb_wJwGl4-HqEycJclgmC1Bq-crjCuuX8gtY9ayZeL2TqW1pByLMQ=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0Z_sRP2pi9cEdbnGQr7FJVqA9O52V9TM7J45NcaJB0ddvdlHxqEOrefrlW_3psKsBb32qYv64EIl2je0vM2aXTYx2Dpm2ITKOebQ7EcxoqAc0JsEELY9QV5VcTq2mqEYCwvb_wJwGl4-HqEycJclgmC1Bq-crjCuuX8gtY9ayZeL2TqW1pByLMQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Standalone novels by the same family</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Complete Brontë Collection, once again published by Wordsworth, is a good example of family box sets where the customer gets three authors (Anne, Charlotte and Emily) for the price of one box set. These types are less common for obvious reasons as not many families can boast so many successful writers. This particular box set is a good example of how publishers can use box sets to sell less popular books. How many of you have read The Professor, Shirley or Villette? If you had a box set you might give them a try.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZQM8Y_QczV3_epOLas-tw_D8Jm-0D_NMV6eE2_0VRzYPrDDufRIjan-PvSjjbN2yE2zO-86eieVQ4_vtuy84u-4fiOorFTEJ3i7rrvS-MnPRfnr1vpOJHstLfUbJvGwP59LYo_f4Iz1Evj2qhOoSLcrneYirL4d-7_MCJ2_WpmsyWiH36fyXwkw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZQM8Y_QczV3_epOLas-tw_D8Jm-0D_NMV6eE2_0VRzYPrDDufRIjan-PvSjjbN2yE2zO-86eieVQ4_vtuy84u-4fiOorFTEJ3i7rrvS-MnPRfnr1vpOJHstLfUbJvGwP59LYo_f4Iz1Evj2qhOoSLcrneYirL4d-7_MCJ2_WpmsyWiH36fyXwkw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnes Grey, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Jane Eyre, The Professor,<br />Shirley, Villette, and Wuthering Heights</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Standalone novels with the same protagonist</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although the Anne of Green Gables collection has the same protagonist throughout, I see it more of a series due to the fact that she grows up through the books. Sherlock Holmes Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle, published by Arcturus, is in a different category again as each story is a stand-alone tale, yet with the same protagonist throughout.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ1jhuXRITBVoAmLwVe0uuwIwYf8Q0Eh8iGIjKEte5uW3YTa-vh6H62sMqsBl_V-_w76rbgk3Y-eoXUfM99T9pKfr9oitjaECB3IuJEL_a43zjzafSzhlj7ATPzREkaX47pb79gl1-_zTVmdx3JT5mPLDFFrNSCSGjaDNjA4UjLSa6ArapRK5T_g=s499" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="347" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ1jhuXRITBVoAmLwVe0uuwIwYf8Q0Eh8iGIjKEte5uW3YTa-vh6H62sMqsBl_V-_w76rbgk3Y-eoXUfM99T9pKfr9oitjaECB3IuJEL_a43zjzafSzhlj7ATPzREkaX47pb79gl1-_zTVmdx3JT5mPLDFFrNSCSGjaDNjA4UjLSa6ArapRK5T_g=s320" width="223" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Collections by age</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Box sets are perfect for children - and their parents who are desperate to encourage their children to read. Little Miss: My Complete Collection Box Set is published by Farshore. It includes all 36 Little Miss books. Designed to appeal to toddlers and children aged 2+, careful consideration has been made regarding who the protagonist is and the readership it is likely to attract. You will also note the change in design of the box. Less important is the 'ornament' appeal, now its about keeping the books together so they can be tidied away at the end of the day, hence the lid.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5mnUNG9HVDnSelkv_ca0MOQxFd1uVotbxfPXbrLXrB3G7PdlwNHvE16cePsGZJ9nO8F-DNmCFS70U_uGRmGCpqFzNVabOU2kvkMZ4YpkrTtaP85pklLRTofcYQ1M7v0mtzA3AhyR19g1MdovSSsmj-1cE6xPKRJLsrHm0ZY-maa5NM4uC2cPFjA=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="500" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5mnUNG9HVDnSelkv_ca0MOQxFd1uVotbxfPXbrLXrB3G7PdlwNHvE16cePsGZJ9nO8F-DNmCFS70U_uGRmGCpqFzNVabOU2kvkMZ4YpkrTtaP85pklLRTofcYQ1M7v0mtzA3AhyR19g1MdovSSsmj-1cE6xPKRJLsrHm0ZY-maa5NM4uC2cPFjA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Collections by company</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Box sets are about reassuring the reader that the publisher has done the work for the reader by choosing good quality books for them. That reassurance can also come from the company or business that has produced something else but can be linked and add sparkle to the books that inspired them initially or were inspired by them. A good example of this is Disney Storytime Collection, published by Autumn Publishing. The reader knows the stories and the illustrations already, but now have the books to read too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij5fFdCdXnDTV002MdTS6ue4nTUKPa4aWSf9z6u5A8OLVBMW9_3l32KoKCrCnSkWgoJQNm9ZNPcETPevYo-uGOYHBmcFnmL9-HnJDsk2_9l7-I3G0f6cls0g1KY1f0SGDVh-l5rqGpyF1mImhjL2gQw43T_GGmBbDnh1JOJshjrkDorc7kD0qzog=s327" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij5fFdCdXnDTV002MdTS6ue4nTUKPa4aWSf9z6u5A8OLVBMW9_3l32KoKCrCnSkWgoJQNm9ZNPcETPevYo-uGOYHBmcFnmL9-HnJDsk2_9l7-I3G0f6cls0g1KY1f0SGDVh-l5rqGpyF1mImhjL2gQw43T_GGmBbDnh1JOJshjrkDorc7kD0qzog=s320" width="294" /></a></div><br />I am sure I have missed out on other types. I suspect there are box sets by genre rather than author too (ie horror) but this post is long enough already. So next time you are in a book shop or surfing the net, take a look at what box sets are on offer and ask yourself why do they look like they do? Will it look good on the bookshelf in my home? Are there any books you've not heard of before nestled next to the well known ones? Is it the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy second cousin? Happy hunting everyone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD6dkIgmAupxCcifC40IzHoFgSm6OpbkdGfdcWI-BgI4Y3TjDleq-7vL-mtKnhheHAnFTlZAALmCMkictuTFTBwg2cTiCHJ9OQ8OtzvlaowaMObN6mBulYxS3D0BkzxAYPi6HXQmNPVhflmNXduZxDpAqbspF3f3dHgFWijkvqMOAqfR42nPuUig=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD6dkIgmAupxCcifC40IzHoFgSm6OpbkdGfdcWI-BgI4Y3TjDleq-7vL-mtKnhheHAnFTlZAALmCMkictuTFTBwg2cTiCHJ9OQ8OtzvlaowaMObN6mBulYxS3D0BkzxAYPi6HXQmNPVhflmNXduZxDpAqbspF3f3dHgFWijkvqMOAqfR42nPuUig=w274-h274" width="274" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://victoriacornwall.com/" target="_blank">Victoria Cornwall</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-13026898536671954012022-03-21T12:34:00.001+00:002022-03-21T12:34:54.250+00:00 A WRITER'S MORAL COMPASSPicture the scene ... for a writing exercise given by my writing group we were asked to write the opening pages of a novel set in war time. No specific war was given. It didn't have to be a romance. I prefer to call my books relationship novels but there will almost always be a romance in there somewhere. I chose WW2. I'd never written an historical before. I didn't know that I wanted to but I set to with the exercise with absolutely no view to publication. I used multiple viewpoints, often within the same paragraph - think Maeve Binchey. I live not far from Slapton where that village, and many surrounding ones, was requisitioned to billet American soldiers in the practice for D Day.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk-mk16YNl6q6M-h5etI-XHnTUX_l6gleooqfr5UHFm6LmSgHTsLiLmHCYnnh7ZsbgeV5qRKHPG83FsFSSkF8_ojSxj16LKoF0CaWPk_piNpZyMCaR_j34avVySUqHQPOgr-2EgMPGuv7OeQgpJoeX04_X-fPSqzmrwsngrfrxRhhUPBaF3FqjfH1/s225/WW2%20soldiers%20in%20sea.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJk-mk16YNl6q6M-h5etI-XHnTUX_l6gleooqfr5UHFm6LmSgHTsLiLmHCYnnh7ZsbgeV5qRKHPG83FsFSSkF8_ojSxj16LKoF0CaWPk_piNpZyMCaR_j34avVySUqHQPOgr-2EgMPGuv7OeQgpJoeX04_X-fPSqzmrwsngrfrxRhhUPBaF3FqjfH1/s320/WW2%20soldiers%20in%20sea.jpg"/></a></div>
I also live not far from Plymouth which had its own Blitz ... a Canadian uncle was there as part of the demolition team. So, you see, I had a fair bit of background to go on. I read a couple of wartime romances (which I don't normally read) before I began, just go get the gist of how it's done. I didn't stop at a few pages. I wrote three chapters. A member of the writing group I go to is a Times Best Seller novelist. She asked if she could show it to her agent. A top agent, as it happens - well, THE top agent. Said agent asked to meet me in London. So off I went. It was obvious during our afternoon tea that she would be happy to represent me. She talked about a series. She told me where she wanted the series set. I came back home slightly shell-shocked. I told my dad. He went very quiet. 'Your granny didn't find war romantic, love,' he said. His own father had perished in WW1, although he came through WW2 himself unscathed. That pricked my conscience if you like. As we all watch the war in Ukraine in more or less real time the sheer horror of it is hitting me all over again. I have absolutely nothing against anyone who chooses to write, or read, wartime sagas but I knew I just couldn't do it then, and I can't do it now. No doubt there is someone, somewhere, already penning a novel set during the current war in Ukraine.
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/></a></div>
So, the upshot is that although I would probably have made a shedload of money out of writing wartime sagas, I declined - as gracefully as I could - the agent's representation. Possibly, it is the biggest writing-related error I could ever make, although she left it open should I ever change my mind. At the end of the day we must all write what we feel comfortable with and thank our lucky stars we live in a country where we are still able to do that.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-cJ8Gm-WVKWvPa9Lgv1e9lKbq0A5eKhknpDrL--3ZDQg1D-jvULzgsUEkRFr-_PXLbuBOhRbgF1hEOn7vdogg19YIrd0Q2vIzTih0uhYybRWrLPGJQLJS11Vancp2YlIYL6N_tq04re7ep9b44hmMJC0_t1h4gt8kxJLt6DCcfHv7TdMpuyHKfFM/s640/HAND%20HOLDING%20PENCIL..png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-cJ8Gm-WVKWvPa9Lgv1e9lKbq0A5eKhknpDrL--3ZDQg1D-jvULzgsUEkRFr-_PXLbuBOhRbgF1hEOn7vdogg19YIrd0Q2vIzTih0uhYybRWrLPGJQLJS11Vancp2YlIYL6N_tq04re7ep9b44hmMJC0_t1h4gt8kxJLt6DCcfHv7TdMpuyHKfFM/s320/HAND%20HOLDING%20PENCIL..png"/></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-37714897760917108922022-03-12T07:35:00.002+00:002022-03-12T12:19:13.671+00:00Going Out, Out!!! Romantic Novel Awards 2022<p></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><br /></h1><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hello everyone. My name is Jenni Keer and welcome to my first post on the marvellous Novel Points of View Blog, where today I’d like to talk about the importance of real life events...</span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK1QF0PqrYD7QAZOldx_tbsxxfb41CQkAp3zTwwcnp_lkfkO5FyvAHVq2iZVD5wVTayjQUmGtcbzgKusH_8bzMbzywwkEUiRQiucPnu90ZJAK1F9_9zmkczXVIQ-NVYbOKfK0I5Vmbqo0pmU0ayLzG2NtIZpRgQXfYwJqmrPHQl_UQt8JOzCHTNrQbmw=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK1QF0PqrYD7QAZOldx_tbsxxfb41CQkAp3zTwwcnp_lkfkO5FyvAHVq2iZVD5wVTayjQUmGtcbzgKusH_8bzMbzywwkEUiRQiucPnu90ZJAK1F9_9zmkczXVIQ-NVYbOKfK0I5Vmbqo0pmU0ayLzG2NtIZpRgQXfYwJqmrPHQl_UQt8JOzCHTNrQbmw=s320" width="320" /></span></a></li></ul></div><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />
</span></p>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><p align="left" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I
think everyone appreciates how solitary an author’s life can be -
even if they aren't an author themselves. Writing a book largely
consists of me and my laptop, and it can be a</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">love/hate
relationship at the best of times. However, in the last two years,
many people have been forced to adopt the writer's somewhat solitary
existence, and not through choice. Since the global pandemic, a
large proportion of the population has</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">had
to embrace working and/or learning from home. Some really
struggled with the isolation, but perhaps authors</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">fared
better than most as we were</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">used
to being alone in a room with only a keyboard for company. What
I did miss though, was the in person</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">events
where I could chat with my author pals and my readers, so I am
delighted that</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">we are
finally</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">getting
back to these. Already this year, I’ve talked at a W.I., a library,
a secondary school and have started to meet up with authors
for coffee again, and boy does it feel good.</span></span></span>
</span>
</p></div><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDcJDMgZ118Ck5qH-BbRzyVtEqffbxvxfg4Va-M2rCxbWDZdnLpzXxdF6xwLuY4aH0F7d6LV_Mgyr3tLd_BjR9HIOL09rgFVOwro2T2rybWwztjCIYoA-HIAVksdVxLUIKjrcfbP5xjlGfZb9JORZ4fZQURd5PebnktGNoNyO3SLts8vJubBKPLpb4Dg=s3000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDcJDMgZ118Ck5qH-BbRzyVtEqffbxvxfg4Va-M2rCxbWDZdnLpzXxdF6xwLuY4aH0F7d6LV_Mgyr3tLd_BjR9HIOL09rgFVOwro2T2rybWwztjCIYoA-HIAVksdVxLUIKjrcfbP5xjlGfZb9JORZ4fZQURd5PebnktGNoNyO3SLts8vJubBKPLpb4Dg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A room full of happy people!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On Monday, I attended the<b> RNA </b></span><b style="font-family: helvetica;">Romantic Novel Awards </b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in London. I was at this event exactly two years ago when </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker” </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">was
shortlisted for</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> the Katie Fforde Debut
Novel </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">award,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> and it was the last </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">major</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">
event I attended prior to lockdown. Little did we realise covid would drag on for so long and it would be March 2022 until we met again. Oh, how I’d missed everyone...</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Zoom calls are all very well, and I’m sure the popularity of this
virtual meeting space will endure beyond the pandemic, but there are
so many things you can’t do via video link. You can’t hug
someone, buy them a drink, separate from the throng to have a quiet
two minutes a</span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">lone
with a friend</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">, share </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">a</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">
dining experience, and you certainly can’t hand over a jar of
delicious homemade marmalade – thanks John Jackson!</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKMiEfZiUPBvYGdoY422iI13U8YBEd5E2DWHjSUPrOjuhDWUMpPgMgk5ZChqX3pG8ieQ0azaJ6D_BHRkqQwM-GU91eudC7W_tEnaL7JAnLiGa8Viu6FJ1Iy3g9jsuL7gHzyEjkqIs1HLYCaAM5bot5s8RplNFAlhIFJtrfN_baSHrtdkGyi1R5--boMQ=s4928" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="4928" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKMiEfZiUPBvYGdoY422iI13U8YBEd5E2DWHjSUPrOjuhDWUMpPgMgk5ZChqX3pG8ieQ0azaJ6D_BHRkqQwM-GU91eudC7W_tEnaL7JAnLiGa8Viu6FJ1Iy3g9jsuL7gHzyEjkqIs1HLYCaAM5bot5s8RplNFAlhIFJtrfN_baSHrtdkGyi1R5--boMQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow NPOV blogger, John Jackson</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Having taken a lateral flow test before setting off (hmmm... more on this later...) the first thing I did when I
arrived at the venue was seek out old friends. There were a couple of hugs (after establishing mutual permission) and it reminded me that human touch was one thing many of those who lived
alone found they missed the most during the first lockdown. Obviously, we still have to assess the risks, but what a world it would be if we were never to embrace our loved ones again. Some of my author friends had </span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">been</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">
through some bumpy times since our last meeting, both professionally
and personally, so re-establishing real life contact and giving an encouraging smile, was important</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">.
I loved hearing about everyone’s successes and chatting
with the shortlistees, wishing every one of them could win. Then
there was time for the inevitable industry gossip – we authors like
to keep our fingers on the pulse and remain abreast of what’s hot
and what’s not. And I’m passionate about supporting new writers,
so always try to help where I can by networking with them, or
answering questions.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbWvjdx64zQ-J2l6iROc13yrZGL4HJ5-3S-uE-bmGkb1BFCxhWyIgMfjbl79LXJRXMR8MPut7d07XgECxPdTUqJXWR6kjZ8J9PDQzosUO5JyKR2MlPGBEDBU2sGvFaHg4XU2fIS8zisN_oCQRwYCj34D-R4K2SWUeK8QuCib1vIg3t5KFZ59saA5NeFA=s3000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbWvjdx64zQ-J2l6iROc13yrZGL4HJ5-3S-uE-bmGkb1BFCxhWyIgMfjbl79LXJRXMR8MPut7d07XgECxPdTUqJXWR6kjZ8J9PDQzosUO5JyKR2MlPGBEDBU2sGvFaHg4XU2fIS8zisN_oCQRwYCj34D-R4K2SWUeK8QuCib1vIg3t5KFZ59saA5NeFA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The effervescent Jean Fullerton and the winning books</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />
</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">
The charming Larry Lamb presented many of the awards, and the event
as compèred by the lovely Jo Thomas. There was a moment to reflect
the sad loss of Jane Wenham-Jones (I’m still in shock) and time to
celebrate the worthy winners; Liz Fenwick, Freya Marske, Suzanne Fortin, Heidi Stephens, Sheila Norton, Louise Allen, Kathryn Freeman, Bella Osborne, Catherine Tilney, Dani Atkins and the person I'd travelled down to support, my very VERY dear friend Rosie Hendry. As is always said, and it is true, <b>everyone</b>
shortlisted is a winner and all of those fabulous authors should be
proud of themselves.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUyWxRrPqUAilsFD6vnvV5w8arQ7WJf21dtvxUCN1OR8FSxrQKw9xibXoo4axodpxEazMU2yyex0mGZcXL2ecpweci1saMYixNX1hZy8gR-68s-SUlDpZyz-jXBp8LqyQ1Be2puK-qkRJkVeKsIB5NTYFRXwdaybWTgTlqi5uwNeBXzssymaGTywqHcw=s4928" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="4928" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUyWxRrPqUAilsFD6vnvV5w8arQ7WJf21dtvxUCN1OR8FSxrQKw9xibXoo4axodpxEazMU2yyex0mGZcXL2ecpweci1saMYixNX1hZy8gR-68s-SUlDpZyz-jXBp8LqyQ1Be2puK-qkRJkVeKsIB5NTYFRXwdaybWTgTlqi5uwNeBXzssymaGTywqHcw=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evonne Wareham, Sue Lovett, <br />Ella Gyland and me</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4RGZARJpsxBodp2gwzBk_UXKxbWenNde2w7S4zUrwBdbdvUo65kJI4NhkMfnzB6PwLNaqLwX768l2f4b5SGfhDHtlW3p6iZufgVgKq7tlXRpTXN9JaJeUfQw9E1freA0pUg97U2UUhj8m5xY7TolqIFBquNOEkBzPos0PfiSD5QJeZlUnAW9wIKPRFA=s4928" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4928" data-original-width="4928" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4RGZARJpsxBodp2gwzBk_UXKxbWenNde2w7S4zUrwBdbdvUo65kJI4NhkMfnzB6PwLNaqLwX768l2f4b5SGfhDHtlW3p6iZufgVgKq7tlXRpTXN9JaJeUfQw9E1freA0pUg97U2UUhj8m5xY7TolqIFBquNOEkBzPos0PfiSD5QJeZlUnAW9wIKPRFA=w200-h200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charming Henri/Ella Gyland</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhODaV0OfKHInUEJH4yGddcZ8Spcua53VWAadNGhWsND7pokIRcN4AjLqRymt_xF8OxSukvL91zocADXLNkFsCwIf8SVY4nGyzlWL93jkpuhVdYUIqz1wjUgel7gDDlvQCFiqjyz720ByZYbqBgqNChlm044BiPvLgNtGjo4yPx4wPBbJyarQ50wCHioA=s3000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2471" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhODaV0OfKHInUEJH4yGddcZ8Spcua53VWAadNGhWsND7pokIRcN4AjLqRymt_xF8OxSukvL91zocADXLNkFsCwIf8SVY4nGyzlWL93jkpuhVdYUIqz1wjUgel7gDDlvQCFiqjyz720ByZYbqBgqNChlm044BiPvLgNtGjo4yPx4wPBbJyarQ50wCHioA=w165-h200" width="165" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I am quite tall! <br />With Clare Marchant, Sarah Shoesmith and Rosie Hendry.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">All
good things must come to an end though, and the three hours flew by,
but I can’t tell you how bouncy I was when I got home. I
always feel inspired when I return from an in person event. The joy
of dressing up in lovely clothes after two years of pyjamas and
casual clothes was immense. (Although I have been known to wear
perfume for Zoom meetings.) And I have made new friends and met
new contacts. Always a bonus.</p></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">However, my unconfined joy quickly became quite literally confined when I had a positive covid test on Wednesday. This, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">unfortunately, is the risk of re-entering the real world and a frustrating postscript to this piece. I'm fine and feel that, as a household of six, we have been lucky to avoid it this far. Life must go on, but f</span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">or
those friends who are still medically vulnerable, who live </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">in
remote locations</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">,
or who find these events difficult to attend for a variety of
reasons, I am glad the internet has opened up a way of communication,
learning and keeping in touch (</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">including</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">
the fabulous RNA </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">L</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">ear</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">n</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">ing
</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">courses
– see their website for details) </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span><span lang="en-GB">but
I am truly grateful that I can, at least occasionally and taking the risks into account, be back in the
real world again.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;">Jenni
x</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWUMAi22dftEkQGeh8T2dFCifxUbKBZ40UtEi28IuApgf2B5dUgK6xKzPtUSoJ7S68wRRjPackgfUBz-UaMP2bWSHPJ3su7xI-Y0M-503X_L6MehE7lS-zlO-EvYD5Ew2LNm7B5wyrxayDrzY9PpcWYGBFNEUx4g-qvo5MwRp-A_HIAxOSRn8xUj_Adw=s2765" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="2765" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWUMAi22dftEkQGeh8T2dFCifxUbKBZ40UtEi28IuApgf2B5dUgK6xKzPtUSoJ7S68wRRjPackgfUBz-UaMP2bWSHPJ3su7xI-Y0M-503X_L6MehE7lS-zlO-EvYD5Ew2LNm7B5wyrxayDrzY9PpcWYGBFNEUx4g-qvo5MwRp-A_HIAxOSRn8xUj_Adw=w504-h38" width="504" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jenni Keer writes commercial women's fiction and her latest dual timeline romance, <b>The Secrets of Hawthorn Place</b>, a continuous Amazon bestseller since October, has over 800 reviews and the paperback is currently available nationwide at The Works stores for just £2!</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/SHPJK">smarturl.it/SHPJK</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnitcpnQCoFF2ykNC5YD1p5uNQ_7r_7yXEgecR-s77tsv1sSkEHLbEwCtH8WXGInbGIsyd7aCoomrOjDsXedZLWQjE6JH4Ssj8bdO9NjtM-rNZTTfDEJj3sy01qRag9ekwdjxSF5xo5e32aSa5slqOBkincPNCllzJpyd7zYzrFy2eBJQdf67hdsgCCQ=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnitcpnQCoFF2ykNC5YD1p5uNQ_7r_7yXEgecR-s77tsv1sSkEHLbEwCtH8WXGInbGIsyd7aCoomrOjDsXedZLWQjE6JH4Ssj8bdO9NjtM-rNZTTfDEJj3sy01qRag9ekwdjxSF5xo5e32aSa5slqOBkincPNCllzJpyd7zYzrFy2eBJQdf67hdsgCCQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Jenni Keerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03918451936816419936noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-8394020988456961682022-03-05T11:59:00.000+00:002022-03-05T11:59:24.967+00:00Reading the Signs<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Two weeks ago, I attended
my first live Book Festival workshop in over two years. And appropriately
enough it took place in my hometown of Paisley — a place I left over twenty
years ago and until four years ago had made a point of returning to as little
as possible. But things are changing. The town itself is changing and I know
that I have changed too. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjXjjSKy2XfANT5Rt8yThLD2EHkX6yFUGiBjlwIcGVoqerqIwRuZwArftHqdyXGSevog7t3MNhNWMlLR9jGBXWq0gz5hH1cgYs9KMNfC5o57-W4Rb_2V3fMQAkOaezIZic8CHssjJGeTYdycUbRRNp7KcfyOpTS0rW8vpHkHwzZUMu4snffolBLTM-jg=s625" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="625" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjXjjSKy2XfANT5Rt8yThLD2EHkX6yFUGiBjlwIcGVoqerqIwRuZwArftHqdyXGSevog7t3MNhNWMlLR9jGBXWq0gz5hH1cgYs9KMNfC5o57-W4Rb_2V3fMQAkOaezIZic8CHssjJGeTYdycUbRRNp7KcfyOpTS0rW8vpHkHwzZUMu4snffolBLTM-jg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The weather that week had been terrible
and we’d lurched our way from one storm to another. But
when I arrived in Paisley it was calm, clear and almost sunny. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Part
of me felt guilty for going — I have had third round edits of <i>The Viking’s
Princess Bride</i> hanging over me, undone, for weeks now — but I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">’m glad I went for several reasons.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Firstly, I had
arranged to meet another writer and it was good to see her – we also befriended
another woman, a former journalist turned museum curator, who patiently listened
to the two of us wittering on nostalgically. Secondly, I ran
into another friend quite by chance. He</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’s a musician and as it turned out my workshop took place above the hall where he was playing in so I got to hear him too! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it let me reset my
thinking about writing, taking me back to a point at which ideas are
everything, a series of unconnected words and ideas just waiting to be
formed and full of infinite potential. This is the part of writing I enjoy the most and it was good to take a break from editing and experience a
reminder of that more joyful part of the writing process.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The workshop was
entitled <i>Walking With Words: Oot and Aboot in Paisley</i>. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;">The workshop
itself focused on the idea that there are words all around us and that as
writers we can find these and use them in unexpected and interesting ways. Observing
the world around us and seeking out the words from our environment, especially
those we might otherwise not notice due to their familiarity or their
ordinariness is an interesting exercise. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghQ7GgXesD6nuuZLm0tg58LV3aJiXjvkBgndMlOTjYEIepWAcf-HHXbmJR0Zx8T2Dh5evT2vxrY-HM9l6y-ddzPQyAI7lSfRN2GfA2FX8LA1Wg-VMcTSLxaIz6mBPXdEAW1Rtp_cbfExhzjzFegDKeXKIFv-1H_5eC89fjiKq9CMKAM0JhEvmlVjb6KQ=s834" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stairs marked with observe social distancing reminder" border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="834" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghQ7GgXesD6nuuZLm0tg58LV3aJiXjvkBgndMlOTjYEIepWAcf-HHXbmJR0Zx8T2Dh5evT2vxrY-HM9l6y-ddzPQyAI7lSfRN2GfA2FX8LA1Wg-VMcTSLxaIz6mBPXdEAW1Rtp_cbfExhzjzFegDKeXKIFv-1H_5eC89fjiKq9CMKAM0JhEvmlVjb6KQ=w200-h150" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-cXTMGQpS2v7RPnaJWyAlcoVdWNjTnBbLanpOI1NzH936QpQ-LdrvkOlbBqiPXyIUDwVIkA1xX6DwXBKWAQz8nItrcFKgrcTeEaQncyXw5aQ6peAanKWFczk-xpw27Tz9idxiqWtdufHtA3DbyZNZzL6FPkXoYBBH98J8_t9XA-mXWS8SuFjPF1K8Q=s541" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Business as usual sign with arrow pointing to the left" border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="541" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-cXTMGQpS2v7RPnaJWyAlcoVdWNjTnBbLanpOI1NzH936QpQ-LdrvkOlbBqiPXyIUDwVIkA1xX6DwXBKWAQz8nItrcFKgrcTeEaQncyXw5aQ6peAanKWFczk-xpw27Tz9idxiqWtdufHtA3DbyZNZzL6FPkXoYBBH98J8_t9XA-mXWS8SuFjPF1K8Q=w200-h169" width="200" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;">As a writer I have often been advised
to ask </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;">what if</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;"> when working out story ideas, but during this workshop I
found myself perhaps at the step before that one and asking </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 15pt;">why?</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Why are those
words there?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The name Paisley
is probably more familiar to people due to the pattern which was commercialised
in the town’s extensive textile industry from the mid-eighteenth century to the
late twentieth. There are obviously a whole range of issues surrounding the history
of this textile industry and the design of this pattern, that could be explored in various types of writing. After the mills closed the town entered a period of decline which
it is only now beginning to pull itself out of and many of the signs we found
related to either the textile industry or the idea of regeneration – particularly
appropriate for a writer currently teetering on the brink of burnout.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBNYUGGw7p4mAnIRCNnckQ8oZHIh6mpp7YWGD9BrYTzCCsdX9PqtNnhz8w-deJqLbBUBq0pD6wCszNz1qEjJ_3AwYKkejvwXhtyxt6dR7Sz32_af2850uvkwBVKkvQ9hL1lXCK8PZ01sqqZ6A42-Clm5AcpwBKnND2UEjEkVHX4d6VQX1p9H_QSq64nA=s376" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shop sign: A Gathering Thread" border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="376" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBNYUGGw7p4mAnIRCNnckQ8oZHIh6mpp7YWGD9BrYTzCCsdX9PqtNnhz8w-deJqLbBUBq0pD6wCszNz1qEjJ_3AwYKkejvwXhtyxt6dR7Sz32_af2850uvkwBVKkvQ9hL1lXCK8PZ01sqqZ6A42-Clm5AcpwBKnND2UEjEkVHX4d6VQX1p9H_QSq64nA=w320-h211" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvUKur4KwBgem4b7a58hRwnpEu9bCDK5qQ7K3FUa_sR4Gmn9Z_q-dTr7EOhd_NRzIEjfAAcY6K9eCfLjkHUGKQuvpJujY6k2u9qH61_gFjgFobx0l61TCiHl0qdsP9EDxzqDUfGl8OVXPPv8seHKBfXT-elyEV4QwI38MHrFfuThoHsb9yEKQ4DCeKqA=s317" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sign reading: When the day's work was over they issued in a stream, their hands and arms marked with all the colours of the rainbow and they made the streets lively on their way home." border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="317" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvUKur4KwBgem4b7a58hRwnpEu9bCDK5qQ7K3FUa_sR4Gmn9Z_q-dTr7EOhd_NRzIEjfAAcY6K9eCfLjkHUGKQuvpJujY6k2u9qH61_gFjgFobx0l61TCiHl0qdsP9EDxzqDUfGl8OVXPPv8seHKBfXT-elyEV4QwI38MHrFfuThoHsb9yEKQ4DCeKqA=w320-h234" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Many of the street
names reflect the textile industry and many of the town’s significant buildings
were funded and named after the two biggest mill-owning families. Paisley has
one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings per square mile of any
town in Scotland. Many of these buildings are currently undergoing renovation
work and so many of the words we found related to that.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNrE7QYJke33sGu_Y9Zb34tkP00v44S14BtdT3BuKI1lb0s1i45FgW3Rzwdh3jXXWl2TN8ISAIz8mE8p1BWNAnVHSKGu-He_30CwuT7TRbNojPx7u_r0cOuV8vOxw22x8ne1TlQkaeJ5A8cF0grNWwiIOKo_2ip9uF1T5pBnuqARdVQqnOgxrrNKmuiA=s230" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sign showing various Paisley street signs: Incle, Cotton, Silk, Lawn, Gauze, and Thread Streets, Dyer's Wynd" border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNrE7QYJke33sGu_Y9Zb34tkP00v44S14BtdT3BuKI1lb0s1i45FgW3Rzwdh3jXXWl2TN8ISAIz8mE8p1BWNAnVHSKGu-He_30CwuT7TRbNojPx7u_r0cOuV8vOxw22x8ne1TlQkaeJ5A8cF0grNWwiIOKo_2ip9uF1T5pBnuqARdVQqnOgxrrNKmuiA=w306-h320" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 15pt;">We chose to stay
in our group of three when we were sent out on our walk. Even in our wee group
of three, we all passed the same signs and buildings but all made quite
different choices about the words we chose to ‘keep.’ Some of the shop and pub names appealed to me as possible titles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1p243RUpaROE8odfE5FwUhevnrZjTBASYu_fGQZdY04_Z4nmRY-0-UlksN77_IgTPIXyw-vYk-hVO0bKW0tlrJkNeL8tZcFvPrpWKj43Nu6h2cNCOwLIbNP3GNC-x-cqo_-xkUqcBPiCgEq_JCxx2tCca5Vtbrfn2ZQarl3cPbblCdikX7up6_Rp-sA=s463" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Cave" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="390" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1p243RUpaROE8odfE5FwUhevnrZjTBASYu_fGQZdY04_Z4nmRY-0-UlksN77_IgTPIXyw-vYk-hVO0bKW0tlrJkNeL8tZcFvPrpWKj43Nu6h2cNCOwLIbNP3GNC-x-cqo_-xkUqcBPiCgEq_JCxx2tCca5Vtbrfn2ZQarl3cPbblCdikX7up6_Rp-sA=w169-h200" width="169" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Ab2lmq0EH-StOocDM2WhbPYnf-4vK64RcyIKoKkPTrbFzOVgHD6Q6Fx8I3OhfrSGENeBPoZ9qKG-l0kccoerRnfyCN8eN0R7NPneX2pax2vtNF1UfE37aeDjNojNv6BAJQlOFDYPlvqgaExLBq3IgWtp8hFPbuPmaTs3PBIekZXPvSzcdup-G5NOyQ=s1001" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scoopalicious" border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="801" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Ab2lmq0EH-StOocDM2WhbPYnf-4vK64RcyIKoKkPTrbFzOVgHD6Q6Fx8I3OhfrSGENeBPoZ9qKG-l0kccoerRnfyCN8eN0R7NPneX2pax2vtNF1UfE37aeDjNojNv6BAJQlOFDYPlvqgaExLBq3IgWtp8hFPbuPmaTs3PBIekZXPvSzcdup-G5NOyQ=w160-h200" width="160" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 15pt;">Sometimes as a
short story writer, I worry that I'll run out of ideas. After
this workshop, however, I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left; text-indent: 15pt;">’m
feeling reassured. There’s potential all around us if we just look for it. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 15pt;">Tilt your head to one side and change your perspective. Look
at the familiar things around you and start to see them as something new. </span></div></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhANpgeX39aov9JvnoGwHH_YMdRV0gYvXX4Z5aPgY9wkzR7aCP--dEK8cSSrk-DYMaKNXyOGiR57wlFnKFZaWsoC3EbHPDkM4bhgyCtSB7hDwCeS7H_SdB_GUOgEIlVg_cW7fZyW1WLmcpXfFHZ2iyCT3-UNglyZvbjbE11tV4rJmgE5LwBICntuU9oFw=s400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pub Sign: The Northern Way" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="355" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhANpgeX39aov9JvnoGwHH_YMdRV0gYvXX4Z5aPgY9wkzR7aCP--dEK8cSSrk-DYMaKNXyOGiR57wlFnKFZaWsoC3EbHPDkM4bhgyCtSB7hDwCeS7H_SdB_GUOgEIlVg_cW7fZyW1WLmcpXfFHZ2iyCT3-UNglyZvbjbE11tV4rJmgE5LwBICntuU9oFw=w178-h200" width="178" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6CNLc4lZ_s4ELf6P8OVvECWEY_TWHp-UD98mpe3DK16EjpMEq3nlT-Jptxhja3C-3BeZUNRJO_wmXkPGpnklFVKwhCuDQoeEKKq-T0SMUhQ3gpDZScjUuWU4FRtFDrlIVUDJHIugl45ZUwLLY5UNAVR9coqPQ7_mKjnHUXJMxe8ADar-0_4VGvxTWqQ=s70" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nightclub sign: Fantoosh" border="0" data-original-height="49" data-original-width="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6CNLc4lZ_s4ELf6P8OVvECWEY_TWHp-UD98mpe3DK16EjpMEq3nlT-Jptxhja3C-3BeZUNRJO_wmXkPGpnklFVKwhCuDQoeEKKq-T0SMUhQ3gpDZScjUuWU4FRtFDrlIVUDJHIugl45ZUwLLY5UNAVR9coqPQ7_mKjnHUXJMxe8ADar-0_4VGvxTWqQ=s16000" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;">Our
walk lasted around an hour and sitting down to write this post has made me
realise just how much potential I noted down in that short space of time. The
next time I’m looking for an idea I’ll go back to these photos and look at
these words. Then I might t</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;">hink
about what might have happened in those places for those words to end up there.
I might research the historical events or invent a narrative of my own. I might
use a phrase as a prompt or as a title. The possibilities are endless if I only
read the signs! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyrPIo8Pu__CqUtwCDBqrSeASYhL4lrgdqczrHKnUf68YVcgWQZtCKraccXbIeEhGdMYql16_xIwyt5I4JNubuFIr8fqKsSS-qSg5tqZbQ-zLJcIdG2LHbzvWw72G7CagNLYS7KAwi4HawJvhsZaQ7tYQecb3K99T93UByEAEQKv2Wd-wpw3Rbmm4H_g=s626" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Statue showing small child holding a doll set in a teardrop shpaed flower bed." border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyrPIo8Pu__CqUtwCDBqrSeASYhL4lrgdqczrHKnUf68YVcgWQZtCKraccXbIeEhGdMYql16_xIwyt5I4JNubuFIr8fqKsSS-qSg5tqZbQ-zLJcIdG2LHbzvWw72G7CagNLYS7KAwi4HawJvhsZaQ7tYQecb3K99T93UByEAEQKv2Wd-wpw3Rbmm4H_g=w150-h200" title="Memorial for the victims of Paisley's Glen Cinema disaster" width="150" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 15pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWShxdL8NoLQR_pKN7C1MQAWS5nsW8sQxUXr2b0j5JxUVm9lcGENBh962QNWEc2GKwejqdduROiVSlEuHo8MjTv4zsP_5l6Ew0yuhfIG50hfrEdEkmtD1wxCPHyamPGibWdk94snTyPTQPCyIG2WTsdaZrCusmZCF1lF_hmBcC9ZDVtLzXg7RKASytCA=s552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="552" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWShxdL8NoLQR_pKN7C1MQAWS5nsW8sQxUXr2b0j5JxUVm9lcGENBh962QNWEc2GKwejqdduROiVSlEuHo8MjTv4zsP_5l6Ew0yuhfIG50hfrEdEkmtD1wxCPHyamPGibWdk94snTyPTQPCyIG2WTsdaZrCusmZCF1lF_hmBcC9ZDVtLzXg7RKASytCA=w200-h130" title="Memorial Stone on site of the former Wellmeadown Cafe which set international precedent for negligence cases" width="200" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Three words remain with me after the workshop, pushing me forward through my edits - although I managed not to photograph one of them!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Reimagine. Reawaken.
Restore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 15pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix430i_Q1L3-pn0hPkB1qnkymdurbZMfvJbr_Lh64jp8PYuANiUVJ6mMhxPwuM-TKamwEwJcGZPbQg_QhQDcSaq1YNagdXquIa05aO99zV1Yncv9aieWJ8oQQcs4qQu5NM23yE3E4fh7ArdDjoZxZeBMeQDdTW6CDwmLWcc-IgzgGibRkWGTNfHeQsvA=s52" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="25" data-original-width="52" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix430i_Q1L3-pn0hPkB1qnkymdurbZMfvJbr_Lh64jp8PYuANiUVJ6mMhxPwuM-TKamwEwJcGZPbQg_QhQDcSaq1YNagdXquIa05aO99zV1Yncv9aieWJ8oQQcs4qQu5NM23yE3E4fh7ArdDjoZxZeBMeQDdTW6CDwmLWcc-IgzgGibRkWGTNfHeQsvA=w200-h96" width="200" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzh9lQctlFExkh8PWKjyotPWoNcsOfcf61KVHJVYpDXg3Jb1F7auDvlPW5fy82fpG0eAHST8iJvLxwj200vm5OR5kzR--APjWKafTpdh3QOWybSQ1tWirUcaKhwhndLlbYmlKsl5QItqyZJ6bvcOwt4RRTvYuRoV2M71V_Rhg51A80O-RGcM_0UjpNhA=s86" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="41" data-original-width="86" height="41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzh9lQctlFExkh8PWKjyotPWoNcsOfcf61KVHJVYpDXg3Jb1F7auDvlPW5fy82fpG0eAHST8iJvLxwj200vm5OR5kzR--APjWKafTpdh3QOWybSQ1tWirUcaKhwhndLlbYmlKsl5QItqyZJ6bvcOwt4RRTvYuRoV2M71V_Rhg51A80O-RGcM_0UjpNhA" width="86" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span><p></p>MairibethMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06547784363812591865noreply@blogger.com5