Well, great excitement is in the air. Yes, I'm talking about snow!!! Did you really think I was talking about the long awaited film based on Monsieur Hugo's fantastic novel? The one I have been so excited about seeing since last year? (yes, I know that wasn't all that long ago!).
To be honest, I hate snow. No, that's not true. I love looking at it when I am curled up in front of the fire with a good book and a glass of fine merlot or cup of hot chocolate. I can even be tempted to go for a walk in the pristine stuff but I hate being cold. Just the thought of it makes me want to turn up the thermostat on the radiator.
Of course, apart from nipping to the local cinema to view Les Miserables this week, me thinks it is going to be a week to lock myself away in my study with my muse. I have a lot of editing to do but, guess what?...
Yup, you got it, my overactive brain is telling me to choose one of my lovely A4 notepads from the shelf, pick up my pen and start writing a fresh story.
There is something so exciting, so cathartic about opening a pad and putting the first pen strokes on that pristine white page. I have never been one for writing straight onto the pc. In fact, I find it difficult to be inspired when I look at a blank pc screen with the cursor flashing as though it is tapping its foot in impatience for me to get on with it.
Call me old fashioned but I love the feel and sound of a pen scratching and flowing across the page as my imagination casts me off into a world of make believe. In fact I get so carried way that, quite often when I come to read my words as I am typing them up and editting, I can't decipher some of the barely legible scrawl.
So, tell me, are you like me? Or with all this technology, do you prefer to type your first drafts? Or have you trained yourself to do that? I would be interested to know.
Also, here's something that people might be able to help me with...
I am pretty new to blogging and am considering having guest bloggers on my site. Does anyone know how this works? If so, any help or advice would be much appreciated. And if you would like to be a guest blogger well, even better.
TTFN
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Sunday, 6 January 2013
The Fantasy Girl
Well, 2013 has started with a flourish. In this last week I have posted out two short story competition entries, scribbled a few ideas for future projects and finished editing my erotic anthology. Okay, it still needs some tightening, and the characters in two of the stories are behaving, or misbehaving, in the way I don't want them to, but I thought you might like to read an excerpt from one of the stories I am happy with.
The Fantasy Girl anthology features Eleanor, a girl who will act out your fantasy for a price. Unfortunately for her, that price comes at the expense of love and commitment....or does it?
I'm hoping to publish this some time in March, and have ideas for more in the series. Until then, enjoy this sneak peek and feel free to leave any comments....
THE EDITOR
Eleanor felt sorry for Daniel.
It must be so difficult caring for someone with whom you've shared your life ands dreams with for the best part of twenty years, knowing that, from now on, they will be trapped in a damaged body. Eleanor admired him for that. He hadn't turned and run like a lot of men would. At least like most of the men she knew.
She lay naked on the bed and watched as he stripped out of his clothes, meticulously folding each item and placing it on the chair.
When she had told her flat mate about Daniel, Sue had cried. Most men would have jumped at the chance to indulge in numerous affairs. Daniel's disabled wife had issued him a free pass to fulfil his needs elsewhere. He could do so with a guilt free conscience.
Not Daniel.
He had needs, but he loved his wife more. That's why he needed her - The Fantasy Girl. He didn't want role-playing or fantasy sex. His fantasy, if that's what it could be called, was much simpler. He just wanted some good, old-fashioned loving. He needed to connect. To feel whole again. Above all, he needed the company of a woman who could make him feel like a man in the most basic of ways.
Eleanor fondled her bare breasts and dipped her head, flicking her tongue over one of her nipples. Daniel joined her on the bed and lightly squeezed the other. He had soft hands. Warm hands. Gentle hands.
Once, Eleanor had found a lump in one of her breasts. The consultant at the breast clinic had had hands like Daniel. Only she knew that Daniel wasn't a doctor. He was an editor for a well-known publishing company.
That was why they always had to meet in this little hotel on the outskirts of town. Once, occasionally twice, a month he would call and arrange to see her. Some times they would spend the time talking without even having sex. Often, like now, Daniel didn't really want to talk. He just wanted to fuck. It really was as simple as that.......
The Fantasy Girl anthology features Eleanor, a girl who will act out your fantasy for a price. Unfortunately for her, that price comes at the expense of love and commitment....or does it?
I'm hoping to publish this some time in March, and have ideas for more in the series. Until then, enjoy this sneak peek and feel free to leave any comments....
THE EDITOR
Eleanor felt sorry for Daniel.
It must be so difficult caring for someone with whom you've shared your life ands dreams with for the best part of twenty years, knowing that, from now on, they will be trapped in a damaged body. Eleanor admired him for that. He hadn't turned and run like a lot of men would. At least like most of the men she knew.
She lay naked on the bed and watched as he stripped out of his clothes, meticulously folding each item and placing it on the chair.
When she had told her flat mate about Daniel, Sue had cried. Most men would have jumped at the chance to indulge in numerous affairs. Daniel's disabled wife had issued him a free pass to fulfil his needs elsewhere. He could do so with a guilt free conscience.
Not Daniel.
He had needs, but he loved his wife more. That's why he needed her - The Fantasy Girl. He didn't want role-playing or fantasy sex. His fantasy, if that's what it could be called, was much simpler. He just wanted some good, old-fashioned loving. He needed to connect. To feel whole again. Above all, he needed the company of a woman who could make him feel like a man in the most basic of ways.
Eleanor fondled her bare breasts and dipped her head, flicking her tongue over one of her nipples. Daniel joined her on the bed and lightly squeezed the other. He had soft hands. Warm hands. Gentle hands.
Once, Eleanor had found a lump in one of her breasts. The consultant at the breast clinic had had hands like Daniel. Only she knew that Daniel wasn't a doctor. He was an editor for a well-known publishing company.
That was why they always had to meet in this little hotel on the outskirts of town. Once, occasionally twice, a month he would call and arrange to see her. Some times they would spend the time talking without even having sex. Often, like now, Daniel didn't really want to talk. He just wanted to fuck. It really was as simple as that.......
Saturday, 29 December 2012
A Happy & Fruitful New Year
Well, 2012 certainly flew by!
There were quite a few ups and downs for me during these last twelve months, but the biggest ups definitely involved my writing as I took the plunge into the self publishing e-market, learned out to format books, how to blog and a whole host of other things that can only improve my existence as a neurotic writer.
So, as this year draws to a close, it's time to look ahead to the coming months.
What plans do you have for 2013?
I don't make resolutions, primarily because they always end up being broken. Instead, I make goals. For example, I am currently in the middle of editting an anthology of 10 erotic short stories with the aim of publishing them some time in the coming months. I have a few ideas for short stories to submit to magazines and competitions, and I have a host of other projects that are jotted down on paper or are flying around my head.
I am also thinking about making changes to my website.
All exciting stuff. Watch this space. Next time, there will be a sample of my upcoming project for you to taste.
So, all that's left for this last blog of 2012, is to wish you a very Happy New Year and a very fruitful, productive New Year!
There were quite a few ups and downs for me during these last twelve months, but the biggest ups definitely involved my writing as I took the plunge into the self publishing e-market, learned out to format books, how to blog and a whole host of other things that can only improve my existence as a neurotic writer.
So, as this year draws to a close, it's time to look ahead to the coming months.
What plans do you have for 2013?
I don't make resolutions, primarily because they always end up being broken. Instead, I make goals. For example, I am currently in the middle of editting an anthology of 10 erotic short stories with the aim of publishing them some time in the coming months. I have a few ideas for short stories to submit to magazines and competitions, and I have a host of other projects that are jotted down on paper or are flying around my head.
I am also thinking about making changes to my website.
All exciting stuff. Watch this space. Next time, there will be a sample of my upcoming project for you to taste.
So, all that's left for this last blog of 2012, is to wish you a very Happy New Year and a very fruitful, productive New Year!
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Seasons Greetings & Heartfelt Thanks!
Well, I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.
It's been a busy week getting all the final preparations organised for Christmas. Yes, I admit, I am a bit of a grinch and this isn't my favourite time of year. I hate trailing around the shops trying to find suitable presents, even though I enjoy giving. I hate the mad rushes and the cold......
However, it has been a tremendous year for me. It has had a lot of downs but there have been many ups too, not least of which where my writing is concerned.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I am going to say that I did most of the work. After all, I was the one who put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and there were times when it became something of a chore. But this lil ol' me is also gracious enough to admit that I couldn't have done it without the love and support of all those around me - family, friends, fans & critics alike. It is down to you all that I have the encouragement to persevere.
So this Blog post is simply going to say this:
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
And if this seems a little too sentimental, well heck, I guess it's that time of year!
It's been a busy week getting all the final preparations organised for Christmas. Yes, I admit, I am a bit of a grinch and this isn't my favourite time of year. I hate trailing around the shops trying to find suitable presents, even though I enjoy giving. I hate the mad rushes and the cold......
However, it has been a tremendous year for me. It has had a lot of downs but there have been many ups too, not least of which where my writing is concerned.
At the risk of sounding arrogant, I am going to say that I did most of the work. After all, I was the one who put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard, and there were times when it became something of a chore. But this lil ol' me is also gracious enough to admit that I couldn't have done it without the love and support of all those around me - family, friends, fans & critics alike. It is down to you all that I have the encouragement to persevere.
So this Blog post is simply going to say this:
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
And if this seems a little too sentimental, well heck, I guess it's that time of year!
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Little Men & Hairy Feet
Yay! It's here! The long awaited first installment of The Hobbit!
I have to say, I am not entirely convinced that this story really requires a three film venture and the cynic in me thinks it is something of a money spinning ploy because, let's face it, fans are going to go to all three. I know I will be.
I remember reading The Hobbit at school and fell in love with Bilbo Baggins and his friends. I have revisited the story many times since and, although it was originally written for children, it is a fantastic tale with many sub plots and adult themes. Of course, I'm not going to discuss them. It's for you to make your own mind up.
And if that wasn't enough excitement, January sees the release of the new Les Miserables film with a whole cast of well known faces singing their hearts out, not least of which is the delectable Hugh Jackman.
Of course, that means that I have been scurrying up to the attic to dig out my copies of the books so that I can prepare myself. This earns a scowl from hubby who really can't understand why I would want to re read a book again and again when I buy about 500 new ones a year! Hmmm...
This invariably means that my writing has taking a backseat yet again, my lethargy aided by a cold that started at the beginning of the week and is still lingering. I blame it on my flu jab, which I had the previous week, still nothing to be done.
I will be taking a journey to Hobbiton and beyond on Tuesday, what more inspiration could I need?
I have to say, I am not entirely convinced that this story really requires a three film venture and the cynic in me thinks it is something of a money spinning ploy because, let's face it, fans are going to go to all three. I know I will be.
I remember reading The Hobbit at school and fell in love with Bilbo Baggins and his friends. I have revisited the story many times since and, although it was originally written for children, it is a fantastic tale with many sub plots and adult themes. Of course, I'm not going to discuss them. It's for you to make your own mind up.
And if that wasn't enough excitement, January sees the release of the new Les Miserables film with a whole cast of well known faces singing their hearts out, not least of which is the delectable Hugh Jackman.
Of course, that means that I have been scurrying up to the attic to dig out my copies of the books so that I can prepare myself. This earns a scowl from hubby who really can't understand why I would want to re read a book again and again when I buy about 500 new ones a year! Hmmm...
This invariably means that my writing has taking a backseat yet again, my lethargy aided by a cold that started at the beginning of the week and is still lingering. I blame it on my flu jab, which I had the previous week, still nothing to be done.
I will be taking a journey to Hobbiton and beyond on Tuesday, what more inspiration could I need?
Sunday, 9 December 2012
Jingle Bells and Winter Blues!
Tis the season to be jolly......
Yep, those words are reverberating around my head as I type.
It's not that I'm actually feeling jolly - far from it. However, the cold weather does give you an excuse to stay indoors and write...or not.
I don't know about you, but this time of year certainly makes me feel sluggish. Perhaps it has something to do with the lack of light? I don't know. What I do know, is that the period up to Christmas always seems to fill my writing days with lethargy.
Yes, the tree is up and, miraculously, Stan the Cat has yet to dismantle it, the presents are wrapped and the cards are posted. However, my writing days seem to be getting shorter and shorter.
So, here's a question...
How do you beat the Winter blues? Or do you feel invigorated by the sound of bells and the sight of falling snow?
So far this week I have written two short stories for upcoming competitions whilst my latest erotic anthology sits on my desk crying out to be whipped by the red pen and my notebooks keep beckoning me to take a peak at hastily scribbled ideas.
Maybe I will sit back and relax and get Christmas out of the way. It could boost my energy. Or maybe I should knock back an egg nog and force myself to pick up that pen or turn on my pc?
Do you ever have days when you have to force yourself to write? Let me know how you combat writing fatigue?
Yep, those words are reverberating around my head as I type.
It's not that I'm actually feeling jolly - far from it. However, the cold weather does give you an excuse to stay indoors and write...or not.
I don't know about you, but this time of year certainly makes me feel sluggish. Perhaps it has something to do with the lack of light? I don't know. What I do know, is that the period up to Christmas always seems to fill my writing days with lethargy.
Yes, the tree is up and, miraculously, Stan the Cat has yet to dismantle it, the presents are wrapped and the cards are posted. However, my writing days seem to be getting shorter and shorter.
So, here's a question...
How do you beat the Winter blues? Or do you feel invigorated by the sound of bells and the sight of falling snow?
So far this week I have written two short stories for upcoming competitions whilst my latest erotic anthology sits on my desk crying out to be whipped by the red pen and my notebooks keep beckoning me to take a peak at hastily scribbled ideas.
Maybe I will sit back and relax and get Christmas out of the way. It could boost my energy. Or maybe I should knock back an egg nog and force myself to pick up that pen or turn on my pc?
Do you ever have days when you have to force yourself to write? Let me know how you combat writing fatigue?
Saturday, 1 December 2012
New Book Release
As you know, I usually blog on Sundays, as that's my least busiest day. However, as today sees the release of my latest ebook I thought it only fair to share this, especially as I am excited and ready to shout it from the rooftops.
I am fortunate enough to have a hubby who supports me in every way when it comes to my writing. He quietly appears with cups, make that mugs, of caffeine when I am shut away in my study. He patiently endures my screams of frustration when my muse decides to take the morning off...and he is especially talented when it comes to sorting out most of my techno problems or needs.
As you can see, he has put together this little trailer to give you an idea of what my book is about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2AeOHmCdwk
Let me know what you think. If you liked the trailer and it has whet your appetite to find out more, then please feel free to visit the Smashwords page:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260649
I have to say, when I published my other books I definitely wasn't as social media savvy. Or perhaps I just wasn't as switched on? In any case, I have made more of an effort with this one, helped by having a little more experience and experimenting.
For me, writing isn't about the money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to sniff at any earnings (small or large). However, the buzz I get from knowing that my work is out there and people might (hopefully) enjoy my work is just phenomenal, and deeply satisfying.
Enjoy!
I am fortunate enough to have a hubby who supports me in every way when it comes to my writing. He quietly appears with cups, make that mugs, of caffeine when I am shut away in my study. He patiently endures my screams of frustration when my muse decides to take the morning off...and he is especially talented when it comes to sorting out most of my techno problems or needs.
As you can see, he has put together this little trailer to give you an idea of what my book is about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2AeOHmCdwk
Let me know what you think. If you liked the trailer and it has whet your appetite to find out more, then please feel free to visit the Smashwords page:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260649
I have to say, when I published my other books I definitely wasn't as social media savvy. Or perhaps I just wasn't as switched on? In any case, I have made more of an effort with this one, helped by having a little more experience and experimenting.
For me, writing isn't about the money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to sniff at any earnings (small or large). However, the buzz I get from knowing that my work is out there and people might (hopefully) enjoy my work is just phenomenal, and deeply satisfying.
Enjoy!
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