But I have spent some time this afternoon creating an advert:
I tried again with This Time Next Year but so far haven't managed one I'm happy with. The colours on the cover don't seem to be as background friendly somehow.
Thursday 14 November 2019
Christmas is coming!
A FaceBook post made me think that I should be doing some Christmas book promotions, maybe even an advent calendar. That may be a bit too ambitious though!
But I have spent some time this afternoon creating an advert:
Canva is a really useful tool for conjuring social media posts out of nothing. I really like this advert and it took me less time than it took for me to get the Peaky Blinders theme tune as the ringtone on my new phone.
I tried again with This Time Next Year but so far haven't managed one I'm happy with. The colours on the cover don't seem to be as background friendly somehow.
But I have spent some time this afternoon creating an advert:
I tried again with This Time Next Year but so far haven't managed one I'm happy with. The colours on the cover don't seem to be as background friendly somehow.
Monday 14 October 2019
Juggling the books
After a bad morning - unrelated to writing - I managed to write nearly 2,000 words on my WIP this afternoon.
Once again my characters start to tell their own story. Always lovely when that happens and I don't have to struggle to think of what happens next.
Having decided against doing NaNoWriMo I feel a bit up in the air about writing and where i'm at with it all.
I have self-published two books. I have re-issued the first one, This Time Next Year, with its amendments, but I still need to update the ebook version. I also still plan to serialise as a podcast.
I have amendments to make to the second one, The Dog-walking Club, in both paperback and ebook.
My third novel, completed, will sit on a shelf for another year or so. It is very different from the others.
My fourth novel, Tabitha's Table, needs beta readers. How do I go about getting them? Ask on Twitter and Facebook for volunteers maybe? Then it will need editing.
My fifth novel, my WIP, is a sequel to This Time Next Year. I am roughly halfway through it at 40,000 words.
Novel 6 in my head is very much alive and active, but in a state of constant flux. I don't have any notes written down anywhere for it. I should probably start to ground it and begin to fix on characters if I want to develop it at any time in the near future.
And as all wannabe writers know, it's all about your media presence these days. Trying to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest is beyond me, and, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the point.
It's no wonder I get confused.
In case you're interested you can find me on FaceBook @LizHinds99, on Twitter @Liz_Hinds99, on Instagram notanotherwannabewriter, and Pinterest Not Another Wannabe Writer.
You may have to try variations on these 'handles' as I don't know what I'm doing.
Once again my characters start to tell their own story. Always lovely when that happens and I don't have to struggle to think of what happens next.
Having decided against doing NaNoWriMo I feel a bit up in the air about writing and where i'm at with it all.
I have self-published two books. I have re-issued the first one, This Time Next Year, with its amendments, but I still need to update the ebook version. I also still plan to serialise as a podcast.
I have amendments to make to the second one, The Dog-walking Club, in both paperback and ebook.
My third novel, completed, will sit on a shelf for another year or so. It is very different from the others.
My fourth novel, Tabitha's Table, needs beta readers. How do I go about getting them? Ask on Twitter and Facebook for volunteers maybe? Then it will need editing.
My fifth novel, my WIP, is a sequel to This Time Next Year. I am roughly halfway through it at 40,000 words.
Novel 6 in my head is very much alive and active, but in a state of constant flux. I don't have any notes written down anywhere for it. I should probably start to ground it and begin to fix on characters if I want to develop it at any time in the near future.
And as all wannabe writers know, it's all about your media presence these days. Trying to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest is beyond me, and, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the point.
It's no wonder I get confused.
In case you're interested you can find me on FaceBook @LizHinds99, on Twitter @Liz_Hinds99, on Instagram notanotherwannabewriter, and Pinterest Not Another Wannabe Writer.
You may have to try variations on these 'handles' as I don't know what I'm doing.
Saturday 12 October 2019
Decision made
I am not doing NaNoWriMo.
Tempted though I was I realised I would be putting myself under a tremendous amount of pressure at a time when I am seeking to ease the stress, to learn to say no, to relax more.
I have, however, achieved a lot writing-wise this week. On at least four days I managed to write more than 1,000 words on my WIP (sequel to This Time Next Year) and I am very pleased with that. I'm nearly halfway through and have reached the 'this is rubbish, why did I think I could write?' stage. I managed to do this much writing by staying in and not doing anything strenuous with the excuse that I was poorly. (I mean I actually was poorly, but it was also handy.)
I suppose there's no reason why I couldn't do my own version of NaNoWriMo at a time more suitable for me. Maybe over Lent. I tend to need some sort of focus, a reason to do something, and just sitting down and saying, 'okay, I'm going to do this,' doesn't work. Just compare how unsuccessful a dieter I am unless I attend a class.
Yes, I'm thinking Lent might be a good incentive. (In case you don't know Lent is the six weeks leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar.) Sometimes I give up playing solitaire on the computer for Lent; sometimes I do a gratitude post a day. And I always keep it up. So ... I'm going to write it in my diary now for next year.
Done.
Tempted though I was I realised I would be putting myself under a tremendous amount of pressure at a time when I am seeking to ease the stress, to learn to say no, to relax more.
I have, however, achieved a lot writing-wise this week. On at least four days I managed to write more than 1,000 words on my WIP (sequel to This Time Next Year) and I am very pleased with that. I'm nearly halfway through and have reached the 'this is rubbish, why did I think I could write?' stage. I managed to do this much writing by staying in and not doing anything strenuous with the excuse that I was poorly. (I mean I actually was poorly, but it was also handy.)
I suppose there's no reason why I couldn't do my own version of NaNoWriMo at a time more suitable for me. Maybe over Lent. I tend to need some sort of focus, a reason to do something, and just sitting down and saying, 'okay, I'm going to do this,' doesn't work. Just compare how unsuccessful a dieter I am unless I attend a class.
Yes, I'm thinking Lent might be a good incentive. (In case you don't know Lent is the six weeks leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar.) Sometimes I give up playing solitaire on the computer for Lent; sometimes I do a gratitude post a day. And I always keep it up. So ... I'm going to write it in my diary now for next year.
Done.
Tuesday 8 October 2019
A really stupid idea
I'm thinking about doing something stupid. Something really stupid. I've done it before and said I wouldn't do it again but here I am considering it.
And the something stupid is ... NaNoWriMo.
For those who don't know what that is let me explain. During the month of November you set yourself the task of writing 50,000 words of a novel. It's as simple as that. And as stupid as that.
My birthday is in November as is my granddaughter's. November is also Christmas prep month not to mention Guy Fawkes night. This year we're also going to London for a few nights as, ages ago, I booked tickets for the new White Christmas musical. So it's a busy month. Not the sort of month you want to set yourself a task that is hard enough in a boring empty month.
I've done it at least twice before - and have benefited from it - once it's over - but each time I say, 'Never again.' But ...
I have an idea for a new novel. I'm currently working on a sequel to my first novel, This Time Next Year, but I have ideas floating around in my head for something completely different. I fear that unless I do something drastic it will stay, forever, as an idea in my brain.
The thought that I could perhaps take part in NaNoWriMo came to me at the end of September. I told myself if I got organised and did my Christmas shopping early it might be possible. Ten days later I am no closer to getting organised.
Actually that's not true. I have got as far as asking my children what they want for Christmas, however, getting answers out of them is as impossible as doing NaNoWriMo.
On the plus side I have had three almost consecutive days of writing more than 1,000 words on my WIP so that's good.
What do you think? Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo?
And the something stupid is ... NaNoWriMo.
For those who don't know what that is let me explain. During the month of November you set yourself the task of writing 50,000 words of a novel. It's as simple as that. And as stupid as that.
My birthday is in November as is my granddaughter's. November is also Christmas prep month not to mention Guy Fawkes night. This year we're also going to London for a few nights as, ages ago, I booked tickets for the new White Christmas musical. So it's a busy month. Not the sort of month you want to set yourself a task that is hard enough in a boring empty month.
I've done it at least twice before - and have benefited from it - once it's over - but each time I say, 'Never again.' But ...
I have an idea for a new novel. I'm currently working on a sequel to my first novel, This Time Next Year, but I have ideas floating around in my head for something completely different. I fear that unless I do something drastic it will stay, forever, as an idea in my brain.
The thought that I could perhaps take part in NaNoWriMo came to me at the end of September. I told myself if I got organised and did my Christmas shopping early it might be possible. Ten days later I am no closer to getting organised.
Actually that's not true. I have got as far as asking my children what they want for Christmas, however, getting answers out of them is as impossible as doing NaNoWriMo.
On the plus side I have had three almost consecutive days of writing more than 1,000 words on my WIP so that's good.
What do you think? Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo?
Thursday 3 October 2019
A local connection for National Poetry Day
To celebrate National Poetry Day here's a little local flavour.
In 1883 the crew of a German shop was rescued by the Mumbles Lifeboat, which then got into difficulties itself. Two of the lifeboatmen died but another two were pulled ashore by the two daughters of the then lighthouse keeper. Jessie Ace and Margaret Wright were never acknowledged by the RNLI but did receive brooches from the German Empress as a thank you.
Clement Scott decided their story was worth a poem.
The Women of Mumbles Head
Bring novelists your notebook. Bring Dramatists your Pen:
And I'll tell you a simple story of what women do for men.
It's only the tale of a lifeboat, of the dying and the dead,
Of a terrible storm and shipwreck that happened off Mumbles Head.
Maybe you have travelled in Wales, sir, and know it north and south:
Maybe you have friends with the 'natives' that dwell at Oystermouth.
It happens, no doubt, that from Bristol you've crossed in a casual way.
And have sailed your yacht in summer, in the blue of Swansea Bay.
Well, it isn't like that in winter when the lighthouse stands alone,
In the teeth of Atlantic breakers that foam on its face of stone:
It wasn't like that when the hurricane blew and the story-bell tolled, or when
There was news of a wreck, and lifeboat launch'd, and a desperate cry for men.
When in the world did the coxswain shirk? A brave old Salt was he!
Proud to the bone of as four strong lads, as ever had tasted the sea.
Welshmen all to the lungs and loins, who, about the coast twas said,
Had saved some hundred lives apiece - at a shilling or so a head!
So the father launched the lifeboat in the teeth of the tempest's roar,
And he stood like a man at the rudder, with any eye on his boys at the oar.
Out to the wreck went the father! Out to the wreck went the sons!
Leaving the weeping of women, and booming of signal guns;
Leaving the mother who loved them, and the girls that the sailors loved,
Going to death for duty, and trusting to God above!
Do you murmur a prayer, my brother, when cosy and safe in bed,
For men like these, who are ready to die for a wreck off Mumbles Head?
It didn't go well with the lifeboat. 'Twas a terrible storm that blew!
And it snapped a rope in a second that was flung to the drowning crew;
And then the anchor parted - 'twas a tussle to keep afloat!
But the father stuck to the rudder, and the boys to the brave old boat.
Then at last on the poor doom'd lifeboat a wave broke mountains high!
'God help us now! ' said the father. 'It's over my lads, good-bye!'
Half of the crew swam shoreward, half to the sheltered caves,
But father and sons were fighting death in the foam of the angry
waves.
Up at the lighthouse window two women beheld the storm,
And saw in the boiling breakers a figure - a fighting form,
It might be a grey-haired father, then the women held their breath,
It might be a fair-haired brother who was having a round with death;
It might be a lover, a husband, whose kisses were on the lips
Of the women whose love is life of the men going down to the sea in ships.
They had seen the launch of the lifeboat, they had heard the worst and more,
Then, kissing each other these women went down from the lighthouse, straight to the shore.
There by the rocks on the breakers these sisters, hand in hand,
Beheld once more that desperate man who struggled to reach the land.
'Twas only aid he wanted to help him across the wave,
But what are a couple of women with only a man to save?
What are a couple of women? Well, more than three craven men
Who stood by the shore with chattering teeth, refusing to stir - and then
Off went the women's shawls, sir: in a second they're torn and rent,
Then knotting them into a rope of love, straight into the sea they went!
'Come back!' cried the lighthouse keeper, 'For God's sake, girls, come back!'
As they caught the waves on their foreheads, resisting the fierce attack.
'Come back!' moaned the grey-haired mother as she stood by the angry sea,
'If the waves take you, my darlings, there's nobody left to me.'
'Come back!' said the three strong soldiers, who still stood faint and pale,
'You will drown if you face the breakers! You will fall if you brave the gale!'
'Come back' said the girls, 'we will not! Go tell it to all the town,
We'll lose our lives, God willing, before that man shall drown!'
'Give one more knot to the shawls, Bess! Give one strong clutch of your hand!
Just follow me, brave, to the shingle, and we'll drag him safe to land!
Wait for the next wave, darling! Only a minute more,
And I'll have him safe in my arms, dear, and we'll drag him safe to shore.'
Up to their arms in the water, fighting it breast to breast,
They caught and saved a brother alive! God bless us! you know the rest—
Well, many a heart beat stronger, and many a tear was shed,
And many a glass was toss'd right off to the 'Women of Mumbles Head!'
Clement Scott decided their story was worth a poem.
The Women of Mumbles Head
Bring novelists your notebook. Bring Dramatists your Pen:
And I'll tell you a simple story of what women do for men.
It's only the tale of a lifeboat, of the dying and the dead,
Of a terrible storm and shipwreck that happened off Mumbles Head.
Maybe you have travelled in Wales, sir, and know it north and south:
Maybe you have friends with the 'natives' that dwell at Oystermouth.
It happens, no doubt, that from Bristol you've crossed in a casual way.
And have sailed your yacht in summer, in the blue of Swansea Bay.
Well, it isn't like that in winter when the lighthouse stands alone,
In the teeth of Atlantic breakers that foam on its face of stone:
It wasn't like that when the hurricane blew and the story-bell tolled, or when
There was news of a wreck, and lifeboat launch'd, and a desperate cry for men.
When in the world did the coxswain shirk? A brave old Salt was he!
Proud to the bone of as four strong lads, as ever had tasted the sea.
Welshmen all to the lungs and loins, who, about the coast twas said,
Had saved some hundred lives apiece - at a shilling or so a head!
So the father launched the lifeboat in the teeth of the tempest's roar,
And he stood like a man at the rudder, with any eye on his boys at the oar.
Out to the wreck went the father! Out to the wreck went the sons!
Leaving the weeping of women, and booming of signal guns;
Leaving the mother who loved them, and the girls that the sailors loved,
Going to death for duty, and trusting to God above!
Do you murmur a prayer, my brother, when cosy and safe in bed,
For men like these, who are ready to die for a wreck off Mumbles Head?
It didn't go well with the lifeboat. 'Twas a terrible storm that blew!
And it snapped a rope in a second that was flung to the drowning crew;
And then the anchor parted - 'twas a tussle to keep afloat!
But the father stuck to the rudder, and the boys to the brave old boat.
Then at last on the poor doom'd lifeboat a wave broke mountains high!
'God help us now! ' said the father. 'It's over my lads, good-bye!'
Half of the crew swam shoreward, half to the sheltered caves,
But father and sons were fighting death in the foam of the angry
waves.
Up at the lighthouse window two women beheld the storm,
And saw in the boiling breakers a figure - a fighting form,
It might be a grey-haired father, then the women held their breath,
It might be a fair-haired brother who was having a round with death;
It might be a lover, a husband, whose kisses were on the lips
Of the women whose love is life of the men going down to the sea in ships.
They had seen the launch of the lifeboat, they had heard the worst and more,
Then, kissing each other these women went down from the lighthouse, straight to the shore.
There by the rocks on the breakers these sisters, hand in hand,
Beheld once more that desperate man who struggled to reach the land.
'Twas only aid he wanted to help him across the wave,
But what are a couple of women with only a man to save?
What are a couple of women? Well, more than three craven men
Who stood by the shore with chattering teeth, refusing to stir - and then
Off went the women's shawls, sir: in a second they're torn and rent,
Then knotting them into a rope of love, straight into the sea they went!
'Come back!' cried the lighthouse keeper, 'For God's sake, girls, come back!'
As they caught the waves on their foreheads, resisting the fierce attack.
'Come back!' moaned the grey-haired mother as she stood by the angry sea,
'If the waves take you, my darlings, there's nobody left to me.'
'Come back!' said the three strong soldiers, who still stood faint and pale,
'You will drown if you face the breakers! You will fall if you brave the gale!'
'Come back' said the girls, 'we will not! Go tell it to all the town,
We'll lose our lives, God willing, before that man shall drown!'
'Give one more knot to the shawls, Bess! Give one strong clutch of your hand!
Just follow me, brave, to the shingle, and we'll drag him safe to land!
Wait for the next wave, darling! Only a minute more,
And I'll have him safe in my arms, dear, and we'll drag him safe to shore.'
Up to their arms in the water, fighting it breast to breast,
They caught and saved a brother alive! God bless us! you know the rest—
Well, many a heart beat stronger, and many a tear was shed,
And many a glass was toss'd right off to the 'Women of Mumbles Head!'
Monday 30 September 2019
Meeting Anne
That wonderful human being known as Anne Williams was at Narberth Book Fair this weekend, simply 'to support authors'. She writes about books on her Being Anne blog and is such a fabulous encourager.
She took part in my blog tour and later wrote a review about The Dog-walking Club: you can read her glorious review here.
And here we are at the Book Fair.
She took part in my blog tour and later wrote a review about The Dog-walking Club: you can read her glorious review here.
And here we are at the Book Fair.
Post Book Fair de-briefing
It wasn't.
On time. The book delivery that is. But it didn't matter in the end. I had enough - just - for the Book fair, and to prove it here's my stall.
The weather forecast for the weekend had been quite bad but as it turned out there were only intermittent showers. The town's food festival was happening next door so Narberth in west Wales was the place to be on Saturday.
Where to begin? Two big surprises. The first was that all day parking next door to the hall only cost £1.50. As you can pay that for an hour's parking in Swansea it was a pleasant surprise. The second surprise happened when I spoke to Judith Barrow, co-organiser of the event. For some reason, known only to my psyche, I had expected her to sound like a posh English woman even though she had lived in Wales for forty years. She actually spoke with a strong northern English accent.
When she first came across and spoke to us I was astounded - and told her so.
Anyway those two things are irrelevant really. There was good footfall (which I have learned means people coming through the doors) and I sold nine books, which may not sound a lot but is good for an event like this.
It was wonderful to be to put faces to bodies to names that I know from FaceBook and Twitter, and there was a generally lovely supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
A few odd things. At one point a couple stood in front of my stall, spoke to each other, and laughed. The woman then said, 'How's your husband? We read about him in The Bay magazine.'
I said, 'Oh fine.'
Her partner then said, 'That's exactly the sort of sympathy I'd get if I had a heart attack.'
We laughed some more and shared stories of how hard done by husbands are during labour when we make them stay with us when they could be sleeping.
It was odd because The Bay only covers a small delivery area in the west of Swansea - where presumably this couple were from - and Narberth is some distance away.
Not long after that two women approached my stall. One come towards me saying, 'Liz Hinds! we meet at last!'
We hugged and all the while I am thinking, 'Who is she?'
Quite soon the penny dropped and I realised this lovely lady was no other than my editor on The Bay, Lesley. We have only communicated by email and more recently on FaceBook - where she has a photo admittedly ... Anyway, I think I got away with it.
Two more coincidences. One woman stopped, picked up a copy of The Dog-walking Club, and said, 'I've already read this.' That's odd because I haven't sold that many so she probably read it for free on kindle unlimited but still she'd read it.
Another woman picked up a copy of A Cop for Christ and said, 'I gave this to my son years ago, 'and 'what's it got to do with you?'
'I wrote it.' I showed her my name in small letters on the back cover.
She said, 'Oh, the cover was different on mine, and it was a smaller book.'
I said, 'Yes, Hodder re-issued it.'
I still don't think she believed me though.
The organisers gave us a goodie bag including sweeties - always a plus - and a sign to put on the stall. I've pinned it to my notice-board now so when in future I begin to doubt myself I just have to look up to remind myself.
On time. The book delivery that is. But it didn't matter in the end. I had enough - just - for the Book fair, and to prove it here's my stall.
Where to begin? Two big surprises. The first was that all day parking next door to the hall only cost £1.50. As you can pay that for an hour's parking in Swansea it was a pleasant surprise. The second surprise happened when I spoke to Judith Barrow, co-organiser of the event. For some reason, known only to my psyche, I had expected her to sound like a posh English woman even though she had lived in Wales for forty years. She actually spoke with a strong northern English accent.
When she first came across and spoke to us I was astounded - and told her so.
Anyway those two things are irrelevant really. There was good footfall (which I have learned means people coming through the doors) and I sold nine books, which may not sound a lot but is good for an event like this.
It was wonderful to be to put faces to bodies to names that I know from FaceBook and Twitter, and there was a generally lovely supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
A few odd things. At one point a couple stood in front of my stall, spoke to each other, and laughed. The woman then said, 'How's your husband? We read about him in The Bay magazine.'
I said, 'Oh fine.'
Her partner then said, 'That's exactly the sort of sympathy I'd get if I had a heart attack.'
We laughed some more and shared stories of how hard done by husbands are during labour when we make them stay with us when they could be sleeping.
It was odd because The Bay only covers a small delivery area in the west of Swansea - where presumably this couple were from - and Narberth is some distance away.
Not long after that two women approached my stall. One come towards me saying, 'Liz Hinds! we meet at last!'
We hugged and all the while I am thinking, 'Who is she?'
Quite soon the penny dropped and I realised this lovely lady was no other than my editor on The Bay, Lesley. We have only communicated by email and more recently on FaceBook - where she has a photo admittedly ... Anyway, I think I got away with it.
Two more coincidences. One woman stopped, picked up a copy of The Dog-walking Club, and said, 'I've already read this.' That's odd because I haven't sold that many so she probably read it for free on kindle unlimited but still she'd read it.
Another woman picked up a copy of A Cop for Christ and said, 'I gave this to my son years ago, 'and 'what's it got to do with you?'
'I wrote it.' I showed her my name in small letters on the back cover.
She said, 'Oh, the cover was different on mine, and it was a smaller book.'
I said, 'Yes, Hodder re-issued it.'
I still don't think she believed me though.
The organisers gave us a goodie bag including sweeties - always a plus - and a sign to put on the stall. I've pinned it to my notice-board now so when in future I begin to doubt myself I just have to look up to remind myself.
Friday 27 September 2019
My first Book Fair
I am taking part in my first Book Fair tomorrow. If you've read my previous post you probably guessed I didn't have much experience of them ...
Today I am reasonably calm. I have been to the bank to organise my float - I live in hope that I will sell some books - and I have planned my props. All I need to do now is practise my table layout, make price labels, decide what to wear, and print out my bookmarks. Which reminds me: the printer should be making my trial copy now but is worryingly silent.
I contacted Amazon to see if it would be possible for me to pick up my books from a depot rather than wait until Monday for delivery. I was in communication with two awfully nice young men who tried their best but as the books are en route from Germany it seems unlikely. They did, however, give me a £5 refund for the inconvenience. Jolly nice of them as it was my fault.
So, tomorrow, if you're in west Wales, do pop along to Narberth Book Fair. It's also Narberth Food Festival so you have even more reason to come!
Potential display. I may abandon the props (choc, dog, plate) and keep it clean.
Today I am reasonably calm. I have been to the bank to organise my float - I live in hope that I will sell some books - and I have planned my props. All I need to do now is practise my table layout, make price labels, decide what to wear, and print out my bookmarks. Which reminds me: the printer should be making my trial copy now but is worryingly silent.
I contacted Amazon to see if it would be possible for me to pick up my books from a depot rather than wait until Monday for delivery. I was in communication with two awfully nice young men who tried their best but as the books are en route from Germany it seems unlikely. They did, however, give me a £5 refund for the inconvenience. Jolly nice of them as it was my fault.
So, tomorrow, if you're in west Wales, do pop along to Narberth Book Fair. It's also Narberth Food Festival so you have even more reason to come!
Thursday 26 September 2019
How not to prepare for a Book Fair
I am taking part in Narberth Book Fair on Saturday, having a stall and the opportunity to sell my books. So what is the first thing any sensible person would do?
Make sure they have books to sell, did you say? I agree.
If only I was sensible.
I decided I'd re-issue my first novel, This Time Next Year, with typos removed, on Amazon. Took me slightly longer than I'd anticipated making the changes and re-publishing but got it all done and ordered some copies. The email said they'd be delivered on Friday. Excellent, thinks I, just in time for the book fair on Saturday.
This morning I receive an email saying the parcel will arrive on Monday. What? That's not good enough! They can't do that to me! I am about to get ready for a fight when I decide to check the original email.
It does indeed say the books will be delivered on Friday - Friday 4th October.
After twenty minutes trying to work out how to contact Amazon I have now sent a very begging letter asking if there's any way I can go and collect my parcel from a depot when it gets close enough.
I am not hopeful.
It's not the end of the world, I tell myself. I have a few original copies left plus my Dog-walking Club books and - and here you will be impressed - copies of A Cop for Christ that I had the foresight to order before I went on holiday. Not totally stupid you see.
Hey ho.
Early this week also in preparation for the fair I ordered some display stands. The blurb said they'be delivered between Wednesday and Saturday. They're always early, thinks I, so I went ahead and placed the order. (Note to self: must stop thinking.)
An email from Amazon tells me they'll be delivered on Saturday. No! That's too late!
Younger Son steps in and offers to order them on Prime for me so I can collect those from him tomorrow. Sadly he can't do the same with my books.
Postscript
I had literally just finished writing and publishing this post when the postwoman arrived. She had a parcel for me: the display stands.
Let's hope book delivery is early too ...
Make sure they have books to sell, did you say? I agree.
If only I was sensible.
I decided I'd re-issue my first novel, This Time Next Year, with typos removed, on Amazon. Took me slightly longer than I'd anticipated making the changes and re-publishing but got it all done and ordered some copies. The email said they'd be delivered on Friday. Excellent, thinks I, just in time for the book fair on Saturday.
This morning I receive an email saying the parcel will arrive on Monday. What? That's not good enough! They can't do that to me! I am about to get ready for a fight when I decide to check the original email.
It does indeed say the books will be delivered on Friday - Friday 4th October.
After twenty minutes trying to work out how to contact Amazon I have now sent a very begging letter asking if there's any way I can go and collect my parcel from a depot when it gets close enough.
I am not hopeful.
It's not the end of the world, I tell myself. I have a few original copies left plus my Dog-walking Club books and - and here you will be impressed - copies of A Cop for Christ that I had the foresight to order before I went on holiday. Not totally stupid you see.
Hey ho.
Early this week also in preparation for the fair I ordered some display stands. The blurb said they'be delivered between Wednesday and Saturday. They're always early, thinks I, so I went ahead and placed the order. (Note to self: must stop thinking.)
An email from Amazon tells me they'll be delivered on Saturday. No! That's too late!
Younger Son steps in and offers to order them on Prime for me so I can collect those from him tomorrow. Sadly he can't do the same with my books.
Postscript
I had literally just finished writing and publishing this post when the postwoman arrived. She had a parcel for me: the display stands.
Let's hope book delivery is early too ...
Thursday 22 August 2019
This Time Next Year - an excerpt
Today on the Blog Blitz I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to share two short excerpts from my first novel, This Time Next Year. Huge thanks to Claire Baldry, founder of Books For Older Readers for all her hard work in organising both the website and this Blog Blitz.
The novel's main character, Alison, is in her fifty-first year. She's recently divorced - her husband, Brian, left her for a younger woman - and she's not entirely enjoying life. Her two best friends, Pippa and Bev, feature in these two excerpts.
6th June, ThursdayI am good for my age. It’s official: I’ve been told by both dentist and optician. Despite getting long in the tooth I’m pleased to report that my teeth and eyesight are okay. Apart from needing a tiny filling and a slightly stronger pair of glasses. That aside, my teeth and eyesight have ‘not deteriorated more than would be expected’.
Thinking about it, I seem to recall that both dentist and optician added ‘quite’ before the ‘good’. Still, that’s not a disaster; that is ‘quite good’. I can live with that. At least I’m not bad for my age. I would probably be incontinent as well if I were.
The nurse called me in to see the dentist just as I was engrossed in a fascinating article about ‘Your best friend’. According to the article, forget dogs, a woman’s best friend is her best friend i.e. another woman. ‘A woman’s best friend is her life support. She lifts you up when you are down, confirms that your ex is a total cad, and, in every way, is there for your benefit. In return, all she asks is that you do the same for her.’ I was tempted to tear the article out so I could show it to Bev and Pippa. I’m not sure they’re living up to the ideal.
*********
14th July (After Alison has been out on a date)
Bev & Pippa turned up at seven, Bev with wine and Pippa with little nibbles and dips from M&S. The trouble with little nibbles is their littleness. By 8 o'clock, we were scouring cupboards for suitable dipping items. I found crisps; Pippa peeled and sliced carrots, peppers and celery.
Then I filled them in on the events of Saturday night. It didn’t take long.
‘Oh,’ Bev said, when I’d finished.
‘Well,’ Pippa said, ‘just because he hasn’t phoned doesn’t mean he’s not interested. It’s only been two days, and, as you said, Alison, he’s probably been busy with patients all day.’
‘Huh,’ Bev grunted. ‘That’s a pretty crappy excuse.’
‘Well, I did make a bit of a fool of myself, one way and another.’
‘But that’s you, Alison.’
‘Yeah, and from what you’ve said before, he already knows what you’re like, so he should have been prepared.’
The words from magazine article I’d read in the dentist’s suddenly come back to me. ‘Your best friend always thinks well of you.’ I pointed this out to Bev and Pippa.
‘Oh, Aliss, we only ever say things because we love you.’
‘Yes, Alison, you know it’s your interests we have at heart.’
Pippa tried to reassure me by telling me about her first boyfriend. ‘He wasn’t really a rotter so much as thoughtless. Never thought to tell me that I looked nice or that he’d be late or that he liked being with me. It just didn’t occur to him.’
‘Huh, one of my boyfriends was a real sonofabitch,’ Bev joined in. ‘He was seeing three of us at the same time, but we found out and we got our revenge.’
‘How?’
‘We turned up at his regular pub, debagged him in front of his friends and made belittling comments about his equipment!’
‘Bev, that’s brilliant,’ Pippa said. ‘Men are so sensitive about their thing.’
‘And goodness knows why! Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.’
They both screeched just as I said, ‘Why, how many have you seen?’
‘Oh, only...’ Pippa stopped and did a mental total, ‘three. No, four if you count Ian but that was only once and in the dark so it hardly counted. In more ways than one!’
Bev was still counting and appeared to have run out of fingers.
‘I didn’t realise you were both so experienced,’ I was shocked.
‘I don’t think three, or even four, would be counted as experienced these days,’ Pippa said.
‘Really?’
‘Definitely not, kids today are into the tens before they’ve left uni.’ Seeing my face, Bev added, ‘Course that’s only some of them, not the ones like Chloe who have a steady boyfriend.’
‘Honestly, Alison, there’s no need to look so horrified. Don’t tell us you haven’t seen a few in your time.’
‘Yeah, come on, Aliss, confess, what’s your rating?’
‘One.’
They both stared at me.
‘You’re not serious?’
‘You mean just Brian?’
‘Yes, there’s only ever been Brian.’
‘But, but...’ Bev was stuck for words.
‘I think what Bev’s trying to say, Alison, is that you’re not that much older than us. You grew up in the sixties and seventies. The permissive society had begun. How could you miss it?’
‘I was sixteen when I started going out with Brian, we got engaged before he went to university and then married straight after.’
‘Well,’ Bev said, ‘you’ve got some catching-up to do, girl. Here’s to you!’
Tuesday 20 August 2019
Library Love
Library Love
There’s a challenge that I set myself every now and again. It’s called NaNoWriMo, the annual international write a novel in a month event. If you’ve ever attempted it you’ll know that what ‘seemed like a good idea at the time’ is, in truth, a ridiculous ordeal: trying to write 50,000 words in thirty days in between family life, preparing for Christmas, and, for me, numerous birthdays, is more burden than pleasure. Yet I’ve done it more than once!
One year there were several participants living locally and we decided to meet up. The main library in our city seemed a good meeting place and on the specified day we five gathered there.
‘I didn’t know this place existed,’ said one.
‘How long has this been here?’ said another.
I’m not convinced that we should but let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was only the main library with which they were unfamiliar. To imagine there could be in existence a writer who has never used a library is too mind-blowingly awful to contemplate. Is it an age thing? Are we – those of us who make up the audience for Books For Older Readers - the last generation to appreciate the value of libraries?
As both a writer and a reader I love libraries. Even if I were neither and just a human being I still can’t imagine life without the safe stronghold, the receptacle of knowledge, that a library is.
I grew up living close to my local library and it became my second home. Indeed I often imagined which room would be my bedroom, living-room etc were I to move in. As a shy child reading was my escape, my hidey-hole, from the real world, and the library allowed me a constant supply of my drug of choice. From Pookie to The Secret Seven to Little Women I could explore lives and places very different from my own – and in safety.
I realise as I am writing that the word and idea of ‘safe’ keeps cropping up. I hadn’t thought of the association before but I believe that it is a valid one. In books, we can indulge in adventures far more dangerous, defiant, sexually explicit, crazy, than we would attempt - or want to try out - in real life. And in libraries we are physically protected from the elements, bullies, and loneliness.
And another wonderful thing about libraries: they’re free!
It still amazes me that I can walk into a huge room absolutely full of books and take home any I want. Just like that. Of course owning books is a wonderful feeling – and as a writer I say definitely one to be encouraged - but borrowing books brings its own freedom. It allows me to try out new – to me – authors and if I’m not enjoying a book I don’t feel the obligation to finish it that I would had I spent money on it.
 |
| Libraries are good places to speak to potential readers of your books |
And, of course, libraries these days are far more than book repositories. They are lively community hubs and yet many are coming under threat of closure. Libraries can be seen as an easy target: no lives will be lost if we cut corners here, the councillors may tell themselves to justify their decisions, and that’s hard to argue against. Except to say ‘no lives lost maybe but many lessened.’ And not just intellectually or imaginatively. There’s the homeless man who spends his day sitting by the radiator reading newspapers to avoid freezing to death on the street. And the mother who relies on the free internet and computer service at the library to find out why her benefits have suddenly been cut leaving her unable to feed her children.
Records show that the elderly, the unemployed, those with a limiting disability, and those from the black and ethnic minority groups, all have higher rates of library attendance. The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who founded over 2,500 free public libraries across the world, said, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.”
Libraries in some form or another date back more than 5,000 years and the oldest surviving public library in Britain was founded in Manchester in 1653 at the bequest of a local merchant, Henry Chetham who specified that the librarian ‘require nothing of any man that cometh into the library.’ Books, however, were originally chained to the bookshelves so I’m not sure how easy it was to borrow one … Chetham Library is still in existence today and is a significant centre for study and research.
But the free public lending library with which most of us are familiar didn’t come into being in the UK until the second half of the 19th century when the Public Libraries Act was passed in 1850. The Act allowed any municipal borough of 100,000 souls to introduce a halfpenny rate to establish public libraries - although not to buy books - as part of a movement to improve educational opportunities and facilities.
It's worth noting that during the debates on the Act members of the Conservative party, concerned about the cost of the scheme and the social transformation it could bring about, argued strongly against free public libraries.
That the Act finally became law was down to the persistence of a few men determined to see free public libraries introduced for the benefit and improvement of the working classes and in 1852 the first such library opened in Manchester.
Now, since 2010, at least 478 libraries have closed in England, Wales and Scotland, and the number of full-time posts has dropped significantly with volunteers taking up the baton. You’ll find more than three times as many volunteers in libraries as full-time staff which is fantastic on the part of the volunteers but many may not have the expert knowledge or experience of the professionals.
Will we still have libraries as we know them in twenty years? Will it still be the case that the librarian ‘require nothing of any man that cometh into the library’? I certainly hope so but I’m not holding my breath.
Thursday 15 August 2019
August is for Authors
While in the library on Tuesday I noticed an advert for a series of author talks. I'd missed the first one but the second was yesterday evening so I decided to pop along.
Dr Emma Kavanagh is a cognitive psychologist who trained armed forces and the police before turning to writing and she's a now a successful author of crime novels. I have to admit I've not read any of her work but I will do now I've heard her speaking.
I assumed it was going to be a talk but it turned out to be a Q&A session. Dr Kavanagh was lovely and very inspirational. She is a real author, with a real agent and publisher and even with a film and television agent! Unwittingly and unintentionally she made me feel like an amateur, which is what I am really. But she was also encouraging saying, 'Don't give up.' She maintains it's the only thing that makes the difference between unpublished and published. I'm not so sure.
One very interesting thing she said was, 'Many teachers will tell you to write what you know; I suggest you write what you want to know.'
There are two more talks in the series. I hope to go along to one at least.
Talks at Swansea Central Library 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm
August 21st Kate Hamer
August 28th Rebecca Tope
I assumed it was going to be a talk but it turned out to be a Q&A session. Dr Kavanagh was lovely and very inspirational. She is a real author, with a real agent and publisher and even with a film and television agent! Unwittingly and unintentionally she made me feel like an amateur, which is what I am really. But she was also encouraging saying, 'Don't give up.' She maintains it's the only thing that makes the difference between unpublished and published. I'm not so sure.
One very interesting thing she said was, 'Many teachers will tell you to write what you know; I suggest you write what you want to know.'
There are two more talks in the series. I hope to go along to one at least.
Talks at Swansea Central Library 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm
August 21st Kate Hamer
August 28th Rebecca Tope
Monday 5 August 2019
Blog Blitz
For a month contributors will be posting articles, reviews, and extracts, and in the first post Claire writes about how BFOR began.
I'll be adding my own post and extract later on in the month.
Monday 29 July 2019
And the winner is ...
Kelly Disley!
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to make this announcement but Husband went and had a heart attack and ended up in hospital - where he still awaits tests. Talk about real life getting in the way!
Anyway I've been in touch with Kelly now and will soon be sending her prize off to her.
Thanks again to everyone who took part in the blog tour and/or entered the giveaway.
Monday 22 July 2019
Blog tour = royalties
An email from Amazon alerted me to the fact that I'd received royalty payments. Ever on the ball I hadn't thought to check if there'd been any sales during the blog tour but now, certain there had, I scurried over to the site.
It turns out that the roughly £80 I invested in a blog tour brought in £2.62 in royalties.
I tell myself that at least The Dog-walking Club has been brought to people's attention and that it may well be on any number of Must Read lists all over the world. Also it's a well-known fact that you have to accumulate in order to speculate. No wait, that's wrong.
What is the secret, people? To getting your title out there?
I tried emailing a doggy magazine that did book reviews but had no reply. Perhaps I should send them a copy anyway, with some of the reviews already received. What do you think? Is that a good idea?
It turns out that the roughly £80 I invested in a blog tour brought in £2.62 in royalties.
I tell myself that at least The Dog-walking Club has been brought to people's attention and that it may well be on any number of Must Read lists all over the world. Also it's a well-known fact that you have to accumulate in order to speculate. No wait, that's wrong.
What is the secret, people? To getting your title out there?
I tried emailing a doggy magazine that did book reviews but had no reply. Perhaps I should send them a copy anyway, with some of the reviews already received. What do you think? Is that a good idea?
Saturday 20 July 2019
Huge thanks to ... everyone!
First of all, huge thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel's Random Resources for organising the tour. When I decided I should be proactive in my marketing - for a change - and began investigating blog tours I considered doing it all myself. I am so glad I didn't! Apart from all the planning, contacting bloggers, arranging dates, producing promotion material, and basically doing a huge amount of work, Rachel also provided good advice and reassurance, especially at the last minute when I began to panic about possible reactions. So thank you, Rachel!
Next, big thanks to all 21 bloggers who took part in the tour. They don't have to do it, they don't get paid, and they sometimes seem to be victims of abuse. I have nothing but praise for all the book bloggers, who made the effort, who read and reviewed or featured me on their blogs, and who, I have to say, gave me some gorgeous reviews. So thank you all.
Now for the links and snippets of the reviews.
From Dash Fan Book Reviews
The Dog-walking Club is an Endearing, Feel Good, Light Hearted read that melted my heart, was highly relatable, Funny, fantastic quirky loveable characters of all ages and breeds and I found time whisked by as I became engrossed in the lives of The Dog-walking Club!
From Grace J Reviewerlady
This is a really lovely book; with a range of differing ages and personalities, the reader gets an insight into the life of each. This is one which will gladden your heart and make you so happy you picked it up. Definitely a feel-good read and one I enjoyed immensely. Four stars!
From Books Are Cool
This is a really delightful book: it’s uplifting, moving and friendly. That may sound an odd adjective to use but it is. It exudes such a sense of comradeship, loyalty and caring for others that it really warms the cockles of your heart! There’s humour, some suspense, things to think about and a wonderful story to enjoy within the pages.
From Sibzzreads
I love any book with dogs in it, but this one in particular is fabulous. Not only does it have lots of dogs, but the human characters are superb!
From Splashes into books
There are shocks, surprises, temptations, new starts, romance and more in this, making it a lovely story to escape into – I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
From Carla Loves to Read
It was heartwarming and delightful to read about the support people get from their fur-babies, as well to see how friendships develop because of the love of dogs. I read this book in one day as I wanted to find out what would happen next, in fact, I wanted to grab a leash and a dog and join them. I definitely recommend this heartfelt and inspirational book to anyone who loves a nice character driven story (human and canine), especially one about friendship, life’s struggles and moving on.
From Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews
This is one of my top 10 reads of 2019! There really is no huge overwhelming plot, yet it is full of such emotion, both sadness and joy. It is a beautiful testament to friendship and the relationships between humans and dogs.
From Waggy Tales Blog
The book shows that small thoughtful gestures can mean the world to someone and that anything is possible.
From Books, Life and Everything
For a life affirming, heartwarming story, you cannot go far. There are moments of humour amongst the sadder times and it is a well paced tale which leads you on. The author has a lot to say about friendship and companionship. Simple routines and being there are shown to have a profound effect on everyday lives.
From Lis Carey's Library
This isn't a story with a lot of plot or overtly exciting events. It's a story of people and dogs and friendship, and the big difference the most unlikely friendships and odd assortments of interests and skills and connections can make in people's lives.
I really thoroughly enjoyed this. Recommended.
From Jena Books
I highly recommend The Dog-Walking club. This book is a big hug of friendship and a cuddly dog by your side and I want you to love it as much as I did.
From Babydolls and Razorblades
The Dog Walking club was an absolute joy to read, definitely put a smile on my face.
From Just4MyBooks
A truly gentle read that drew me in completely; relating to and caring for these people and their dogs was easy. Now, don’t get me wrong, this story has so much more to offer than you might think.
Now can there be anyone who wouldn't want to read The Dog-walking Club after all those wonderful words?!
During the blog tour I also did two guest posts - for Being Anne and Audio Killed the Bookmark, as well as interviews for Jane Hunt Writer, Jazzy Book Reviews, The Magic of Wor(l)ds, B for Book Review, and Celticlady's Reviews.
Once again a huge thank you to all involved. And here's to the next one ...
Monday 15 July 2019
Still on the road
Anyway, we're on Day 6 of the tour and there've been more lovely reviews as well as some interviews and guest posts.
"This is one of my top 10 reads of 2019! There really is no huge overwhelming plot, yet it is full of such emotion, both sadness and joy. It is a beautiful testament to friendship and the relationships between humans and dogs."
From Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews.
"I really thoroughly enjoyed this. Recommended."
From Lis Carey's Library
"This book is a big hug of friendship and a cuddly dog by your side and I want you to love it as much as I did."
From Jena Books
You can buy the book, The Dog-walking Club, here.
And by the way if you want a chance to win reuseable beeswax wraps, straws, carrying pouch and face wipes, you can enter here.
Wednesday 10 July 2019
And the second ...
"This is a really delightful book: it’s uplifting, moving and friendly. That may sound an odd adjective to use but it is. It exudes such a sense of comradeship, loyalty and caring for others that it really warms the cockles of your heart!"
This one's from Books are Cool.
And there's a special doggy-themed giveaway you can enter! To tie in with #plasticfreejuly the prize consists of reusable beeswax food wraps, straws, a cleaner and carrying pouch, and five face wipes.
This one's from Books are Cool.
And there's a special doggy-themed giveaway you can enter! To tie in with #plasticfreejuly the prize consists of reusable beeswax food wraps, straws, a cleaner and carrying pouch, and five face wipes.
To enter pop along to Books are Cool or one of the other blogs on the tour.
And the first review says ...
Well, Day 1 of the blog tour and my first review is in!
"This is one which will gladden your heart and make you so happy you picked it up ... Definitely a feel-good read and one I enjoyed immensely. Four stars!"
Thank you Grace!
"This is one which will gladden your heart and make you so happy you picked it up ... Definitely a feel-good read and one I enjoyed immensely. Four stars!"
Thank you Grace!
Sunday 30 June 2019
Blog Tour approaching
The wonderful Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources, has organised a blog tour for me, to commence on 10th July.
The tour is a mixture of reviews, guest posts and interviews, and, I have to confess, I am just a little nervous. Is my book going to be good enough?
Lots of tour reviews I've seen give 5* and loads of praise, especially if the reviewer has been moved to tears or laughter, and my book isn't emotional or stirring or funny particularly. It has its moments but it's mostly just a story.
Anyway, we shall soon find out.
Lots of tour reviews I've seen give 5* and loads of praise, especially if the reviewer has been moved to tears or laughter, and my book isn't emotional or stirring or funny particularly. It has its moments but it's mostly just a story.
Anyway, we shall soon find out.
Thursday 27 June 2019
Books I want to write
1) I am currently writing the sequel to my first novel, This Time Next Year.
2) A sequel to my fourth novel, Tabitha's Table - not yet published.
3) The full back story of Sylvia, one of the characters in The Dog-walking Club.
4) A novel that will be completely different from any I have written so far. The idea for it came to me last weekend and I am excited about it.
Books waiting to be published:
Tabitha's Table, a sort of crime novel but doesn't exactly fit into any genre.
The Darkness of the Moon, which is what I think of as my most literary novel, and possibly my opus.
It occurred to me yesterday that I need to get on with it. I have been writing longer fiction for about sixteen years and in that time I have written four novels, meaning it takes me on average four years to write a book.
At this rate I will be over eighty by the time I achieve all this. (Not even thinking about marketing and promoting and networking.)
Two quotes to inspire me. One, the you can do it cheer-leader sort of message, and the other, a kick in the pants to get on and do it.
2) A sequel to my fourth novel, Tabitha's Table - not yet published.
3) The full back story of Sylvia, one of the characters in The Dog-walking Club.
4) A novel that will be completely different from any I have written so far. The idea for it came to me last weekend and I am excited about it.
Books waiting to be published:
Tabitha's Table, a sort of crime novel but doesn't exactly fit into any genre.
The Darkness of the Moon, which is what I think of as my most literary novel, and possibly my opus.
It occurred to me yesterday that I need to get on with it. I have been writing longer fiction for about sixteen years and in that time I have written four novels, meaning it takes me on average four years to write a book.
At this rate I will be over eighty by the time I achieve all this. (Not even thinking about marketing and promoting and networking.)
Two quotes to inspire me. One, the you can do it cheer-leader sort of message, and the other, a kick in the pants to get on and do it.
Thursday 13 June 2019
Sitting in a book chair
I was in the civic centre and I had to wait to be picked up so ... I wandered into the library, where I found this rather splendid book chair.
I'm not sure it would be very comfortable but how great is it?
Monday 3 June 2019
Is hope a writer's enemy?
But hope, when it's applied to a writer who has submitted a precious manuscript, whether it's to an agent or a publisher, is something that's best avoided. Easy to say that but impossible to do.
Forgive me, I write as one who has suffered too many rejections. As I write this today I have two submissions being considered. The first I don't, and never really did, expect anything to come out of it; the other, well, I have hope.
In spite of telling myself I don't. I want to be prepared for disappointment so I play down my hopes. 'They won't like it. Why should they? Everyone else says no. So they will too.' But in spite of telling myself to forget it, I can't. That little glimmer of hope will not be extinguished. So I'm setting myself up for depression when the polite little email arrives.
The good thing is that these days the black cloud doesn't hang around for so long. Rejection does get easier to deal with but it still hurts. Every time my beautiful baby is turned down I feel the pain. As writers we can't help it: we've created something that is part of us. It's scary to send it out into the world and hurtful when it creeps back unloved.
But we keep doing it. We keep hanging on to hope. And overall that's a good thing. Squashed hope doesn't kill us; it builds us. They say.
For more encouraging writing on hope go here.
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